Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall (Nissan Versa hatchback) airbag light will not turn off in car. This relates to vehicle safety for any passenger in front seat of car in case of an accident. Have had to replace sensors and catalytic converter once and have been told recently I need the major catalytic converter replaced again. Sometimes an unusual smell comes from engine when I start car.
Stopped on our way home from a small trip and refueled the Versa. Noticed a small drip coming from the gas tank. Assumed it was coming from an overflow tube inside the fuel filler tube. The next day we took the Versa to our mechanic and told him about it. He investigated and found the fuel leak coming from the fuel pump attached to the top of the fuel tank. The leak as he described it coming from under the plug in where the wiring harness connects to provide power to the pump.under the plug in was a crack . There was also a hole that appeared in color of a burnt mark to the rear inside corner of the plug in wall exposing a metal stem goes to the prong that connects to the wiring harness. This area is above fuel tank surface or outside the top of the tank. …
I was driving my vehicle just turning the corner when my vehicle stopped running. I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I open the hood and saw my engine was on fire. The battery area was fully enfulfed in flames, there were other areas of fire in the engine area, but I did not stay there to examine the situation. I immediately dropped the hood and ran to safety to call 911. My vehicle was properly maintained by downtown nashville Nissan dealership. I reported this incident to them and to Nissan north America, neither of which will take any responsibility. This is a serious situation. There should have been no reason for my vehicle to have burst into flames while driving it.
Exhaust system has been diagnosed with 2 separate failures requiring a weld job in order to repair. I have completed one at the cost of $200 and the second weld estimate is priced at $200. Both instances came on suddenly and without other warning. Exhaust smell occurs when car first starts and disapates after driving several miles. Each occurred at separate times. Both front ball joints have been noted by my mechanic as being looser and indicates needing replacement in the near future in order to avoid potentially fatal collision or significant additional damage to transmission, steering, etc., systems.
Exhaust flange rusted out the muffler flange rotted out. Looked under the car, the entire exhaust system is rotting out. Versas have weak exhaust that do not withstand harsh conditions such as winters.
I tried starting my vehicle and it would not start. I had to try it multiple times and eventually after about 8 tries it did. This occurred for the first in June 2012 but I thought nothing would be wrong with a car that is was only about 4 years old. After it occurred a couple more times in the next few months, I brought it in to be tested at a Nissan dealership and they tested it and found nothing was wrong. The issue continued again in February 2013 and I brought it in to be tested again. This time it was determined the fuel pressure regulator needed to be replaced. I found information stating that Nissan new this was an issue with the make and model of my vehicle but did nothing to inform me of the problem, the service bulletin is dated September 18, 2009. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Nissan Versa. While the vehicle was parked she attempted to start the vehicle and it would not start. The contact stated after the second attempt the vehicle started. The failure occurred intermittently and the vehicle normally starts on the second attempt. She also stated that the failure started shortly after it was purchased. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the failure. The dealer advised her that there was nothing wrong with the starter. The contact mentioned the failure to the dealer on every service visit and the dealer never performed a diagnostic test. The contact stated that she scheduled an appointment with the dealer on April 13, 2011. The vehicle was not repaired and the vehicle was no longer covered under the warranty. She contacted the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was 489 and the current mileage was 5,200. …
Our 2007 Nissan Versa has a ignition starting problem. It is a brand new car and will not start. You have to crank it to get it to start. There are complaints across north America on this problem. The sales manager at orlando Nissan told me I will have to go through the service department and I already know others have failed at getting this problem fixed numerous times. This is a material defect and I am concerned for the safety of my wife and seven year old. It also has a loud clicking in the car when you turn the wheel hard to the left. There is no fix and the service departments will surely string this out and cost us time away from work and home and replace other things that are not causing it just to look proactive. I am not satisfied with that and would like the department to consider investigating this to recall this vehicle for an unsafe engine.
Replaced the continuously variable transmission on 09/13/2011 at 92524 miles. Approximately 2 weeks later my daughter was driving vehicle and the car stalled. The car will run but when put it in gear it will not go anywhere or rev up. This car has been to three mechanics including Nissan dealership and the problem cannot be found. Numerous parts were changed out but did not solve the problem. Sometimes it will drive for a short distance (less than a block) and then will be unmoveable again. This car has been undrivable since September 2011. They are a hazard on the highway due to the fact you never know when they are going to shut down. Also we are paying for a car that is undrivable.
Hello I have a Nissan Versa 2008 which has 22000 miles on it. This is the 4th time in less than 2 months it fails on me in the middle of the highway. Just stop taking fuel and everytime the dealer is saying the pump needs to be changed. There is a defect in the Nissan Versa model of 2008 and they should be recalled. It happened to me while driving 60 MPH and all of a sudden stop taking gas and I cant steer the wheel. Thank god everytime the highway was empty and I could fight with the steering wheel (cause the car is down) to take it to the side road and call a tow truck. Please investigate the Nissan Versa fuel pump problem...it is a safety hazard and it should be recalled.
Fuel System complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 Nissan Versa, 8% of the model year's 381 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Versa fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2008 Nissan Versa, though it has 7 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 2008 Nissan Versa fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.