Nissan Versa NOTE Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used Nissan Versa NOTE options? We analyzed 7 model years (2014–2020) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Nissan Versa NOTE you plan to buy.
NISSAN VERSA NOTE (2014-2020) has 768 NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls. Power train issues lead with 247 complaints, followed by air bags (117) and engine (117). The 2014 model year accounts for 336 complaints. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Versa NOTE
- Model years analyzed
- 2014–2020 (7 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 768
- Safety recall campaigns
- 11
- Crash-related complaints
- 88
- Fire-related complaints
- 6
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2014 (336 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2018 (3 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- POWER TRAIN
- Reliability signal
- Below Average
Nissan Versa NOTE: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Below AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the 2014-2020 Nissan Versa Note has 768 total complaints and 11 recalls, with the highest complaint counts in 2014 (336) and 2015 (253). The top complaint components are power train (247), air bags (117), and engine (117). Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Power train received 247 complaints, the highest of any component.
- Air bags received 117 complaints, a significant safety concern.
- The 2014 model year accounts for 336 of the 768 total complaints.
- Power train issues including transmission failure.
- Air bag system malfunctions.
- Engine problems such as stalling or hesitation.
The 2014 and 2015 model years have the most complaints, driven by power train, air bags, and engine issues.
The 2018-2020 model years show very few complaints (3 total), suggesting better reliability, though sample sizes are small.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for transmission and engine repairs.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and air bag system.
- Check for any outstanding safety recalls on the specific VIN.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
11 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2014–2020. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 768 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
768 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Car is not wanting to accelerate, continues to shift hard, stalls on flat ground Electrical outlets on car seem to have a short, will work one minute, next they do not Passenger window is slowing when rolling up
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. WHEN EXITING HIGHWAY CAR SLOWING DOWN. WHEN GETTING TO INTERSECTION BRAKES APPLIED. PULSATING FELT ON BRAKE PEDAL. LOUD THUMPING NOISE HEARD FROM LEFT FRONT OF CAR. TOOK CAD STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO DEALER SERVICE. DEALER TEST DROVE CAR STATED THEY HEARD OR FELT NOTHING SO THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.
TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2018 NISSAN VERSA NOTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A WALL AND DAMAGED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE RENTAL COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RENTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,058. *TT CONSUMER WAS A RENTER OF THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.*JB
NO BACKUP CAMERA. DEALER: NOT ALL HAVE THEM
Car was purchased September 2024 for my grandson. This car was garaged until mid-March when my grandson received his driver's license. End of March 2025, car was in the dealership for service and a complimentary multipoint inspection was done. On May 14, 2025, my grandson was driving to school in the rain. All of a sudden, water starts gushing out of the glove compartment. The whole interior was flooded including the backseat. My grandson received his driver license in March, 2025 (a new driver). There were no warning signs before the water started gushing. Dealership said it was a clogged cowl. Nothing was said about maintenance on this cowl when the car was purchased. There is nothing in the manual about this cowl. Looking on the internet, this is a known defect of the Nissan Versa and nothing is being done about it. Thank God he did not get into an accident. After only putting 4000 miles on the car since purchased, the insurance company has totaled the car.
Hood latch allowed hood to fly open at 30 mph, causing $3100 worth of damage to car, Potentially causing serious other vehicular/occupant injuries. Apparently the latch was inadvertently engaged, but the secondary latch did not hold and let the hood fly open. This incident happened 8/2023 but was not reported to Nissan and while estimate was obtained, repairs were not made.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch failed to start as needed and the vehicle failed to start. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer confirmed the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Power steering goes out while driving often.
These vehicles have a cowl drain located on the passenger side under the wiper blades. The drain is really small so it clogs easily. When there are heavy rains, my car floods. It has happened on several occasions, including Monday 7/8/2024. It happened while driving in June 2023. I am not sure why Nissan hasn’t done anything to mitigate this problem. I am not even sure of this is the appropriate place to contract but I figured I would try. Thanks.
Driver side airbag system completely broken. No crashes or accidents caused this. It happened out of nowhere one day.
The car turn off while driving at 45mph and then check engine light came on and some other sensors
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 mileage was approximately 77,645.
Passenger door lock/unlocked, not working. Buzz noise when operating key fob; actuator malfunction. Can't open door manually.
When door assembly went out the door was stuck in the locked position the drivers door couldn’t be opened from inside or outside with or without the key. even if you manually opened the lock from the inside you couldn’t get out
ENGINE BROKE DOWN AT 25000 MILES ONLY WITH ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ,
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.
Vehicle was involved in an accident. The driver of this vehicle rear ended another vehicle hard. Car was deemed a total loss and none of the air bags deployed resulting in semi serious injuries. Broken elbow, broken ribs, some cuts and abrasions. If air bags had deployed I believe injuries would have been minimal.
2017 Nissan Versa Note 1.6 L 1598 CC L4 DOHC 16 Valve Odometer: 43408 COMPLAINT: Customer states, while driving vehicle will jerk and then engine light came on. Customer added oil. Technician confirmed customers concern. Technician scanned for trouble codes and found P285A. Technician performed P285A diagnostic procedure and confirmed transmission will need to be replaced. The above is the report from the auto shop. My car started jerking while driving on a slope, in heavy traffic which obviously made me very worried especially when you have no lane to exit. I specifically wanted to buy a newish pre-owned car to avoid expensive issues such as the one above. The odometer is only at +40000 miles, the car has been used only for 3-4 years. Please address.
Transmission failed 2x within 6 months extended warranty was 5k miles past 130k max mileage coverage 2nd transmission went out going 20 mph and revved up to 25mph and transmission failed. 1st time it went out I was in Cleveland on a busy road making a turn and transmission went out. Cars were beeping behind me. Issue is unknown as to why transmission keeps going out but is a safety issue. 2nd transmission was used with only 30-40k miles on it.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved fault code: P0705 indicating the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,799.
Showing 20 of 768 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact Nissan Versa NOTE
These pages show model-year patterns across 7years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Nissan Versa NOTE has 768 complaints on record across 7 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Nissan Versa NOTE has 11 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 88 of the Nissan Versa NOTE's 768 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Below Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Nissan Versa NOTE vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Nissan Versa NOTE vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Nissan Versa NOTE has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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📍 Check a Nissan Versa NOTE by State
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Nissan Versa NOTE.