2016 Nissan Versa Problems And Complaints

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Rating6.9

Ranked #4 in 

Subcompact Sedan
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$11,990 - $17,140
Starting Price 

Users Opinions on 2016 Nissan Versa

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  • C

    Cassidy

    08/02/2023

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    ... reimbursed for the transmission repair. Other than the transmission, I haven't had to do any unusual repairs for its age. It doesn't have much kick to it at all, but that's to be expected for the engine type. Road noise is pretty loud and at high speeds the wheel vibrates your hands. Also, the factory radio screen becomes unviewableRead More

    Source: edmunds

  • AS

    A Sucker

    16/06/2022

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    I loved this little car at first. Until! Until the steering wheel at times locked up, the engine shut off when I was driving, and the brakes failed. Several reputable mechanics could not locate the problem--partially because the problem was intermittent and random. ThenRead More

    Source: edmunds

  • B

    Bryce

    16/12/2016

    Rating:

    (1 Out Of 5 stars)

    ... trip went by my excitement turned to despair. This is a truly crummy car, worse than my 15 year old Hyundai Elantra. The road noise is deafening, the acceleration is feeble, the radio was already broken, and the plastic-ness of the interior was profound.Read More

    Source: edmunds

2016 Nissan Versa Problems, Issues, Complaints, Recalls, and Which Year to Avoid

0

Recalls

1

Investigations

76

Complaints
Overall Safety Rating
Nathan Dyer's image
Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on June 6, 2022

The subcompact sedan segment is not filled with the most interesting cars you will find in the market but with some of the most practical and cost-effective ones. The 2016 Nissan Versa is a spacious, and extremely economical car that is perfect for runabout inside the city. The most common complaints are regarding airbag problems and brake problems but it is relatively safer in the crash safety department. Starting at just $12,855, it is dirt cheap even while competing against the Chevrolet Sonic, the Ford Fiesta, and the Hyundai Accent. Read on to find out more about Nissan Versa problems.

2016 Nissan Versa User Complaints and Problems

Mechanical problems:

  1. The brakes of the car are a known problem area as they are prone to cause failures. They are also known to be quite noisy.
  2. Multiple complaints about the engine stalling and stuttering to a stop have been recorded. In fact, this is one of the most common problem areas.
  3. Sometimes, cars have reported smoke from the engine bay along with a burning smell.
  4. The automatic transmission in this car is known to be jerky while shifting. It is also known to cause loud sounds. Some owners have also experienced catastrophic failures. Although there should be a 2016 Nissan Versa transmission recall, it has not happened yet.
  5. There have been a few instances of the power steering malfunctioning and swerving the vehicle unexpectedly. Sometimes the column freezes up and turns into an expensive repair.
  6. While filling gas in the car, it often spills out and the nozzle gets ejected. The fuel gauge reading is also inaccurate in many cars.
  7. The tires fitted from the factory have caused multiple failures including blowouts, tread separation as well as sidewall bulges.

Electrical system problems:

  1. Some drivers have also reported that the key does not turn in the ignition and hence they are unable to start the car.
  2. One user had problems with the electronic stability control as well as the airbag warning lights being illuminated.
  3. The cruise control also turned out to be faulty. The dealership was not able to find out the issue.
  4. The AC of this car has also been known to be not very effective in cooling it.
  5. The exterior lights of the car are supposedly very dim. This is mostly due to corrosion.
  6. Many owners have observed that the car stops running when the heater or AC is turned on. The dashboard lights up with four or five warnings that include power steering, brake, temperature, and others. It is common among 2016 Nissan Versa complaints.

Safety problems:

  1. One of the biggest ones in the list of 2016 Nissan Versa common problems has been that there is an airbag warning light issued for many cars.
  2. Another common problem with the airbag is that during many collisions, they do not deploy.
  3. Some owners have also had the airbags exploding on their faces while the car was parked.

2016 Nissan Versa Recalls

There are no recalls for the 2016 Nissan Versa yet.

Should you buy the 2016 Nissan Versa?

The Nissan Versa is a value-for-money sedan but its reliability reputation is not exactly spotless. However when you consider that neither are its competitors, one begins to understand why this kind of car exists. They are just there to fulfill the purpose of a transport solution and nothing more than that. They might be dependable as long as you don’t use them much and our pick in the segment would be the Ford Fiesta because it is a more well-rounded car.

  • Complaints
  • Recalls
  • Investigations
  • Manufacturer Communications

September 5, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11685235

Components: 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NHTSA ID Number:
11685235

Incident Date:
September 5, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3N1CN7AP1GL

Consumer Location:
POWELL, TN

Summary
There is a shutter leaving 1st gear

July 31, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11677593

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11677593

Incident Date:
July 31, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3N1CN7AP6GL

Consumer Location:
Unknown

Summary
The airbag warning light has come on and is flashing.Brought it in twice for it was in diagnosis mode the...

July 28, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11676703

Components: 140000 AIR BAGS

NHTSA ID Number:
11676703

Incident Date:
July 28, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3N1CN7AP4GL

Consumer Location:
MOODY, AL

Summary
My Check Airbag light came on without any incident and has stayed on since January, 2025. I took it to a...

July 23, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11675682

Components: 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NHTSA ID Number:
11675682

Incident Date:
July 23, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3N1CN7APXGL

Consumer Location:
Unknown

Summary
I own a 2016 Nissan Versa, and the air conditioning system has completely failed due to what I've been to...

July 23, 2025, NHTSA ID Number: 11675690

Components: 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NHTSA ID Number:
11675690

Incident Date:
July 23, 2025

Vehicle Identification Number:
3N1CN7APXGL

Consumer Location:
DELTONA, FL

Summary
I own a 2016 Nissan Versa, and the air conditioning system has completely failed, making the car almost u...

83/100Best

Quality & Reliability

Assesses the extent of issues, glitches, and design imperfections encountered by...

74/100Best

Driving Experience

Owners' assessments regarding the vehicle's design, performance, comfort, functi...

68/100Average

Resale

CARHP's projection of depreciation, which estimates the probable decrease in the...

0/100Worst

Dealership Experience

Owners' interactions with dealerships associated with this brand, encompassing b...

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