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Nissan VersaModel year report

2009 Nissan Versa Problems

Compared with other Nissan Versa years

More complaints than typical for this model

100/100 4.5× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
504filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
63,500miles, 348 complaints with mileage
Recalls
7campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
29 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 26 city / 34 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Nissan Versa (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe broken front coil springs, frequently noticed as a loud snap or a car sitting low and found fractured at the dealer or an independent shop, and a large share of the air bag complaints are questions about the Takata inflator recalls and parts availability rather than a new fault. A smaller but steady group of complaints covers fuel pump failures that leave the car unable to start, rough or stalling running, and noises from the steering and front suspension.

  1. Suspension

    Front coil spring breakage

    • 161 complaints (32%)
    • median 65,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (147 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $700 (median of 21 quotes)
    • filed 2013–2026

    Owners describe a loud snap or clunk, a corner of the car dropping, or a bouncy, unstable ride, and shops then find a front coil spring cracked or broken in two. Several mention the broken spring rubbing or puncturing the tire, or the loose end coming to rest against the strut and wheel area. Some say the spring broke while pulling out of a driveway or parking spot at low speed; others say a dealer replaced the springs or performed a recall repair, and a few report the springs breaking again afterwards. Complaints often note rust at the break point, and some owners connect this to road salt in northern states. Mostly reported between roughly 40,000 and 100,000 miles, though a few appear very early and several well past 150,000 miles; many are noticed at low speed or while parked.

    Recall 15V5730004 related service bulletins

    What to check: Look for rust or a fresh break at the lower coils of both front springs, and ask whether the front spring recall work was completed and whether the springs have been replaced since. A test drive over rough pavement or a slow full-lock turn is a reasonable way to listen for clunks.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “During the month of may 2014 the Versa started to make clicking noises at the front of the car especially when I applied the brakes. The sounds got worse and the car was not performing well. I took it to the service station in my neighbourhood and the person who repaired my car had to replace the 2 front strut mounts, 2 front coil springs and align the 4'wheels! The car only had 5420 miles on it at that time. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10626403, filed 2014-08, 5,400 miles

    “The left front coil spring broke while standing in our driveway. Part of it shot in to the side of our house. Thank god we weren't on the hiway and have the broken spring shred our tire. I have seen many complaints of this car model's springs breaking on your web site. Why no recall?”

    NHTSA complaint #10733059, filed 2015-07, 73,000 miles
  2. Air bags

    Air bag inflator recalls and warning lights

    • 175 complaints (35%)
    • median 88,000 mi at 8.7 yrs old (50 state mileage)
    • 22 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $660 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2009–2026

    Many complaints are about the Takata front air bag inflator recalls: owners say they were notified but parts were unavailable for months, that dealers told them to keep driving, or that no loaner was offered. Others describe the air bag warning light staying on after a recall repair, or coming back after a second repair, and one reports a passenger air bag deploying with no impact. A few describe air bags failing to deploy in a collision. Reports span the whole mileage range, from near-new vehicles to over 200,000 miles, and are not tied to a particular season.

    Recall 20V008000Recall 18V044000Recall 17V449000Recall 17V028000Recall 16V3490004 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for proof that both driver and passenger inflator recalls were completed on this VIN, and check that the air bag warning light does not stay lit after the self-test on startup.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Received passenger airbag warning this spring. My daughter was forced to drive around with everyone in the back seat. Months later we get a recall for the driver side airbag. Now my daughter can't even drive the car! Replacement parts aren't expected til 'spring 2018' which is months away. What am I supposed to do with this car during that time?”

    NHTSA complaint #11030307, filed 2017-09, 110,000 miles

    “Takata recall ~ I traded this car in for a newer one. Because of this recall, no fix existing, not knowing when a fix might come in, I had to take a $500 loss. Will I get reimbursed for this? Thanks”

    NHTSA complaint #11092234, filed 2018-05, 137,324 miles
  3. Engine cooling

    Exhaust corrosion and rough running

    • 43 complaints (9%)
    • median 69,450 mi at 5.8 yrs old (40 state mileage)
    • filed 2009–2020

