2016 Nissan Versa Problems
Compared with other Nissan Versa years
Fewer complaints than typical for this model
23/100 0.5× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 0.5× that of a typical Nissan Versa year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 33 of its 81 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported problem: CVT shudder, jerk and loss of acceleration (22 complaints, median 67,500 mi).
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
- 81filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 34,262miles, 50 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 / 5stars overall
- EPA fuel economy
- 30 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 27 city / 36 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 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 CVT transmission trouble — shuddering, jerking, delayed acceleration and occasional loss of power — usually appearing past 50,000 miles. A second frequent theme is the airbag warning light coming on or flashing, sometimes with an airbag that did not deploy in a collision, and brake complaints cluster at very low mileage.
- Transmission and drivetrain
CVT shudder, jerk and loss of acceleration
- 22 complaints (27%)
- median 67,500 mi at 4.1 yrs old (12 state mileage)
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2016–2026
Complaints describe the car hesitating or bogging down when the accelerator is pressed, followed by jerking and shuddering, and in some cases the vehicle refusing to move or stalling at a stop or on the highway. Several owners say a dealer or independent shop diagnosed the CVT as needing replacement or repair, while others report the dealer found no fault or declined coverage after warranty mileage. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 90,000 miles, though a few appear lower.
What to check: On a test drive, feel for hesitation or shuddering under light acceleration and at steady low speeds, and ask for CVT service records. Several service bulletins describe diagnostic logic and judder procedures for this transmission, so ask whether any were applied.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“On or about november 5th of 2018 while traveling on the highway home the vehicle quit accelerating. We limped the vehicle home where a local transmission shop inspected the transmission. It was apparent the transmission was slipping. The quote we received was that the transmission was shot . The vehicle had been purchased used and was only owned about 16 months.”
NHTSA complaint #11192913, filed 2019-04, 56,823 miles“Vehicle shuts off completely while in motion regardless of speed. I've had it shut off while driving 15mph on the street as well as when I've been going 60+MPH on the highway. Based off of other findings and lawsuits, I've began to suspect it is the transmission. I've taken it to the Nissan dealership each time it has happened, and they've never been able to give me an answer. I've gotten my warranty extended by them, but that's it.”
NHTSA complaint #11365751, filed 2020-10, 57,000 miles - Air bags
Airbag warning light on or flashing
- 19 complaints (23%)
- median 26,000 mi at 2.1 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
- 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2016–2026
Owners report the airbag light illuminating or flashing without any crash, sometimes staying on after a reset and returning days or weeks later. Dealers reportedly traced it to the occupant detection sensor unit or a side airbag module, and owners describe repair quotes in the thousands of dollars; some complaints also describe airbags that did not deploy in a collision. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to over 100,000, and at varied ages.
What to check: Check that the airbag light comes on briefly at startup and then goes out, and ask for any stored occupant-detection or side-module codes. Service bulletins describe a diagnostic procedure for a stored occupant detection sensor fault, so ask whether that was performed.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Air bag failed to deploy during head on collision driving about 70mph on the 1604 hwy animal ran across I swerved out of the way to avoid hitting it but lost control on the grass and went head on into a pole as I tried to steer the car from hitting I spinned out of control after the impact then landed on the access road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10949876, filed 2017-02, 26,000 miles“Lost consciousness due to previously undiagnosed medical issue, car was in 2nd gear and hit telephone pole. Car was totaled and I was injured from the impact, airbags did not deploy. I was presumably going as fast as possible in 2nd gear as my foot was on the pedal when I lost consciousness.”
NHTSA complaint #11310213, filed 2020-02, 35,523 miles - Brakes
Brake pedal feels weak, ABS light on
- 8 complaints (10%)
- median 9,730 mi at 1.9 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
- 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2016–2019
Complaints describe the brake pedal being pressed and the vehicle not slowing as expected, in some cases with the ABS light illuminated and the driver steering into a curb to stop. Others report noise and clicking from the brakes, and owners say dealers either could not reproduce the problem or told them nothing was wrong. Often reported under 12,000 miles, including on nearly new vehicles.
What to check: Test the brakes firmly at low speed on a clear road and confirm the ABS light behaves normally; ask for a brake inspection and any ABS diagnostic records.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“I have taken my brand new Nissan to the dealer 6 times now. Breaks keep making a noise like a tapping noise while driving. The last time I took the car to the dealer and picked it up after a week the breaks are screeching to the point where I cannot drive. Nissan dealer and Nissan factory are claiming this is not their responsibility.”
