Nissan Versa Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Nissan Versa model year (2007–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Nissan Versa Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 333 complaints
13 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 368
3 recalls · 297 complaints
23 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 357
4 recalls · 225 complaints
19 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 275
Best Nissan Versa Years to Buy
0 recalls · 11 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 11
0 recalls · 18 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 18
1 recall · 27 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 30
Found the right year? Verify that specific Versa with a free VIN report.
Nissan Versa — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 11 | — | — | 11 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 72 | — | — | 72 | Good |
| 2023 | 0 | 32 | — | — | 32 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 18 | — | — | 18 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 2 | 31 | 4 | — | 45 | Good |
| 2020 | 1 | 80 | 6 | — | 95 | Good |
| 2019 | 1 | 27 | — | — | 30 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 1 | 42 | 4 | — | 53 | Good |
| 2017 | 0 | 55 | 1 | — | 57 | Good |
| 2016 | 0 | 83 | 14 | 1 | 116 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 187 | 18 | — | 229 | Caution |
| 2014 | 4 | 225 | 19 | — | 275 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 1 | 163 | 15 | 2 | 206 | Caution |
| 2012 | 3 | 297 | 23 | 1 | 357 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 3 | 163 | 7 | — | 186 | Caution |
| 2010 | 3 | 179 | 1 | 1 | 195 | Caution |
| 2009 | 3 | 333 | 13 | — | 368 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 3 | 226 | 6 | 4 | 267 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 3 | 216 | 16 | — | 257 | Avoid |
All 20 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Nissan Versa Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Versa models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Versa units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Versa models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Versa should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2009 Nissan Versa if possible. It has 3 recalls, 333 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 368 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Versa to buy?+
The 2025 Nissan Versa is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 11. It has only 0 recalls and 11 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Versa has the fewest problems?+
The 2025, 2022, 2019 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Nissan Versa Research
Check a Specific Nissan Versa VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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