The Lemon Index2009 Nissan Versa.
The 2009 Nissan Versa is about average by owner complaints: 67 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 101, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 27 to 30 mpg combined. The best Nissan Versa year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 504 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Versa year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 88K miles on the car (348 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 45K–87K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 45K–127K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 34K–68K miles
Recalls 8
- airbags 2022
Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- airbags 2020
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.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 8 recalls
- airbags 2017
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.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2016
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- suspension 2015
Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
- equipment 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 96 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- NISSAN; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin does NOT…
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
- The 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedFront coil spring fracture2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2150–2400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The tpms is leaking on my 2009 Nissan Versa. Losing tire pressure.
2009 Nissan Versa owner · NHTSA complaint 10400944
More owner reports
The car wont start half of the time. Its takes two times to start the car. Usually the car cranks for about 10 seconds before it will start. It has been this way for about 10 days.
NHTSA complaint 10274223
I just bought a 2009 Nissan Versa. While driving on a wet road and taking a corner the car lost traction forcing me to slow down to almost a halt. The stock tires (185/65r15) seem to be undersized for the high center of gravity.
NHTSA complaint 10285325
Quick answers
Is the 2009 Nissan Versa reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 101; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Versa year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Versa problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (18%), engine (13%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Nissan Versa have?
8 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Nissan Versa get?
27 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Nissan Versa problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 88,800 miles. The middle report was at 63,500 miles, from 348 complaints.
Does the 2009 Nissan Versa have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Nissan Versa cost in fuel a year?
About $2150 to $2400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Nissan Versa have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Versa year is better than the 2009?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works