    Owners report the muffler, intermediate pipe and catalytic converter flange corroding and separating, producing a loud rumble and vibration, in some cases with very low mileage. Others describe hesitation or stalling at stops, an illuminated check engine light, and dealers resetting the engine computer or replacing sensors without a lasting fix. Exhaust corrosion reports cluster from roughly 4,000 to 40,000 miles, while the hesitation and stalling reports range from a few thousand miles to about 100,000.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Inspect the muffler, pipe joints and converter flange for rust or separation and listen for an exhaust rumble at idle; ask whether any check engine codes for EVAP leaks have been diagnosed and repaired.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “When I went to proceed through an intersection after being stopped for a red light my car suddenly lost power. It made clunking noises and even though I kept giving it more gas I barely made it through the intersection. I then steered into the shoulder and turned off the car, waited a few minutes and started it again. The engine started but I still had noises and no power to move forward. I had the car towed to the dealership where I bought it new and have all the routine maintenance done. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10411302, filed 2011-07, 30,434 miles

    “I was pulling out of a wawa after fueling up when the check engine light came on the car stalled in the middle of the road. I had to push it to the side. The road is normally busy thank god this did not occur during the busy time. I got the car to the dealership I explained to them my issues they repaired it by resetting the engine module thing. I just took the car back in middle of march due to the car riding rough service light back on and the engine is making a lot of noise. The car had 30379 miles on it at this point. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10454358, filed 2012-04, 27,400 miles
  4. Fuel system

    Fuel pump failure and stalling

    • 37 complaints (7%)
    • median 50,900 mi at 4.4 yrs old (34 state mileage)
    • filed 2008–2022

    Owners describe the engine cutting out while driving or refusing to restart, sometimes at highway speed, with the car towed and diagnosed as a failed fuel pump. Several mention a replacement pump failing again, and one says the part was on national back order. Related complaints describe strong fuel smells in the cabin after filling the tank, traced to a leaking fuel component. Typically reported between about 35,000 and 120,000 miles, often with no warning beforehand.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask whether the fuel pump has been replaced and at what mileage, and after a fill-up check for fuel odor in the cabin or around the filler neck.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Every time I filled up my gas tank, the cabin filled up with fumes. I went to my mechanic and found the fuel modulator was leaking and had to be replaced. The plug was burnt. They replaced and repaired the items. My mechanic told me that this replacement might fall under a recall. Before my car was fixed, I was getting headaches from the fumes.”

    NHTSA complaint #10863464, filed 2016-05, 76,935 miles

    “While driving in town my 2009 Nissan Versa hatchback lost power, couldn't accelerate and panel idiot lights came on. I was able to pull over safely. I tried restarting it but nothing. About 15 minutes later, I tried again and several times it almost started but died out. Had to get car towed. When tow truck driver got in vehicle it started for him and kept running so he drove it onto the tow truck and took it to the garage. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11309094, filed 2020-02, 70,000 miles
  5. Steering

    Steering column and front-end noises

    • 46 complaints (9%)
    • median 54,300 mi at 6.2 yrs old (43 state mileage)
    • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $701 (median of 6 quotes)
    • filed 2009–2026

    Owners describe a knock, rattle or click from the steering column, often on rough roads or when turning the wheel back and forth while stopped, and some report the car pulling or the wheel sitting off-center. Others mention clicking from the front after braking or accelerating, which shops have traced to strut mounts, axle joints or wheel bearings. Most reports fall between roughly 35,000 and 110,000 miles, with several noted on uneven or broken pavement.

    6 related service bulletins

    What to check: With the car parked, turn the wheel slowly side to side and listen for a knock, then drive over rough pavement and check for pull or an off-center wheel; an alignment printout helps confirm.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Within days of buying the new car in 2009, I noticed a loud, clunking squeak and a pop from around my front wheels when I would make a turn after slowing down to a stop. This had been happening during the entire 3.5 years that I have had the car, so I figured it was normal and harmless because the car was already doing it brand new (right now there are still only 37,343 miles on the vehicle, I park it in my garage, and it has had no accidents.) however, last night, the sound seemed to be louder and looser near the front-right wheel. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10503060, filed 2013-03, 37,343 miles

    “2009 Nissan Versa hatchback less than a month the alignment needed fixing the car pulls to both sides. The beginning it goes to the left then putting the car back straight it goes to the right. It gets worse when the car goes over 40 miles per hour.”

