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
- 381
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Air bags
Campaigns on file for 2008
Opened by NHTSA
45% of complaints
Complaints per year
2008: 381 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 354 |
| 2008 | 381 |
| 2009 | 504 |
| 2010 | 269 |
| 2011 | 269 |
| 2012 | 485 |
| 2013 | 204 |
| 2014 | 206 |
| 2015 | 168 |
| 2016 | 81 |
| 2017 | 62 |
| 2018 | 57 |
| 2019 | 24 |
| 2020 | 64 |
| 2021 | 31 |
| 2022 | 20 |
| 2023 | 37 |
| 2024 | 96 |
| 2025 | 12 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Air bags
45% · 171 reportsMost commonly citing side/window and frontal.
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, 2023-09-25
Also filed under Service brakes
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, 2017-11-27
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, 2017-11-06
Suspension
19% · 73 reportsMost commonly citing coil springs and front.
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, 2008-07-28
Electrical system
7% · 25 reportsMost commonly citing ignition and horn.
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, 2013-01-13
Also filed under Engine and fuel/propulsion system
Steering
6% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing pinion shaft.
Engine and engine cooling
6% · 21 reportsMost commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
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, 2008-09-01
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, 2008-02-28
Safety timeline
8 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2008Complaint volume 381 complaints filed for this model year.
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2010-09-16Equipment10V401000 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…
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2015-05-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2015-10-02 Front Coil Spring Fracture
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2016-02-02Suspension15V573000 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.
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2016-12-19Air bags16V349000 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.
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2017-06-08Air bags17V028000 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.
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2018-03-09Air bags17V449000 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.
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2018-07-25Air bags18V452000 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.
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2020-02-12Air bags20V008000 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.
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2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
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2022-09-23Air bags22E066000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2008 Nissan Versa — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Air bags: 171 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 73 reports on file for this year.
- Electrical system: 25 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 10V401000 · Equipment
- Recall 15V573000 · Suspension
- Recall 16V349000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V028000 · Air bags
- Recall 17V449000 · Air bags
- Recall 18V452000 · Air bags
- Recall 20V008000 · Air bags
- Recall 22E066000 · Air bags
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 45% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Versa have?
- 8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.