STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES 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 suspension problems
moderate 167 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
167
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 167 suspension complaints filed for the 2009 Nissan Versa, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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 10 model years of Nissan Versa we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 167.
Suspension accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension 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.
STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty. - A strut or shock absorber that has slight oil seepage, a condition which is considered normal, does not affect strut/shock absorber operation or performance, and does not require replacement. - A strut or shock absorber that should be replaced due to rod resistance/noise issues. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Front coil springs on 2009 Nissan Versas are breaking cleanly at the base or bottom coil, typically between 40,000 and 80,000 miles. Owners hear a sudden loud bang, snap, or clang—often while backing up, turning, or accelerating gently—then notice the front end sits lower on one side or the car bounces and handles poorly. Many springs show little or no rust when they break; the fracture appears clean, suggesting a metallurgical defect rather than corrosion alone.
The broken spring becomes a hazard: the jagged end digs into the tire (shredding it, sometimes causing blowouts), presses against brake lines, or displaces within the wheel well. Owners discovering this stationary counted themselves fortunate—those who experienced breakage at highway speeds or mid-drive were genuinely endangered. One owner's spring punctured a tire while driving 65 mph on a parkway; another's tire nearly burst while traveling 70 mph.
Repair costs run $565 to $1,266 depending on whether one or both springs need replacement and if struts or alignment are also required. Nissan issued Recall 15V573000 (Suspension) in September 2015 for affected states, citing insufficient corrosion coating; however, many owners report their VINs were excluded from the recall list despite having identical failures. Out-of-warranty owners and those outside recall states paid out-of-pocket. At least one owner reports a coil spring refracturing after a dealership completed the recall repair, suggesting the remedy did not fully resolve the underlying defect.
Same Nissan Versa suspension reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Front coil spring breakage (driver or passenger side)
The front coil springs break cleanly, usually near the base or bottom coil, often without visible rust or at stress points. Breakage occurs at low mileage (25k–80k miles, some as early as 40k) and in vehicles 4–7 years old. Owners report the break happens suddenly during routine driving, backing up, turning, or sitting parked. The broken spring can puncture or severely damage the tire, dig into brake lines, or pinch/displace against suspension components, creating immediate safety hazards.
When: Mileage range 25,000–113,000 miles; most failures reported between 40,000–80,000 miles. Vehicles typically 4–7 years old at time of failure.
Symptoms owners cite: Loud clang, bang, snap, or ping from front suspension when accelerating, turning, or backing up; Bouncing, harsh ride, or difficulty steering after initial noise; Front of vehicle sitting lower on one side (reduced gap between wheel and chassis); Grinding, clanging, or metal-on-metal noise when turning or driving over bumps; Smoke from front wheel area; Vehicle swerving or pulling to one side; Tire shredding, burning rubber, or tire puncture/blowout
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement of one or both front coil springs typically $565–$1,266 including labor, alignment, and strut replacement. Parts are Nissan-exclusive; some owners report national back orders or parts unavailable. Extended warranties sometimes covered repairs; most out-of-warranty repairs required owner payment. One owner paid $950 to replace both front springs, struts, and alignment; another paid $1,266 for both springs. Dealerships occasionally performed goodwill repairs after learning of upcoming recalls.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V573000 (Suspension) issued for 2009 Versa in multiple states (not nationwide) effective 09/14/2015, addressing coil spring corrosion. Recall 17V637 mentioned for spring corrosion in some states. However, many owners report vehicle VINs were not included in recall lists despite having the same failure. Nissan initially denied coverage citing warranty expiration or lack of recall applicability. Some owners threatened legal action and received goodwill repairs. Nissan claimed no defect when contacted by some owners. Reimbursement denied for vehicles with salvage titles. Dealer responses ranged from quick goodwill fixes to refusals to cover the repair.
Lower control arm failure
Lower control arms fail during routine inspections or driving. One owner reported both lower control arms failed at 50,938 miles. This failure may be interconnected with coil spring degradation due to corrosion affecting overall suspension tension.
When: At 50,938 miles; cause may be cascade effect of coil spring corrosion.
Symptoms owners cite: Lower control arms identified as bad during routine inspection
Repairs/costs cited: Lower control arms replaced at cost of $895.24; additional 4-wheel alignment $109.95.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan initially told owner that coil spring corrosion does not cause control arm failure despite suspension system interconnection. Owner filed NHTSA complaint due to Nissan's refusal to acknowledge causality.
Ball joint failure post-recall repair
Passenger side ball joint failed within 10 miles after the dealership completed coil spring recall repair. Owner suspects improper repair procedure or deliberate damage during recall service to generate additional revenue.
When: Within 10 miles of coil spring recall repair completion.
Symptoms owners cite: Ball joint failure; vehicle put owner and child in danger
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership initially agreed to cover damage under goodwill, then reversed course and attempted to charge owner for repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership (Tynan's Nissan) offered initial goodwill coverage, then refused. No manufacturer intervention documented.
Rear coil spring fracture
Rear coil springs fractured. One owner reported both front and rear coil springs failed; another reported rear springs needed replacement after front springs broke.
When: Failure mileage approximately 25,985 miles for one owner.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from rear of vehicle; Rear coil springs require replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Rear coil springs replaced by independent mechanic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 15V573000 applies primarily to front suspension; owner concerned remedy would not address rear spring failures.
Recall remedy failure
At least one owner reports coil spring refracturing after dealer completed recall repair. Remedy applied under NHTSA Campaign 15V573000 did not prevent subsequent failure.
When: Post-repair failure at 81,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Coil spring fractured again after recall repair was performed
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 15V573000
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required second coil spring replacement after recall repair failed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 15V573000 applied; however, remedy failed to prevent recurrence of coil spring fracture.
Synthesized from 167 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
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 pay to have the struts replaced when the dealership broke them removing them to replace the springs. The struts and…
Passenger side spring coil broke nearly 5 months after the driver side spring coil broke. See complaint from 7/31/13. Luckily, coil broke while backing out of drive way, so I did not lose control of vehicle. Broken part of coil is now pinched between coil seat and rest of coil leaving the remaining spring unseated. Car is undriveable in this condition for second time before 5 year loan is even…
Driver side front coil spring broke while driving. Appeared to be very rusted.
When I put the car in drive to pull out of my parking spot I heard a noise and the front end driver side dropped. I had to replace the coil spring and strut. The strut was damaged due to the coil spring breaking. I had to fix both sides and get front end alignment which cost over $700.00. Based on what I have read this is a know problem with the Nissan versas and there should have been a recall.…
Replacing the exhaust the rear springs were broken to the point the insulators fell out . The springs on both the rear of the vehicle were breaking. There wasn't any significant rust on the springs there was a recall on the front which was done. The insulators missing makes a metal to metal contact which would make it wear out faster and more prone to rust. Why are the springs breaking?
I started to back out of my drive way when I heard a loud cluck sound. Upon checking the ground I found part of the passenger side spring laying on the ground. There is no rust. The part just broke. This appears to be a problem. I am just glad that I was on my way down the highway where someone could have died. *tr
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2009 Nissan Versa?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 167 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 153 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 50,000 and 87,235 miles, with the median around 66,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 87,235. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.