Steering wheel would move but the wheels would not the breaks don't work even if replaced. Car is totaled now.just because it's there anyone would move but the tires wouldn't nothing else was wrong with the car. The breaks are new. It is like the care just shut down.
2010 Nissan Versa steering problems
critical 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
6crashes
1fire
2injuries
1fatality
What stands out
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2010 Versa shows a pattern of steering failures—wheel lock-up, spline damage post-service, and suspension springs breaking—that can cause loss of control at highway speeds. Airbag non-deployment during crashes adds serious safety risk; have any used example thoroughly inspected by a steering and suspension specialist before purchase.
Owners report the 2010 Versa has developed steering failures that lead to loss of control and crashes. The most severe: steering wheel locked at 50 mph on a highway, forcing the vehicle into a concrete barrier at total-loss severity. Another owner lost control exiting a curve; post-crash inspection found steering wheel spline damage and a loose steering wheel nut after an airbag recall service where the wheel was removed.
Front suspension springs break unexpectedly, even at low speeds and on low-mileage vehicles. Owners describe loud pops, burning rubber, and spinning out of control. One mechanic told his customer he'd seen two other 2010 Versas with identical spring failure on the same side, estimating repair cost at $1,500. One owner had a spring recall performed, but the new springs proved incompatible with the original struts, creating fresh suspension problems.
Power steering system communication failures occur intermittently—the system works, then doesn't, then works again. One owner's steering wheel moved but the wheels didn't respond, and brakes also failed to function. During steering failures, airbags have not deployed in crashes, including head-on collisions. One crash involved a burning smell from the steering wheel area before loss of control, yet only a single curtain airbag deployed.
Same Nissan Versa steering reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2011 · 2012
Failure modes owners describe
Steering Wheel Mechanical Failure / Spline Damage
Post-crash inspection revealed damaged splines on the steering wheel and steering shaft, consistent with misalignment during installation. The steering wheel nut could be turned by hand. Occurred after an airbag recall (October 2019) where the steering wheel was removed by a Nissan dealership.
When: After airbag recall service in October 2019
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lost control exiting a right-hand curve; Loss of steering control at 55-65 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Spline damage on steering shaft and wheel; steering wheel nut found loose
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Airbag recall (campaign 17V449000) performed at Nissan dealership, Greeley, CO
Steering Wheel Lock / Sudden Uncontrolled Rotation
Steering wheel turned fully to the left on its own while driving straight at 50 mph on highway, then locked in that position and could not be turned back. Vehicle veered right and spun into concrete barrier.
When: At 50 mph highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns on its own to full left; Steering locked and immovable; Vehicle unable to respond to steering input
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle deemed unrepairable and totaled by insurance
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle included in NHTSA campaign 17V449000 (airbags); last airbag recall completed 6/12/2018
Suspension Spring Breakage
Front suspension spring broke unexpectedly during low-velocity driving. Multiple reports of same failure on 2010 Nissan Versa, same side. In one case, broken spring scraped tire sidewall. One owner reported spring issue recall was completed and replaced, but new springs and old struts now incompatible, causing new suspension issues.
When: Low-speed driving; one at 120,000 miles; one with under 30,000 miles post-replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping sound from wheel area; Burning rubber smell; Loss of vehicle control into ditch; Spring scraping tire sidewall; Suspension not working together after spring replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Repair estimate $1,500 for spring replacement; recall spring replacement performed but created strut incompatibility
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Spring recall performed (NHTSA campaign 17V449000)
Power Steering System Intermittent Failure
Power steering system fails to engage intermittently. Computer cannot communicate with power steering component; system works on and off. Failure discovered when vehicle was stationary and put into gear. Separate complaint of power steering warning light illuminated with hard steering.
When: Vehicle stationary, discovered when put in gear
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering works on and off; Hard to turn steering wheel; Power steering warning light illuminated
Steering Input / Brake Decoupling
Steering wheel moved but wheels would not respond. Brakes also non-functional despite replacement. Vehicle described as 'shut down' with only steering wheel mobile.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel moves but wheels do not turn; Brakes non-functional; Complete loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: New brakes installed but did not resolve issue; vehicle totaled
Steering Shaft Lock-Up
Steering wheel locked up while driving on interstate highway, causing vehicle to veer into ditch. Ignition switch was also hard to remove after crash.
When: While driving on I-55 in right lane
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked up; Vehicle veered right into ditch; Difficult ignition switch removal
Airbag Deployment Failure
Multiple complaints of airbags failing to deploy during steering-related loss-of-control crashes. One head-on collision deployed only passenger curtain airbag; driver airbag, steering wheel airbag, and dash airbag did not deploy. Another crash involved burning smell from steering area with no airbag deployment.
When: During crash events
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags did not deploy during head-on collision; Only partial airbag deployment during multi-point impact; No airbag deployment during steering failure crash; Burning smell from steering wheel area prior to crash
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Airbag recall campaign 17V449000 completed on affected vehicles
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2010 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 steering problem on the 2010 Nissan Versa?
It's a serious issue. 11 complaints have been filed, including 6 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 41,000 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 71,153. A quarter of owners report trouble before 41,000; a quarter make it past 120,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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/2010/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.