Home · 2013 Nissan Versa Note · Complaints

What 204 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Nissan Versa Note

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (204)Crash / fire / injury (19)Transmission & drivetrain (73)Brakes (34)Speed control (27)Engine (26)Airbags (22)Body & structure (18)Electrical system (12)Fuel system (9)Steering (8)Suspension (6)

34 of 204 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters · page 1 of 2

Nov 19, 2025Brakes1 death

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ODI 11700362

Aug 7, 2023Brakes

For ten days my car suddenly loses 90% or more braking power—after moving at above 40 miles per hour for five minutes or more. Incredibly dangerous and no war I g lights and hard to diagnose. We are replacing master cylinder as they were investigated on this year and model. I want them to reopen that investigation and I want compensation.

NHTSA ODI 11536938

Sep 12, 2022BrakesTransmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and the transmission slipped out of gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the turbine input sensor circuit B, pressure control solenoids including solenoid B had failed. The output, input, transmission, and primary speed sensors were replaced. Additionally, the CVT transmission fluid was flushed and refilled; however, the failure persisted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to bring the vehicle to their location for diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

NHTSA ODI 11484114

Oct 24, 2021SteeringBrakes

Breaks was unsafe, some piece was broken close by my tires

NHTSA ODI 11437988

May 25, 2020Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR OCCASIONALLY WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP. HAD NISSAN PERFORM A BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSH AND STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. THEY ASKED ABOUT CHANGING OUT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE WAY THAT THEY ASKED MADE ME BELIEVE THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW OF A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE OF CAR. I CHECKED UP TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND NOTICED AN INVESTIGATION IS IN PROGRESS FOR THIS PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS IN STREET TRAFFIC OR HIGHWAY WHEN TRYING TO SLOW OR STOP THE VEHICLE AND IS INTERMITTENT IN NATURE AND STILL OCCURS AFTER THE BRAKE FLUSH TO REMOVE ANY AIR IN THE SYSTEM.

NHTSA ODI 11325843

Nov 13, 2018BrakesCrash

I WAS GOING 35 MPH AND I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN AS I NOTICED THE CARS INFRONT OF ME WERE AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A RED LIGHT, I PRESSED MY BREAKS AND NOTICED I BARELY EVEN SLOWED DOWN AS I GOT CLOSER TO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME I PUT MY EMERGENCY BREAK ON AND IT MADE MY CAR SLIDE FORWARD FORCING MY CAR INTO THE REAR END OF THE CAR AHEAD OF MINE. THE MILEAGE ON THE CAR IS AN ESTIMATE.

NHTSA ODI 11151375

Aug 22, 2018Speed controlBrakesCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED MICHAEL JORDAN NISSAN (919-489-3800, 3930 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL BLVD, DURHAM, NC 27707) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DIVISION OF THE MANUFACTURER. AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO BRAKE FAILURE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V507000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

NHTSA ODI 11121698

Jul 26, 2018Speed controlWheelsBrakes

TAKATA RECALL, HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING DELAYS IN BARKING PROCEDURES, LIKE THE PEDAL IS STUCK AND MY FOOT OR HEEL HAS GOTTEN STUCK EVEN WHEN I HAVE DISTANCE MYSELF ENOUGH CAR DISTANCE FROM A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. HAVE PUT ME IN A SITUATION THAT I HAD TON USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, FEEL PRESSURE ALL THE TIME, WHEN I OUT THE CAR IN REVERS, THERE IS A NOISE IN THE SHIFTING OF GEAR TO REVERSE, THIS HAS CAUSED CLOSE CALLS TO ME BEING IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT, THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN FEBRUARY 2018, FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT,

NHTSA ODI 11113887

Apr 2, 2018Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL WANTS TO SINK TO THE FLOOR AT TIMES FOR NO REASON. KINDA SCARY BECAUSE IT WORKS FINE TGEN IT DOESNT

NHTSA ODI 11082419

Nov 6, 2017Brakes

IT WAS A RAINY DAY OUTSIDE. THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKE PADS/SHOES WERE REPLACED 10,000 MILES PREVIOUSLY AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN DOVER, OH. I WAS DRIVING ON NORMAL PAVEMENT. I DROVE ON A HIGHWAY AT SPEED LIMIT OF 70 MPH. I DROVE ON A VILLAGE MAIN ST AT A SPEED LIMIT OF 25 MPH. IT DID NOT MATTER WHAT SPEED OR WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS STRAIGHT OR TURNING: WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. AFTER THAT, WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THERE WAS ANOTHER CLUNKING NOISE. THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE BRAKES. I ASKED A PASSENGER TO JOIN ME TO TEST THE NOISE AND EVEN LET THEM DRIVE. THEY CONFIRMED. THE NOISE SUDDENLY STOPPED AFTER 30 MINUTES OF DRIVING. ONCE IT STOPPED WE PULLED OVER AND POPPED THE HOOD AND SMELLED WHAT SEEMED TO BE BRAKE FLUID. CHECKED ALL THE FLUIDS IN THE CAR AND THEY WERE FINE.

