2018 Nissan Versa problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Versa, most often about electrical system. There are 2 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 36
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 5
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Median mileage
- 42,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 12 of 36 complaints (33%).
- Airbags (11) and engine (10) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 42,000 mi.
- Owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries.
- The 2018 Nissan Versa has 2 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 2nd of 19 Nissan Versa model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
2018 Nissan Versa problems by category
- Electrical System12 complaints
- Airbags · 5 crashes11 complaints
- Engine10 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain9 complaints
- Other / Unknown · 1 crash6 complaints
- Brakes4 complaints
- Body & Structure · 1 crash2 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control2 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech1 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers1 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion1 complaints
- Lighting1 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 |
|---|---|
| Air bags | 11 |
| Electrical system | 11 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Power train | 9 |
| Unknown or other | 6 |
| Service brakes | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 |
| Structure:body | 2 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2018 Nissan Versa recalls (2)
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
- 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.
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 2018 Nissan Versa complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Oct 6, 2026CACrash1 injuredAirbags
On September 17, 2026, my 2018 Nissan was involved in a severe rear-end collision on a freeway. The vehicle sustained extensive damage and was declared a total loss. None of the airbags deployed. I am concerned that the airbag/SRS system may not have functioned as designed. After the collision, I observed exposed components in the severely damaged rear area. I cannot confirm whether these components were part of the airbag or crash sensor system. Immediately after the…
NHTSA complaint #11769201 · source - Filed Oct 6, 2026CACrash1 injuredTowedAirbags
On September 17, 2026, my 2018 Nissan was involved in a severe rear-end collision on the freeway. The vehicle sustained extensive rear-end damage and was subsequently determined to be a total loss. None of the airbags deployed during the collision. Immediately after the crash, I believe I may have briefly seen an airbag-related warning or message on the instrument panel. However, I was extremely shaken at the time and cannot confirm the exact warning or wording that…
NHTSA complaint #11769199 · source - Filed Aug 27, 2026NMElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
Car jerks and doesn’t go into gear right away. Never know when it will happen. There is a notice from Nissan that it happens because of short in tail light. Happened approx 3 yrs ago and has started again but worse. It is available for inspection No recall but very unsafe. While attempting to cross street it didn’t go into gear and I was almost hit. Also almost rear ended cause driver behind me didn’t expect me to not go into gear Took in 3 yrs ago and tail light fixed. Now…
NHTSA complaint #11760083 · source - Filed May 27, 2026CATransmission & Drivetrain
2018 Nissan Versa transmission issues. i have 2018 Nissan Versa with 116,993 miles. Transmission is starting to skip and slip. it was diagnosed as a possible chain slip. there was bulletin out for this issue in which Nissan has known about. Nissan was contacted to see if they could warranty the transmission, but was told they were not going to cover it. There was warranty extension, but only for 84,000 miles. nissan was unwilling to help fix it and wanted to charge $210 to…
NHTSA complaint #11740282 · source - Filed May 3, 2026NCVisibility & Wipers
My car was parked out front my house. Weather has been in the 60’s no major differences. I walked outside ant 1pm and noticed the entire back windshield was shattered. There was no impact marks, no hole in the window. I’m not sure how this has happened and thankfully we were at home and not driving.
NHTSA complaint #11735379 · source - Filed Mar 12, 2026105,000 miPATowedElectrical SystemEngine
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 4 MPH, the vehicle was shaking violently. There were no warning lights illuminated. When the heater was activated, there was a loud clanking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the technician was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure reoccurred. While stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled and was towed to the same…
NHTSA complaint #11723880 · source - Filed Jan 13, 2026ILAirbags
Out of nowhere my airbag light start blinking, I ran the code and got a P2096 which apparently is not related to the airbag I took it to Firestone to get it checked out and they told me they cannot do anything about the airbag light I would have to go to my dealership for help with that. No one seems to know what to do.
NHTSA complaint #11710587 · source - Filed Sep 8, 2025CATransmission & Drivetrain
I was driving on the express way in rush hour traffic, and my car started to judder and rpm were reving high.i tried to accelerate and the car just stop in mid traffic, I had to have the car towed home,and from home to the nissan dealership. They told me that my transmission had failed and needed to be replaced.i had no warning light or any other problem and I could have been hurt really bad if the car behind me hadn't stop and help me get out of the rush hour traffic.
NHTSA complaint #11685820 · source
Compare the 2018 Nissan Versa with another vehicle →
Other 2018 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