The Lemon Index2013 Nissan Versa.
The 2013 Nissan Versa is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 71 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 49, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 1 recall, and it gets 30 to 35 mpg combined. The best Nissan Versa year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 204 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Versa year. 2013 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 13K to 87K miles on the car (155 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 60K–102K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 9K–50K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 21K–82K miles
Recalls 1
- speed control 2015
The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal.
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 160 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Sentra, versa sedan, and versa note; cvt fluid leak service information service information…
- An APPLIED VEHICLE has one or both of the following: * Hesitation during acceleration * MIL
- SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about…
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
- ClosedPedal operation interference2015
- ClosedExcessive brake pedal travel2014–2015
- ClosedPedal operation interference2014–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1850–2150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Hood latch failed while driving on freeway at about 70 mph. The hood flew up into windshield blocking all vision and damaging the hood, the roof, the side panels near the hood anchors and cracked the windshield.
2013 Nissan Versa owner · NHTSA complaint 10735428
More owner reports
Foot caught between pedals car would not brake or stop
NHTSA complaint 10761743
Quick answers
Is the 2013 Nissan Versa reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 49; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Versa year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2013 Nissan Versa problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (31%), body structure (20%) and airbags (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Versa have?
1 safety recall (latest: speed control). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Nissan Versa get?
30 to 35 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Nissan Versa safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Nissan Versa problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 13,000 and 87,000 miles. The middle report was at 52,000 miles, from 155 complaints.
Does the 2013 Nissan Versa have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Nissan Versa cost in fuel a year?
About $1850 to $2150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Nissan Versa have?
1.6L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Versa year is better than the 2013?
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