NHTSA ODI 11043642

Jan 23, 2017Fuel systemSpeed controlBrakesEngineCrash

I WAS DRVIING MY CAR ON GREENBELT RD, MD, AND NOTICED S STANGE LOW NOISE OR SPUTTERING..OF SOME SSORT. I DECIDED TO STOP THE CAR...HOWEVER CAR DID NTO STOP...I PUT IN PARK, TURNED ENGINE OFF...DID NOT STOP...I UESED EMERGENCY BRAKE...DID NOT STOP...I FELT IT ACCERELATED ON ITS OWN..AND HAD LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS. I SOUNDED THE HORN LOUDLY TO WARN PEOPLE. BUT THE CAR KEPT GOING AND GOING. I AM A SINGLE MOM, AND MY CHILD WAS WITH ME...FOR SAFETY OF LIFE AND PROPERTY... I INTENTIONALLY DROVE INTO A DITCH. I FELT LIKE IT WAS AN UNINTENTIONAL ACCELERATION AND LOSS OF BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS ISSUE. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO REPORT IT, AND MY CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP . I AM NOT AN EXPERT. I NEED FOR A SAFETY INVESTIGATION INTO MY VEHICLE BY AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY OTHER THAN NISSAN. I AM STILL SHAKEN.. ..UPDATED 02/13/17 *BF...UPDATED 02/22/17 *BF UPDATED 08/10/2017*JS *JS

NHTSA ODI 10946981

Nov 29, 2016BrakesCrash3 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FOR INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT PASSENGERS SUSTAINED SEAT BELT BURNS. THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER ALSO SUFFERED A DISPLACED HIP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V507000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,512. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.

NHTSA ODI 10928531

Sep 19, 2016Brakes

WHILE OPERATING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH, TRAFFIC SLOWED AND I LIGHTLY DEPRESSED MY BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW MY VEHICLE IN RESPONSE AND NO BRAKING WAS DETECTED. I PRESSED THE PEDAL FURTHER TO NO AVAIL. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE BRAKES FINALLY ENGAGED. THANKFULLY, I WAS TRAVELING AT A SAFE DISTANCE BEHIND THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. NEVERTHELESS, THE EXPERIENCE WAS UNSETTLING. NORMAL BRAKE OPERATION RESUMED FOR A SHORT TIME. WITHIN 25 MILES OF THE LAST OCCURRENCE, I ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCED THE EXCESSIVE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, FOLLOWED BY NORMAL BRAKE OPERATION. I CAUTIOUSLY MADE MY WAY TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP THE NEXT MORNING. THE CAR WAS INSPECTED, AND THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM TO BE A LEAK IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. DESPITE THE 115000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE, I FIND IT QUITE TERRIFYING THAT THE FAILURE OF A COMPONENT COULD PUT MY OCCUPANT AND I IN SUCH A PERILOUS SITUATION WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHATSOEVER. I HAVE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE, AND AM AWAITING FURTHER ASSISTANCE/REMEDY.

NHTSA ODI 10908062

Jul 25, 2016Brakes

DRIVING IN A STRAIGHT LINE ON A HIGHWAY GOING 65 MPH , STEPPED ON BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR- NO BRAKES AT ALL. COASTED TO SLOW DOWN AND TRIED AGAIN AT 55 MPH AND BRAKES WORKED. AM TRYING TO GET AHOLD OF DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ODI 10888096

Feb 10, 2016BrakesCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT SUFFERED WHIPLASH AND INJURIES TO THE NECK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10825372

Sep 4, 2015BrakesCrash

FOOT CAUGHT BETWEEN PEDALS CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE OR STOP

NHTSA ODI 10761743

Jun 12, 2015Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE CHANGED INTO DIFFERENT GEARS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A NEW TRANSMISSION, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 10724997

Mar 2, 2015Body & structureSpeed controlBrakes

THIS IS AN EVENT SIMILAR TO ODI RESUME (PE 14-018) OPENED ON 06/24/2014 BY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. SIMILAR TO COMPLAINANT, VOQ 10597004, MY FOOT WAS TRAPPED BY THE TRIM PANEL. PANEL IS LOCATED NEXT TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE LOWER CORNER IS POSITIONED SUCH THAT IT IS NEAR THE RIGHT OUTER EDGE OF THE DRIVER'S SHOE. ALSO SIMILAR TO COMPLAINANT 10573057, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO APPLY THE BRAKE, MY SHOE WAS CAUGHT BY THE TRIM PANEL WHICH DELAYED BRAKING ABILITY SEVERAL TIMES. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM A RENTAL FACILITY, ENTERPRISE CAR SALES IN ELMWOOD PARK, NJ. THE PHOTOGRAPHS IN ODI RESUME PE 14-018 ILLUSTRATE THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE. ... UPDATED 03/19/15*BF UPDATED 6/18/2015*JS

NHTSA ODI 10691631

Feb 13, 2015Brakes

I WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SLOWLY STARTED BACKING DOWN THE SLOPED DRIVEWAY, AS IT STARTED ROLLING BACK FASTER I APPLIED THE BRAKES HARDER AND THEY DIDN'T WORK. INSTEAD THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESPONSE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND I PUMPED THE BRAKES TO TRY AND GET A RESPONSE AND JUST AS IT REACHED THE STREET THE BRAKES FINALLY CLICKED BACK ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10683394

Feb 12, 2015Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED ABRUPTLY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

NHTSA ODI 10682890

Sep 23, 2014BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 NISSAN VERSA. WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED A COMPLETE STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A FENDER BENDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10638454

Sep 10, 2014BrakesCrash1 injury

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 55 SOUTH. I HEARD A POP ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE CAR CROSSED OVER INTO THE PASSING LANE AND HIT THE RAIL. I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE CAR. I HAVE INJURIES SUCH AS BACK STRAIN, WHIPLASH,HAND CONTUSION AND THIGH CONTUSION. THE CAR IS TOTALED AND THE BRAKE IS DEFECTIVE AND THE AXEL ON THE FRONT CAR IS BROKEN. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT I AM ALIVE. I WAS SOLD A DEFECTIVE CAR. I ONLY HAD THE CAR ONE MONTH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10632056

Jul 4, 2014Brakes

BRAKES MAKING HOLLOW NOISE WHEN COME TO STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10608254

Jun 21, 2014Brakes

MY BRAKE PEDAL WILL SINK TO THE FLOOR IF I PRESS HARD ON IT WITH MY FOOT AND KEEP PRESSING. I LOOKED AT MY BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND IT IS AT THE NORMAL 'FULL' MARK. MY NISSAN DEALER SAYS THAT THE PEDAL KEEPS MOVING BECAUSE THE ABS IS MODULATING MY BRAKE PEDAL AND THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH MY BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10604907

Oct 31, 2013Brakes

MY 2013 NISSAN VERSA HAD NO BRAKES AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT THIS MORNING. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. LUCKILY I WAS GOING SLOWLY AS I JUST PICKED UP A FRIEND FROM HAVING SURGERY AND WAS BACKING. A BRIGHT RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF. I RESTARTED IT AND STILL HAD NO BRAKES BUT THE BRIGHT RED LIGHT WAS GLOWING. I TRIED PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITHOUT ANY CHANGE. SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF AGAIN AND THE THIRD TIME THE RED LIGHT WENT OFF AS I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND I SEEMED TO HAVE PEDAL AGAIN. SO I CALLED & LEFT 2 MESSAGES WITH THE SERVICE DEPT OF MY DEALER WHICH WERE NOT ANSWERED. I DROVE HOME VERY CAREFULLY(APPROX. 20 MI.) WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM SINCE I STILL HAD THE PATIENT WITH ME I PICKED UP FROM THE HOSPITAL. I CALLED THE DEALER A THIRD TIME & WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE & THEY WOULD TOW IT. THIRTY MINUTES LATER THEY TOLD ME IF THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM THE TOWING BILL WOULD BE MINE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. I AM A 67 YEAR OLD SENIOR CITIZEN LIVING ON A FIXED INCOME & THEY WANT ME TO BRING IT TO THEM(APPROX. 35MI). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10550403

Older →

Working with the data? Download all 204 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 21, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Nissan Versa Note verdict →