Owners have filed 43 complaints
about the 2016 Nissan Versa Note with NHTSA between 2016 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 22
Against the median year of the Nissan Versa Note. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 84
16.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
60% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2016 compares with every other Nissan Versa Note
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
210.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
630.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
420.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
15.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
315.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
420.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jul 2016peak 6Jul 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2016 Nissan Versa Note
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.C...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 100,000 milesLindenhurst, NYCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2016 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in a parking lot, the vehicle failed to stop as needed while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure caused the vehicle to crash into a nearby wall, which was not damaged. The driver’s side steering wheel air bag deployed, and the front windshield fractured on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away to a local tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The air bag deployed and struck the contact in the face, causing her front teeth to become loose and her mouth to bleed. A passenger was seated in the front seat when the windshield partially shattered, causing lacerations to the lips and the upper right eye. Medical attention was sought. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11750785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,125 milesCarolina, PRCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
ON DECEMBER 12, 2016, BUY THE NISSAN VERSA NOTE, ON JANUARY 7 2017 2.30 PM, CRASH AT 30 OR 35 MPH, BRAKE, BUT ONLY WHEN I HIT THE OTHER CAR, ON FEBRUARY 28 I CRASH AGAIN IN FULL STOP 8 AM TO 20MPH, HABOA LOT OF TRAFFIC AND I HAD A CAR OF SEPARATION, THEY ALL ADVANCE AND BRAKE SUDDENLY, NO ONE CRASHED, ONLY ME THAT FOR MORE BRAKE THAT I PUT NO PAIR UNTIL FINDING THE OTHER, THE SERVICE NISSAN PUERTO RICO SAYS THE BRAKES ARE WELL, BUT ALSO THIS SHOCK AT 20MPH BROKE MASK, CONDENSER, I DOUBLE RADIATOR FOCUS, AS IF IT WERE XE PASTIO. I FEEL MY ENGLISH BECAUSE I HAD TO USE A TRANSLATOR, THANK YOU
NHTSA complaint #10959028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,400 milesElgin, SCCrash2 injured
SEAT BELTS
ON 7/13/2016----- MY PASSENGER AND I WERE TRAVELING ON CLEMSON ROAD WHERE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS 45 MPH, ITS A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO MEDIAN. A TRUCK DID A U TURN IN FRONT OF A LOT OF TRAFFIC MY VEHICLE STRUCK HIS AT ABOUT 40-43 MPH THOUGH ME AND MY PASSENGER HAD SEAT BELTS ON MY PASSENGER STILL MANAGED TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD THROUGH THE AIRBAG. MY PASSENGER WAS 5'2 135 POUNDS SO THE SEAT BELT DID FIT PROPERLY AND WAS ALSO BEING WORN PROPERLY, WITH THE LAP BAND SNUG AGAINST HIP ONE AND SHOULDER STRAP FULLY ACROSS CHEST AND LATCH BUCKLED. MY PASSENGER WAS TOOK TO THE HOSPITAL AND WAS EXAMINED FOR INJURIES THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED FROM THE HEAD TRAUMA OF HITTING THE WIND SHIELD.. WHY DIDN'T THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT KEEP MY PASSENGER FROM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD??? I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK IN PLACE LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE ONCE THE BREAKS WERE PRESSED- MY PASSENGER KEPT TRAVELING FORWARD AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. NOTE THAT MY PASSENGER WAS HOLDING HIS HEAD ONCE WE EXITED THE VEHICLE!
NHTSA complaint #10885340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,400 milesElgin, SCCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
ON 7/13/2016----- MY PASSENGER AND I WERE TRAVELING ON CLEMSON ROAD WHERE THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT IS 45 MPH, ITS A FOUR LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO MEDIAN. A TRUCK DID A U TURN IN FRONT OF A LOT OF TRAFFIC MY VEHICLE STRUCK HIS AT ABOUT 40-43 MPH THOUGH ME AND MY PASSENGER HAD SEAT BELTS ON MY PASSENGER STILL MANAGED TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE WINDSHIELD THROUGH THE AIRBAG. MY PASSENGER WAS 5'2 135 POUNDS SO THE SEAT BELT DID FIT PROPERLY AND WAS ALSO BEING WORN PROPERLY, WITH THE LAP BAND SNUG AGAINST HIP ONE AND SHOULDER STRAP FULLY ACROSS CHEST AND LATCH BUCKLED. MY PASSENGER WAS TOOK TO THE HOSPITAL AND WAS EXAMINED FOR INJURIES THAT MAY HAVE OCCURRED FROM THE HEAD TRAUMA OF HITTING THE WIND SHIELD.. WHY DIDN'T THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT KEEP MY PASSENGER FROM HITTING THE WINDSHIELD??? I BELIEVE THAT THE SEAT BELT DIDN'T LOCK IN PLACE LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE ONCE THE BREAKS WERE PRESSED- MY PASSENGER KEPT TRAVELING FORWARD AS THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. NOTE THAT MY PASSENGER WAS HOLDING HIS HEAD ONCE WE EXITED THE VEHICLE!
