2016 Nissan VERSA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
80 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
34,262 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 50 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 80 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 20 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 15.0% |
| Engine operation | 9 | 11.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 5.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 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 | 21 |
| Power Train | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 16 |
| Engine | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
Air Bags: 21; Power Train: 19; Unknown Or Other: 16; Engine: 10; Service Brakes: 8; Electrical System: 7; Steering: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 30 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2016: 9; 2017: 16; 2018: 8; 2019: 10; 2020: 10; 2021: 4; 2022: 3; 2023: 5; 2024: 3; 2025: 9; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 20 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 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 11014630 · 2017-08-11 (August 11, 2017)
THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE STEERED INTO A CURB TO STOP IT BEFORE IT ENTERED ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HESITATES UPON TURNING WHICH IS A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,461 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11129991 · 2018-09-17 (September 17, 2018)
MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT LOOSE SPEED THEN WAS UNABLE TO GET IT OUT OF GEER. WAS TOLD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR USE AS IS, NO GURANTEE. I HAVE NO MONEY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION WILL COST ME OVER $2000??????????????
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11129991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10883112 · 2016-07-06 (July 6, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BY AMBULANCE. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,700. THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, FOOT SLIPPED BETWEEN THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL. THE GAS PEDAL FLIPPED UP UP…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10883112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10955911 · 2016-12-25 (December 25, 2016)
BOUGHT THE 2016 VEHICLE OCTOBER 15, 2015. RIGHT AWAY NOTICED A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC GEAR SHIFT NOT MOVING SMOOTHLY FROM GEAR TO GEAR. THE BRAKES GROANING/WHINING AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LOOSENING. CAR DRIFTING/PULLING RIGHT ON HIGHWAYS AND LEFT ON STREETS. RATTLING FROM UNDER CAR CARRIAGE. POPPING AND SQUEAKING ON RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. THE A/C STRAINING AND NOT COOLING CAR CABIN AS IT SHOULD AND THE A/C INTERIOR SWITCH NOT ENGAGING OR STAYING ENGAGED WHEN PUSHED. THUMPING/CLICKING SOUND HEARD WHEN BRAKING. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10955911 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11104991 · 2018-07-01 (July 1, 2018)
MY VECHICLE STARTE TO CUT OUT ON ME AFTER 37000 MILES. I WAS DRIVING FROM JURY DUTY IN THE AFTERNOON IN TRAFFIC AND IT JUST STALLED OUT ON ME. THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO CRANK IT AGAIN AND MOVED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAITED 45 MINUTES. I DID NOT TURN THE AIR CONDITION ON. IT CRANKED AND I WENT HOME. A WEEK LATER IT DID THE SAME THING BUT IT WOULD NOT CRANK AGAIN. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP. HE SAID IT WAS THE COMPRESSOR. HE REPLACED THE COMPRESSOR AND I PICKED IT UP AGAIN AND IN A FEW DAYS LATER IT CUT OFF ON M…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11104991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11258593 · 2019-09-27 (September 27, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT OPERATED NORMALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO FIVE STAR NISSAN OF ALBANY (LOCATED AT 1100 E OGLETHORPE BLVD, ALBANY, GA, [phone removed]), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,284.
Owner-reported narrative. 55,284 miles reported. Look up ODI 11258593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10970950 · 2017-04-06 (April 6, 2017)
EVERYTHING TIME I STOP AND PARK THE CAR TO DO A SHORT ERRAND AND THEN AFTER GETTING BACK IN THE CAR, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND IT WON'T TURN. I HAVE TO WIGGLED THE KEY IN THE STEERING WHEEL FOR AT LEAST FIVE (5) MINUTES OR MORE. IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT AND OFTEN. I AM VERY CONCERNED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10970950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11243458 · 2019-08-13 (August 13, 2019)
TRYING TO LEAVE FOR WORK, TURN ON MY CAR AND THEN THERE WAS A SQUEAL (LIKE A BELT) AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, NOT THE CAR (BATTERY IS WORKING). I DO THIS ABOUT THREE TIMES TO SEE IF MAYBE THE GAS NEEDED TO BE PRESSED OR IF THE CAR NEEDED TO BE IN GEAR, SAME THING HAPPENED. I CALL MY FATHER FOR ADVISE, AND I WANTED HIM TO HEAR THE NOISE BEFORE THE SHUT OFF, SO I TURN OFF THE RADIO, AC, EVERYTHING. THEN THE CAR STARTS AND STAYS ON. TURNS OUT THAT IF I HAD THE FAN GOING IT WAS SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. I TAKE IT TO SISK NISSAN AND THEY INSPECT, …
Owner-reported narrative. 40,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11243458 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11593066 · 2024-06-07 (June 7, 2024)
"Leaking injectors causing cylinder wall wash, resulting in low compression." Per Nissan of Chattanooga East. Stated they have seen this before and can be a "common" malfunction. Puts others and self at risk of catastrophic engine malfunction and fuel injector malfunction. Car fire, an engine explosion, or simply breaking down in the middle of the interstate, "Repair" occurred and sent home, 2 times. Subsequent followup revealed critical malfunction and requirement to replace engine and necessary components.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11593066 at NHTSA ↗