NHTSA complaint #11013648, filed 2017-08, 1,000 miles“When I drive in the winter time and apply the brakes on a slippery road the car doesn't want to stop no matter how many times I try to use the brakes. Instead, the brakes pop and click until my car slows down on its own. I ended up sliding literally in the middle of the street at a busy intersection. Other drivers were aware my car was having trouble stopping and allowed me to proceed. That happened in the 1st time in december 2017. …”
NHTSA complaint #11282408, filed 2019-11, 79,000 miles - Engine
Engine stalls or shuts off while driving
- 12 complaints (15%)
- median 53,142 mi at 4.1 yrs old (10 state mileage)
- filed 2018–2026
Owners describe the engine cutting out at traffic lights, on the highway or shortly after startup, sometimes restarting normally and sometimes not restarting at all. A few mention a belt squeal or an air conditioning compressor locked up beforehand, and owners report dealers being unable to reproduce or diagnose the stall. Reported from around 30,000 to 55,000 miles in most accounts, with a few at higher mileage.
What to check: Ask whether the engine has ever stalled or the MIL has come on, and have the battery, ground and compressor checked; a bulletin covers a stored ECM backup circuit code that can set the light.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“My vechicle starte to cut out on me after 37000 miles. I was driving from jury duty in the afternoon in traffic and it just stalled out on me. The engine cut off. I was able to crank it again and moved over to the side of the highway. I waited 45 minutes. I did not turn the air condition on. It cranked and I went home. A week later it did the same thing but it would not crank again. I had to get it towed to a mechanic shop. He said it was the compressor. …”
NHTSA complaint #11104991, filed 2018-07, 37,800 miles“Trying to leave for work, turn on my car and then there was a squeal (like a belt) and then the engine shut off, not the car (battery is working). I do this about three times to see if maybe the gas needed to be pressed or if the car needed to be in gear, same thing happened. I call my father for advise, and I wanted him to hear the noise before the shut off, so I turn off the radio, AC, everything. Then the car starts and stays on. Turns out that if I had the fan going it was shutting off the engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11243458, filed 2019-08, 40,500 miles - Steering
Steering wander and pull to one side
- 5 complaints (6%)
- median 9,000 mi at 1.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
- 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 2016–2019
Complaints describe the car veering or wandering so the driver has to correct constantly, feeling as if it is being pushed by wind, sometimes beginning within the first few thousand miles. Owners say an alignment was performed but the behavior returned. Mostly reported under 10,000 miles, several on nearly new vehicles.
What to check: Drive on a straight, uncrowded road and check whether the car tracks straight with hands light on the wheel; ask for a recent alignment printout and tire wear pattern.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Takata recall back in march 17 I was in an accident on the highway by dia the steering wheel locked up and I was force to run into the back of a lady in another lane. My air bag did not deploy”
NHTSA complaint #11046263, filed 2017-11, 10,000 miles“Vehicle hesitates when accelerating jerks car when getting speed when going at highway speeds car wanders back and forth hard to keep it on the road , clunking noise comes from CVT transmission when changing gears also produces severe vibrations when car is in motion getting worse and worse have been having these problems since I purchased car 1 year ago at 27,000 miles now have 70,000 miles and car is not very safe to be on the road I have replaced struts hub bearings control arms and tie rod ends along with motor and transmission mounts but …”
NHTSA complaint #11257255, filed 2019-09, 30,000 miles
Buying note. Have any CVT-equipped example inspected by someone familiar with these transmissions and check for service records, since transmission complaints dominate the sample and repairs can be expensive. Also confirm the airbag light cycles correctly and have brakes and steering checked before purchase.
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 81 consumer complaints for the 2016 Nissan Versa. 50 of the complaints include a mileage, and 62% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 34,262 miles. Of all complaints, 13 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 16 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 139 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 23 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer 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.
- Air bags21 26%
- Other or unknown16 20%
- Engine10 12%
- Brakes9 11%
- Electrical system8 9.9%
- Steering7 8.6%
- Fuel system6 7.4%
- Vehicle speed control5 6.2%
- Exterior lighting3 3.7%
Also reported: Suspension (3), Tires (3), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Wheels (2), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1).
Example complaints
Air bags: “Takata recall - my airbag light has come on and I haven't had any accidents. I haven't had the car for 6 months yet and really need to get this looked at. I woke up one morning to take my daughter to school and soon as I crunk up the car the light was flaking and won't go off.”