NHTSA complaint #10885340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 100,000 milesLindenhurst, NYCrash2 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2016 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in a parking lot, the vehicle failed to stop as needed while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure caused the vehicle to crash into a nearby wall, which was not damaged. The driver’s side steering wheel air bag deployed, and the front windshield fractured on the passenger’s side of the vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away to a local tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The air bag deployed and struck the contact in the face, causing her front teeth to become loose and her mouth to bleed. A passenger was seated in the front seat when the windshield partially shattered, causing lacerations to the lips and the upper right eye. Medical attention was sought. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11750785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
South Saint Paul, MN
AIR BAGS
After arriving home, I stopped in my driveway and waited for the front passenger to exit. The vehicle was still running and may not have been in park. Immediately after the passenger exited and closed the door, the passenger curtain airbag and passenger seat airbag deployed unexpectedly. The vehicle was stationary and had not been involved in any collision. This sudden deployment posed a serious safety risk — anyone still inside or near the vehicle could have been injured. I brought the vehicle to a Nissan dealership, where technicians scanned the airbag system. I am awaiting additional diagnostic results or a written report. The manufacturer has indicated the situation is considered “out of warranty,” though I believe it represents a safety defect. The issue has not been reproduced or confirmed as a known defect by the dealer or manufacturer. There were no warning lights, error messages, or other symptoms prior to the deployment. The failure occurred immediately after the passenger closed the door, with no prior indication of any malfunction. The airbags and related components remain available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint #11693047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clover, SC
POWER TRAIN
Engine keeps losing oil level when no leaks found which causes transmission and engine to act making weird noises when gas pedal hit when driving car. Transmission is making weird noises like it is slipping when driving when gas pedal is pressed down. A settlement with Nissan was reached due to a class action lawsuit as car is having the issue as car pass 120000 mileage limit when issue started. Volume on internal bluetooth speaker is too low for people to hear when on phone calls with cell phone paired to car thru bluetooth as issue on two different phone models.
NHTSA complaint #11555932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clover, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine keeps losing oil level when no leaks found which causes transmission and engine to act making weird noises when gas pedal hit when driving car. Transmission is making weird noises like it is slipping when driving when gas pedal is pressed down. A settlement with Nissan was reached due to a class action lawsuit as car is having the issue as car pass 120000 mileage limit when issue started. Volume on internal bluetooth speaker is too low for people to hear when on phone calls with cell phone paired to car thru bluetooth as issue on two different phone models.
NHTSA complaint #11555932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clover, SC
ENGINE
Engine keeps losing oil level when no leaks found which causes transmission and engine to act making weird noises when gas pedal hit when driving car. Transmission is making weird noises like it is slipping when driving when gas pedal is pressed down. A settlement with Nissan was reached due to a class action lawsuit as car is having the issue as car pass 120000 mileage limit when issue started. Volume on internal bluetooth speaker is too low for people to hear when on phone calls with cell phone paired to car thru bluetooth as issue on two different phone models.
NHTSA complaint #11555932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
POWER TRAIN
My vehicle was jumping when accelerating. It then went into limp mode to protect the engine due to code NTB17-034g. The mechanic stated this code is coming up and is a safety issue. The car is not accelerating as normal, car is jumping and will go into limp mode randomly.
NHTSA complaint #11546018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, AL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My transmission gave out. My car stopped in the middle of the street as I was crossing to the next intersection and would not go. I had to have my car pushed to the curve until tow truck came. The car was towed to the dealership (nissan of mobile) the dealer confirmed the transmission was bad. No lights or warning came on prior just stopped and would not go. This was a very scary situation and I'm still devastated.
NHTSA complaint #11524477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, SC
WHEELS
Sway bar link broken, causing dangerous risk of steering failure. Rear hub bearing disintegrated, causing worn tires and high risk of wheel randomly separating from axel while driving! Wow! Car not old enough for such problems!
