VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Nissan Versa2007–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Nissan Versa
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Nissan Versa Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 335 complaints
13 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
2 recalls · 297 complaints
23 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
3 recalls · 226 complaints
19 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 3 past investigations into the Versa became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Nissan Versa — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 100 | 48 | 82 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 12 | — | — | 100 | 63 | 87 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 73 | — | — | 91 | 76 | 86 | Good |
| 2023 | 0 | 32 | — | — | 100 | 86 | 95 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 18 | — | — | 100 | 93 | 98 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 1 | 31 | 4 | — | 100 | 96 | 99 | Good |
| 2020 | 0 | 80 | 6 | — | 85 | 95 | 89 | Good |
| 2019 | 0 | 27 | — | — | 100 | 91 | 97 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 0 | 42 | 4 | — | 98 | 85 | 93 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 55 | 1 | — | 94 | 78 | 88 | Good |
| 2016 | 0 | 85 | 14 | 1 | 79 | 71 | 76 | Good |
| 2015 | 0 | 187 | 18 | — | 79 | 64 | 74 | Caution |
| 2014 | 3 | 226 | 19 | — | 79 | 58 | 72 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 0 | 163 | 15 | 2 | 79 | 53 | 70 | Caution |
| 2012 | 2 | 297 | 23 | 1 | 79 | 49 | 69 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 3 | 163 | 7 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2010 | 4 | 180 | 1 | 1 | 79 | 46 | 67 | Caution |
| 2009 | 4 | 335 | 13 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 4 | 226 | 6 | 4 | 79 | 46 | 67 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 3 | 216 | 16 | — | 79 | 46 | 67 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Nissan Versa Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Versa compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 99).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 88).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Versa to buy?+
The 2021 Nissan Versa scores highest on our Buyer Score (99/100) — combining a reliability score of 100/100 with a value score of 96/100. It has 1 recall and 31 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Versa years have the most problems?+
The 2009, 2012, 2014 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2009 Versa leads with 4 recalls and 335 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Versa problems?+
The most frequently reported Nissan Versa issues involve: AIR BAGS, POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.