189 of the
4,513 complaints filed about the Nissan Versa
are about the steering —
4% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
The PS warning light has been coming on intermittently. The power steering goes out and the vehicle is hard to steer. My safety and others are put at risk if I lose power steering. We have done research online and plan to take it to a dealership to confirm the exact issue. The PS warning light has come on a few times over the last several months and the power steering comes and goes.
NHTSA complaint #11715927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My 2021 Nissan Versa was struck at high speed while parked and required extensive repairs that exceeded the vehicle’s value. After the repairs, the transmission began acting erratically. The car shudders, hesitates, and feels unstable while driving. Acceleration is unpredictable and the vehicle does not feel safe or reliable. These issues were not present before the collision and have continued to worsen. I have children and do not feel it is safe to operate this vehicle, so it is currently parked.
NHTSA complaint #11714561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vehicle: 2025 Nissan Versa Mileage: 276 Date: 01/17/26 Location: my home in Winston salem nc Warning lights: None observed / Unknown While reversing to park, the vehicle suddenly lost power steering and braking assistance at the same time. The steering became extremely hard to turn, and the brakes did not stop the vehicle. I lost control, and the car continued rolling backward, resulting in a collision with another parked vehicle. After the vehicle stopped, I shifted into Park and the engine shut off. When I attempted to restart, the vehicle would not start. After approximately one minute, it restarted normally and I was able to move the vehicle. This failure occurred without warning and created a serious safety hazard due to loss of steering and braking control.
NHTSA complaint #11711679 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rod, piston breaks and punctures tire after losing ability to steer, accelerate, brake. MANUFACTURER DEFECT/RECALL on stated parts not revealed until after car crashed. No test drive given. Car began experiencing horrible loud banging noise immediately after leaving dealership. WAS NOT OFFERED TO TEST DRIVE. Took to dealer next day to check problem (noise) and was told NOTHING IS WRONG after taking to dealer. On way home, experienced erratic steering, unable to keep stable on highway. Rounded corner and the automobile completely failed to steer, brake, tire punctured by rod come to find out, a known defect straight from manufacturer was problem. No apology. Dealer will not take back NEW vehicle despite customer fears, claims to have fixed problem but not the body of vehicle stating customer had to go elsewhere to fix body with NO OFFER OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR BODY WORK. No apologies for customer nearly escaping what could have easily been death as result of manufacturer defect. Purchased vehicle first without knowing of recall on part(s), was not informed of defect and if test drive was given, car would not have been taken by customer.
NHTSA complaint #11653227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light intermittently illuminated and experienced a loss of power steering assist. The failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the steering control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,535.
NHTSA complaint #11641341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The brakes fight and lock from time to time. The steering will get a tug like a car is in front of me. The engine has a weird tug before pulling of and switching gears.when I pull off while turning the car feels like it completely losses power!?
NHTSA complaint #11615709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V496000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11577638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When you press on the accelerator and gain speed the car abruptly jerks to the right. I believe it’s caused by a defect of the traction control system.
NHTSA complaint #11575989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My engine light has always been on in my car contacted the dealership and they never cared to take care of the situation. My car has a problem with picking up speed and turning corners. Took it to a mechanic and said it’s my transmission and that it was never good especially the cvt transmission in my 2016 Nisan versa that it was recalled and no one contacted me. I would like it fixed I’m a single parent and I need my car
NHTSA complaint #11540816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45-50 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The contact stated that he had to apply pressure to the steering wheel. As a result, the vehicle crashed into an impact attenuator. No injuries were sustained. No police report was filed. No medical attention was needed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11479447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving, I was going about 25mph, but was coming to an intersection. Before getting to the intersection the light was blinking yellow due to the time so i started to slow down so i could yield through the light. At this time, my son who was 3yrs 2mo old (at the time) was in the backseat in his carseat. As I gradually stepped on the brake pedal, I then felt a big slam, and my face smacked the airbag and dust flew all over my vehicle, and son in the backseat who didnt have an airbag deploy. As I came to realize what happened my son was in the backseat screaming and i had smoke coming from my hood. I hit a city light pole outside of a 7-Eleven store. I was unsure of what happened that caused the accident, but after it happened I got out of my car in complete shock of what hit me. my son was in pullups, and the gel stuff inside the diaper had flew all over my car as it caused the seatbelt to tighten around his legs. I grabbed my son out of the car, because it was smoking and the first thing I should have done was not moved. When i got out of car to see what hit me, i stayed on the sidewalk and waited 35mins for a cop, so by the time the cop came, who never called ems, told me i was being cited and they took my vehicle to the impound lot. The car then was considered totalled and because I was in an accident, gasoline was leaking and they said it was considered hazardous. I didn't nor did my child receive medical attention because we did not have medical insurance at the time but the officer didnt call ems. I then had to pay to get my things from the vehicle from the impound lot, and they were treating me very poorly about what i could grab and what had to left with it. I also had to pay Court Costs, and fines and due to this accident, i have suffered trauma, and my son im sure has also. My body has major pains as well as my legs, hips, neck and severe lower back pain. I am unable to care for my child as he needs at times because my body hurts so bad, i cant help.
