Last updated: 2026-10-10
2018 Nissan Versa Reliability Report
The 2018 Nissan Versa has a good reliability standing, but owners report airbags that failed to deploy and engines that shut off while driving.
Recalls
5
Complaints
55
Complaint Rate
7.3per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$456
Annual Fuel Cost
$1,750–$2,050
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
A middle-of-the-pack Versa year with a good reliability standing, held back by complaints of airbags not deploying and engines stalling.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12)
- AIR BAGS (12)
- POWER TRAIN (9)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2018 is year 7 of the Second generation (N17).
- Redesigned for the 2012 model year.
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 2nd generation Versa (US).
What this means for buyers
Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.
2012: Second generation (N17) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2018: This Model Year
2018 is year 7 of the Second generation (N17).
Should You Buy the 2018 Nissan Versa?
Reliability is good for this model year, and it sits well above average among 2018 sedans. Within the Versa's own scored years it lands in the middle of five, so neighboring years are not clearly better or worse. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repair cost at $456, the same as the class. The federal crash-test rating is 4 of 5 stars.
The complaints that matter involve safety systems and stalling. Owners report airbags that did not deploy in hard crashes, including side impacts and deer strikes, with injuries such as concussions and neck and spine injuries. Others describe the engine shutting off while driving or at stops, and a transmission that judders, slips, and stalls the car in traffic with no warning light. Federal recall records list 5 recalls, covering back over prevention, the electrical system, and air bags.
Before buying, ask for proof that every recall was completed and for any record of airbag warning light repairs. On a test drive, watch for shudder when pulling away and for any hesitation at stops.
Compared to the 2020 Nissan Versa, which scored 2 points lower.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low major repair risk (10%)
- +Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
Cons
- −Moderate recall count
- −AIR BAGS issues reported (12 complaints)
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Engine shuts off while driving or stalls at stops, and the driver has to... (12 complaints)
Compare 2018 Nissan Versa With
2018 Toyota Corolla
Reliability: 80/100
2018 Honda Civic
Reliability: 71/100
2018 Hyundai Elantra
Reliability: 76/100
2018 Kia Forte
Reliability: 66/100
2018 Mazda 3
Reliability: 79/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 5 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12)
- AIR BAGS (12)
Recall Overview
5
recalls on record
A moderate 5 recalls are on file for the 2018 Nissan Versa. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
7.3
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 25.7
Safety Incidents
12
Crashes
0
Fires
10
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 4/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2018 Nissan Versa Recall Details
5 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Nissan Versa. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
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."
Consequence
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
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.
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018 Nissan Versa Note vehicles. During deployment of the side curtain air bag, a component of the air bag inflator may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Consequence
If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Buying a used 2018 Nissan Versa? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2018 Nissan Versa, and 5 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2018 Nissan Versa NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 14.3%
Safety Technologies
Nissan VersaRepair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
4Maintenance rating: 4 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$456
vs $456 avg for subcompact cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.4
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
10%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
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.
This benchmark covers the Nissan Versa model overall and is not specific to the 2018 model year.
- 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.comMPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
29–34 MPG
Running cost: $2,200–$2,500/yr
Fuel + repair
26–31 city / 35–39 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2018 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Versa 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 31 | 39 | 34 | $1,750 |
| Versa 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 5-spd | 27 | 36 | 30 | $2,000 |
| Versa 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic 4-spd | 26 | 35 | 29 | $2,050 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2018 Nissan Versa.
Turn the key to on and confirm the airbag warning light goes out and stays off.
With an adult in the front passenger seat, confirm the passenger airbag status shows it is on.
Scan for stored codes, including P0705 and any airbag codes, before you agree on a price.
Drive in stop-and-go traffic and feel for shudder, slipping, high revs, or harsh downshifts.
Ask for service records showing any transmission replacement or transmission-related dealer work.
Let the car idle at stops for several minutes and watch for stalling or the engine shutting off.
Turn the key through every position and confirm it turns smoothly and comes out easily.
Lift the floor mats and check the carpet for dampness, water stains, or mold.
2018 Nissan Versa Common Problems by Component
55 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12 complaintsThe engine shuts off while driving or stalls at stops, and the driver has to restart the car. Some cars are hard to start. Shops point to a mass air flow sensor that keeps getting replaced, or to a faulty computer, coils, and crankshaft sensor. Dealers often say only that no recall applies. Other reports describe a stiff brake pedal with every warning light on, brake lights that cut out, and a key stuck in an ignition that had to be replaced. Several filings only note that lower trims lack a backup camera.
AIR BAGS
12 complaintsSafety-relatedAirbags fail to deploy in hard crashes, including deer strikes, run-offs into ditches, and side and T-bone impacts at highway speeds. There are 7 crash-related reports, and the injuries listed include concussions and neck, back, and spine injuries. A second pattern is an airbag warning light that blinks or stays on. Dealers blame a failed passenger seat sensor that turns off the passenger airbag, crinkled wiring, or the airbag module, which was quoted at a little over 1300 dollars. In some reports the light comes back after a repair.
