Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
I was driving just about to get onto the highway but as I was turning onto the on ramp I suddenly couldn't turn the wheel and crashed into the guard rail and my power steering light was on. My car underwent extensive damage on the outside and the alignment is now very bad. It had to sit overnight and when we got back to it the light was off. This is a very dangerous issue. (miles per hour below is an est.) this just occurred and in the process with insurance.
My wife was making right hand turn, entering a highway, she lost total control of the steering. The vehicle veered to the left then veered to the right. She was able to stop the vehicle without incident and parked on the shoulder. Had car towed to garage, mechanic inspected suspension and steering, and was unable to find a problem. H stated he went on line and discovered some steering issues. However, he stated, because it has an electronic power steering system, resetting the system by turning off the engine and restarting the vehicle should solve the immediate problem (as it was stated on the forum). This is ridiculous when you are going 60 MPH and going back and forth across the road. I went to the local Nissan dealership and he stated he knew nothing about this issue.
Tl* Takata recall. The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Versa. The contact recently had her vehicle repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 17V449000 (air bags). Afterwards, while driving, the vehicle shook and was difficult to steer. The contact had to use excessive force to steer the vehicle. The vehicle also failed to accelerate to highway speeds as if it remained in second gear. Russ darrow Nissan (121 w. Metro auto mall, milwaukee, wi 53224, [phone]) was contacted, but was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened case number: [redacted]. The failure has not been resolved. The approximate failure mileage was 78,751.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle pulled to the left. The failure occurred three other times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the lower steering shaft assembly and top torque rod were fractured and needed to be replaced the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure the VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000. Updated 03/07/17 consumer needed documentation to substantiate the faulty condition of the suspension system. Updated 6/29/18
The car has begun to make a loud metal clunking sound at the top right suspension as well as what almost sounds like a grinding but not similar to that of the braking system. I was going around a curve at the time. The sound gets worse when going down a hill changing speeds, switching lanes, on pot holes or an uneven surface. I took it to a few different places and could not reproduce the problem at the time. While driving with a more experienced mechanic he was able to determine the sound to be isolated to the right strut and the left inner tie rod. He said that the struts are usually only replaced once in a cars lifetime so I am wondering why it needs to be replaced so soon. I am writing the complaint because I think this has been an issue all along. The car needs an abnormal amount of realignments and brake replacements. …
We own a 2008 Nissan Versa. It currently only has 9,400 miles on it. When driving it there is a "popping" feel underneath the floorboards/ in the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealership 2-26-09 where they replaced both upper strut bearings and completed a front wheel alignment. Again, the vehicle exhibited the same issues and on August 5, 2009 both upper strut bearings were replaced and another alignment was completed. We took the vehicle to the dealership again yesterday with the same complaint. This time they say they can't "hear" it (you can't hear it, but you can feel it), so they didn't do anything. They refused to even put it up on the lift to take a look at the assembly since they couldn't "hear" anything. After doing research, we are seeing this same complaint on many different websites. Nissan needs to fix these vehicles. …
We had just gone throw the sunpass lane on I-275 n. My wife was driving and she started to push on the gas pedal and the engine die (ten feet out of the toll booth). She tried 3 times to start the car motor and each time it started and then stopped. I jumped out of the car to push the car across 4 lanes of traffic (lucky it was 11:00 pm) and there was not a lot of traffic. We had to have the car towed to our garage. They (hummel tire & auto, reg.#: mv-66432) was told my Nissan (crown) that they knew about this problem and had a new improved A/C compressor (926001u60a,081468/251g. (the dash broad light "ps") we was very lucky that we did not get hit the rear, because we could not move. I had my wife, mother(83), and myself (58). Nissan should have a recall on this part, before anyone dies. The dash broad light "ps" electric power steering systems.
Approximately one year before having the car part repaired, I noticed that when I turned the steering wheel hard to the left to make a tight turn I heard a creaking noise. I was not sure what it was and mentioned it to my mechanic when I brought the car in for an oil change. Mechanic felt it was related to the axle. My husband noticed the noise when driving my car and brought it back to the mechanic. Mechanic had to order a new Nissan axle for the car. The cost of the part and the labor to replace it was at my expense. The mechanic said he was going to return the damaged part to Nissan because he felt it was a defect in manufacturing because this part should not have to be replaced on a 5 year old car with such low mileage.
The steering wheel has a clunk or pop that is both audible and felt in the wheel when making turns to the right at low speeds. At 10,000 miles I began hearing and feeling this clunk. At 18,000 miles I brought my vehicle to the dealer and they said they would have to replace the entire steering column and that it was a safety concern. The stopped the sound and the pop/clunk. 1000 miles later the sound started reappearing. I brought my vehicle to the dealer 5 times since and the dealer claims to not be able to hear the sound. I am aware of two technical service bulletins on this issue. I believe the part is systemic defective and unsafe. I believe this needs to be researched as a defect and requires a recall.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH and attempting to change lanes and slow down, the brakes did not function and she could not control the steering wheel. The vehicle spun out of control and crashed into a guard rail. The contact experienced head and back pain. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy and the vehicle was destroyed. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were unknown.
Steering complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2008 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Nissan Versa, 6% of the model year's 381 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion › pinion shaft (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Versa steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.