Nissan Versa problems
502 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. No active recalls — patterns come from the complaint record.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My Nissan versa was recalled for front springs to be replaced. I had already had the springs replaced because they broke. I was informed that I had to have the springs replaced again to satisfy the recall. The struts were rusted out, but were not part of the recall. I had to…
Recently I noticed a piece of metal near my mailbox. Looking at it I quickly realized it was probably a piece of my Nissan versa hatchbacks left coil spring. Sure enough, the breakage matched what was on my car. Why did I so quickly guess that it was from my car? Because my…
Takata recall - both drivers side and passengers side of my vehicle have been recalled. When I called the dealership closest to me, they told me to come in to get my airbags replaced. When I went in, they told me that the driver's side airbag would not be ready and that they…
Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2009 Nissan versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v449000 (air bags) however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. EA21002 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2009 Nissan Versa reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 502 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Nissan Versa is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2009 Nissan Versa?
The 2009 Nissan Versa is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.0/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2009 Nissan Versa?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 171 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 93,587 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 93,587 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Versa has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2009 Nissan Versa?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 502 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.