NISSAN: TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WARNING LIGHT ON/FLASHING. NO MODELS OR MODEL YEARS LISTED. UPDATED ON 08-11-2011.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2009 Nissan Versa tires problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $150 · see tires across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$150
When does it fail?
Of the 17 tires complaints filed for the 2009 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 6 model years of Nissan Versa we track for tires problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 17.
No new NHTSA tires complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 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 tires 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.
NISSAN: WARNING LIGHTS ARE FLASHING WITH TROUBLE CODES STORED. 2007-2011 VERSA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2009 Nissan Versas consistently report TPMS valve stem failures resulting in air leaks. Multiple owners had three or four sensors fail on the same vehicle, forcing them to refill tires every 2–3 days or deal with suddenly flat tires. Dealerships and tire shops identified aluminum valve stems that are cracked, corroded, or otherwise defective. The valve stems rust easily, particularly in salt-winter climates. Nissan's initial response was often dismissive (blaming weather), and warranty denial beyond 12,000 miles is standard. Replacement sensors cost $150–$265 each—more than the tires themselves. Some owners replaced failed sensors with standard rubber valve stems, stopping the leaks but leaving the TPMS light permanently on. One owner reported that although similar failures triggered a recall on other Nissan models, their 2009 Versa was excluded.
Separately, some owners report stock Continental tires wearing bald by 24,500–25,000 miles despite proper rotation, and a single complaint notes wet-road traction loss attributed to undersized tire size relative to vehicle geometry. Both tire manufacturer and dealership denied warranty coverage for tread wear.
Same Nissan Versa tires reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
TPMS Valve Stem Cracking and Air Leaks
Metal TPMS valve stems crack or develop defects, causing slow or rapid air leaks from tires. Owners report having to refill tires every 2–3 days or discovering multiple sensors failed on the same vehicle. Repair shops note the metal construction is prone to rust, especially in salt/winter environments. Replacement with standard rubber valve stems temporarily stops leaks but disables the tire pressure monitoring system.
When: 10,000–25,000 miles; some occur within first year after purchase; recurring every 1–2 years
Symptoms owners cite: Tire losing air pressure every 2–3 days; Tire pressure monitoring (TPMS) warning light on or flashing repeatedly; One or more tires found nearly flat or significantly under-pressured; Visible cracks on aluminum valve stems; Aluminum stems showing rust corrosion
Codes mentioned: TPMS warning light activation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships charge $150–$265 per sensor or $180–$218 per valve stem replacement. Some owners replace with standard rubber valve stems ($cost not specified) to stop leaks, but this disables the TPMS function. Nissan parts availability limited; no documented alternative TPMS-compatible valve offered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan denies warranty coverage beyond 12,000 miles. Some vehicles were recalled for similar issues, but the 2009 Versa in these complaints was not included in recalled batches. Nissan directed owner to take vehicle to authorized dealer for diagnostic testing but provided no remedy.
Premature Tire Tread Wear
Original Continental ContiProContact tires wear to bald or severely worn condition well before warranty mileage. Tires properly rotated every 5,000 miles per manufacturer service intervals but fail at 24,500–25,000 miles despite 60,000-mile/6-year warranty. Tire manufacturer and dealership deny warranty coverage, claiming owner responsibility.
When: 24,500–25,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Front tires bald or severely worn tread; Tires worn despite regular rotation and maintenance
Repairs/costs cited: Owners required to purchase replacement tires out-of-pocket; warranty dispute unresolved. One owner noted vehicle safety concern due to worn tread in wet conditions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Tire manufacturer (Continental) and Nissan dealership both deny warranty claims for tread wear, directing owner to the other party. No recall or service bulletin mentioned.
Loss of Traction on Wet Roads (Stock Tire Concern)
Owner reports loss of traction and near-halt when taking a corner on wet pavement with stock 185/65R15 tires, attributing inadequate tire size to the vehicle's high center of gravity.
When: Within first year of ownership (unspecified mileage)
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of traction when turning on wet road; Forced to slow to near-halt to regain control
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented; owner concern about tire selection for vehicle geometry.
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The low tire pressure light came on and when I checked I found a tire that was down 15lbs. I dropped it off at the dealer who said the TPMS unit was cracked and needed to be replaced for $218. The tire only has 8,000 miles on it. Will I have to replace the other three sensors? *kb
Had tires 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 tires problem on the 2009 Nissan Versa?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $150 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the tires typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most tires failures cluster between 14,000 and 43,000 miles, with the median around 24,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,000; a quarter make it past 43,000. 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 $150 for tires 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 tires?
No active recalls currently cover tires 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.