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 2009 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While driving down a 30mph chicago street my car engine just shut off. I had enough momentum to turn into a parking lot and actually reach a space but that space was tow zone so I had to sit there with my car for 3 hours while I waited for a tow truck because it was actually rush hour. After taking it to aaa car body shop, they discovered that the engine was just dead. And after they took it apart they could only speculate but with some confidence from seeing something similar in the past that some sort of chain inside the engine snapped and struck the engine and caused the cylinders to come to a halt. The mechanic said that he saw something similar in a mid 2000's Saturn. In which case it ended up being a recall for that line of car. He said if you keep the receipt and someday it ends up being a recall, I could possibly get a refund. …
A brand new car bought early January 2009. It has 60885 miles when incident occurred. The muffler fall down and broke at flange connection point. Went to Nissan dealer to check out and exam the problem. They indicate that a corrosion from inside the muffler pipe has occurred and caused this cracks, so it fall down. It was clear a poor manufacturing, or default in manufacturing this part was the reason to cause this incident. Dealer offered to replace it with a new part with cost up to $ 600, where it supposed to be free of charge. I would to claim Nissan us corp. Responsibility for this incident. They did not made early recall to replace this part where they knew the problem. It was clear that they wait to happen at any time to make more profits. This it looks like as a fraud. …
Driving on the highway car tends to lose power and sputter and in some cases it will stall. When trying to restart it, it will not start. This can be very dangerous. Also, if driving this vehicle and then shutting the engine off you can not restart it without waiting at least 30 minutes. My 16 year old has been driving this car and the first instance it happened was while she was driving it. She lost all power and was not even able to use her brakes. She came very close to hitting a wall but was able to steer it away but steering was very difficult as well. We replaced the fuel pump thinking it wasn't getting enough gas but this still hasn't fixed the issue. We are told by mechanics that the problem can't be duplicated therefore it can't be fixed. I bought this car used and I can't believe that Nissan has not recalled this car due to many complaints with this issue. …
While the vehicle was accelerating out from a stop sign, it suddenly without warning or noise lost all ability to accelerate and stalled in the intersection. No lights came on at that point. Restarted car, drove home. I could feel acceleration hesitation in the gas pedal. Next morning I started car, now has engine light on. I drove to work, it repeated the behavior once. The next day I took the car to get the computer code p2138. The car stalls everyday the first time it is driven and I can feel the hesitation everytime. After the inital stall, it drives fine the rest of the day. Check engine light remains on. I did unplug the accelerator pedal sensor to air blow off any dust. It continues to behave the same whether coming out of a stop position or driving on the road or highway and the check engine light remains. …
For many years*, the exhaust from my Nissan Versa has made me sick (nauseous and headaches) similar to how vw exhaust would make me sick. I am concerned that Nissan vehicles May be cheating on inspections checks like vw was doing. Exhaust from many other vehicles May smell, but this particular exhaust is sickening. Our vehicle passes emission standards for md each year and we always keep it well maintained. So again, I am concerned they have software that works to fool emissions testing by changing the exhaust allowed when hooked up to an emissions testing computer. For a point of reference, my parents own a 23 year old Ford explorer (also well maintained) whose exhaust does not cause me sickness. Thank you for considering this issue! …
Engine completely stalled four separate times while driving on freeway at freeway speeds. Without warning, totally lost power and had to coast to the emergency lane. At first, engine would restart, cough and sputter, then die. After about ten minutes, however, it restarted like normal and it was like nothing happened. Drove fine for months until it happened again. And again. And again. This started occurring when the vehicle had about 85,000 miles. Took vehicle to dealer after last incident (about 95,000 miles) and they said they ran complete diagnostic tests, but could not find the problem. Advised me to have vehicle brought in next time it stalls (but the problem appears to be transitory). I am afraid to drive the car on the freeway and consider myself lucky I didn't get rear-ended.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the front passenger side tire deflated without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger coil spring fractured and punctured the front passenger side tire. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on three other occasions on both front coil springs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,000. Updated 7/21/15 the muffler, tire pressure sensor, blower motor and battery were replaced. The coil springs and tire pressure sensors were replaced more than once. Updated 07/30/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was towed to independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump and connector failed and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic advised the contact that the parts were on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, however informed the contact that fuel pump was available however the fuel connector was on back order. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
This morning when I drove to work and came into the parking garage I noticed a loud noise making my Versa s hatchback sound like a monster truck. I drove it home about 15 miles and inspected it. Appears the incoming muffler pipe "disconnected" from the gasket with a fairly clean break. This happened on the side of the muffler closer to the engine and furthest away from the back of the hatchback. Causing loud noise, seems to be worse when idled at a stop light/sign. Found a forum online that states this happens in northern climates (I live in mi) and a lot of other people actually experienced sooner than I did.
The catalytic converter flange that connects to the intermediate exhaust pipe corroded and the catalytic converter now needs to be replaced. There's not even 30,000 miles on the car. Moreover, the connection between the intermediate pipe and the muffler also corroded so the intermediate pipe had to be replaced. At approximately 25,000 miles I had to have the muffler and tailpipe replaced because the connection between the two had corroded and they had separated.
Engine complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2009 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2009 Nissan Versa, 8% of the model year's 504 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Nissan Versa engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2009 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 2009 Nissan Versa engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 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.