Research · Compact Cars

2020 Nissan VersaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 64 owner complaints for the 2020 Nissan Versa. Most complaints involve power train (16) and forward collision avoidance (16). The EPA rates it 30–35 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
30–35mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jun 2021
Owner complaints
64
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$1,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Exterior lighting: bulbs

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.

Exterior lightingReported Jun 23, 2021NHTSA 21V471000

Fuel system

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Versa vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the fuel tank wall thickness may be insufficient, potentially causing a small hole in the tank seam area.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Feb 26, 2020NHTSA 20V112000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

64 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2020 – Jul 2026
  1. Power train16
  2. Forward collision avoidance16
  3. Engine14
  4. Electrical system12
  5. Service brakes6
  6. Fuel/propulsion system5
  7. Air bags5
  8. Suspension3
  9. Structure3

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

By model year

Complaints for each Versa model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007354
2008381
2009504
2010269
2011269
2012486
2013204
2014343
2015255
2016110
201772
201860
201925
202064
202132
202220
202337
202497
202513
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

16 reports
“My 2020 Nissan versa kept hesitating when being put in reverse the engine light kept coming on every few months I kept being told it was other issues until the transmission went out. I got it checked on multiple occasions because of the way it was hesitating and seemed like it was heating up.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 24, 2026Power trainODI 11746116

Forward collision avoidance

16 reports3 crashes
“I am reporting a chronic and dangerous defect in my 2020 Nissan Versa that results in an unpredictable, sudden, and complete loss of acceleration (motive power) while driving. This defect has been present since shortly after purchase and remains unresolved, posing a severe safety risk on public roads. Specific Safety Incident Details: Symptoms: The failure begins with the illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light), simultaneously accompanied by dashboard messages like "Malfunction See Owner’s Manual" and "Key System Error." The Critical Safety Hazard (Loss of Power): Immediately following the dash warning, the vehicle experiences a major, sudden loss of acceleration. This is not a gradual deceleration—the throttle becomes unresponsive, and the vehicle will not accelerate for approximately 4 to 5 seconds. Driving Conditions: This failure occurs randomly, including during critical maneuvers such as accelerating from a stop, merging into traffic, or attempting to accelerate on a highway. Consequence: When the vehicle unexpectedly fails to accelerate (especially in high-speed or high-traffic situations), it creates a high risk of being…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2025Power train, Electrical system, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11697255

Engine

14 reports
“I have had this happen numerous times in my car for absolutely no reason. I also just got my cars state inspection and nothing was noted, while other things unrelated to this issue were recommended by the mechanic. The car will start to stall in reverse AND in regular driving mode. Most recently it will come up with see manufacturers manual, and my engine light, traction control and crash sensors will appear on my dash board. Shutting the car on and off doesn't change the issue. Also this will happen sporadically sometime with check lights on and sometimes it's random and resolves itself. This is extremely dangerous when you're trying to drive and your car won't get "unstuck" and then randomly goes full speed. I drive 5,000 miles a year so I'm not using the car that hard.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 21, 2025Unknown or other, EngineODI 11706393
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Versa
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
324035$1,800253
Versa
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive
273530$2,100296
  • Versa
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    32 city · 40 hwy · $1,800/yr
    35
    mpg comb.
  • Versa
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L
    27 city · 35 hwy · $2,100/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 14492
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Versa questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Nissan Versa have?

2 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Nissan Versa problems?

Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (16), forward collision avoidance (16), engine (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Nissan Versa get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Nissan Versa at 30–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Nissan Versa?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Nissan Versa 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026