DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Nissan Versa fuel system problems
moderate 20 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,200
When does it fail?
Of the 20 fuel system complaints filed for the 2008 Nissan Versa, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Nissan Versa we track for fuel system problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 20.
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering fuel system on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN; FUEL TANK IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FILL This bulletin applies to Titan XD vehicles with a gas engine. The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer personnel aware that we are re-notifying customers at this time.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN; FUEL TANK IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FILL This bulletin applies to Titan XD vehicles with a gas engine. This bulletin has been amended. Changes have been made throughout. It is necessary for you to read this revised procedure to properly perform this action. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN; FUEL TANK IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO FILL This bulletin applies to Titan XD vehicles with a gas engine. This bulletin has been amended. Changes have been made throughout. It is necessary for you to read this revised procedure to properly perform this action. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Versa's fuel pump is the weak link in this model. Owners consistently report the pump fails to build or hold pressure, causing hard starts that require cranking for 15–30 seconds or pumping the gas pedal just to get the engine to fire. Many have had the pump replaced only to face the same problem weeks or months later. One owner had it replaced three times in five years; another's pump failed again at 20,000 km after a warranty replacement the year prior.
The pattern gets worse: some vehicles stall suddenly on the highway at full speed, cutting power steering and leaving drivers stranded with no restart capability. One owner reported this happening at least four times in two months at 22,000 miles. After a CVT replacement, one vehicle became undrivable—it stalls and won't move in gear, despite visits to three mechanics and numerous parts swaps.
Nissan has TSB NTB-07-094 for fuel pressure loss but dealers inconsistently apply it, sometimes refusing warranty coverage. Fuel pump replacement costs around $600 out of pocket. One owner's fuel pressure tested at 12 PSI when specification calls for over 30 PSI. Poor gas mileage and an intermittent ignition start issue round out the complaints.
Same Nissan Versa fuel system reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Fuel pump pressure loss / failure to build pressure
Fuel pump fails to build or maintain adequate pressure, causing the engine to crank without firing or requiring extended cranking and multiple ignition attempts. Owners report fuel pressure dropping below 30 PSI after the vehicle sits. Multiple owners required fuel pump replacement, and several report the pump failed again within months or a few years.
When: Across the lifespan; some occurred very early (2,300 miles, 3 years), some at higher mileage (120,785 miles); often after vehicle sits 1-2 hours
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cranks but will not start on first attempt; Requires multiple key cycles or extended cranking to start; Long crank time after vehicle sits for 1-2 hours; Fuel pressure drops below spec (measured at 12 PSI; spec >30 PSI); Intermittent starting difficulty that worsens over time; Dry cranking with no fuel delivery
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replacement required; one owner cited $600 cost. Replacement fuel pump packing was on backorder. Multiple owners had pump replaced multiple times (one replaced 3 times in 5 years). Mechanic noted replacement should not be necessary on a 5-year-old car.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB NTB-07-094 exists; dealer advised vehicle did not apply to this TSB. NISSAN TECHNICAL SUPPORT directed fuel pressure testing (measure after 30-minute sit); if <30 PSI, replace pump and packing. One owner cited TSB for the issue but was told by Nissan to pay out-of-pocket despite bulletin existence.
Engine stall during operation / sudden fuel supply loss
Engine stalls unexpectedly while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, with no warning. Vehicle loses ability to steer (power assist lost) and cannot restart immediately. Multiple owners report the car suddenly stops taking fuel mid-drive, creating a dangerous roadside situation.
When: Mileage ranges from ~22,000 to 35,100 miles in reported cases
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden engine shutdown while driving at highway speed (60-72 MPH); Engine stops taking fuel mid-drive; Vehicle loses power steering when stalled; Engine will not restart after stall; Car stalls while in gear after being put into gear post-CVT replacement; Stalls unpredictably after driving 70-150 miles; Engine stalls at low speeds (5 MPH) without warning
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports fuel pump replacement resolved the stall; another reports fuel pump and transmission were both replaced but stalling continued. One vehicle was undrivable since September 2011 despite visits to three mechanics and numerous parts replacement.
Intermittent no-start / hard-start requiring gas pedal pump
Engine requires the gas pedal to be pumped or ignition to be held on for 15-30 seconds before the engine will turn over. These events are intermittent and occur at least once daily in some cases, worsening over time.
When: Reported across mileage; one at 2,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine requires gas pedal to be pumped to start; Ignition must be held on for 15-30 seconds before starting; Intermittent hard-start occurring at least once daily; Condition worsens progressively; Engine turns over but not firing on first attempt
Post-CVT replacement drivetrain dysfunction
Following CVT replacement at 92,524 miles, vehicle stalls then loses driving capability. When put in gear, the car will not move or rev, sometimes driving less than one block before becoming immobile again. Problem persists across three mechanics including Nissan dealership, with numerous parts replaced but no solution found.
When: Occurred 2 weeks after CVT replacement at 92,524 miles; vehicle undrivable since September 2011
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls after CVT replacement; Car will run but will not move when put in gear; Engine will not rev; Intermittent ability to drive short distances (less than one block) before immobility returns; Vehicle is hazard on highway due to unpredictable shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Numerous parts changed out by three mechanics without resolving problem
Poor fuel economy / performance degradation
Vehicle achieves significantly lower fuel economy than EPA/manufacturer specifications. At 6,900 miles, one owner reported 21 city / 25 highway MPG against a dealer spec of 27-30 city / 20-28 highway. Diagnostic testing found no failures.
When: At 6,900 miles on 2008 model
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel economy 6-9 MPG below EPA/dealer specification in city driving; Below-spec highway economy
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer diagnostic found no failures; advised owner to keep monitoring
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tried starting the car; engine would not turn over. Was stranded in a parking lot close to my mechanic's shop and called him. Mechanic sent his assistant to the parking lot where I was and he tried to get the car to turn over. He said he thought the engine was not getting fuel. Car was towed to mechanic and it was determined that fuel pump was broken. Mechanic had difficulty finding a…
Had fuel system trouble with your 2008 Nissan Versa?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the fuel system problem on the 2008 Nissan Versa?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,200 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the fuel system typically fail?
Across the 17 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 8,400 and 46,400 miles, with the median around 35,100. A quarter of owners report trouble before 8,400; a quarter make it past 46,400. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to fuel system?
No active recalls currently cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Nissan/Versa.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.