DTC P17F4 STORED IN THE TCM IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports transmission vibration when accelerating, HINT: Vibration occurs during quick reacceleration after braking, during a 2-1 downshift of the auxiliary gearbox. AND DTC P17F4 for “AUXILIARY GEARBOX (CL JUDDER)” is stored in the TCM. · If DTCs other than P17F4 are stored, this bulletin does not apply. Refer to the ESM for further diagnostic information. ACTION Refer to the Repair Overview on page 2 to determine if this bulletin applies. IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTION (above) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire SERVICE PROCEDURE as it contains information that is essenti
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Nissan Versa electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2020 Nissan Versa have filed 10 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 →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Versa | 4 |
| 2017 Versa | 11 |
| 2018 Versa | 12 |
| 2019 Versa | 4 |
| 2020 Versa (this page) | 10 |
| 2021 Versa | 4 |
| 2023 Versa | 5 |
| 2024 Versa | 12 |
When does it fail?
Of the 10 electrical complaints filed for the 2020 Nissan Versa, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
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.
INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED WITH DTC C1A16 OR C2582 IF YOU CONFIRM IMPORTANT: The purpose of ACTION (on the next page) is to give you a quick idea of the work you will be performing. You MUST closely follow the entire SERVICE PROCEDURE as it contains information that is essential to successfully completing this repair. Nissan Bulletins are intended for use by qualified technicians, not 'do-it-yourselfers'. Qualified technicians are properly trained individuals who have the equipment, tools, safety instruction, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. NOTE: If you believe that a described condition may apply t
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped with a lane camera (see Figure 1) SERVICE INFORMATION If the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) warning light or is blinking (but not illuminated steadily) or the customer states it is blinking, and there are no related DTCs, inspect the windshield. A blinking AEB warning light may occur under the following conditions: When contamination or foreign material adhere to the lane camera viewing window on the windshield. When driving while it is snowing or when frost forms on the lane camera viewing window on the windshield. When the lane camera viewing window on the windshield is temporarily fogged up. Fig
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗LANE CAMERA AIMING VEHICLE REFERENCE VALUES NOT IN ESM SERVICE INFORMATION If the lane camera requires aiming, the values in Table A on page 4 must be used. For all other models/model years, consult the Electronic Service Manual (ESM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners cite recurring trouble codes—mainly P0101—paired with rough idle, weak acceleration, and difficulty at intersections. One dealership confirmed P0101 is a known, widespread problem across Nissan Versa, Sentra, and Altima models currently under engineering review. Owners say replacing the MAF sensor multiple times hasn't fixed it, nor has cleaning the air filter and intake components.
Dashboard warning lights (traction control, collision warnings) and malfunction notifications pop on simultaneously without apparent cause, particularly on cold startup. The only fix is powering down for several minutes and restarting. Some owners report the infotainment screen won't turn on when starting, leaving them without radio and GPS until the car has been driven a few miles.
Safety systems are malfunctioning: forward collision warnings don't work reliably, automatic braking activates without reason or fails to activate at all, and rear parking sensors falsely detect obstacles. One owner reported the automatic braking problem and a dead battery within weeks of taking delivery.
Electrical issues include burnt-out fuses, smoking under the hood, and reports that water is entering the engine bay through an improperly sealed windshield edge, pooling near ignition components. Transmission complaints include slipping, shaking, stalling at red lights, and delayed response to throttle—with one owner describing the front end lifting like a wheelie from a stop light.
Same Nissan Versa electrical reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
P0101 Mass Air Flow (MAF) Sensor Malfunction
Owners report Code P0101 illumination with rough idle, difficulty accelerating, and unpredictable engine response. Multiple owners state the MAF sensor was replaced several times without resolution. A dealership representative confirmed this is a known, widespread issue across multiple Nissan models (Versa, Sentra, Altima) currently under engineering review at the manufacturer. Owners report cleaning the air filter, hoses, and throttle body with no improvement.