NHTSA complaint #11476733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Sway bar link broken, causing dangerous risk of steering failure. Rear hub bearing disintegrated, causing worn tires and high risk of wheel randomly separating from axel while driving! Wow! Car not old enough for such problems!
NHTSA complaint #11476733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lexington, SC
SUSPENSION
Sway bar link broken, causing dangerous risk of steering failure. Rear hub bearing disintegrated, causing worn tires and high risk of wheel randomly separating from axel while driving! Wow! Car not old enough for such problems!
NHTSA complaint #11476733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle was shuddering or hiccuping accelerating and decelerating on its own without any warning lights turning on. Warning light (MIL) only came on after total failure and car would not move forward at all.without any control of acceleration I was forced to let the vehicle roll down the hill I was on to coast it into a parking lot to be off the road, while traffic was behind me causing a potentially dangerous situation as it was on a short street so line of cars driving the wrong direction with traffic entering behind going the appropriate direction.
NHTSA complaint #11448669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Vehicle was shuddering or hiccuping accelerating and decelerating on its own without any warning lights turning on. Warning light (MIL) only came on after total failure and car would not move forward at all.without any control of acceleration I was forced to let the vehicle roll down the hill I was on to coast it into a parking lot to be off the road, while traffic was behind me causing a potentially dangerous situation as it was on a short street so line of cars driving the wrong direction with traffic entering behind going the appropriate direction.
NHTSA complaint #11448669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Vehicle was shuddering or hiccuping accelerating and decelerating on its own without any warning lights turning on. Warning light (MIL) only came on after total failure and car would not move forward at all.without any control of acceleration I was forced to let the vehicle roll down the hill I was on to coast it into a parking lot to be off the road, while traffic was behind me causing a potentially dangerous situation as it was on a short street so line of cars driving the wrong direction with traffic entering behind going the appropriate direction.
NHTSA complaint #11448669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
AIR BAGS
The car was parked over night and it was raining that night. The next day I went to move the car, started & warning lights went on. The windshield wiper water trough got clogged due to tree leafs falling in & the water overflow & entered the car by the air vent in to the car floor The 360-deg. Camera system module under the carpet, under the front passenger seat. It Drowned in rain water. Causing the car computers to Mel function. Drove it to a mechanic & that is when he told me that I need to replace the camera module & the air bag module. I was not able to go faster then 15 or 20 MPH in the HWAY & lost my left & right signal flashers. 1) Car MFG should put a leaf filter screen in the trough. 2) never put electronic computer under a carping. MFG are aware that water can go there. And it’s a water trap.
NHTSA complaint #11447938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The car was parked over night and it was raining that night. The next day I went to move the car, started & warning lights went on. The windshield wiper water trough got clogged due to tree leafs falling in & the water overflow & entered the car by the air vent in to the car floor The 360-deg. Camera system module under the carpet, under the front passenger seat. It Drowned in rain water. Causing the car computers to Mel function. Drove it to a mechanic & that is when he told me that I need to replace the camera module & the air bag module. I was not able to go faster then 15 or 20 MPH in the HWAY & lost my left & right signal flashers. 1) Car MFG should put a leaf filter screen in the trough. 2) never put electronic computer under a carping. MFG are aware that water can go there. And it’s a water trap.
NHTSA complaint #11447938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The car was parked over night and it was raining that night. The next day I went to move the car, started & warning lights went on. The windshield wiper water trough got clogged due to tree leafs falling in & the water overflow & entered the car by the air vent in to the car floor The 360-deg. Camera system module under the carpet, under the front passenger seat. It Drowned in rain water. Causing the car computers to Mel function. Drove it to a mechanic & that is when he told me that I need to replace the camera module & the air bag module. I was not able to go faster then 15 or 20 MPH in the HWAY & lost my left & right signal flashers. 1) Car MFG should put a leaf filter screen in the trough. 2) never put electronic computer under a carping. MFG are aware that water can go there. And it’s a water trap.
NHTSA complaint #11447938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, PA
POWER TRAIN
Car has had problems since day one when it was purchased for lack of power going up hills, and when changing lanes it shutters. Also since day one door latches have a problem working in cold weather.....Now at 46,ooo miles the right front passenger door does not want to open from outside, and sometimes will not open from inside, and the rear hatch will not open at all. The drivers door you have a 50/50 chance of it..may or may not open. This is a long term problem with Nissan cars and is a major safety problem if you cannot get out of a car. It is also problem that effects the safety of those who ride in Nissan Cars.....This has been a service bulletin and should be a major recall... It needs to be address...just look at the youtube video's its a common problems..
