2023 Nissan Versa problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 37 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2023 Nissan Versa has 37 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 15 complaints (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 Versa | 64 | 1 |
| 2021 Versa | 31 | 3 |
| 2022 Versa | 19 | 0 |
| 2023 Versa (this page) | 37 | 0 |
| 2024 Versa | 93 | 1 |
| 2025 Versa | 11 | 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 8.2/10 — 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 2023 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 — 15 owner reports · ~$2,500 to fix
- engine — 6 owner reports · ~$3,100 to fix
- electrical — 5 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
- cruise control — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 11,000 mi · ~$600 to fix
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: 8.2/10 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 2023 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 4 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
This vehicle is a manual transmission model. If the engine is stalled on takeoff and has to be restarted it enters a low power condition where acceleration is severely reduced. The power loss is bad enough to make it impossible to keep up with traffic. Even maintaining speed…
2023 Nissan Versa S has manual transmission. Car will intermittently lose acceleration. When this problem starts, car is unable to go over 30mph in any gear and even with the accelerator pedal pushed to the floor. This has occurred 5 times so far. Sudden loss of speed…
I am adding my own experience to previous reports of the car entering limp mode after popping the clutch. It has happened to me three or four times: when the car has accidentally stalled and turned off, after turning the car back on, the car accelerates very slowly, much slower…
I went to take off and cross traffic and lost all power to my car it would barley move. I was almost hit by a Semi truck. This is not the first time this has happened either. My car is barely a year old. It had no warning light on or anything. I have to stop, shut my car off,…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2023 Nissan Versa reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2023 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 2023 Nissan Versa?
On the NHTSA data, the 2023 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 8.2/10 — 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 2023 Nissan Versa?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 15 owner complaints filed. 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 2023 Nissan Versa a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 37 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. 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 2023 Nissan Versa?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 15 complaints filed. 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. 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 2023 Nissan Versa?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 37 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.