Nissan Versa Note problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 27 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average
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.
Buying a used 2016 Nissan Versa Note? Check these first
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.
What to inspect on this specific car
- powertrain — 10 owner reports · tends to show around 88,498 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 12,400 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- brakes — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 17,694 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 12,400 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is powertrain (~$2,500) — 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 →Ask anything about your 2016 Nissan Versa Note
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.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Car has had problems since day one when it was purchased for lack of power going up hills, and when changing lanes it shutters. Also since day one door latches have a problem working in cold weather.....Now at 46,ooo miles the right front passenger door does not want to open…
The break peddle will sink on its own. It has done this at a complete stop with the car off, on the highway, on city streets, in corners. It goes off seemingly at random. It has done this in summer and winter. It has done this since shortly after I got the car, but I'm going to…
Engine keeps losing oil level when no leaks found which causes transmission and engine to act making weird noises when gas pedal hit when driving car. Transmission is making weird noises like it is slipping when driving when gas pedal is pressed down. A settlement with Nissan…
Unknown at a stop, when the a/c kicks on, I hear a very audible rattling noise coming from somewhere between the engine and the transmission. Whenever I am starting off, for example, going down my street, I can hear a very audible, yet different, rattling noise coming from…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
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 →
Common questions
Is the 2016 Nissan Versa Note reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Nissan Versa Note is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Nissan Versa Note?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Nissan Versa Note does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.4/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Nissan Versa Note?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 10 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 88,498 miles. 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.
Is the 2016 Nissan Versa Note a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 27 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 88,498 miles. 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.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Nissan Versa Note?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 88,498 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 88,498 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Versa Note has open recalls?
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.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Nissan Versa Note?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 27 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, 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.