2020 Nissan VERSA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
64 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
15,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 17 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 64 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 16 | 25.0% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 12.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 3.1% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 16 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Unknown Or Other | 14 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 10 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 6 |
| Air Bags | 5 |
Power Train: 16; Engine: 14; Unknown Or Other: 14; Electrical System: 12; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 10; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 10; Service Brakes: 6; Air Bags: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 47 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 19 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2020: 8; 2021: 10; 2022: 7; 2023: 5; 2024: 5; 2025: 19; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11338926 · 2020-07-12 (July 12, 2020)
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN I-75 WHEN A SMALL GRAVEL HIT THE BOTTOM PASSENGER SIDE OF HER CAR WINDSHIELD. MADE A SMALL DIVOT THAT QUICKLY SHOT ACROSS HER WINDSHIELD PUTTING HER IN DANGER. SEE PHOTOS. CAR HAS ROUGHLY 1300 MILES
Owner-reported narrative. 1,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11338926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11342177 · 2020-07-29 (July 29, 2020)
THE SCREEN FOR THE RADIO WON'T TURN ON SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS ON. I HAVE TO DRIVE A COUPLE MILES BEFORE IT WORKS LEAVING ME WITHOUT GPS AND RADIO. ITS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES SINCE OWNERSHIP.
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11342177 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11361965 · 2020-09-30 (September 30, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN THE BUTTON WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE DETECTED FROM THE SEAT. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. ADDITIONALLY, THE HOOD FAILED TO CLOSE AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GAP ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KINGS NISSAN (2758 CONEY ISLAND AVE, BROOKLYN, NY 11235, [phone removed]) WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11361965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11363848 · 2020-10-12 (October 12, 2020)
THE FUEL DOESN'T PUMP CORRECTLY AS IT SHOULD. THE FUSE BURNT OUT. THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING RANDOMLY ACTIVATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. IT ALSO DOESN'T ACTIVATE AT ALL. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR LIFTS UPWARD LIKE A WHEELIE FROM A STOP LIGHT. THERE WAS SMOKING AND BURNING SMELL FROM UNDER THE HOOD.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,998 miles reported. Look up ODI 11363848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11366403 · 2020-10-26 (October 26, 2020)
CAR BRAKES WHILE DRIVING FOWARD
Owner-reported narrative. 11,580 miles reported. Look up ODI 11366403 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375757 · 2020-11-21 (November 21, 2020)
I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I STRUCK A DEER. THE FLOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND INJURED ME. MY LEG HAS A BAD HEMOTOMA FROM IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,180 miles reported. Look up ODI 11375757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11375800 · 2020-11-22 (November 22, 2020)
ALREADY HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CAR JERKS AND SLOWS ME DOW AND THE STEERING HAS GOTTEN ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE IN LESS THAN 200 MILES. THE WHEELS ALREADY NEED ALIGNMENT AND I'VE HIT NO CURBS. THIS CAR IS ANOTHER DISASTER FROM NISSAN. THE CVT WAS A TERRIBLE THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO VEHICLES
Owner-reported narrative. 178 miles reported. Look up ODI 11375800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11378682 · 2020-12-09 (December 9, 2020)
I HAVE A 2020 NISSAN VERSA AND I PURCHASED IT IN JULY. AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A MONTH OR SO I BEGAN TO HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE. I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID IT WAS BRAKE DUST. I KEPT HEARING THE NOISE AND I TOOK IT BACK IN AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE BRAKES. I WENT BACK TO HAVE THEM REPAIRED ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THEY SAID SOME HARDWARE WAS MISSING FROM MY BRAKES.I HAVE BEEN OUT HERE DRIVING IN THIS CAR WITH FAULTY BRAKES THAT LEFT THE MANUFACTURER AND THAT SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN PUT OUT INTO CIRCULATION FOR PURCHASE. *JS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11378682 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V112000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2020-02-26 (February 26, 2020)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Versa vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the fuel tank wall thickness may be insufficient, potentially causing a small hole in the tank seam area.
Consequence: If a small hole is present, a fuel leak may occur if the operator fills the tank over half full, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V471000 · Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:Bulbs
Reported: 2021-06-23 (June 23, 2021)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.
Consequence: Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.
NHTSA campaign record ↗