2016 Nissan Versa problems
The 2016 Nissan Versa has 79 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2016 Nissan Versa has 79 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 17 complaints, typically surfacing around 81,603 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 Versa | 204 | 0 |
| 2014 Versa | 336 | 1 |
| 2015 Versa | 168 | 1 |
| 2016 Versa (this page) | 79 | 0 |
| 2017 Versa | 62 | 2 |
| 2018 Versa | 54 | 1 |
| 2019 Versa | 24 | 0 |
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 8.0/10 — 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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 4 / 5 overall
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: 2016 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.
Buying a used 2016 Nissan Versa? 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 — 17 owner reports · tends to show around 81,603 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
- airbags — 15 owner reports · tends to show around 29,914 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- steering — 7 owner reports · tends to show around 16,000 mi · ~$700 to fix
- brakes — 6 owner reports · tends to show around 14,432 mi · ~$450 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 29,914 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: 8.0/10 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 →Ask anything about your 2016 Nissan Versa
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 7 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Bought the 2016 vehicle october 15, 2015. Right away noticed a problem with the automatic gear shift not moving smoothly from gear to gear. The brakes groaning/whining and the emergency brake loosening. Car drifting/pulling right on highways and left on streets. Rattling from…
Was coming to a stop at a red light when my car suddenly stalled out. Re started it then it was sluggish and my check engine light came on, when I came to a stop again I felt a quick thunk like the transmission was slipping. Finally got it home when put it on code reader it…
I was hit from behind in a crash and was knocked into a car in front of me. Suffered mild head injury. None of the air bags deployed. The injury could have been worst. *jb
The Nissan versa 2016 has a faulty brake system. I was in motion driving with ongoing traffic I saw the traffic stopped I pressed the brakes and kept pressing brakes and the car did not stop. I could not go left or right because cars were in both lanes. I hit car in front. The…
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 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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.
Should you avoid the 2016 Nissan Versa?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Nissan Versa 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 8.0/10 — 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?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 17 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,603 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 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.0 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 79 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 81,603 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?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 17 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 81,603 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 81,603 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Versa 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?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 79 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.