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 2011 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that when making a sharp turn, the steering wheel seized or became loose without warning. The vehicle was taken to two dealers, but the failure could not be duplicated. One dealer recommended that all four tires needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. On one occasion, while driving at approximately 60 MPH and merging to the left lane, the steering wheel became loose and suddenly seized. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into five trees. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the right wrist, cervical strains, muscle spasms and the left shoulder was impacted and required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Nissan Versa. While driving 30 MPH, the steering seized and the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. Prior to the failure, the windshield wipers activated, the interior and exterior lighting flashed, and the doors locked and unlocked. The vehicle crashed into a pole. The driver suffered from bruises to the upper chest and burned hands due to the air bag deployment. The passenger sustained bruises to the chest and waist area. Medical attention was received at the scene of the accident. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a repair shop. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 1,100.
My daughter was leaving a parking lot in our 2011 Nissan Versa and the steering locked and so did the brakes. She was unable to stop and rolled into a parked car. She was able to pull the emergency brake. She narrowly missed a ravine leading to a highway.
On September 8, 2016, I was driving and all of a sudden the car's steering violently pulled to the right and when I tried to correct it, the car then turned all of the way to the left, causing the car to roll over several times. Although I had my seat belt on, the pre-tensioners didn't fire to keep me from moving around and hitting my head. None of the airbags went off either, not even the ones on the driver's side curtain where the car was damaged. Afterwards, I went to the doctor and a chiropractor because I hurt my back, neck and my head. I also got a lawyer because I had not done anything wrong while driving. The steering problem just came out of nowhere. …
Car making noises when turning. Strut bearings replaced. Recall serviced on front coil springs. Car is at 87800 miles but at 87300 engine started making knocking/pinging/clicking/ticking noises. Took to Nissan. Mechanic said Nissan engineers say this is normal for their 4 cylinder motors. Said he couldn't locate source of sound but possibly cylinder 2 or 3. He told me until check engine light comes on or until engine fails don't worry about me to keep oil changed every 3700 miles and run engine restore products in with oil changes. I tried this the next day, and noise became worse. The car has never been run low on oil, has been serviced like it was supposed to be, never smokes or burns oil, oil always looks clean at oil changes. Since the noise started, there is decreased fuel mileage. …
I was dropping off someone, the car was idling, and once it was clear to drive the power steering went out and it was very hard to turn the steering wheel. I drove it to a school that was a mile away, parked, and then turn it off. I gave it a couple of minutes and then I turned it on and the steering worked fine. So far it has not happened again. This car is almost 4 years old and only has 30,000 miles. We are very surprised, though I have gone on some Nissan websites and saw that this is happening to other owners. Currently this is not under recall, but are hoping it will be. We took it to Nissan this weekend and they told us the part runs 600.00$, the diagnostic test is 175.00$, and then the labor cost. We were not expecting to have such an expensive problem with the newest car we own. Please let me know if I there is anything further that I can do. Thank you, [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while attempting to enter the vehicle, the power locks and electrical system failed. The contact also stated that while driving 25 MPH, the power steering assist and the brakes failed without warning, causing her to crash into a telephone pole. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact sustained head trauma and burns to the hands. The passenger sustained back injuries, a hematoma and bruising to the left leg. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 1,150.
The power steering light on my 2011 Versa occasionally goes on and the power steering goes out. I shut the car off and then the problem seems to go away. This has happened maybe 3-4 times in the past 4 months? I called the dealer to see if they can fix it and they said it is something that I should try to live with since it is so rare. They offered no solution or a way for them to determine the problem. My daughter drives this car and it makes me nervous that the power steering could go out at any time. I can't imagine that this is an acceptable solution for a Nissan product? This seems like a serious safety concern?
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the steering lost power. The vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the power steering warning indicator illuminated. The failure recurred. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 17V449000 (air bags) and 16V349000 (air bags). The failure mileage was approximately 11,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the steering column and steering column adjustment lever were loose. The steering column operated as intended until the vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 17V449000 (air bags). The remedy was performed at trophy Nissan (5031 n galloway ave, mesquite, tx). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Steering complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2011 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the steering of the 2011 Nissan Versa, 8% of the model year's 269 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Nissan Versa steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2011 Nissan Versa, though it has 6 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 2011 Nissan Versa steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries 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.