Nissan Versa 2007–2011 problems by year and mileage
1st generation (C11)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,777 complaints, 1,063 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2007 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 55,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 354
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2007
- Airbag system150 reports · median 71,000 mi
- Suspension54 reports · median 64,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system30 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front · Seat belts
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2008 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 52,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 381
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2008
- Airbag system171 reports · median 74,000 mi
- Suspension70 reports · median 62,000 mi
- Electrical system25 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front · Equipment — electrical
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2009 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 504
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2009
- Suspension182 reports · median 65,000 mi
- Airbag system180 reports · median 88,000 mi
- Steering28 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front · Equipment — electrical
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2010 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 65,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 269
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2010
- Airbag system130 reports · median 73,000 mi
- Suspension69 reports · median 56,000 mi
- Electrical system17 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front · Equipment — electrical
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2011 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 64,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 269
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2011
- Airbag system152 reports · median 74,000 mi
- Suspension46 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Steering21 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. Latest: the 2010; earliest: the 2008, and the 2008 is 2 years older (part of the gap is age).
The short answer
“Is the 2007–2011 Nissan Versa reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 61,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 123,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 1,063
- Recalls
- 11
Most reported
- Airbag system44.1% of complaints · median 76,000 mi
- Suspension23.7% of complaints · median 65,000 mi
- Steering5.9% of complaints · median 48,000 mi
Owners filed 1,777 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2011 Nissan Versa; the airbag system leads with 44.1% of them, and half of the 1,063 that record an odometer reading came by 61,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 33,000 to 90,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2007–2011 Nissan Versa last?
On the 2007–2011 Nissan Versa, half of the 1,063 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 61,000 miles and 90% by 123,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
48 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 15 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Versa reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Nissan Versa 2007–2011 · 1,063 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 119 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 15 complaints (1.4%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 8,000
- 25%
- 33,000
- Median
- 61,000
- 75%
- 90,000
- 90%
- 123,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 119 | 11.2% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 46 | 4.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 69 | 6.5% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 87 | 8.2% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 89 | 8.4% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 106 | 10.0% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 110 | 10.3% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 87 | 8.2% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 84 | 7.9% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 59 | 5.6% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 49 | 4.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 35 | 3.3% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 41 | 3.9% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 21 | 2.0% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 13 | 1.2% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 12 | 1.1% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 8 | 0.8% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 9 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 4 | 0.4% |
| 200,000+ | 15 | 1.4% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Versa problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Nissan Versa 2007–2011
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Engine and its cooling system81 reportsmedian 47,000middle half 12,000–67,000
- Steering105 reportsmedian 48,000middle half 26,000–79,000
- Electrical system102 reportsmedian 51,000middle half 16,000–94,000
- Problems owners could not categorise79 reportsmedian 61,000middle half 37,000–101,000
- Suspension421 reportsmedian 65,000middle half 45,000–92,000
- Body structure70 reportsmedian 70,000middle half 48,000–89,000
- Airbag system783 reportsmedian 76,000middle half 51,000–113,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 783 | 44.1% | 76,000 | 51,000–113,000 |
| Suspension | 421 | 23.7% | 65,000 | 45,000–92,000 |
| Steering | 105 | 5.9% | 48,000 | 26,000–79,000 |
| Electrical system | 102 | 5.7% | 51,000 | 16,000–94,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 81 | 4.6% | 47,000 | 12,000–67,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 79 | 4.4% | 61,000 | 37,000–101,000 |
| Body structure | 70 | 3.9% | 70,000 | 48,000–89,000 |
| Wheels | 65 | 3.7% | 55,000 | 35,000–75,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 64 | 3.6% | 69,000 | 38,000–115,000 |
| Engine | 62 | 3.5% | 70,000 | 42,000–94,000 |
Known problems with the 2007–2011 Versa
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.
Before you buy a 2007–2011 Versa: the 3-minute check
Generated from 1,063 mileage-tagged complaints, 11 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 11 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check transmission on 2007–2011 cars. What it looks like: Known problems.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Versa problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi49% below | At 90k mi75% below | At 120k mi88% below | At 150k mi95% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 51,000–113,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 45,000–92,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Steering | 26,000–79,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 16,000–94,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 12,000–67,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 37,000–101,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 48,000–89,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Nissan Versa 2007–2011 · 1,063 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 49% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 75% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 88% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 95% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2007–2011 Nissan Versa recalls (11)
NHTSA records 11 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (7), the suspension (1), equipment (1) (why one area can repeat).
Jan 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…
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…
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…
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…
Jun 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…
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…
Jan 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…
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…
Jul 2017 · 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…
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…
Jan 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…
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…
May 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…
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…
Sep 2015 · 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…
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…
Mar 2007 · 2007 · Seat BeltsIf this occurs, the air bag warning light will come on and the passenger side frontal air bag will be…
The defect. On certain hatchback vehicles, the terminals for the passenger side seat belt tension sensor harness connector may have been damaged during the manufacturing process. This could result in a loss of electrical continuity causing the occupant detection system…
What can happen. If this occurs, the air bag warning light will come on and the passenger side frontal air bag will be suppressed.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the connector for the seat belt tension sensor harness free of charge. The recall began on june 18, 2007. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Sep 2006 · 2007 · Service Brakes, HydraulicThe purpose of this standard is to ensure safe braking performance under normal and emergency driving…
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'Passenger car brake systems.' The brake fluid reservoir cap is missing part of the required brake fluid warning.
What can happen. The purpose of this standard is to ensure safe braking performance under normal and emergency driving conditions.
The free fix. New brake fluid reservoir caps will be mailed to vehicle owners along with instructions for installation. The letters will instruct owners who do not want to replace their own brake fluid reservoir…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,777 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 113 (6.4%)
- Fires
- 27
- Injury reports
- 64
- Fatality reports
- 6
Versa problems by model year
The 2009 drew the most complaints of this generation, 504, most of them about the suspension, and the 2010 the fewest, 269. A typical year drew about 354.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 354 | 202 | 55,000 | Airbag system (150) | 8 |
| 2008 | 381 | 213 | 52,000 | Airbag system (171) | 7 |
| 2009 | 504 | 348 | 64,000 | Suspension (182) | 7 |
| 2010 | 269 | 155 | 65,000 | Airbag system (130) | 7 |
| 2011 | 269 | 145 | 64,000 | Airbag system (152) | 6 |
What Versa owners reported
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 3 MPH, the front driver’s side air bag unexpectedly deployed. The contact was left with a bruised face and a nosebleed from the air bag deployment. The contact used tissues to stop the nosebleed, but no medical attention was sought. The…
2009 · 160,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving out of a parking lot at 10 MPH, the front end of the vehicle made an abnormally loud sound, and the contact noticed a strong rubber odor. The contact inspected underneath the vehicle and became aware that a part had fractured underneath the…
2009 · 80,000 miles · Suspension
The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the driver’s air bag module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and…
2009 · 146,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH in a parking lot, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. In addition, the air bag exploded. The contact was unsure if any warning light was illuminated. The contact sustained minor…
2011 · 172,000 miles · Airbag system
Built from 1,063 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Versa generations
- Versa 2012–2019 870 reports with mileage, most about the transmission and driveline