CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Nissan Versa engine problems
moderate 32 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
32
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Owners have filed 32 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 16 model years of Nissan Versa in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin does NOT apply to LEAF vehicles and Titan XD vehicles with V8 diesel engine. This bulletin has been amended. See Amendment History on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement 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 ↗Free Oil Change Specific Vehicles Subject to the Takata Recall *****Detailed Information***** To help accelerate repair completions on specific populations of vehicles recalled for the Takata airbag, Nissan is offering a special incentive for certain populations of affected vehicles for a limited time. The expiration date for this offer is December 31, 2018. Nissan is offering a complimentary oil change for participating customers free of charge. Nissan Consumer Affairs will be outreaching to these eligible owners directly, but dealers may also offer this incentive to eligible owners found on your retailed vehicle open campaign report if their VIN has PC650 or PC655 applied in Service Comm o
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two major problem categories in the 2009 Nissan Versa engine system.
Engine stalling and no-start issues appear repeatedly: vehicles lose all power while driving at highway or city speeds, fail to restart without a 30-minute wait, or crank for 10+ seconds before starting. A few owners report loud clunking noises during loss of power. Dealers perform diagnostic testing but often cannot reproduce the problem or identify root cause. Owners have replaced fuel pumps, fuel pressure regulators, and had ignition coils and spark plugs swapped, with no resolution. One narrative documents low compression (70 psi) in cylinder 4 at 66,000 miles with the owner facing an out-of-warranty engine teardown or replacement. Another reports a possible timing chain failure at an unspecified mileage that required engine teardown.
Exhaust system premature corrosion and structural failure is the dominant complaint. Mufflers, flanges, catalytic converters, and welds corrode and fail between 25,000 and 100,000 miles—well before typical wear. Owners report loud rattling, flange fractures, muffler detachment, and mid-pipe disconnection. One narrative documents muffler failure at 25,000 miles and again at 35,000 miles. Repair costs range from $300 to $600+. Owners note that mechanics and repair shops confirm this is a known design flaw in the Versa and that salt-exposure climates see earlier failures. Several narratives cite corrosion where no visible rust or road salt damage is evident, suggesting a design or material defect.
Same Nissan Versa engine reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling and loss of power while driving
Vehicle suddenly loses all engine power while driving at city or highway speeds, sometimes with clunking noises. After 5-10 minutes, engine may restart normally. Occurs intermittently and cannot be reproduced by dealers during diagnostic testing.
When: Various mileages: one at 85,000–95,000 miles; another early in vehicle ownership (~3,800–11,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: sudden loss of power while driving; clunking noises from engine; loss of power steering and brake boost; hesitation before stalling; engine restarts after 5–10 minute wait; intermittent, not reproducible
Codes mentioned: P0300 (random misfire), P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: No successful repair documented. Fuel pump replaced in one case without effect. Fuel pressure regulator replaced in multiple cases without resolution. One owner facing engine teardown or replacement.
Low compression in cylinder 4 (engine internal failure)
Compression test reveals cylinder 4 with only 70 psi compression versus 130 psi in cylinders 1–3, indicating possible internal engine damage (piston, ring, or valve). Requires engine teardown to diagnose exact cause. Occurs at 66,000 miles, just outside 60,000-mile warranty limit.
When: 66,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: persistent P0304 cylinder 4 misfire code; low compression in single cylinder
Codes mentioned: P0304 (cylinder 4 misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Compression test performed. Mechanic noted possible piston damage. Engine teardown or replacement required but cost-prohibitive for owner. Nissan denied warranty claim (6,000 miles over limit).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan warranty coverage is 60,000 miles; owner at 66,000 miles denied coverage. Nissan advised engine replacement or new car purchase likely necessary.
Difficult or extended-crank cold start
Vehicle requires extended cranking (6–10+ seconds) before engine starts. Problem persists despite multiple dealer visits and fuel system component replacements. No check engine light indication in some cases.
When: Early in ownership (~8,440–14,959 miles) and recurring
Symptoms owners cite: extended cranking (6–10 seconds) before start; eventual failure to start; rough idle after starting; no check engine light in some cases
Codes mentioned: Possible crank sensor code noted in one complaint
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pressure regulator replaced; fuel pump replaced. Dealer later claimed compression issue, though unable to verify ongoing problem. No resolution achieved.
Muffler and exhaust flange premature corrosion and structural failure
Muffler systems corrode excessively and fail structurally, with flanges cracking, welds breaking, and connections separating. Failures occur between 25,000 and 100,000 miles. Owners report loud rattling, gaseous odor in cabin, and risk of muffler detachment. Corrosion occurs in vehicles that are garaged or well-maintained, with rest of undercarriage clean and rust-free, suggesting design or material defect rather than road salt alone.
When: 25,000–100,000 miles; one case at 25k then again at ~35k; commonly reported 50–80k range
Symptoms owners cite: loud rattling or roaring noise from exhaust; gaseous smell in cabin when engine running; vibration from loose muffler; visual inspection shows rusted flange, cracked welds, or separated connections; muffler dangerously loose or detached
Repairs/costs cited: Muffler replacement typically required; costs $300–$600+. Some owners replaced components multiple times. One owner replaced muffler/tailpipe at 25k miles, then had to replace again shortly after. Repair shops note this is a 'standard' and recurring issue on Versa models.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued. Nissan denies responsibility. Dealer offered replacement at customer cost ($600 in one case). Multiple owners note Nissan has refused assistance despite documented pattern.
Catalytic converter flange corrosion
Connection between catalytic converter and intermediate exhaust pipe corrodes and fails before 30,000 miles, requiring catalytic converter and pipe replacement.
When: Under 30,000 miles (documented at approximately 25,000 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: corrosion at catalytic converter flange; separation of catalytic converter from intermediate pipe
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter and intermediate pipe replaced.
Engine mount insulator bolt loose or incorrectly threaded
Engine mount insulator bolt found very loose or not threaded correctly from factory, creating potential hazard if bolt breaks while driving.
When: Discovered during service; mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: visibly loose bolt on engine mount insulator
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer re-threaded and remounted bolt.
Oil drain plug detachment
Oil drain plug came loose and fell out during normal driving, causing engine to lose oil, knock loudly, and nearly seize. Owner added 4 quarts mid-drive and another 5 quarts later; oil came back out within seconds, indicating continued leak.
When: 4 months after oil change (February oil change; June failure during 45-mile drive)
Symptoms owners cite: oil drain plug falls out; engine knocking from low oil; smoking engine; oil flowing out of plug hole
Repairs/costs cited: Oil drain plug replaced. 5 quarts oil added; issue resolved after plug replacement.
Synthesized from 32 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2009 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 engine problem on the 2009 Nissan Versa?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 32 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 30,434 and 85,786 miles, with the median around 65,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 30,434; a quarter make it past 85,786. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2009/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.