Nissan Versa.
The best Nissan Versa years are 2019, 2010, 2011. Years to avoid: 2012. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 59, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2007 to 2025.

Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2019.
Quick answers.
Is the Nissan Versa a good car?
Yes, it draws fewer complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 59; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2019 and the worst is 2012.
What are the best Nissan Versa years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2019, 2010, 2011.
What Nissan Versa years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2012.
How many recalls does the Nissan Versa have?
71 safety recalls across the 18 model years we track. Most: 2012 (11), 2007 (9), 2008 (8). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Nissan Versa problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name engine, transmission & drivetrain and airbags most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 80 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 72 | fuel system, gasoline (19%) | 9 | — | 27–28 |
| 2008 | 96 | about average | 81 | engine (20%) | 8 | — | 27–29 |
| 2009 | 101 | about average | 67 | tires (18%) | 8 | — | 27–30 |
| 2010 | 25 | 4× fewer complaints than average | 27 | electrical (19%) | 8 | — | 27–30 |
| 2011 | 33 | 3× fewer complaints than average | 39 | electrical (18%) | 7 | ★★☆☆☆ | 27–30 |
| 2012 | 118 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 145 | transmission & drivetrain (37%) | 11 | ★★★★☆ | 27–33 |
| 2013 | 49 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 71 | brakes (31%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 30–35 |
| 2014 | 99 | about average | 152 | brakes (26%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 30–35 |
| 2015 | 90 | about average | 127 | airbags (18%) | 2 | ★★★★☆ | 29–34 |
| 2016 | 38 | 2.6× fewer complaints than average | 52 | airbags (27%) | 0 | ★★★★☆ | 29–34 |
| 2017 | 34 | 2.9× fewer complaints than average | 41 | airbags (32%) | 3 | — | 29–34 |
| 2018 | 44 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 38 | airbags (24%) | 2 | ★★★★☆ | 29–34 |
| 2019 | 17 | 5.9× fewer complaints than average | 12 | transmission & drivetrain (42%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 30–34 |
| 2020 | 62 | 1.6× fewer complaints than average | 30 | automatic emergency braking (57%) | 2 | ★★★★★ | 30–35 |
| 2021 | 36 | 2.8× fewer complaints than average | 21 | airbags (19%) | 3 | ★★★★★ | 30–35 |
| 2023 | 126 | 1.3× the average car's complaints | 37 | engine (62%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 30–35 |
| 2024 | 262 | 2.6× the average car's complaints | 96 | engine (55%) | 1 | ★★★★★ | 30–35 |
| 2025 | – | too few complaints to score | 12 | transmission & drivetrain (33%) | 0 | ★★★★★ | 30–35 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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