NHTSA complaint #11433294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My vehicle stops running whenever I turn on heater or A/C. When either is turned on, dashboard lights up with four or five other lights like battery, P/S, Brake, Temp, and other. When A/C or heater is not turned on, then my car is running. It looks like my vehicle may be defective in some way. I bought it only last year and I don’t understand why this particular control for heater or A/C is causing the problems. I believe some parts may be sub-standard and they may will cause some problems one day.
NHTSA complaint #11427245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES/HOUR, THERE WAS A SOUND AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN, ENGINE STOPPED, LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKE BECAME HEAVY, NO LIGHTS IN SPEEDOMETER AND INDICATORS WENT OFF/BLACK SCREEN. BRAKES WERE SOFT BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP. I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THEN I WAS ON A FREEWAY ABOUT 20 MIN LATER, DRIVING 65 MILES/HOUR AND THE CAR MADE A BIG NOISE, SHOOK AS IF I DROVE ON A POTHOLE, AND IT WAS THE SAME THING. NO ENGINE, ACCELERATOR DIDN'T WORK, I WAS COASTING, LOST POWER STEERING, AND HARD TO PUSH DOWN BREAKS. POWER IN THE PANELS WERE OFF. I WAS ABLE TO USE EMERGENCY SIGNAL, PULLED OVER EVENTUALLY AND WAITED FOR ABOUT 3-4 MIN. BEFORE RESTARTING THE CAR. IT WORKED AGAIN AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED LAST YEAR, AND TODAY IT HAPPENED TWICE. BOTH TIMES, IT WAS A HOT DAY.
NHTSA complaint #11412765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WELL DRIVING I NOTICE A CAR WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS ON STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME NOT MOVING. QUICKLY GOING TO BRAKE.. I HAD NO BRAKES I PUSHED AGAIN AND TURNED RIGHT. ALMOST INCHES TO HITTING A GAS PUMP. THANKFULLY BUMPS AND BRUISES . I WAS RENTING THE VEHICLE FROM INDIANA DRIVING TO NEW HAMPSHIRE TO FLORIDA. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE. I ALSO GOT CHARGED AN EXTRA RENTAL DAY SINCE I WAS TOLD TO AWAIT A CALL. I'M NOT SURE WHO'S AT FAULT WHETHER IT IS A MASTER CYLINDER PROBLEM OR BOLT IN STEERING. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN FLA NOT ABLE TO GET HOME. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED INTO.*DT*DT
NHTSA complaint #11398151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I BOUGHT A USED 2019 NISSAN VERSA WITH 34, 213 MILES FROM ENTERPRISE CAR SALES ON 07/08/2020 AND AT 45,000 MILES ON 12/20/2020 ON MY WAY BACK FROM MYRTLE BEACH CAR DOES NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE AND OR CHANGE GEARS WHEN PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. OUT OF TOWN MECHANIC LOOKED AT THE CAR AND ADVISED IT HAS ISSUES WITH CVT. CAR HAS A LOUD NOISE WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO DRIVE AND OR REVERSE AND AT TIMES DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE. CAR ONLY MOVED AFTER TURNING IT ON AND OFF. CAR STRUGGLES TO TAKE OFF AT LIGHTS AND HAS WEIRD LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION, CAR ALSO JERKS REALLY BAD WHEN TAKING OFF AT A RED TOO GREEN LIGHT. ALSO THE BATTERY IS 1 YEAR OLD AND IS DEFECTIVE AND GAS READING GAUGE READS WRONG WHEN CAR IS FILLED UP WITH GAS. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FOR NO REASON IN DRY ROADS. WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY CAR STRUGGLES TO GAIN SPEED AND JERKS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. DEALER NOTIFIED SINCE CAR HAS 45,168 MILES AND IS STILL UNDER THE NISSAN 46,213 WARRANTY. CAR IS PARK AND AT TIMES DOES NOT WANT TO MOVE. WAITING ON A DEALER APPT.
NHTSA complaint #11384237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.