POWER TRAIN
9 complaintsSafety-relatedThe transmission judders, slips, and revs high, then the car stalls or stops in traffic with no warning light. Dealers often replace the whole transmission, sometimes only weeks after the owner bought the car. Milder symptoms include shudder pulling away from stops, harsh downshifts, a bump when coming to a stop, and a whine under acceleration. One rental shifted into reverse on its own at low speed and hit a wall. Manual-transmission cars draw complaints of jerky clutch engagement. Dealers sometimes find no codes and only reset the computer.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (9 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
9 complaintsSafety-relatedThe car shuts off without warning, both at stop signs and in traffic. One crash report links a death to a stall. Other reports describe intermittent jerking between 1000 and 2000 rpm that briefly pushes the car forward while braking. One owner describes water pouring in from behind the dashboard after heavy rain, soaking the floors and growing mold. Another found oil seeping where the engine meets the transmission, which the dealer called normal. Some filings only note that certain trims have no backup camera.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (3 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
3 complaintsSafety-relatedThe car is hard to slow down. Drivers describe a shaking brake pedal and brakes that feel too weak to stop the car, and one report blames worn brake pads. The car also loses power while sitting at stop lights. Other filings mention transmission trouble with stalling and engine revving. Drivers say it feels like losing control of the car. Only a handful of complaints fall under this heading, but one is crash-related and one lists an injury.
ENGINE (3 complaints)
ENGINE
3 complaintsSafety-relatedShutting off completely while driving is the main complaint, sometimes as the car merges onto a highway, and it happens more than once. In one report the car would not restart afterward, and a repair shop found no communication with the engine. A crash report from a rental car describes the steering locking up on a downhill road, and the car hit a tree at speed. Both people in the car were taken to the hospital by ambulance. Few complaints are filed here, but they describe a serious loss-of-control risk.
STEERING (2 complaints)
STEERING
2 complaintsPower steering cuts out while the car sits at a light. At the same moment the brake, battery, and oil warning lights come on, and the driver has to steer off the road and have the car towed. The dealer found no problem on a test drive. In another report the steering wheel locked while the car was parked and the ignition switch would not turn. Both complaints also mention ignition trouble, which matches the key and ignition problems reported under the electrical system.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (1 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaintBrake's grind and squeal at a slow stop even with new brakes and rotors and electric problems like it's blowing headlights with in weeks of installing and tag lights as well.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintBrake pedal is to small my right foot keeps sliping off the pedal i fell like it might cause a rear end accident
STRUCTURE (1 complaints)
STRUCTURE
1 complaintTHERE ARE SERIOUS DESIGN FLAWS ON THE 2018 NISSAN VERSA THAT ALLOW WATER (I.E RAIN) TO COLLECT BELOW THE WINDSHIELD AND WHEN THE COLLECTED WATER DOESN'T DRAIN IT FLOODS THE CAR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THERE IS A WATER GUTTER UNDER THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS THAT RUNS FROM EACH SIDE OF THE CAR. IT HAS TWO VERY SMALL DRAINS ON EACH SIDE. THE DRAINS GET PLUGGED BY DUST, DIRT, ETC. NORMAL STUFF THAT CAN GET ON THE CAR, AND THE WATER COLLECTS AND BUILDS UP IN THE GUTTER. THERE IS A HOLE FOR SOME CABLES IN THIS AREA, ABOVE THE GUTTER THAT THE BUILT UP WATER CAN FLOW THROUGH RIGHT ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR BEHIND THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE WATER DRAINS OUT ESPECIALLY WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING/IN MOTION. IF THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN, THE ENTIRE CAR FLOOR GET FLOODED. THE HEALTH DANGER IS THE WATER HAS NOWHERE TO GO INSIDE THE CAR AND GETS MUSTY AND MOLDY. THIS CAN BE FIXED FOR APPROX. $600, HOWEVER IT WILL LIKELY HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE ALL IS DONE IS UNPLUG THE SMALL DRAIN HOLES. NISSAN ALLOWED A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2018 VERSA SEDAN THAT LEADS TO FLOODING AND WET FLOORBOARDS, A DRAIN THAT IS PRONE TO CLOGGING, AND A HOLE FOR WATER TO FLOW INSIDE THE CAR. I FOUND OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON GOOGLE. MY CAR DAMAGED HAPPEN APRIL 2020, AND OTHER CAR OWNERS HAS HAPPENED IN 2019. PLEASE HELP US. *TR
Best & Worst Nissan Versa Years
Best Nissan Versa Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2021
2018
(Current Model)
2020
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
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 77/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 81/100 | Excellent |
Nissan Versa Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2018 Nissan Versa reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Versa?
Does the 2018 Nissan Versa have airbag problems?
Does the 2018 Nissan Versa have transmission problems?
Has the 2018 Nissan Versa been recalled?
Don’t buy a 2018 Nissan Versa without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2018 Nissan Versa
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2018 Nissan Versa does best on how many systems draw complaints (88/100) and worst on complaint severity (69/100). 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.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Nissan Versa.
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