Home · 2017 Nissan Versa · Complaints

What 62 owners told NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Versa

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 (62)Crash / fire / injury (9)Airbags (15)Electrical system (11)Brakes (9)Transmission & drivetrain (9)Engine (8)Fuel system (6)Seat belts (6)Body & structure (4)Steering (3)Suspension (3)

Newest first · 62 complaints · page 1 of 3

Mar 27, 2026AirbagsCrash1 injury

The vehicle was involved in a side impact collision at a high rate of speed. The vehicle was deemed a total loss after the accident, as the side impact was the drivers side door and wheel well. The air bags never deployed, despite the high rate of speed and the entire front drivers side of the vehicle being affected.

NHTSA ODI 11727553

Nov 23, 2025Visibility & wipers

To whom it may concern the tint on all four of my doors is obstructing my site with Windows up my back window has bubbles all through it. Mike Erdman Nissan has replaced that one one time and it’s bubbled again. They refuse to replace the door window tint and said it was self inflicted. I have also tried to contact the tint department at the dealership numerous times and the dealership said they would have them call me back several times throughout the last four years and they have yet to do it. if you cannot help me, can you direct me to where I can get the help I need for my windows also the three pictures that I have sent in is from one of the windows with the window up the one with it down and the back window.

NHTSA ODI 11701055

May 28, 2025Electrical system

On 3/21/25 I was informed by Malik's Auto Repair that I need my transmission replaced after a diagnostic of my car making a vacuum noise. After researching, I found that many Nissan vehicles have been experiencing this problem. I contacted Nissan and they informed me that no recall has been made for my make and model. It is a safety issue because at any time the car could stop causing an accident or fatality. Also, I had to have my starter replaced on this car. My car would not start. I was out with my daughter and if it was not for me having AAA we would have been stranded. Nissan stated that this issue was fixed on my car prior to me purchasing it. There is no record of this issue being fixed on Carfax and I paid almost $600 to replace it. Nissan have not assisted me with anything. Now I have to try to come up with the funds for a transmission.

NHTSA ODI 11663471

May 27, 2025

Car was purchased September 2024 for my grandson. This car was garaged until mid-March when my grandson received his driver's license. End of March 2025, car was in the dealership for service and a complimentary multipoint inspection was done. On May 14, 2025, my grandson was driving to school in the rain. All of a sudden, water starts gushing out of the glove compartment. The whole interior was flooded including the backseat. My grandson received his driver license in March, 2025 (a new driver). There were no warning signs before the water started gushing. Dealership said it was a clogged cowl. Nothing was said about maintenance on this cowl when the car was purchased. There is nothing in the manual about this cowl. Looking on the internet, this is a known defect of the Nissan Versa and nothing is being done about it. Thank God he did not get into an accident. After only putting 4000 miles on the car since purchased, the insurance company has totaled the car.

NHTSA ODI 11663122

Nov 21, 2024Body & structure

Hood latch allowed hood to fly open at 30 mph, causing $3100 worth of damage to car, Potentially causing serious other vehicular/occupant injuries. Apparently the latch was inadvertently engaged, but the secondary latch did not hold and let the hood fly open. This incident happened 8/2023 but was not reported to Nissan and while estimate was obtained, repairs were not made.

NHTSA ODI 11626700

Aug 21, 2024Steering

Power steering goes out while driving often.

NHTSA ODI 11610007

Jul 10, 2024

These vehicles have a cowl drain located on the passenger side under the wiper blades. The drain is really small so it clogs easily. When there are heavy rains, my car floods. It has happened on several occasions, including Monday 7/8/2024. It happened while driving in June 2023. I am not sure why Nissan hasn’t done anything to mitigate this problem. I am not even sure of this is the appropriate place to contract but I figured I would try. Thanks.

NHTSA ODI 11600998

Jul 7, 2024Airbags

Driver side airbag system completely broken. No crashes or accidents caused this. It happened out of nowhere one day.

NHTSA ODI 11599820

Dec 1, 2023Transmission & drivetrain

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was flushed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle after the vehicle had been serviced at an independent mechanic, ten months later, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking sound. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure might be related to the transmission. The vehicle was towed to a certified transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shards inside the transmission. The mechanic determined that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,645.

NHTSA ODI 11557873

Nov 12, 2023Electrical system

Passenger door lock/unlocked, not working. Buzz noise when operating key fob; actuator malfunction. Can't open door manually.

NHTSA ODI 11554701

Jul 20, 2023Body & structure

When door assembly went out the door was stuck in the locked position the drivers door couldn’t be opened from inside or outside with or without the key. even if you manually opened the lock from the inside you couldn’t get out

NHTSA ODI 11533514

Jun 7, 2023Engine

ENGINE BROKE DOWN AT 25000 MILES ONLY WITH ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ,

NHTSA ODI 11525753

May 31, 2023Electrical systemEngine

Car will only start sporadically. Had both camshaft sensors replaced, check engine light still on. Unable to predict when vehicle will start. Sometimes it will rev up but wont actually start. Dealership says it needs ECM and engine harness replaced. I have had to get it towed several times from several random parking lots or streets because it wouldn't start. Wont pass an emissions test even though sensors were replaced, check engine lights wont go off.

