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The 2013 Nissan Versa has 204 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2013 Nissan Versa has 204 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 70 complaints (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Versa | 268 | 8 |
| 2011 Versa | 269 | 7 |
| 2012 Versa | 486 | 11 |
| 2013 Versa (this page) | 204 | 1 |
| 2014 Versa | 338 | 2 |
| 2015 Versa | 168 | 1 |
| 2016 Versa | 80 | 0 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced.
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.
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged critical on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan versa. While the contact's daughter was driving 20 MPH, the vehicle slid on ice and crashed into a telephone pole. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's daughter received a mild concussion after her face struck the steering wheel. Medical…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan versa. When the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to have the fuel tank repaired, the contact was informed that the transmission software needed to be updated. The vehicle was taken to mossy Nissan chula vista (1885 auto park pl,…
Passenger airbag warning light (warning that the airbags are off) is constantly on; no matter if no one, an adult, or a child is is in the passenger seat. Occurs when vehicle is idle or in motion. Seat belt warning light (warning that seat belts are not being used by driver…
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed water intrusion in the tail lights and headlights. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
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 →
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 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.
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Nissan Versa is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 1 fatality report and 6 crash-related complaints on the brakes; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 70 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 204 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 70 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
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.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 204 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, 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.