When: Intermittent at startup and during driving; complaint filed with 40 miles on one vehicle; another owner purchased in August 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle; Difficulty accelerating; Unpredictable engine response; Check engine light comes on intermittently; Unable to accelerate through intersections
Codes mentioned: P0101
Repairs/costs cited: MAF sensor replaced multiple times; air filter, hoses, and throttle body cleaned without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership confirmed Code P0101 is a known issue affecting Versa, Sentra, and Altima; stated issue is under engineering review with no updates provided
Dashboard Warning Lights and Malfunction Notifications
Multiple owners report simultaneous illumination of multiple dashboard warning lights (traction control, parking collision warning, front collision warning) and recurring 'See Owner's Manual' malfunction notifications appearing without apparent cause. Lights occur randomly when the vehicle is parked and warming up, or intermittently during operation. All dashboard lights illuminating together during acceleration is also reported. Owners state the only remedy is powering the vehicle off for several minutes and restarting.
When: Intermittent; startup and during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control light illuminates; Parking collision warning light illuminates; Front collision warning light illuminates; Recurring 'See Owner's Manual' malfunction notification; Key System Error messages; All dash lights turn on simultaneously
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Issues reportedly under engineering review with no resolution or updates provided
Windshield Seal Water Intrusion
Owner reports the rubber seal at the windshield edge is not properly secured and merely sits in place, allowing water to pass underneath. Water accumulates on the valve cover near the ignition coil, creating risk of electrical problems, misfires, or engine failure. Owner states many other owners of the same vehicle have reported this problem.
When: Ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Water accumulation on valve cover near ignition coil; Water entering engine bay; Risk of electrical problems and misfires
Infotainment System (Nissan Connect) Malfunction
Owner reports the infotainment system shuts off in the middle of driving, then resets and restarts music playback. Occurs during normal operation while playing music.
When: Intermittent during driving; vehicle purchased August 2021
Symptoms owners cite: Infotainment system shuts off during music playback; System resets unexpectedly
Radio Display Screen Failure
Owner reports the radio/infotainment screen will not turn on when the vehicle is started. The screen eventually comes on after driving a couple of miles, leaving the driver without GPS and radio functionality initially. Has occurred approximately a dozen times since ownership.
When: Intermittent at startup; occurred about a dozen times since ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Radio screen fails to turn on at startup; GPS unavailable initially; Screen turns on after driving several miles
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Malfunction
Owners report malfunctioning forward collision warning that does not activate at times, and automatic emergency braking that randomly activates without reason or fails to activate at all. One owner reports the braking malfunction occurred within a month of taking delivery. Rear parking assist is also reported to falsely detect obstacles, preventing backing up.
When: Within first month after delivery for some; intermittent during operation
Symptoms owners cite: Forward collision warning does not activate; Automatic braking randomly activates; Automatic braking fails to activate; Rear parking assist falsely detects obstacles
Electrical System/Fuel Pump and Battery Issues
Owner reports fuel pump not operating correctly, fuse burnout, smoking and burning smell from under the hood. Battery died weeks after taking delivery. Another owner reports fuel not pumping correctly and a burnt-out fuse. These issues correlate with onset of daily malfunction notifications.
When: A few weeks after taking delivery with 40 miles on vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel does not pump correctly; Fuse burnt out; Smoking from under hood; Burning smell from under hood; Battery dies
Transmission Issues and Driveability
Owners report transmission slipping, shaking, and stalling at red lights. Rough acceleration with stuttering and delayed response to throttle input. One owner reports the front end lifting upward like a wheelie from a stop light. Issues confirmed by independent service center. Vehicle lacks smooth transition when pressing accelerator.
When: Long-standing; confirmed by independent service center
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slips; Transmission shakes; Stalls at red lights; Rough acceleration; Stuttering acceleration; Delayed response to throttle; No smooth transition when pressing gas; Front end lifts upward from stop light
Repairs/costs cited: Confirmed by independent service center
Camshaft Position Sensor Circuit Malfunction
Owner reports camshaft position sensor circuit malfunction in addition to MAF sensor issues.
Symptoms owners cite: Camshaft position sensor circuit malfunction
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Safety is at risk for multiple reasons one because a month upon receiving this brand new vehicle with 40 miles on it I’ve been experiencing malfunctioning problems. I am not able to receive a forward collision warning at times. I’m not sure if these electrical problems also caused my battery to die a few weeks later. In these moments is the start of when the malfunction notification would appear…
The fuel doesn't pump correctly as it should. The fuse burnt out. The automatic braking randomly activates for no apparent reason while driving. It also doesn't activate at all. The front end of the car lifts upward like a wheelie from a stop light. There was smoking and burning smell from under the hood.
Had electrical trouble with your 2020 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 electrical problem on the 2020 Nissan Versa?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 9,998 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.
What does it cost to fix?
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.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2020/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.