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
10 recalls · 297 complaints
23 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 378
6 recalls · 333 complaints
13 reported injuries
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 377
6 recalls · 226 complaints
6 reported injuries
4 reported deaths
Top issue: AIR BAGS
Problem score: 276
Best Nissan Versa Years to Buy
0 recalls · 6 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 6
0 recalls · 16 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 16
1 recall · 26 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 29
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 | 6 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 70 | — | — | 70 | Good |
| 2023 | 0 | 32 | — | — | 32 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 16 | — | — | 16 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 3 | 28 | 4 | — | 45 | Good |
| 2020 | 2 | 72 | 6 | — | 90 | Good |
| 2019 | 1 | 26 | — | — | 29 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 3 | 41 | 4 | — | 58 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 55 | 1 | — | 63 | Good |
| 2016 | 0 | 83 | 14 | 1 | 116 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 184 | 18 | — | 226 | Caution |
| 2014 | 4 | 222 | 19 | — | 272 | Avoid |
| 2013 | 1 | 162 | 15 | 2 | 205 | Caution |
| 2012 | 10 | 297 | 23 | 1 | 378 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 5 | 161 | 7 | — | 190 | Caution |
| 2010 | 6 | 179 | 1 | 1 | 204 | Caution |
| 2009 | 6 | 333 | 13 | — | 377 | Avoid |
| 2008 | 6 | 226 | 6 | 4 | 276 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 8 | 216 | 16 | — | 272 | 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 2012 Nissan Versa if possible. It has 10 recalls, 297 owner complaints, and 1 reported death. The overall problem score is 378 — 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 6. It has only 0 recalls and 6 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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