Problems · NHTSA complaints

2017 Nissan Versa problems

Owners filed 72 complaints about the 2017 Nissan Versa with NHTSA between Apr 2017 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (17).

Complaints
72
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Air bags17
  2. Electrical system13
  3. Power train13
  4. Engine9
  5. Service brakes9
  6. Fuel/propulsion system7
  7. Seat belts6
  8. Structure5
  9. Steering4
  10. Suspension4
  11. Visibility/wiper2
  12. Latches/locks/linkages1
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  14. Exterior lighting1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20179
201811
201911
202010
202110
20224
20237
20246
20253
20261

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Air bags

17 reports8 crashes2 related recalls
“The vehicle was involved in a side impact collision at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss after the accident, as the side impact was the drivers side door and wheel well. The air bags never deployed, despite the high rate of speed and the entire front drivers side of the vehicle being affected.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 27, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11727553

Electrical system

13 reports1 related recall
“On 3/21/25 I was informed by Malik's Auto Repair that I need my transmission replaced after a diagnostic of my car making a vacuum noise. After researching, I found that many Nissan vehicles have been experiencing this problem. I contacted Nissan and they informed me that no recall has been made for my make and model. It is a safety issue because at any time the car could stop causing an accident or fatality. Also, I had to have my starter replaced on this car. My car would not start. I was out with my daughter and if it was not for me having AAA we would have been stranded. Nissan stated that this issue was fixed on my car prior to me purchasing it. There is no record of this issue being fixed on Carfax and I paid almost $600 to replace it. Nissan have not assisted me with anything. Now I have to try to come up with the funds for a transmission.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11663471

Power train

13 reports
“The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was flushed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle after the vehicle had been serviced at an independent mechanic, ten months later, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking sound. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure might be related to the transmission. The vehicle was towed to a certified transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shards inside the transmission. The mechanic determined that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 1, 2023Power trainODI 11557873

Engine

9 reports1 crash
“Car will only start sporadically. Had both camshaft sensors replaced, check engine light still on. Unable to predict when vehicle will start. Sometimes it will rev up but wont actually start. Dealership says it needs ECM and engine harness replaced. I have had to get it towed several times from several random parking lots or streets because it wouldn't start. Wont pass an emissions test even though sensors were replaced, check engine lights wont go off.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2023Electrical system, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11524601

Service brakes

9 reports3 crashes
“The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the braking system malfunctioned while depressing the brake pedal and the vehicle did not immediately stop, nearly causing the vehicle to crash. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 20,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 8, 2021Service brakesODI 11423880

Fuel/propulsion system

7 reports
“IF YOU HAVE THE AC FULL BLAST AND ARE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR WILL STALL OUT AS IF IT WEREN'T GETTING FUEL BECAUSE IT WON'T START RIGHT BACK UP. IN ORDER FOR ME TO START IT I HAD TO PRESS AND DEPRESS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN IT OVER. IF TURNING OVER EXCEEDS THE BATTERIES VOLTAGE IT WILL KILL THE BATTERY RESULTING IN WORSE PROBLEMS. IF YOU'RE LUCKY IT WILL TURN OVER AFTER A LONG TIME TURNING IT OVER WHILE PUSHING GAS PEDAL BUT IF YOU DON'T UNPLUG AND PLUG IN THE FUEL PUMP IT MIGHT NOT WORK. IF YOU IDLE FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME YOU'LL STALL OUT FOR SURE ONCE THE CAR STARTS SPUTTERING HITTING THE GAS PEDAL WILL ONLY INCREASE THE SPEED OF THE STALL BECAUSE LETTING GO SEEMS TO DRAIN THE SYSTEMS FUEL AND IT SEEMS YOU'LL HAVE TO GET THE FUEL RUNNING THRU SYSTEM AGAIN. THIS CAR ALSO HAS A LOT MORE WRONG WITH FOR STARTERS THE TRUNK IS NOT SEALED BY WELDING IT HONESTLY LOOKS LIKE BROWN PAINT WHICH DOESN'T COMPLETELY COVER THE CRACKS BETWEEN THE FRAME AND TRUNK BOTTOM AND SOMETIMES I GET LIGHT HEADED WHEN IDLING BEFORE IT STARTED TO STALL OUT. THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS MADE IN MEXICO AND SEEMS TO BE CHEAPLY MADE BECAUSE THE TRIM DOESN'T EVEN…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2020Suspension, Exterior lighting, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11342745
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.