2008 Nissan Versa

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2008 Nissan Versa
BUILT 2026-09-02

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2008: 381 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2007	354
2008	381
2009	503
2010	267
2011	269
2012	485
2013	204
2014	205
2015	168
2016	80
2017	62
2018	55
2019	24
2020	64
2021	31
2022	20
2023	37
2024	95
2025	11

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 45%

45% of complaints: air bags — 171 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

CRASH INJURY DEATH

Show 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

Also filed under SERVICE BRAKES and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Also filed under FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

SUSPENSION 19%

19% of complaints: suspension — 73 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing coil springs and front.

CRASH FIRE

Show 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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7%

7% of complaints: electrical system — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and horn.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show 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

Also filed under ENGINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing pinion shaft.

CRASH INJURY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 6%

6% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

CAR COMPLETELY DIED OUT AND SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR INTERSECTION AT 35 MILES PER HOUR. ON AUGUST 20 / 2008 THE CAR REPEATED THE SAME FAILURE IN TRAFFIC AT 45 MILES PER HOUR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080901

EVERY TIME I RIDE IN THE NISSAN VERSA IT HAS A TOXIC EFFECT ON ME. I GET SHORT OF BREATH AND HAVE COUGHING ATTACKS. THIS WILL LAST DAYS AFTER BEING IN THE VEHICLE. THERE HAS TO BE SOME TOXIC ITEMS IN THE CAR FOR IT TO HAVE EFFECTS LIKE THIS ON ME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20080228

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2008 — complaint volume: 381

R 20100916 — equipment

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

I 20150513 — PE (closed 20151002)

Front Coil Spring Fracture

R 20160202 — suspension

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

R 20161219 — air bags

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

R 20170608 — air bags

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

R 20180309 — air bags

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

R 20180725 — air bags

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

R 20200212 — air bags

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

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20220923 — air bags

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