Last updated: 2026-10-10
Nissan Versa Reliability by Year
Nissan Versa reliability is good for a compact sedan, with repair costs near the subcompact norm. Watch the CVT and unexpected engine shutoffs.
Nissan Versa Reliability Overview
Reliability is good for a compact sedan and ranks above most sedans on the site. The 2021 model year is the pick, while the 2024 has drawn the most complaints. The big worry is the CVT automatic, which can lose drive so the engine revs and the car will not move. Some owners also report the engine shutting off while driving. Yearly repair costs match the subcompact average.
Current generation: 3rd gen (2024–present), facelifted 2024.
Best & Worst Nissan Versa Years
Best Nissan Versa Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2021 has 29 owner complaints, or 4.8 per 10,000 sold. That is well below the 2020 at 12.4 and the 2024 at 21.4. It has also been on the road long enough for its record to mean something. Its main complaint is still the CVT losing drive.
Nissan Versa Years to Avoid
No Nissan Versa years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 73 and 81 across 5 scored model years.
Nissan Versa Reliability Score Trend
Nissan Versa reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 76/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 81/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2025 Nissan Versa
0 recalls · 9 complaints
The best-rated of five scored Versa years, with no recalls and few complaints, though owners report unexpected automatic braking and power loss.
2024 Nissan Versa
1 recalls · 91 complaints
First year of the third generation and the weakest Versa year, marked by early power-loss and limp-mode complaints, while the 2025 rates better.
2021 Nissan Versa
3 recalls · 29 complaints
Stronger than most Versa years, with fewer complaints than 2020, though sudden CVT drive loss and three recalls are the points to check.
2020 Nissan Versa
2 recalls · 60 complaints
Mid-pack among Versa years, with CVT hesitation as the main complaint and a 2021 model that rates better with fewer complaints.
2018 Nissan Versa
5 recalls · 55 complaints
A middle-of-the-pack Versa year with a good reliability standing, held back by complaints of airbags not deploying and engines stalling.
Found Your Nissan Versa? Check Its History
Forward collision avoidance (2) problems come up most in Nissan Versa owner complaints, and 11 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Nissan Versa Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$456
Repair Frequency
0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk
10%
Matches the subcompact cars average of $456/yr.
Ranked #9 of 21 among subcompact cars.
Nissan Versa Resale Value
The Nissan Versa is estimated to retain about 57.1% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 57.1%
- Depreciation
- 42.9%
- Listings Analyzed
- 188
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . This is a historical market benchmark, not a current price quote.
Explore Nissan Versa depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comNissan Versa Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Nissan Models
Compare all Nissan models by reliability
Compare Nissan Versa With Similar Sedans
The Nissan Versa competes with other compact sedans such as Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Hyundai Elantra.
Versa vs Toyota Corolla
9 years tracked · 1274 complaints
Versa vs Honda Civic
9 years tracked · 2921 complaints
Versa vs Hyundai Elantra
9 years tracked · 1219 complaints
Versa vs Kia Forte
7 years tracked · 495 complaints
Versa vs Mazda 3
8 years tracked · 217 complaints
More Nissan Versa comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Nissan Versa year to buy?
- The 2021 is the site's pick. It has drawn fewer complaints per car sold than the 2018, 2020, and 2024, and it has been on the road long enough to show a real record. The 2025 looks cleaner on paper, but it has had less time to collect complaints.
- Is the Nissan Versa reliable?
- Yes, overall standing is good, and it sits above average among sedans on the site. The weak spot is the transmission. Owners describe a CVT that judders, slips, and sometimes loses forward drive. Engine shutoffs while driving are the other serious complaint to check before buying.
- What are the most common Nissan Versa problems?
- Power train problems lead, with 63 complaints. The transmission judders, slips, or revs without moving the car, and dealers often replace it. Electrical complaints come next, mostly engine shutoffs and stalling at stops. Engine complaints describe the car shutting off completely while driving, sometimes while merging onto a highway.
- How much does it cost to repair a Nissan Versa?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $456. That is the same as the average for subcompact cars. Since the main complaints involve the transmission and airbag system, have those checked before you buy.
- Are there safety concerns with the Nissan Versa?
- Yes, in two areas. Owners report airbags that did not deploy in hard crashes, including side impacts and run-offs into ditches. Others report the engine shutting off while driving, which risks losing control. Ask a dealer to check open recalls on the exact car.
How we score the Nissan Versa
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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