NHTSA complaint #11442134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Car has had problems since day one when it was purchased for lack of power going up hills, and when changing lanes it shutters. Also since day one door latches have a problem working in cold weather.....Now at 46,ooo miles the right front passenger door does not want to open from outside, and sometimes will not open from inside, and the rear hatch will not open at all. The drivers door you have a 50/50 chance of it..may or may not open. This is a long term problem with Nissan cars and is a major safety problem if you cannot get out of a car. It is also problem that effects the safety of those who ride in Nissan Cars.....This has been a service bulletin and should be a major recall... It needs to be address...just look at the youtube video's its a common problems..
NHTSA complaint #11442134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Athens, PA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Car has had problems since day one when it was purchased for lack of power going up hills, and when changing lanes it shutters. Also since day one door latches have a problem working in cold weather.....Now at 46,ooo miles the right front passenger door does not want to open from outside, and sometimes will not open from inside, and the rear hatch will not open at all. The drivers door you have a 50/50 chance of it..may or may not open. This is a long term problem with Nissan cars and is a major safety problem if you cannot get out of a car. It is also problem that effects the safety of those who ride in Nissan Cars.....This has been a service bulletin and should be a major recall... It needs to be address...just look at the youtube video's its a common problems..
NHTSA complaint #11442134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lewisville, NC
POWER TRAIN
We have a 2016 Nissan Versa Note with 85,000 miles on it. The car transmission failed while driving. The car suddenly decelerates even with the gas engaged. This is a serious safety issue and could case a serious accident. Nissan extended the warranty to 84,000 miles because they know this is an issue but won't issue a recall. They also want stand behind their vehicle and help with repar costs. They want $4,000 to to replace the transmission.
NHTSA complaint #11432983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesRichmond, VA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle would inadvertently decrease in speed to 30 MPH. The contact stated that the RPMs would fluctuate while driving. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but could not be diagnosed by an unauthorized dealer. The vehicle was not repaired but the contact had an oil change. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with nothing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact then stated two days later, the contact heard a loud scraping noise coming from the engine compartment. The contact then took the vehicle back to the same dealer for a second time where it was diagnosed with the transmission needing to be replaced due to metal shards being found in the transmission pan. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
NHTSA complaint #11422112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesCitrus Heights, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BREAK PEDDLE WILL SINK ON ITS OWN. IT HAS DONE THIS AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE CAR OFF, ON THE HIGHWAY, ON CITY STREETS, IN CORNERS. IT GOES OFF SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM. IT HAS DONE THIS IN SUMMER AND WINTER. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I GOT THE CAR, BUT I'M GOING TO ENTER TODAY'S DATE. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2018 IN JULY
NHTSA complaint #11375834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesRancho Cucamonga, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WILL SHUT OFF. IT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES AND TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES. OUT OF ALL THE TIMES IT HAS SHUT OFF MY 6-MONTH-OLD HAS BEEN IN THE CAR TWICE. ONE OF THE TIMES IT SHUT OFF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHILE THE OTHERS WERE ON THE STREET.
NHTSA complaint #11350437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesRancho Cucamonga, CA
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WILL SHUT OFF. IT HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES AND TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES. OUT OF ALL THE TIMES IT HAS SHUT OFF MY 6-MONTH-OLD HAS BEEN IN THE CAR TWICE. ONE OF THE TIMES IT SHUT OFF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WHILE THE OTHERS WERE ON THE STREET.
NHTSA complaint #11350437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
SUSPENSION
I GOT 2 FRONT TIRES AFTER I NOTICED THE FRONT OF CAR HAD DROPED ABOUT 10 INCHES FROM SIDE FRONT DOORS TO THE FRONT OF CAR.I DRIVE THE CAR EVERY DAY FOR 2 YEARS I CAN SEE THE DIFFERENCE. A SHOP I TOOK IT TO SAYS ITS FINE BUT I KNOW MY CAR IT WASN,T THAT WAY WHEN I BOUGHT IT. AFTER GETTING THE TIRES THEY WENT KINDA HARD DOWN OFF THE JACK.SOMETHING HAPPENED?
NHTSA complaint #11337314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.