NHTSA ODI 11524601

Dec 13, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission failed 2x within 6 months extended warranty was 5k miles past 130k max mileage coverage 2nd transmission went out going 20 mph and revved up to 25mph and transmission failed. 1st time it went out I was in Cleveland on a busy road making a turn and transmission went out. Cars were beeping behind me. Issue is unknown as to why transmission keeps going out but is a safety issue. 2nd transmission was used with only 30-40k miles on it.

NHTSA ODI 11497292

Oct 4, 2022Transmission & drivetrainEngine

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved fault code: P0705 indicating the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,799.

NHTSA ODI 11487823

Sep 7, 2022Transmission & drivetrain

The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and vibrate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a relative who was an independent mechanic; he informed her daughter that the issue was related to the transmission and to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle; she was also provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11483277

Jan 17, 2022Electrical system

My car stalled while at an intersection, i was driving and came to a red light where i stopped upon the light changing green i stepped on the gas pedal and my car would not move. I shifted into reverse and still no movement. I turned my car off and restarted it and no movement, the engine turned on etc i had to move it over to a side residential street to get it out of on coming traffic.

NHTSA ODI 11447714

Oct 29, 2021Transmission & drivetrain

On Oct 29, 2021 at 4:30pm I got into my car and had no gears. The car went into drive but the car would not shift into gear. The drivetran would not engage for any gear even if shifted to the gear. The car shifted gears and drove without issue this morning.

NHTSA ODI 11438681

Oct 6, 2021EngineCrash

Transmission went out on highway, car went from 70 to zero while on cruise control on 85 n in SC. Car startled again in traffic causing an accident

NHTSA ODI 11435721

Oct 5, 2021

When it rains, water flows through the filter cabin water to collect below the windshield and, when the collected water doesn't drain, it flows into the car on the front passenger side floor. The water trough runs under the windshield wipers runs from one side of the car to the other. the trough collects water and has the drains on each side get plugged, water collects in the trough and will slosh back and forth especially when you are driving and making turns. There is an entry hole (filter cabin, i believe) that then lets the built up water flow right into the passenger side floor. My carpet becomes wet from the front passenger side to the back passenger side. I have called my dealership and they have no clue. the Nissan dealership wanted me to leave my car for two days for a diagnosis and they do not give loaners during this time of diagnosis and repair.

NHTSA ODI 11435550

Jul 12, 2021Electrical system

It happened on the passenger side water was filling up on the passenger side of the car about a week ago last Friday evening when I got off work I don't know where it is coming from but it is in the front and back seat of the car on the passenger side

NHTSA ODI 11424529

Jul 8, 2021Brakes

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the braking system malfunctioned while depressing the brake pedal and the vehicle did not immediately stop, nearly causing the vehicle to crash. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 11423880

Jul 6, 2021Latches & locks

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan versa. The contact stated while driving at approximately 45 mph, the hood opened independently. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an auto body shop where it was diagnosed that the hood latch needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 27,014.

NHTSA ODI 11423585

May 27, 2021Electrical system

The driver side door lock was frozen and would not open with the use of electrical button inside of car, the remote, or manually with key outside of the car. I was trapped inside of the car and could not get out of the car through the driver's side door and had to climb out of driver seat over to passenger door to get out of the car. If I was older and had health problems I would of not been able to get out of the car. Very dangerous and should not ever happen to any car door. When I took my car into my mechanics for repair, there was another Versa that was brought in for the exact same problem, unbelievable. I did write to Nissan and they had a consumer affairs person call me. I spoke to a women and she informed me that Nissan did not have any recalls for the door locks. I expressed my concern for the safety and she told me that I should of taken the car to the Nissan dealer. I told her that I was not able to get into the driver's door and had my daughter climb into the car to drive to our mechanic to have it repaired as there is not a Nissan dealer nearby.

NHTSA ODI 11418816

Apr 4, 2021Electrical system

DRIVING RIGHT AFTER AN AUTOMATED CAR WASH, CLICKING STARTED, DASH LIGHTS DIMMED, CAR STARTED "MISSING". TURN CAR OFF, COULD NOTE RESTART, CLICKING IN DASH STILL HAPPENED WITH KEY OUT OF IGNITION. WAITED 2 HRS THEN STARTED. MADE IT HOME. NEXT DAY SAME ISSUE BUT I DID NOT TURN CAR OFF. AS I AM DRIVING CAR SEEMED TO IMPROVE.

NHTSA ODI 11406324

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Working with the data? Download all 62 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 11, 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 2017 Nissan Versa verdict →