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Verdict

2023 Nissan Versa: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2023 Nissan Versa — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

More reported complaints than most sedan.

Owners filed 37 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 75% of 2023 sedans. Power Train leads the reports (41%). 1 safety recall campaign on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2023 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

37

Reports to NHTSA, 2023

Safety recalls

1

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

32.5

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

More complaints than 75% of 2023 sedans

The bar is this car's percentile among 2023 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Power Train issues lead owner complaints (41% of 37 reports), followed by engine (16%).

Power Train41% · 15 reports
Engine16% · 6 reports
Unknown Or Other16% · 6 reports
Electrical System14% · 5 reports
Vehicle Speed Control11% · 4 reports
Fuel/Propulsion System3% · 1 report

Share of all 37 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11691661, ODI 11658936, ODI 11656704, ODI 11639468, ODI 11615328.

Recalls(1)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Air Bags · 24V154000Details +

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Titan, Frontier, Infiniti QX60, Pathfinder, 2023-2024 Sentra, Versa, Kicks, Infiniti QX50, and 2023 Rogue vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front driver's air bag assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 10, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PD103, PD104, and PMA34.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

1 NHTSA investigation on record

Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.

Reduced Power After Engine Stall

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation on March 7, 2024, after receiving twenty (20) consumer complaints and multiple field reports describing reduced power (limp mode) after re-starting the vehicle following a stall on certain 2022-2024 model year (MY) Nissan Versa.  A Preliminary Evaluation was opened to gather information and assess whether the subject vehicles contain a safety-related defect. During this investigation, Nissan explained that certain 2022-2044 MY Nissan Versa vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may, under specific conditions, experience a Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) along with reduced engine performance following an engine start-up after a stall.  In certain conditions, if the vehicle stalls and an engine restart occurs within five (5) seconds, the vehicle will enter a fail-safe mode with limited engine torque. The fail-safe mode helps prevent damage to the engine, a complete loss of motive power, and allows the driver to maintain control of the vehicle. ODI reviewed over 180 incidents where drivers described entering a limp mode following a vehicle re-start after having stalled the vehicle.  Review of these incidents did not identify any alleged crashes, near crashes, or injuries.  In all of the cases reviewed, the driver was able to drive the vehicle to a safe location. On April 28, 2025, Nissan released a Technical Service Bulletin NTB25-024 on certain MY 2022-2024 Versa vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.The remedy applies to subject vehicles built through July 9, 2024, and consists of replacing the Valve Timing Control (VTC) unit and installing updated control software.  The bulletin will be implemented at no charge to the customer and includes all parts and labor.  Subject vehicles built after July 9, 2024 were manufactured with these changes already in place. Following updates to the subject vehicles, ODI has not received any consumer complaints describing a limp mode condition on vehicles built after July 9, 2024 or after having received the NTB25-024 remedy. ODI believes the campaign issued by Nissan addresses the concerns raised in this investigation. As a result, PE24007 is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take any additional action if warranted. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.

Crash-test ratings

2023 Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Versa1.6L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive324035
Versa1.6L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive273530

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2023 Nissan Versa: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2023 Nissan Versa?

Owners filed 37 NHTSA complaints about the 2023 Nissan Versa — more complaints than 75% of comparable 2023 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2023 Nissan Versa?

The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (41% of complaints) and engine (16%).

How many recalls does the 2023 Nissan Versa have?

1 recall has been issued that affect the 2023 Nissan Versa, covering components such as air bags. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2023 Nissan Versa get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Nissan Versa between 30 and 35 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.