2008 Nissan Versa
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 354 |
| 2008 | 381 |
| 2009 | 502 |
| 2010 | 267 |
| 2011 | 268 |
| 2012 | 485 |
| 2013 | 204 |
| 2014 | 205 |
| 2015 | 168 |
| 2016 | 79 |
| 2017 | 62 |
| 2018 | 54 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2020 | 63 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 37 |
| 2024 | 93 |
| 2025 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
44% of complaints: air bags — 167 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
Traffic stopped suddenly when I hit my brakes they failed to work and the airbags didnât work either so I ended up hitting my head on the roof of the car when I ran into the truck that suddenly stopped in front of me at speed of about 50mph.
NHTSA ODI report, 20230925
TAKATA RECALL (NISSAN VERSA HATCHBACK) AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF IN CAR. THIS RELATES TO VEHICLE SAFETY FOR ANY PASSENGER IN FRONT SEAT OF CAR IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171127
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WHILE THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE DEPLOYMENT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A TREE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171106
17% of complaints: suspension — 65 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow complaint excerpts
AS I WAS ENTERING AN ON RAMP TO 676 EAST IN PHILADELPHIA, PA, I HEARD A CRUNCH (METAL ON METAL) IN MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE .
NHTSA ODI report, 20080728
6% of complaints: steering — 22 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY5% of complaints: electrical system — 20 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE JUST TURNING THE CORNER WHEN MY VEHICLE STOPPED RUNNING. I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPEN THE HOOD AND SAW MY ENGINE WAS ON FIRE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130113
4% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 15 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEP
Campaign 10V401000 — check if this car was fixed
Front Coil Spring Fracture
Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois,...
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began on February 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 15V573000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017.
Campaign 16V349000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available.
Campaign 17V028000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the subject inflator with a new one manufactured by a different supplier, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 17V449000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 18V452000 — check if this car was fixed
Nissan North America, Inc.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020.
Campaign 20V008000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 22E066000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2008 Nissan Versa — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (167 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (65 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (22 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 10V401000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V573000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V349000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V028000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 17V449000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V452000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V008000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22E066000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2008 Nissan Versa reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2008 Nissan Versa is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Versa?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 44% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Versa have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.