Is the Hyundai Elantra more reliable than the Nissan Versa?

Based on our data, the Hyundai Elantra is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.

Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Versa?

The Hyundai Elantra has more recalls (33) compared to the Nissan Versa (11). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.

Which has fewer owner complaints, the Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Versa?

Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Versa has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 3.7 for the Hyundai Elantra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.

Which is cheaper to maintain, the Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Versa?

Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Elantra is cheaper to maintain at $452/year versus $456/year for the Nissan Versa.

Is the Hyundai Elantra or Nissan Versa safer?

Both the Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Versa received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

Last updated: 2026-05-15

Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Versa: Reliability Compared

More Reliable

Hyundai Elantra

Good

Nissan Versa

Good

Choosing between the Hyundai Elantra and the Nissan Versa? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two compact sedans.

Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Hyundai Elantra currently leads with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.

How Do the Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Versa Generations Compare?

As of 2026, the Hyundai Elantra is in its seventh generation (CN7), which started in 2021, with a facelift expected in 2024. This positions the Elantra in the middle of its generation cycle, typically a phase where many initial issues have been resolved, enhancing reliability. In contrast, the Nissan Versa is also in its third generation (N18), which began in 2019 and received a facelift in 2024. The Versa, being earlier in its post-facelift phase, might still be addressing some initial post-refresh challenges. Generally, vehicles later in their generation cycles, like the current Elantra, tend to offer more consistent reliability due to refinements over time.

Verdict

The Hyundai Elantra is more reliable than the Nissan Versa, scoring 78/100 vs 76/100.

The Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Versa both offer competitive reliability in the compact sedan segment, though they differ in key areas. The Elantra has a slightly higher average reliability score of 78 compared to the Versa's 76, but it also has a higher owner complaint rate of 3.7 per 10,000 sold versus the Versa's 1.5. While the Elantra's estimated annual repair cost is marginally lower at $452 compared to the Versa's $456, the Versa shows a better track record with fewer recalls, 11 over five years compared to the Elantra's 33 across nine years. Overall, the Versa's lower complaint rate and fewer recalls suggest a slight edge in reliability.

Key Differences

1Nissan Versa has 22 fewer total recalls
2Hyundai Elantra costs $4 less per year to repair
3Nissan Versa has 2.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold

Category Scoreboard

4Hyundai Elantra

—

2Nissan Versa

Reliability ScoreTotal RecallsComplaint RateAnnual Repair CostRepair FrequencyMajor Repair RiskSafety Rating

Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Versa: Which Is More Reliable?

Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Versa at-a-glance reliability comparison
Metric	Hyundai Elantra	Nissan Versa
Reliability Score	78/100	76/100
Years Tracked	9	5
Total Recalls	33	11
Complaints per 10k Sold	3.7	1.5
Annual Repair Cost	$452/yr	$456/yr
Repair Frequency	0.3/yr	0.4/yr
Major Repair Risk	9%	10%
Safety RatingNHTSA overall	2026 NHTSA	2025 NHTSA
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Year Wins	2 (1 tied)	2 (1 tied)

What Are the Common Problems With the Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Versa?

The Hyundai Elantra exhibits a higher total number of complaints, with significant issues in the engine and electrical systems, where crash-linked incidents are notably associated with both. Its steering problems also show a concern with a high incidence of crash-linked complaints. In contrast, the Nissan Versa, while having fewer complaints overall, shows a particular vulnerability in its air bag system, with a substantial proportion of those complaints being crash-linked. Both vehicles have issues with their power train, but the Elantra's broader distribution of complaints suggests a wider range of reliability concerns compared to the more focused problem areas of the Versa.

Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Versa common problem areas comparison
Component	Hyundai Elantra	Nissan Versa
ENGINE	0.8Very Low	0.2Very Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	0.6Very Low	0.2Very Low
POWER TRAIN	0.4Very Low	0.4Very Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	0.4Very Low	0.2Very Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	0.2Very Low	0.1Very Low
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	0.2Very Low	—None
STEERING	0.2Very Low	—None
AIR BAGS	0.1Very Low	0.1Very Low
SEAT BELTS	0.1Very Low	—None
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE	0.1Very Low	—None
SERVICE BRAKES	0.1Very Low	—None
LANE DEPARTURE	0.1Very Low	—None
STRUCTURE	—None	—None
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	—None	—None
VISIBILITY	—None	—None
VISIBILITY/WIPER	—None	—None
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	—None	—None
WHEELS	—None	—None

Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.

Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Hyundai Elantra or Nissan Versa?

The Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Versa have similar annual repair costs, with the Elantra at $452 and the Versa at $456. This $4 difference per year equates to merely $20 over five years, making cost nearly negligible. However, the Elantra offers a lower repair frequency of 0.3 visits per year compared to the Versa's 0.4 visits, which suggests fewer disruptions. Additionally, the Elantra has a slightly lower major repair risk at 9% versus the Versa's 10%. For buyers prioritizing long-term savings and reliability, the Hyundai Elantra presents a slightly better value, as it combines lower repair frequency and reduced risk of costly repairs.

How Does Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Versa Reliability Compare by Year?

Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Versa year-by-year reliability scores
Year	Hyundai Elantra	Nissan Versa	Edge
2025	87/1000R / 21C	81/1000R / 9C	Hyundai Elantra
2024	85/1001R / 50C	73/1001R / 91C	Hyundai Elantra
2021	75/10010R / 147C	77/1003R / 29C	Nissan Versa
2020	72/1003R / 212C	74/1002R / 60C	Nissan Versa
2018	76/1001R / 309C	76/1005R / 55C	Tie

Best years to cross-shop: The 2025 Hyundai Elantra scored 87/100 and the 2025 Nissan Versa scored 81/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.

Who Should Buy the Hyundai Elantra vs the Nissan Versa?

If you prioritize a higher reliability score and lower repair frequency, the Hyundai Elantra could be your best choice. With a reliability score of 78/100 and a repair frequency of 0.3 times per year, it stands out for those seeking fewer visits to the mechanic. Despite having 33 recalls, the Elantra maintains a relatively low owner complaint rate of 3.7 per 10,000 sold, suggesting that issues are being addressed effectively. Additionally, its estimated annual repair cost of $452 is slightly lower, making it a cost-effective option. On the other hand, if you're concerned about recalls and prefer a vehicle with a lower owner complaint rate, the Nissan Versa might be more appealing. With only 11 recalls and 1.5 complaints per 10,000 sold, it offers peace of mind regarding known issues. Although the Versa has a slightly higher major repair risk at 10%, its estimated annual repair cost is comparable at $456, ensuring affordability in the long run. Choose the Versa if minimal recalls and fewer complaints are your top priorities.

Hyundai Elantra vs Nissan Versa: Common Questions

Is the Hyundai Elantra more reliable than the Nissan Versa?: Based on our data, the Hyundai Elantra is more reliable with an average score of 78/100 compared to 76/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
Which has more recalls, the Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Versa?: The Hyundai Elantra has more recalls (33) compared to the Nissan Versa (11). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
Which has fewer owner complaints, the Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Versa?: Adjusted for sales volume, the Nissan Versa has a lower complaint rate at 1.5 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 3.7 for the Hyundai Elantra. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Hyundai Elantra or the Nissan Versa?: Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Hyundai Elantra is cheaper to maintain at $452/year versus $456/year for the Nissan Versa.
Is the Hyundai Elantra or Nissan Versa safer?: Both the Hyundai Elantra and Nissan Versa received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.

More Hyundai Elantra comparisons

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More Nissan Versa comparisons

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How We Calculate Reliability Scores

Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.

Key Ranking Factors

Complaint Severity

NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.

Repair Costs

Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.

Recall Impact

Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.

Issue Diversity

Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.

Scores are grouped into four tiers:

80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution

Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.

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