2011 Nissan Versa Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 20, 2026 · 269 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Versa years
Far more complaints than other years 5th of 19 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
2 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 269 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Versa. That ranks 5th out of 19 Versa model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is air bags (152 complaints, 57%), typically at around 74,215 miles. Complaints mention 19 crashes, 6 fires, 23 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.

Nissan Versa
2023 Nissan Versa (N18) in Stuttgart-Vaihingen. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2011 Nissan Versa problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Air Bags152 · ~74,215 mi
Suspension46 · ~70,100 mi
Steering21 · ~35,000 mi
Unknown or Other21 · ~63,700 mi
Electrical System17 · ~50,000 mi
Engine11 · ~70,000 mi
Power Train8 · ~68,784 mi
Structure8 · ~80,000 mi
Seat Belts7 · ~72,200 mi
Exterior Lighting5 · ~7,100 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Air Bags problems15257%74,215“takata air bags” (21%)—
Suspension4617%70,100——
Steering218%35,000——
Unknown or Other218%63,700——
Electrical System176%50,000——
Engine114%70,000——
Power Train83%68,784——
Structure83%80,000——
Seat Belts73%72,200——
Exterior Lighting52%7,100——
Seats52%10,000——
Service Brakes52%14,575——
Tires52%52,000——
Fuel/propulsion System31%51,500——
Vehicle Speed Control31%30,000——
Wheels31%69,980——
Fuel System, Gasoline21%84,390——
Visibility/wiper21%43,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)10%———
Latches/locks/linkages10%58,000——
Visibility10%600——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2017, with 93 complaints
2010: 1201012011: 442012: 8201282013: 772014: 192014192015: 22222016: 382016382017: 93932018: 272018272019: 15152020: 132020132021: 442022: 8202282023: 222024: 2202422025: 442026: 220262

n = 269 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2011 Nissan Versa recalls (6)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJan 9, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V008000 · 307,962 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJun 15, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V401000 · 104,762 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2011-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleJan 10, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V044000 · 52,614 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Versa Hatchback, and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Nissan is also recalling certain 2009 Versa Hatchback and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator moduleJul 17, 2017 · NHTSA campaign 17V449000 · 515,394 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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.

Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator moduleMay 24, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V349000 · 413,852 vehicles

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Suspension:front:springs:coil springsSep 14, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V573000 · 218,019 vehicles

Problem: 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, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

Risk: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture (EA21002) — opened Sep 17, 2021, still open.
  • Front Coil Spring Fracture (PE15019) — opened May 13, 2015, closed Oct 2, 2015, led to recall 15V573000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I am submitting a vehicle safety complaint regarding my 2011 Nissan Versa SL. VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: XXX Time: Approximately 7:30 a.m. While driving to work and making a right turn from [XXX] onto [XXX], the driver-side airbag suddenly deployed without a collision or impact. Prior to the…

Air Bags · received Aug 20, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11758382

Brake Caliper because stuck or seized mid driving making braking unsafe or near impossible.

Service Brakes · received Apr 9, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11730244

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH in a parking lot, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. In addition, the air bag exploded. The contact was unsure if any warning light was illuminated. The contact…

Air Bags · received Sep 8, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11685656

I was working for Uber Eats in New Smyrna Beach, FL. The car was front parked and I reversed the car to pull out from the parking lot. I drove at 5 MPH on the parking lot ready to drive to the main road. The main road was two stop signs away. I was halfway to the first stop sign the airbag deployed…

Air Bags · received Aug 28, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11683709

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side door failed to unlock and unlatch as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the door lock actuator needed to be replaced…

Latches/locks/linkages · received Jul 31, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11677573

Other Nissan Versa years

← 2010 Versa · 2012 Versa →

See all Nissan Versa problems by year, every Nissan model, or the Nissan VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Versa?

Owners most often report air bags, suspension, steering problems. The top one, air bags, accounts for 152 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2011 Nissan Versa?

Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2011 Nissan Versa a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Versa model years, the 2011 has far more complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.