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moderate Owners of the 2018 Nissan Versa have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2014 Versa | 18 |
| 2015 Versa | 9 |
| 2016 Versa | 4 |
| 2017 Versa | 11 |
| 2018 Versa (this page) | 12 |
| 2019 Versa | 4 |
| 2020 Versa | 10 |
| 2021 Versa | 4 |
Of the 12 electrical complaints filed for the 2018 Nissan Versa, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
Electrical accounts for 22% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 5 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR INFOTAINMENT ISSUES This bulletin is no longer active. To access infotainment software updates via the Infotainment Software Update Utility: Select SPECIALTY TOOLS, and then select Infotainment Software Updates on the left side of ASIST. Please discard previous versions of NTB23-018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗RADIO INTERMITTENTLY REBOOTS DURING AUDIO PLAYBACK VIA BLUETOOTH CONNECTED IPHONE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
Owners consistently report the 2018 Versa stalling unexpectedly while driving, requiring an ignition cycle to restart. One owner experienced complete brake and accelerator failure at a stoplight with all warning lights illuminated; the issue resolved only after turning the vehicle off and back on. A separate complaint describes loss of power specifically when the turn signal is activated—power returns immediately when the signal is deactivated, with the left turn signal flashing abnormally fast.
Brake light intermittency is also documented, with lights cutting out and restoring temporarily when struck. Check engine lights appear unexpectedly and in one case were never diagnosed or repaired despite being brought to the dealer. One owner replaced the mass air flow sensor three times within weeks without resolving chronic stalling, poor fuel economy, and acceleration issues; the vehicle failed smog testing. An ignition switch mechanically failed, trapping the key at 45,000 miles. Another vehicle shook violently at low speeds with heater clanking, stalled at a traffic light, and was diagnosed by an independent mechanic with a faulty computer, coils, and crankshaft sensor—but the dealer declined to repair it. Backup camera settings can be disabled and remain disabled on restart, violating rear visibility standards.
Same Nissan Versa electrical reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2020
Engine shuts off while driving without warning; owner reports ignition not reading the ECU correctly. Multiple owners report vehicle stalls that require restarting the ignition to restore normal operation. One case involved the ignition switch moving from run to accessory position (matching recall 18V551000 description).
When: 34,707 miles; also reported on another vehicle at 105,000 miles; recurring across multiple owners
Symptoms owners cite: engine shuts off without warning while driving; vehicle requires restart to resume normal operation; car stalls at traffic lights; loss of power intermittently
Codes mentioned: P101 (mass air flow sensor circuit issue)
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealer did not repair in one case. Ignition switch replacement performed at independent dealer (Antelope Valley Nissan) at 45,000 miles. One vehicle had faulty computer, coils, and crankshaft sensor diagnosed; dealer did not repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 18V551000 (Electrical System: Ignition) applies to 2017-2018 Versa Sedan/Note with mechanical key ignition—weight on key ring or jarring can shift ignition from run to accessory, shutting off engine. Dealer stated vehicle not under recall in separate complaint.
Vehicle loses power/acceleration when turn signal is engaged on highway lane changes and city street turns. Power returns once signal is deactivated. Left turn signal flashes more rapidly than normal. Issue persists for extended periods and recurs.
When: Recurring over one month of ownership (manual transmission Versa)
Symptoms owners cite: loss of power when turn signal activated; power loss on highway and city streets; increased left turn signal flash rate; power returns when signal turned off
Brake pedal becomes highly resistant and will not depress fully while driving. Simultaneously, all warning lights illuminate and vehicle will not accelerate. In one case, vehicle rolled backward at a stoplight and required hard braking to stop. Issue resolves after turning vehicle off and restarting. Multiple occurrences reported in one household.
When: Multiple occurrences over one year; owner states battery is less than one year old
Symptoms owners cite: brake pedal highly resistant and won't push down fully; all warning lights illuminate; vehicle will not accelerate; vehicle rolls backward on hills; issue resolves with ignition cycle
Repairs/costs cited: Owner ruled out battery as cause
Brake lights intermittently turn off. Lights can be restored temporarily by tapping them but will turn off again after an unknown duration. Persistent intermittent issue requiring repeated attention.
When: Occurs at 60,000 miles (owner also replaced fuel pump twice at this mileage)
Symptoms owners cite: brake lights intermittently extinguish; brake lights momentarily restore when struck
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump replaced twice; brake light issue not addressed
Check engine warning light illuminates unexpectedly. One vehicle returned from inspection with malfunctioning check engine light that was not repaired despite diagnosis. Separate complaint involves mass air flow sensor failures causing poor fuel economy and stalling.
When: At 74,723 miles (check engine light); at 84,000 miles on used vehicle (mass air flow sensor)
Symptoms owners cite: check engine light illumination; poor fuel economy; chronic stalling; vehicle will not start; acceleration issues; vehicle does not pass smog test
Codes mentioned: P101 (mass air flow sensor circuit)
Repairs/costs cited: Mass air flow sensor replaced three times within weeks and months of ownership without resolving stalling or fuel economy; vehicle remains undriveable. Check engine light case was diagnosed but not repaired by dealer.
Key becomes stuck in ignition switch and cannot be removed. No warning lights present. Independent diagnosis confirmed ignition switch failure requiring replacement.
When: 45,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: key will not release from ignition switch; no warning indicators illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Ignition switch replaced at Antelope Valley Nissan (451 Auto Center Dr, Palmdale, CA 93551)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer did not assist with repair
Vehicle shakes violently at low speed (4 MPH) with loud clanking from heater when activated. Vehicle later stalls at traffic light. Mechanic diagnosed faulty computer, ignition coils, and crankshaft sensor. Paper debris found inside heater system. Dealer did not diagnose or repair.
When: At 105,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: violent shaking at low speed; loud clanking from heater when activated; vehicle stalls at traffic light
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed faulty computer, coils, crankshaft sensor; dealer did not repair. Paper found in heater system.
Backup camera settings can be adjusted to disable rear view image, and the disabled state persists on restart. Affects Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 111 compliance. Separate complaint that backup camera not standard on lower trim levels, contrary to 2018 regulations requiring rear visibility.
When: Related to 2018-2019 model design
Symptoms owners cite: backup camera rear view image disabled through settings adjustment; disabled state persists when vehicle placed in reverse; backup camera not available on lower trim levels
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 19V654000 (Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera)—software update to back-up camera settings, free of charge. Dealer update required. Recall began November 11, 2019.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Backup camera is not standard in this vehicle. You have to go to the highest trim level to get one. This is against the 2018 regulations.
On Nissan motors usa website, the lower trims levels of the versa sedan do not include backup cameras! Wasn't that made mandatory!?
1) When at red light with car in drive and brake pedal pressed the car occasionally begins to roll forward and then the brakes suddenly depress even more. 2) All brake lights intermittently go out and if hit will come back on for an unknown time until u realize they're not working again. 3) I have already had to replace the fuel pump twice with only 60k on miles on the car
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 Nissan versa. The contact stated that the key failed to release from the ignition switch. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to antelope valley Nissan (451 auto center dr, palmdale, ca 93551) where it was diagnosed that the ignition needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The…
While driving the car just shuts off and I have to stop the car turn the ignition off and then back on, this has happened multiple times and the dealer said there are no recalls on rhus vehicle.
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
Based on the 12 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 64,858 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.