Nissan Versa 2007–2011
1st generation (C11)
NHTSA data through 13 August 20262,187 complaints, 1,380 with mileageMethod
- Reports with mileage
- 1,380
- Median of reported failures
- 61,000 mi
- Most-reported system
- Airbag system (35.9%)
- Recalls
- 9
Before-you-buy checklist ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 33,202 and 90,000 miles.
Figure 1 · Nissan Versa 2007–2011 · 1,380 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 117 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 20 complaints (1.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 7,000
- 25%
- 33,202
- Median
- 60,885
- 75%
- 90,000
- 90%
- 124,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 117 | 8.5% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 44 | 3.2% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 31 | 2.2% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 28 | 2.0% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 43 | 3.1% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 44 | 3.2% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 46 | 3.3% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 68 | 4.9% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 56 | 4.1% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 57 | 4.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 72 | 5.2% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 66 | 4.8% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 80 | 5.8% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 60 | 4.3% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 74 | 5.4% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 46 | 3.3% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 59 | 4.3% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 42 | 3.0% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 36 | 2.6% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 36 | 2.6% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 38 | 2.8% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 22 | 1.6% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 28 | 2.0% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 20 | 1.4% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 32 | 2.3% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 28 | 2.0% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 16 | 1.2% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 10 | 0.7% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 17 | 1.2% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 13 | 0.9% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 5 | 0.4% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 8 | 0.6% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 9 | 0.7% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 20 | 1.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,187 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2011 Nissan Versa, and 1,380 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 33,202 and 90,000 miles. The median is 60,885 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (35.9% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles), the suspension (19.4% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles), the electrical system (4.8% of complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
9 recall campaigns cover this generation.
If you arrived asking “is it reliable?” — this page answers the version of that question the data can support: which problems owners reported, and at what mileage.
How many miles does a 2007–2011 Nissan Versa last?
Half of the failure reports on the 2007–2011 Nissan Versa were filed by 61,000 miles and 90% by 124,000 miles — figures drawn from 1,380 NHTSA complaints that record an odometer reading, so they time reported failures, not the cars whose owners never filed one.
20 reports (1.4%) came in past 200,000 miles — each one proof a Versa reached that mileage, not that it died there.
Before you buy a 2007–2011 Versa: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,380 mileage-tagged complaints, 9 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 9 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check transmission on 2007–2011 cars. Xtronic CVT overheating, shuddering, hesitation and premature failure. Nissan extended CVT coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles across its 2007-2010 CVT-equipped vehicles in response to widespread failures. Belt and…
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 33,000 and 90,000 miles, with a median of 61,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and the suspension are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The suspension in particular shows a median failure mileage of 65,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
What fails, and when
Figure 2 · Nissan Versa 2007–2011
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Engine and its cooling system82 reports47,00012,000–66,000Engine and its cooling system: 82 reports, median 47,000 miles, middle half 12,000 to 66,000 miles.
- Steering105 reports48,00026,000–79,000Steering: 105 reports, median 48,000 miles, middle half 26,000 to 79,000 miles.
- Electrical system106 reports50,00016,000–94,000Electrical system: 106 reports, median 50,000 miles, middle half 16,000 to 94,000 miles.
- Problems owners could not categorise79 reports61,00037,000–101,000Problems owners could not categorise: 79 reports, median 61,000 miles, middle half 37,000 to 101,000 miles.
- Suspension425 reports65,00045,000–92,000Suspension: 425 reports, median 65,000 miles, middle half 45,000 to 92,000 miles.
- Body structure72 reports70,00046,000–91,000Body structure: 72 reports, median 70,000 miles, middle half 46,000 to 91,000 miles.
- Airbag system785 reports75,00050,000–112,000Airbag system: 785 reports, median 75,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 112,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 785 | 35.9% | 75,000 | 50,000–112,000 |
| Suspension | 425 | 19.4% | 65,000 | 45,000–92,000 |
| Electrical system | 106 | 4.8% | 50,000 | 16,000–94,000 |
| Steering | 105 | 4.8% | 48,000 | 26,000–79,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 82 | 3.7% | 47,000 | 12,000–66,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 79 | 3.6% | 61,000 | 37,000–101,000 |
| Body structure | 72 | 3.3% | 70,000 | 46,000–91,000 |
| Wheels | 65 | 3.0% | 55,000 | 35,000–75,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 64 | 2.9% | 69,000 | 38,000–115,000 |
| Engine | 61 | 2.8% | 70,000 | 42,000–94,000 |
Where your car sits
Failure reports by the odometer reading they were filed at. Pick the anchor nearest your car — or type the exact mileage: your marker lands on this curve and on the timing chart above.
