Affordable yet spacious compact cars are a boon for city driving but are scarce in number. This results in steady demand and popularity of vehicles such as the Nissan Versa. The 2013 Versa arrives in an all-new iteration along with a significant improvement in its reliability department as well. As compared to 10 recalls and nearly 500 complaints of the last year’s model, the 2013 Versa has seen a single recall and 180 complaints to date. Also, there are 4 investigations on the current model from the NHTSA which covers excessive brake pedal travel issues, interference while operating the pedals issue, and an airbag inflator rupture issue. The complaints against the vehicle are mostly regarding the powertrain problems which are followed by airbag and braking system issues in terms of number. In the compact sedan segment, the 2013 Nissan Versa rivals the Toyota Corolla, the Honda Civic, and the Hyundai Elantra.
Nissan Versa user complaints and problems
Engine problems
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Sudden engine stall: Among all the complaints regarding the powertrain, a solid chunk of them mentions sudden engine stalling issues. In most cases, the exact reason for the stalling was not determined but a faulty transmission was one of the issues. One owner was informed about a defective throttle body which resulted in unresponsive throttle inputs and stalling of the engine.
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Engine overheating: Overheating of the engine was also reported among all the complaints regarding the powertrain of the 2013 Nissan Versa. The overheating of the engines occurred while driving without the vehicles being driven hard.
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Erroneous shifting from transmission: Several owners have reported that they faced transmission malfunctions while driving. The erroneous shifting from the transmission while driving would lead to laggy acceleration with the transmission getting stuck at higher gears. In such instances, pressing the gas pedal would increase the engine rpm momentarily and would drop, causing the engine to stall sometimes.
Safety problems
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Airbag failure: A seldom issue with a majority of the modern cars, the airbag failure does not spare the 2013 Versa as well. The affected owners complained that while they were involved in crashes, the airbags failed to deploy, causing moderate to serious injuries. One owner experienced exploding airbags during the collision which injured him to quite an extent.
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Airbag sensor failure: Apart from the airbag deployment failures, the 2013 Nissan Versa also faced complaints regarding faulty airbag sensors as well. Due to the malfunctioning sensors, the airbags of the front passenger seat of the vehicles remained deactivated with the warning light staying on, despite the seats being occupied.
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Brake failure and excessive brake pedal travel: Complete brake failures were reported by some owners of the 2013 Versa sedan. While braking, the affected vehicles did not stop as a result of the brakes failing while a few owners mention that pushing the pedal all the way to the floor engaged the brakes. The braking system also faces complaints mentioning that the brake pedal travel was abnormally long even when stopping at low speeds as well.
2013 Nissan Versa recalls
|
S.No. |
Recall Date |
NHTSA Campaign ID |
Issues noticed |
Additional remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
August 12, 2015 |
15V507000 |
Lower Trim Panel may Impede Pedal Operation |
A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash. |
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the console trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. |
Should you buy a used Nissan Versa?
The Nissan Versa with its 2013 upgrade, is one of the best options the segment has to offer. The current model brings a lot to the table such as a cavernous cabin, huge boot area, and a refined ride. The transmission of the new Versa did run into some troubles among owners along with a moderate number of airbag complaints. The brand is yet to issue any recalls for the powertrain and the safety equipment problems. Going forward with a used example of the Nissan Versa only makes sense if you consider having the current model. The last generation’s Versa has multiple issues and a disappointing safety rating too. Alternatively, you can search for a used Honda Civic since till now, the sedan has a solid reliability department to boast.
