Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have owned this car since I bought it new in sept.2006. Never have had any problems and have kept it serviced, on oct 02, 2020 I went to store and back home about 8 miles total, parked in yard, approx. 10 minutes later alarm went off and key fob would not dissarm it so I opened the hood and the whole firewall was on fire, and flames bellowing from underneath, I immediately ran and got a fire extingusher andd completely used the large cannister to put fire out. The car is a total loss and very scarey and upsetting that this could happen from a parked car.
No recall. Somehow car engine caught on fire, but the heat engine light never came on or any warning lights. The airbag light came on and my horn starting going off. The whole engine and then front part of the car became engulfed in flames. This occurred while the vehicle was in motion on a city street, going straight at about 30 MPH.
Over the course of the last 3 years, my 110,000 mile Versa stalls and does not start, randomly. Sometimes in driveway, sometimes stall mid-drive. Sometimes after driving highway or residential fine after turning off, and returning it won't start. Sometimes after this it will restart after taking a break and then trying again a third or fourth time. You never know.4 mechanic shops, including Nissan dealership (twice) could not figure it out. No diagnostic is clear on the issue. One mechanic found a theft/security code come up, but both sets of keys work and both remote locks work. I called the lock reset people and they said it sounds more like a computer problem. Frustrating and dangerous. I do all the required and recommended maintenance and checks. This is bad.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Nissan Versa. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle completely shut off without warning and the instrument panel lights illuminated. The air bags deployed and knocked the contact unconscious. As a result, he struck another vehicle. A police report was filed. Both the driver and contact sustained injuries. Prior to the failure, the vehicle would not crank at all. Nissan stated that someone would call the contact back, but he has yet to receive a response. The purchase date was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 11,696. Updated 4/23/08 the consumer stated the airbag deployed upon impact and the same thing happened with his 2006 Nissan altima. Updated 04/23/08
Tl contact owns a 2007 Nissan Versa. While driving 25 MPH, the contact suddenly noticed that the vehicle began to stall. Neither the brakes nor the power steering were operable. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle on the opposite side of the road. There were no injuries, but a police report was filed. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 38,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan Versa. The contact was traveling 35 MPH when the vehicle stalled and could not be restarted. In addition, the contact observed black smoke and flames coming from the engine. The police were contacted and the vehicle was destroyed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted. The failure and current mileages were 75,000.
The vehicle was not driven a lot and at 55000 miles it developed the problem of transmission coolant failure, this will cause the vehicle to lock up even during driving and cause an unsafe driving condition. Luckily we detected quick enough that we did not have anyone harmed during the operation of the car. Nissan refuses to cover all repair work under the extended guarantee and ensure safe driving from the debris left in the coolant line but did replace the transmission and radiator. There is no guarantee that the coolant pump, thermostat or other coolant devices won't fail and cause other operational hazards, if they do indeed fail as a result of their negligence to perform a full repair; and ensuring that the lines and coolant systems are free from debris and will not fail under use. …
Pipe from front end of muffler failed at flange weld due to: (1) mechanical strain, the muffler pipe supports the resonator by pulling the pipe tight; (2) lack of corrosion inhibition; (3) poor quality welding, the components appeared to have not been cleaned first. ==details== [1] the comparatively heavy resonator was supported at the rear only by the pipe segments between it and the muffler. This is a significant amount of mechanical force, applied to a structure not designed to handle it. [2] any car sold to parts of the USA that regularly get snow should have corrosion prevention applied to all underbody components by default. Not doing so is not only a poor business decision but also increases the likelihood of parts falling off and landing in the road. …
I replaced the muffler and gasket on my 2007 Nissan Versa on September 21, 2012 the poor quality of the materials that Nissan used for the flange became brittle and cracked, compromising the structural and functional integrity of the muffler at approximately 62,600 miles. I am the original owner and take impeccable care of this vehicle and all my vehicles. If this safety/exhaust/emission problem had not been repaired, it May have caused injury (minor, major, and maybe fatal) to driver and passengers in the Versa as well as other drivers/passengers of other vehicles. This issue should not happen in this make/model/year with low to moderate mileage or any make/model/year of car since mufflers and associated parts have long been perfected.
I purchased a 2007 Nissan Versa sl hatchback in July of 07. In mid 08 I started hearing a knock from the engine. I took it into several dealers and no one could tell me what it was caused from. Late 08 it started using oil as well, and the dealer did an oil consumption test on it to verify that it was indeed using oil. They told me then that if I can produce all my receipts from where I got my oil changed they would pursue it further. I have always done as much of my own mechanic work myself, so I do not have any receipts. At that point they told me that they would charge me to look into my engine. Also, my air pressure indicator light came on in mid 08, and they also want to charge me to take care of this problem.
Engine complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Nissan Versa, 11% of the model year's 354 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Nissan Versa engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Nissan Versa, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Nissan Versa engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.