    NHTSA complaint #10288851, filed 2009-10, 2,536 miles

Buying note. On this model year, the front springs and the air bag recall status are the two things worth confirming before purchase: ask for recall completion records and have the front springs inspected for rust and breaks. Fuel pump history and any recurring check engine light are also worth asking about, and a pre-purchase inspection on a lift will surface exhaust corrosion and front-end noise.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 504 consumer complaints for the 2009 Nissan Versa. 348 of the complaints include a mileage, and 36% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 63,500 miles. Of all complaints, 27 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 16 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 96 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 13 Nissan Versa model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 100 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (more complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Other or unknown (15), Electrical system (14), Brakes (12), Vehicle speed control (10), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (7), Equipment (2), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Seat belts (2), Seats (2), Electronic stability control (1), Exterior lighting (1), Interior lighting (1).

Example complaints

Suspension: “When backing car makes a moaning noise. I just learned of a recall for front springs coil springs. Recall id 239045. Your site says that my car isnt under it but should be. The car to my knowledge was first sold in florida. I bought it from carmax in va. Florida was not one of the recall states but va is. We use road salt here. It seems to do it in hot weather.”

NHTSA complaint #11210521, filed 2019-05, 65,000 miles

Air bags: “Takata recall I reached out to a nearby Nissan dealership, nationwide Nissan based out of timonium maryland. They attempted to take possession of my vehicle from september until march because they did not have airbags in stock. They tried to force me into signing a waiver that would prohibit me from driving my own vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11047722, filed 2017-11, 78,000 miles

Fuel system: “July 2, 2013 - while driving the service engine soon (ses) light comes on. The rate of speed does not seem to have an impact on this problem. I have taken my car to the Nissan dealership on 7 different occasions for this problem. Each time the computer reveals the following code: p2a00 a/f sensor failed. …”

NHTSA complaint #10522972, filed 2013-07, 30,516 miles

Steering: “I'll have 65, 700 miles on my car is am a very safe driver, don't speed an takes care of my car. So why am I hearing clicking noises in the steering column ? My mechanical c says the bill will be over $600. I am 72 an have never had this problem in any of my cars in my 50 years of driving. I'll hear clicking noises in the steering shaft when it turn right.”

NHTSA complaint #11110646, filed 2018-07, 65,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

36% of the 348 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 88,000 miles.

10%0–107%10–2519%25–5026%50–7520%75–10015%100–1503%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (348 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 63,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’08’11’14’17119’20’23’26
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Nissan Versa. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Versa · sedan FWDnot rated4 / 4———
Versa Hatchback · sedan FWDnot rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Nissan Versa version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Versa FWD1.6L 4-cyl5-speed manual263429$2,300
Versa FWD1.6L 4-cyl4-speed automatic263328$2,400
Versa FWD1.8L 4-cylCVT273329$2,300
Versa FWD1.8L 4-cyl6-speed manual263128$2,400
Versa FWD1.8L 4-cyl4-speed automatic243227$2,500
Versa FE FWD1.8L 4-cylCVT283430$2,250

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 7 recalls for the 2009 Nissan Versa → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 96 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 96 bulletins →

Other model years of the Nissan Versa

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
202512320535—Too new
2024961,3501535Too new to compareToo new
20233711,000153522 · FewerToo new
20222010,1500535—Rising
2021326,000353531 · FewerRising
20206415,000253548 · TypicalStable
20192420,0001434—Stable
20185728,652243034 · FewerFalling
20176227,0073—3037 · TypicalFalling
20168134,262043023 · FewerStable
201516846,000143052 · TypicalFalling
201420755,518243068 · MoreFalling
201320452,000143047 · TypicalFalling
201248660,08810430100 · MoreFalling
201126964,000622877 · MoreFalling
201026965,0007—2870 · MoreFalling
200950463,5007—29100 · MoreFalling
200838152,0007—2899 · MoreFalling
200735455,1078—28Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Nissan Versa model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Versa?

Owners of this model year most often describe broken front coil springs, frequently noticed as a loud snap or a car sitting low and found fractured at the dealer or an independent shop, and a large share of the air bag complaints are questions about the Takata inflator recalls and parts availability rather than a new fault. The issues reported most often: Front coil spring breakage; Air bag inflator recalls and warning lights; Exhaust corrosion and rough running.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Nissan Versa have?

NHTSA recorded 504 consumer complaints for the 2009 Nissan Versa as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Nissan Versa is reported most often?

Suspension is named most often, in 182 complaints (36% of the total), followed by air bags with 180.

Has the 2009 Nissan Versa been recalled?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Versa get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Nissan Versa (Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 29 mpg combined, 26 city and 34 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Nissan Versa reported?

Among the 348 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 63,500 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 88,000 miles; 36% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.