2008 Nissan VERSA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
381 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
52,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 214 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 167 of 381 complaints (43.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 21 | 5.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 18 | 4.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 4.5% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 2.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 167 |
| Suspension | 65 |
| Steering | 22 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 15 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Wheels | 14 |
Air Bags: 167; Suspension: 65; Steering: 22; Electrical System: 20; Fuel System, Gasoline: 15; Power Train: 14; Unknown Or Other: 14; Wheels: 14
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 49 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 49 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 49 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 28 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 31 |
| 150,000 and above | 8 |
Under 25,000: 49; 25,000 to 49,999: 49; 50,000 to 74,999: 49; 75,000 to 99,999: 28; 100,000 to 149,999: 31; 150,000 and above: 8
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (49). 167 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 22 |
| 2009 | 15 |
| 2010 | 22 |
| 2011 | 20 |
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2014 | 26 |
| 2015 | 47 |
| 2016 | 52 |
| 2017 | 94 |
| 2018 | 23 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2007: 2; 2008: 22; 2009: 15; 2010: 22; 2011: 20; 2012: 15; 2013: 22; 2014: 26; 2015: 47; 2016: 52; 2017: 94; 2018: 23; 2019: 7; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 21 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 18 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10232585 · 2008-06-28 (June 28, 2008)
NEW CAR 10 MILES - STRONG PULSATION IN THE BRAKES, STEERING WHEEL SHAKES. CAR COVERED IN SAND - IN THE FRAME, OVER THE GAS TANK, ALL OVER THE ENGINE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 52 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10236143 · 2008-07-28 (July 28, 2008)
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 . I ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN OUT MY CAR AFTER THE SLIGHT RIGHT TURN AND MY RIGHT TIRE WAS NOT REACTING TO MY TURNING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I HIT THE BRAKE A BIT AND TRIED TO SLOW THE CAR WHEN MY CAR STARTED TO FISH TAIL. AT THIS INSTANCE I GAVE THE VEHICLE SOME GAS TO TRY AND REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT I WAS ALREADY IN A SPIN THAT CAUSED ME TO COMPLETELY LOSE CONTROL AND I ATTEMPTED TO GAIN CONTROL, BUT I WAS UNS…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,925 miles reported. Look up ODI 10236143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10232445 · 2008-06-26 (June 26, 2008)
AFTER VEHICLE RUNS FOR A WHILE, THEN LEFT TO SIT FOR ABOUT 1-1/2 HOURS, STARTING THE VEHICLE BECOMES DIFFICULT. LONG CRANK TIME. TOOK TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED. WAS TOLD BY NISSAN VEHICLE DID NOT APPLY TO TSB NTB-07-094. NISSAN TECHNICAL SUPPORT TOLD TECHNICIAN TO MEASURE FUEL DROP AFTER RUNNING VEHICLE, THEN LET SIT FOR 30 MINUTES. MEASURE THE FUEL PRESSURE. IF LESS THEN 30 PSI, REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AND PACKING. FUEL PRESSURE MEASURED AT 12 PSI. ORDERED PARTS, BUT PACKING IS ON BACKORDER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10232445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275867 · 2009-07-06 (July 6, 2009)
FRONT AXLES "CLICK" WHEN MAKING TURNS. CVT TRANSMISSION CUTS OUT OR STALLS WHEN MAKING TURNS AND/OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. OCCURRENCE IS 3-5 X WEEKLY. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE 9-10 TIMES. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT AXLES AND TRANSMISSION WITH NO IMPROVEMENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10275867 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10282176 · 2009-08-28 (August 28, 2009)
CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS (2ND TIME AT 40,000). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10282176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240521 · 2008-09-01 (September 1, 2008)
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. WHEN STARTED THE VEHICLE IT WANTS TO CHOKE UP AND STALL, AT LEAST 20 TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE ON FEB. 18 / 2008. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE THAT I PAID CASH FOR NOW. THE DEALERSHIP OF PURCHASE ARE SAYING THAT THEY CANT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT THEY ARE NO LONGER WILLING TO CORRECT THESE SERIOUS FAILURES AND ISSUE. THEY ARE D…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240521 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10249396 · 2008-11-20 (November 20, 2008)
THE RECENT MODELS OF NISSAN AUTOMOBILES HAVE A SERIOUS "GUILLOTINE" HAZARD! I HAVE RENTED TWO SEDANS IN THE LAST FOUR WEEKS AND NOTED THIS DEFECT. THE WINDOW-CONTROL WIRING APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN REVERSED, SINCE THERE IS NO "EXPRESS" DOWNWARD OPENING OF THE WINDOW. IF THE OPERATING SWITCH FOR THE DRIVER'S-SIDE WINDOW IS LIFTED, THE WINDOW COMPLETELY CLOSES EVEN WHEN THE SWITCH IS RELEASED. THE UPWARD FORCE OF THE WINDOW CANNOT BE RESTRAINED BY HAND AND IS PROBABLY GREATER THAN 20 POUNDS. THIS MIGHT ACTUALLY DECAPITATE A SMALL CHILD AND WOULD…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10249396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10427093 · 2011-09-25 (September 25, 2011)
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I SAW SPARKS FLY ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE OF ROAD BESIDE MY CAR, THE ABS LIGHT AND ANOTHER LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD AND IMMEDIATELY WENT AWAY WHEN I BRAKED AND PULLED OFF HIGHWAY. I CHECKED TIRES AND EVERYTHING APPEARED OKAY. DROVE APPROXIMATELY 10 MORE MILES, HEARD A LOUD POP UNDER THE HOOD, CAR AND LIGHTS SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY, OPENED HOOD AND BATTERY WAS ON FIRE. VEHICLE HAS ORIGINAL BATTERY AND MILEAGE AROUND 51,000. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT TO EXTINGUISH FIRE AND THEY SAID SOMETHI…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10427093 at NHTSA ↗