CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Nissan Versa body problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Nissan Versa have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the body, typically surfacing around 21,220 miles at roughly $1,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
| Model year | body complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Versa | 6 |
| 2010 Versa | 6 |
| 2011 Versa | 5 |
| 2012 Versa | 10 |
| 2013 Versa (this page) | 12 |
| 2014 Versa | 16 |
| 2015 Versa | 10 |
| 2017 Versa | 3 |
What stands out
Among the 10 model years of Nissan Versa in our records for body problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA body complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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 body 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.
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver s
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VERSA SEDAN, VERSA NOTE, AND SENTRA; CVT VALVE BODY REPLACEMENT WITH CONFIRMED DTC This bulletin has been amended. Additional model years were added on pages 1, 3, 7, 15, and 39. Other minor changes were made on page 19, 20, 34, and 38. Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2013 Versa describe a hazardous design flaw where the plastic trim panel next to the accelerator pedal has an unsecured lower edge that wedges shoe uppers against the gas pedal. Two separate owners report foot entrapment prevented them from removing their feet to brake normally, creating real collision risk at traffic lights and during highway driving. NHTSA opened investigation PE 14-018 on this issue in June 2014.
Hood latch failures are confirmed in two complaints. Both occurred at highway speeds (45-70 MPH), with hoods flying up and blocking all windshield visibility. Damage included cracked windshields, bent fenders, damaged roof, and broken hood brackets.
Owners report front doors leak cold air into the cabin badly enough to fog windows and block visibility during lane changes. A dealer confirmed this is standard across the model line.
Undercarriage and engine compartment noise is widespread. Heat shields vibrate, crack at bolts, and require replacement, with the problem recurring. Plastic air intake components near the air breather rattle badly. One owner notes valve tick in the engine that disappears at the dealership.
A passenger-side lower control arm bushing separated during low-speed reversing, causing abnormal noise, jerking, and brake warning light activation. A muffler clamp corroded and broke despite being stainless steel.
Same Nissan Versa body reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2014 · 2015
Failure modes owners describe
Center Console Trim Panel Trapping Accelerator Pedal
The plastic trim panel covering the center console extends near the gas pedal with an unsecured lower edge. The corner of this panel wedges between the sole and upper of the driver's shoe, preventing foot removal from the accelerator pedal and delaying braking ability.
When: At traffic light and during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Foot stuck on accelerator pedal; Inability to remove foot from gas pedal; Delayed braking ability; Shoe caught by trim panel corner
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA ODI Resume PE 14-018 opened 06/24/2014; related complaints 10573057 and 10597004
Hood Latch Failure
Hood latch fails during highway driving, allowing hood to fly open. Blockage of windshield vision and collision damage to hood, roof, side panels, and windshield result.
When: During highway driving at 45-70 MPH
Symptoms owners cite: Hood flies open while driving; Complete windshield vision blockage; Damage to hood, roof, and side panels; Cracked windshield
Repairs/costs cited: Hood, roof, side panels near hood anchors, windshield, front fenders, and hood brackets damaged
Heat Shield Vibration and Cracking
Undercarriage heat shields vibrate excessively, crack at mounting bolts, and require replacement. Issue recurs unless corrected.
When: Ongoing during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Undercarriage vibration; Noise and clattering from undercarriage; Heat shields crack at bolt mounting points
Repairs/costs cited: Heat shields replaced; plastic air intake near air breather also vibrates and clatters
Front Door Air Leaks
Front doors leak air into cabin badly. Dealer confirmed all 2013 Nissan Versas have this issue. Cold air leakage causes window fogging during cold or rainy weather, reducing visibility for lane changes.
When: Cold or rainy weather conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Front door air leakage into cabin; Window fogging inside vehicle; Inability to see for lane changes; Loss of visibility due to fogging
Repairs/costs cited: Owner took vehicle to dealer three times; dealer confirmed issue is common to model
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated all 2013 Nissan Versas have this issue
Muffler Clamp Rust Corrosion
Muffler clamp corrodes and breaks despite being stainless steel, while remaining muffler is rust-proof.
Symptoms owners cite: Muffler clamp rust and corrosion; Broken muffler clamp
Repairs/costs cited: Muffler clamp failure noted; stainless steel clamp rusts while rest of muffler resists rust
Passenger-Side Lower Control Arm Bushing Separation
Passenger-side lower control arm bushing separates from control arm during low-speed reversing. Causes abnormal engine noise, acceleration hesitation with jerking at various speeds, and brake warning light illumination.
When: While reversing at 2 MPH; unknown failure mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from engine area; Hesitation to accelerate; Vehicle jerking at various speeds; Brake warning light illuminated
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Dodge Ram. Early 2000s grey with a lot of paint peeling and a gate type accessory across the back window of the truck. Lifted. They're vehicle is blowing so much black smoke I couldn't see while driving and puke to breath because I had a window open. There unsafely weaving in and out of traffic without signaling and while blowing tons of smoke. Could easily have caused an accident. Washington…
Had body trouble with your 2013 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 body problem on the 2013 Nissan Versa?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 4,000 and 35,287 miles, with the median around 21,220. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,000; a quarter make it past 35,287. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/2013/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.