NHTSA complaint #11090073, filed 2018-04, 45,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “I had issues with the gears that initially the issue showed up as a problem with AC/heater not working properly, but when the mechanic examined the issue, it was an issue with gears. Soon after that, my car began to hesitate while driving and then began to smell like something burnt. The car was well maintained, I did regular maintenance as instructed in the manual, but it was around 60,000 mileage when issues began to show up and around 90,000 when it began hesitating and smelling. …”
NHTSA complaint #11306195, filed 2020-01, 83,000 milesOther or unknown: “I pulled in to a parking spot I was in park. Next to a 4x4 diesel pickup, he started to back up and turned his wheels to were he was going to run me over I held the horn down he did not hear it and ran me over from the front drivers side to the back door. He stopped when he realized he was on top of my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11318126, filed 2020-03, 57,000 milesEngine: “Purchased a 2016 Nissan Versa (brand new) car ran well until 11/18/19. When I left work, started car as usual and headed home. Passed a roundabout along with some freeway driving. While on roberts rd. At a traffic light (waiting for right away) car seemed fine, but once I applied the gas to cross the intersection on a green light. Nothing happened. All the dummy lights came on, radio and heat was still working but car shut down at rush hour. I could not move. I called for the police to help then had it towed to the Nissan dealership. …”
NHTSA complaint #11282566, filed 2019-11, 30,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
62% of the 50 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 9,000 and 56,823 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 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.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Versa · sedan FWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 · 14.3% risk |
Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Versa FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | CVT | 31 | 39 | 34 | $1,950 |
| Versa FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Versa FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,300 |
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
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2016 Nissan Versa in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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. 139 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026Body and structure. CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT…
- 11009068Sep 19, 2024Air bags. DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin. IF YOU CONFIRM DTC B00A0-00 (OCCUPANT DETECTION SENSOR…
- 11004962May 21, 2024Electrical system. VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004961May 21, 2024Electrical system. CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024Electrical system. CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001201Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001194Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11001191Apr 30, 2024Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10251535Feb 22, 2024Equipment, Electrical system. SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR INFOTAINMENT ISSUES This bulletin is no longer active. To access infotainment software updates via the Infotainment Software Update Utility: Select SPECIALTY TOOLS, and then…
Other model years of the Nissan Versa
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12 | 32 | 0 | 5 | 35 | — | Too new |
| 2024 | 96 | 1,350 | 1 | 5 | 35 | Too new to compare | Too new |
| 2023 | 37 | 11,000 | 1 | 5 | 35 | 22 · Fewer | Too new |
| 2022 | 20 | 10,150 | 0 | 5 | 35 | — | Rising |
| 2021 | 32 | 6,000 | 3 | 5 | 35 | 31 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2020 | 64 | 15,000 | 2 | 5 | 35 | 48 · Typical | Stable |
| 2019 | 24 | 20,000 | 1 | 4 | 34 | — | Stable |
| 2018 | 57 | 28,652 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 34 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2017 | 62 | 27,007 | 3 | — | 30 | 37 · Typical | Falling |
| 2016 | 81 | 34,262 | 0 | 4 | 30 | 23 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2015 | 168 | 46,000 | 1 | 4 | 30 | 52 · Typical | Falling |
| 2014 | 207 | 55,518 | 2 | 4 | 30 | 68 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 204 | 52,000 | 1 | 4 | 30 | 47 · Typical | Falling |
| 2012 | 486 | 60,088 | 10 | 4 | 30 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2011 | 269 | 64,000 | 6 | 2 | 28 | 77 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 269 | 65,000 | 7 | — | 28 | 70 · More | Falling |
| 2009 | 504 | 63,500 | 7 | — | 29 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2008 | 381 | 52,000 | 7 | — | 28 | 99 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 354 | 55,107 | 8 | — | 28 | Not 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 2016 Nissan Versa?
Owners of this model year most often describe CVT transmission trouble — shuddering, jerking, delayed acceleration and occasional loss of power — usually appearing past 50,000 miles. The issues reported most often: CVT shudder, jerk and loss of acceleration; Airbag warning light on or flashing; Brake pedal feels weak, ABS light on.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Nissan Versa have?
NHTSA recorded 81 consumer complaints for the 2016 Nissan Versa as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Nissan Versa is reported most often?
Air bags is named most often, in 21 complaints (26% of the total), followed by transmission and drivetrain with 20.
Has the 2016 Nissan Versa been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2016 Nissan Versa do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Nissan Versa 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Nissan Versa get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Nissan Versa (Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 30 mpg combined, 27 city and 36 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,250 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Nissan Versa reported?
Among the 50 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 34,262 miles and the middle half falls between 9,000 and 56,823 miles; 62% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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.