2017 Nissan Versa problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Versa, most often about electrical system. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
36
Recalls
3
Crashes
4
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Median mileage
56,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 8 of 36 complaints (22%).
  • Engine (6) and transmission & drivetrain (6) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 56,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries.
  • The 2017 Nissan Versa has 3 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 10th of 19 Nissan Versa model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 5% fewer complaints than the 2016 model year (38).

2017 Nissan Versa problems by category

  • Other / Unknown
    9 complaints
  • Electrical System
    8 complaints
  • Engine · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    6 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    5 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Brakes
    3 complaints
  • Suspension · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Unknown or other9
Electrical system8
Power train6
Engine6
Air bags5
Suspension3
Service brakes3
Fuel/propulsion system2

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k210k–30k530k–60k660k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Nissan Versa complaints that list mileage.

2017 Nissan Versa recalls (3)

  • Recall 18V551000Aug 21, 2018153,047 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

    Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

  • Recall 17V275000Apr 26, 2017509 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Versa, and Versa Note vehicles. The ring plate that secures the air bag cushion to the passenger frontal air bag assembly may fail, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, if the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

  • Recall 16V724000Oct 11, 20161,754 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2017 Versa vehicles manufactured August 1, 2016, to August 16, 2016. A seam in the fabric section of the side curtain air bags may tear during side curtain air bag deployment, potentially affecting the performance of the air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation", and number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating side curtain air bag deployment, if the side curtain air bags do not deploy as intended there would be an increased risk of injury.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • EA21002Opened Sep 17, 2021Open

    Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    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…

Recent 2017 Nissan Versa complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Mar 27, 202669,443 miAZCrash1 injuredTowedAirbags
    The vehicle was involved in a side impact collision at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss after the accident, as the side impact was the drivers side door and wheel well. The air bags never deployed, despite the high rate of speed and the entire front drivers side of the vehicle being affected.
    NHTSA complaint #11727553 · source
  2. Filed Nov 23, 2025FLVisibility & Wipers
    To whom it may concern the tint on all four of my doors is obstructing my site with Windows up my back window has bubbles all through it. Mike Erdman Nissan has replaced that one one time and it’s bubbled again. They refuse to replace the door window tint and said it was self inflicted. I have also tried to contact the tint department at the dealership numerous times and the dealership said they would have them call me back several times throughout the last four years and…
    NHTSA complaint #11701055 · source
  3. Filed May 28, 2025DEElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    On 3/21/25 I was informed by Malik's Auto Repair that I need my transmission replaced after a diagnostic of my car making a vacuum noise. After researching, I found that many Nissan vehicles have been experiencing this problem. I contacted Nissan and they informed me that no recall has been made for my make and model. It is a safety issue because at any time the car could stop causing an accident or fatality. Also, I had to have my starter replaced on this car. My car would…
    NHTSA complaint #11663471 · source
  4. Filed May 27, 2025NJOther / Unknown
    Car was purchased September 2024 for my grandson. This car was garaged until mid-March when my grandson received his driver's license. End of March 2025, car was in the dealership for service and a complimentary multipoint inspection was done. On May 14, 2025, my grandson was driving to school in the rain. All of a sudden, water starts gushing out of the glove compartment. The whole interior was flooded including the backseat. My grandson received his driver license in…
    NHTSA complaint #11663122 · source
  5. Filed Nov 21, 2024NYBody & Structure
    Hood latch allowed hood to fly open at 30 mph, causing $3100 worth of damage to car, Potentially causing serious other vehicular/occupant injuries. Apparently the latch was inadvertently engaged, but the secondary latch did not hold and let the hood fly open. This incident happened 8/2023 but was not reported to Nissan and while estimate was obtained, repairs were not made.
    NHTSA complaint #11626700 · source
  6. Filed Jul 10, 2024VAOther / Unknown
    These vehicles have a cowl drain located on the passenger side under the wiper blades. The drain is really small so it clogs easily. When there are heavy rains, my car floods. It has happened on several occasions, including Monday 7/8/2024. It happened while driving in June 2023. I am not sure why Nissan hasn’t done anything to mitigate this problem. I am not even sure of this is the appropriate place to contract but I figured I would try. Thanks.
    NHTSA complaint #11600998 · source
  7. Filed Dec 1, 202377,645 miCOTowedTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was flushed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist, where it was…
    NHTSA complaint #11557873 · source
  8. Filed Nov 12, 2023MOElectrical System
    Passenger door lock/unlocked, not working. Buzz noise when operating key fob; actuator malfunction. Can't open door manually.
    NHTSA complaint #11554701 · source

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Other 2017 Nissan models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology