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ProblemsByVin Index / 2016-NISSAN-VERSA / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2016 Nissan Versa owner complaints

79 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 6 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

other 6 complaints shown

12/20/2025 ODI #11706228.0

The vehicle has a CVT transmission failure causing severe shuddering, jerking, and progressive loss of acceleration. Initially the vehicle would not exceed 20 mph, then worsened to 15 mph, then 10 mph, and now will not exceed 5 mph. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven for more than approximately 2 minutes. There are no warning lights or alerts prior to the failure. The vehicle has completely lost power while driving and has stopped in the middle of the road with no ability to accelerate or restart the vehicle, creating an extremely dangerous situation and risk of collision. This appears to be a known and common defect with the CVT transmission on this vehicle model and year. The condition has progressively worsened and makes the vehicle unsafe to operate.

11/26/2019 30,000 mi ODI #11282566.0

Purchased a 2016 Nissan versa (brand new) car ran well until 11/18/19. When I left work, started car as usual and headed home. Passed a roundabout along with some freeway driving. While on roberts rd. At a traffic light (waiting for right away) car seemed fine, but once I applied the gas to cross the intersection on a green light. Nothing happened. All the dummy lights came on, radio and heat was still working but car shut down at rush hour. I could not move. I called for the police to help then had it towed to the Nissan dealership. I later found out that there was a technical service bulletin sent to dealers about this issue of cars stalling. Why was I not made aware and sold a lemon. I thank god that it did not happen on the freeway or roundabout. The dealer claimed they fixed the probl

11/12/2019 15,000 mi ODI #11279467.0

The car shut off completely while I was at a red light and I had to restart it.

11/06/2017 1 injury ODI #11043785.0

Brake issues reported not a good vehicle to have repaired several time- bought brand new - still suffering from multiple visits to dealership and company

10/22/2020 57,000 mi ODI #11365751.0

Vehicle shuts off completely while in motion regardless of speed. I've had it shut off while driving 15mph on the street as well as when I've been going 60+MPH on the highway. Based off of other findings and lawsuits, I've began to suspect it is the transmission. I've taken it to the Nissan dealership each time it has happened, and they've never been able to give me an answer. I've gotten my warranty extended by them, but that's it.

10/13/2018 54,710 mi ODI #11140124.0

The front driver side continental contiprocontact p185/65 r15 tire exploded while parked. The vehicle had been parked for an hour and a half, and had only been driven less than ten miles prior to the explosion. The outside temperature was 65 degrees fahrenheit and it was raining, so heat was not a factor. The tire DOT # is p5fp3yp2715. The tires themselves are three years old and have 54,710 miles on them.

powertrain 4 complaints shown

17 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/03/2019 87,000 mi ODI #11286629.0

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 came up with code p0705 transmission range sensor circuit malfunction. I received a notice of recall for the transmission problem but when took it to the dealer they said it wasn't covered. Now I am stuck having to pay around $2000 to get my car fixed.

10/26/2021 ODI #11438215.0

The transmission completely went on my vehicle at 87,015 miles. I regularly drive on a major highway and had this happened while on the highway it could have been catastrophic as speeds generally exceed 70MPH on this road. The problem has been confirmed by my dealer. Nissan will not back the repair as I am 3,015 miles out of warranty. There were no warning lights prior to the failure.

10/14/2022 ODI #11489237.0

Air bag red signal on and off it is very loose. AC Compressor is locked that cause belt broken and pulley is not working that AC Condenser had to be fixed Power Train Catalyst issues Exhaust leaking at manifold and catalyst too exhaust as Exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond. Need to repair sensors with exhaust.

10/14/2022 ODI #11489244.0

Air bag red signal on and off. It is very loose. AC compressor needs repair that cause Belt broken, pulley isn’t working and AC condenser needed to be repair. Power Train catalyst issues. Exhaust leaking at manifold, catalyst too exhaust as exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond. Replace sensors with exhaust repairs.

airbags 4 complaints shown

15 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/02/2018 50,003 mi Crash ODI #11155510.0

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

11/07/2017 ODI #11044271.0

Received written notification of airbag recall Nissan versa sv also owned a 2016 versa that was wrecked

11/07/2017 2,000 mi Crash ODI #11044283.0

Airbag recall notice recipient on 11/6/2017 checked VIN number crash occurred on 624 e hungry mother rollover front end crash neither airbag deployed I [xxx] have a claim against nationwide insurance. Broken toe pain suffering had to rescue mother from bridge covered with moss mildew rot and ice owned by [xxx] occurred 11/30/2017 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

11/03/2016 3,649 mi Crash ODI #10924072.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Nissan versa. While driving 25 MPH, the contact crashed into a vehicle that ran through a red light. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle would be towed at a later date by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 3,649.

brakes 2 complaints shown

6 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/25/2016 ODI #10955911.0

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 under car carriage. Popping and squeaking on right front passenger door. The a/c straining and not cooling car cabin as it should and the a/c interior switch not engaging or staying engaged when pushed. Thumping/clicking sound heard when braking. After numerous complaints made the dealership verified all of my complaints but not in a timely manner. First complaint was acknowledged on october 28, 2015 but claimed there wasn't any abnormalities found. On december 8, 2015, march 16, 2016, april 22, 2016, august 17, 2016

11/27/2017 50,000 mi Crash ODI #11048696.0

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 officer verified that the car was in speed motion with no screeches or mark in street. The officer stated that my car was in normal speed motion. The air bags deployed and my sister and I were injured. The car I hit passengers was ok. This accident was caused by brake failure. I reported this to the Nissan corporation.

electrical 1 complaint shown

4 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
11/26/2019 79,000 mi ODI #11282408.0

When I drive in the winter time and apply the brakes on a slippery road the car doesn't want to stop no matter how many times I try to use the brakes. Instead, the brakes pop and click until my car slows down on its own. I ended up sliding literally in the middle of the street at a busy intersection. Other drivers were aware my car was having trouble stopping and allowed me to proceed. That happened in the 1st time in december 2017. The following year I had my brakes check and the service station claimed the couldn't find any thing wrong with them. I had my brakes serviced before the winter of 2018. My brakes still do the exact same thing all winter long on the slippery streets. Also I'm having trouble trying to turn the key in the ignition because it's locked. When I finally managed to ge

steering 1 complaint shown

7 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
11/15/2017 10,000 mi Crash ODI #11046263.0

"takata recall" back in march 17 I was in an accident on the highway by dia the steering wheel locked up and I was force to run into the back of a lady in another lane. My air bag did not deploy

tires 1 complaint shown

3 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $150 · see tires cluster analysis →
10/10/2019 33,000 mi ODI #11267677.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Nissan versa equipped with nexen nprz ah5 tires, size: 185/65r15 (na). The contact stated that all four tires experienced tread separation from the belt. While driving 70 MPH and approaching a stop, the vehicle began to shake. The vehicle was taken to classic Nissan of texoma (located at 2010 n, us-75, denison, tx 75020, (903) 771-0978) where it was diagnosed that all four tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Customer complaint after nexen replaced their tires the car was still unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The DOT number was not available. The vehicle failure mileage was 33,000 and the tire failure mileage was 212. *bf *tp

engine 1 complaint shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
10/05/2018 51,000 mi ODI #11133600.0

Car shuts off in the middle of driving and it's becoming unsafe to drive.

Showing 300 of 79 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Nissan/Versa#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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