Figure 3 · Nissan Versa 2007–2011 · 1,380 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 49% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 88% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it below
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.4% of reports (20) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
At 60,000 miles
49% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
In the reporting window
- Airbag system — middle half 50,000–112,000 mi
- Suspension — middle half 45,000–92,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 16,000–94,000 mi
- Steering — middle half 26,000–79,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — middle half 12,000–66,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 37,000–101,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 46,000–91,000 mi
At 90,000 miles
75% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Steering — median 48,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — median 47,000 mi
In the reporting window
- Airbag system — middle half 50,000–112,000 mi
- Suspension — middle half 45,000–92,000 mi
- Electrical system — middle half 16,000–94,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — middle half 37,000–101,000 mi
- Body structure — middle half 46,000–91,000 mi
At 120,000 miles
88% of the failure reports on this generation came below this mileage. That describes reports, not your odds.
Reported earlier than this mileage — ask for repair records
- Airbag system — median 75,000 mi
- Suspension — median 65,000 mi
- Electrical system — median 50,000 mi
- Steering — median 48,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system — median 47,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise — median 61,000 mi
- Body structure — median 70,000 mi
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 60,885 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 35.9% of complaints (785 reports, 207 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 112,000 miles.
A single system taking 35.9% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The suspension accounts for 19.4% of complaints (425 reports, 379 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 92,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 4.8% of complaints (106 reports, 87 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 50,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 16,000 and 94,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 4.8% of complaints (105 reports, 93 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 48,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 26,000 and 79,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 3.7% of complaints (82 reports, 73 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 47,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 12,000 and 66,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 3.6% of complaints (79 reports, 50 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 61,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 37,000 and 101,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2009 model year drew the most — 615 complaints — while 2011 drew the fewest at 327. The median year sits at 447.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 9 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), the suspension (1), equipment (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 2,187 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 167 (7.6%)
- Fires
- 46
- Injury reports
- 92
- Fatality reports
- 8
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Documented problems
Transmission 2007–2011
Xtronic CVT overheating, shuddering, hesitation and premature failure. Nissan extended CVT coverage to 10 years/120,000 miles across its 2007-2010 CVT-equipped vehicles in response to widespread failures. Belt and pulley wear generates metal debris that contaminates the valve body.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 447 | 262 |
| 2008 | 461 | 280 |
| 2009 | 615 | 442 |
| 2010 | 337 | 212 |
| 2011 | 327 | 184 |
Recalls (9) — is your car included?
Feb 2020 · 2007–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
Jul 2018 · 2007–2008 · Air BagsIf an inflator were to explode it may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Nissan Versa sedan and Versa hatchback vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The passenger
What can happen. If an inflator were to explode it may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: The vehicles covered by this recall are in addition to those covered by recall 16V-349.
Jul 2018 · 2010–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2011-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorad
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Mar 2018 · 2009–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Versa Hatchback, and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, N
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Mar 2018 · 2007–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the subject inflator with a new one manufactured by a different supplier, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Jun 2017 · 2007–2009 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, India
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 2016 · 2007–2011 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Feb 2016 · 2007–2011 · SuspensionIf a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
What can happen. If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began on February 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Sep 2010 · 2008–2010 · EquipmentOverheated batteries could result in a fire.
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.
What can happen. Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2010. Owners may contact garmin directly at 1-866-957-1981 or Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
What owners reported
the contact owns a 2007 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while turning the steering wheel it made a clunking noise that sounded as metal rubbing against metal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure. The dealer replaced the tires wheels spacer; however the failure was not corrected. The…
2007 · 2 miles · Steering
During winter season, when more than 2 inches of snow falls, when pressing on the break, i have to press and release repeatedly for the car to stop at a light. If i try to stop without doing so, the car will continue past the stop light road mark. When i press on the break, the break pedal feels like it touch the…
2007 · 2 miles · Brakes
the contact owns a 2007 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 60-70 MPH, the vehicle veers to the left. When decelerating, the vehicle veers to the right and feels as if it will spin out. The contact has scheduled an appointment at the dealer for june 29, 2007. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure…
2007 · 30 miles · Suspension
My car seat belts are not working properly on the passenger side and my air bags warning lights are flashing. I contacted Nissan north america and asked them about any recalls for this car and they said no. However, i went on -line to several websites, such as www.Internetautoguide.Com and found that they are recalls…
2007 · 55 miles · Airbag system
Built from 1,380 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-18 · open data · reproduce this page