Open safety recalls, the components owners report failing most often, crash-test results and running costs for the 2018 Nissan Versa, assembled from NHTSA and EPA records.
Everything on this page applies to the model as a whole. Run its VIN to decode that exact car, its engine, trim, assembly plant and factory equipment, alongside these records.
Open a VIN recordRecalls and complaints are filed against a specific model year, so figures differ from one year to the next even within a single generation. See every Nissan Versa year.
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this make, model and year. Recalls apply to the model, so some may already be fixed on this specific car. A dealer can confirm from the VIN.
Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 18V551000
Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Campaign 19V654000
NHTSA frontal crash test
1 open NHTSA investigation into this model. Investigations come before recalls, so these are potential defects not yet covered by one.
Rated configuration: 2018 Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD
The parts named most often across 57 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this make, model and year.
7 crashes · 7 injured
2 crashes · 2 injured
1 crash · 2 injured
Complaints are self-reported and skew toward problems people find alarming, so read this as where to look rather than as a defect rate.
On September 17, 2026, my 2018 Nissan was involved in a severe rear-end collision on the freeway. The vehicle sustained extensive rear-end damage and was subsequently determined to be a total loss. None of the airbags deployed during the collision. Immediately after the crash, I believe I may have briefly seen an airbag-related warning or message on the instrument panel. However, I was extremely shaken at the time and cannot confirm the exact warning or wording that appeared. The rear of the vehicle was severely damaged. After the collision, I observed an exposed component in the damaged rear area that appeared to be associated with the vehicle's sensor or safety system, and this area had been directly impacted in the collision. I cannot independently confirm whether this component is an airbag/crash sensor. I am concerned about whether the airbag/SRS system functioned as designed during this collision. The vehicle damage has been documented with photographs, and the crash was documented by law enforcement. I am submitting this complaint so that NHTSA can evaluate whether the airbag/SRS system operated properly and whether there may be a safety-related defect.
On September 17, 2026, my 2018 Nissan was involved in a severe rear-end collision on a freeway. The vehicle sustained extensive damage and was declared a total loss. None of the airbags deployed. I am concerned that the airbag/SRS system may not have functioned as designed. After the collision, I observed exposed components in the severely damaged rear area. I cannot confirm whether these components were part of the airbag or crash sensor system. Immediately after the collision, I believe I may have briefly seen an airbag-related warning or message on the instrument panel. I was shaken after the crash and cannot confirm the exact message. I experienced back pain, mild dizziness, and a nosebleed following the collision and subsequently sought medical treatment. The crash was documented by the California Highway Patrol, and the vehicle was also inspected/documented for the insurance claim. The vehicle has not, to my knowledge, been inspected by Nissan specifically for the airbag/SRS issue. I am requesting an investigation into whether the airbag/SRS system functioned properly during this collision.
Car jerks and doesn’t go into gear right away. Never know when it will happen. There is a notice from Nissan that it happens because of short in tail light. Happened approx 3 yrs ago and has started again but worse. It is available for inspection No recall but very unsafe. While attempting to cross street it didn’t go into gear and I was almost hit. Also almost rear ended cause driver behind me didn’t expect me to not go into gear Took in 3 yrs ago and tail light fixed. Now new mechanic tried fixing it but it only worked about a week. Have to take it back in so he can try fixing it again. Same code keeps coming up Check engine light came on and off for last three weeks. Doesn’t stay on so I can’t tell when it will happen. Very dangerous! Should be recalled
2018 Nissan Versa transmission issues. i have 2018 Nissan Versa with 116,993 miles. Transmission is starting to skip and slip. it was diagnosed as a possible chain slip. there was bulletin out for this issue in which Nissan has known about. Nissan was contacted to see if they could warranty the transmission, but was told they were not going to cover it. There was warranty extension, but only for 84,000 miles. nissan was unwilling to help fix it and wanted to charge $210 to diagnose it. this is saftey issue because there are probably other nissan Versas out there with the same issue. the point is that there is an issue which knows about. vehicle should be fixed under warranty. car was bought used 4 years ago. tsb is NTB20-036a
My car was parked out front my house. Weather has been in the 60’s no major differences. I walked outside ant 1pm and noticed the entire back windshield was shattered. There was no impact marks, no hole in the window. I’m not sure how this has happened and thankfully we were at home and not driving.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 4 MPH, the vehicle was shaking violently. There were no warning lights illuminated. When the heater was activated, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure reoccurred. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled and was towed to the same independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a faulty computer, coils, and a defective crankshaft sensor. There was also paper found inside the heater system. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
Out of nowhere my airbag light start blinking, I ran the code and got a P2096 which apparently is not related to the airbag I took it to Firestone to get it checked out and they told me they cannot do anything about the airbag light I would have to go to my dealership for help with that. No one seems to know what to do.
I was driving on the express way in rush hour traffic, and my car started to judder and rpm were reving high.i tried to accelerate and the car just stop in mid traffic, I had to have the car towed home,and from home to the nissan dealership. They told me that my transmission had failed and needed to be replaced.i had no warning light or any other problem and I could have been hurt really bad if the car behind me hadn't stop and help me get out of the rush hour traffic.
loss of power when using turn signal on highway changing lanes and making left or right turn on city streets. Once the signal is off I can accelerate. Left turn signal becomes more rapid as well. The Versa has a manual transmission. recurring issue for a month.
Has an issue with the mass flow air sensor. I had this car for 7 months with 84,000 miles on it and noticed instantly that it had poor mileage and stalled a lot. Check engine came on the first time and I took it to have a diagnostic test and a P101 code came on, a couple of days later the car wouldn't start. Replaced the mass flow air sensor and the car was driveable but it had the same poor gas mileage and stalling that it did the first time. Went out again within a week for the 2nd time. Got it replaced recently a third time and Im still having acceleration, poor gas mileage, and stalling. Car isn't safe to drive and does not pass the smog test .
I pulled up to a stoplight that was on a hill and tried to put on the brake. The brake pedal was highly resistant and wouldn’t let me push down fully. At that moment, all of the warning lights on the dashboard turned on. When the light turned green, I tried to hit the gas pedal but the car wouldn’t move forward. The car started rolling backward and I almost collided with the car behind me. I had to stomp on the brake as hard as I could to get the vehicle to stop. I then had to put on my hazards, put the car in park, turn it off, and turn it back on again before the vehicle worked like normal. My spouse said he’s had the same thing happen to him twice in the past year. Each time, the brakes and accelerator pedal freeze up and all the warning lights come on. But after turning the car off and on again, it goes back to normal. I don’t think this is a battery problem because the car battery is less than one year old.
While driving the car just shuts off and I have to stop the car turn the ignition off and then back on, this has happened multiple times and the dealer said there are no recalls on rhus vehicle.
Showing 12 of 57 complaints.
Over 5 years this costs $2,000 less in fuel than an average new vehicle.