Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall. I believe my car is included in the recall. It is a Nissan Versa 2013. The airbag light had recently started flashing without anything major happening to the car. The passenger seatbelt light had started flashing after I was involved in a small hit and run accident that affected the rear of my vehicle. I was in full stopped motion at a turning red light and an unknown person had rear ended my car, shortly after I had noticed the passenger seatbelt light had started flashing. I am in fear that the airbag light might or might not have to do with the hit and run, but it just started a few weeks ago while the accident was over 2 years ago. Please review as this is really important to me and I fear that I might get injured if the airbags are recalled and I get into another accident. Thank you.
Tamara recall: I was driving at night & a deer ran in front of my car & the front bumper & rt headlight had to be replaced on my 2013 Nissan, Versa. My insurance pd it. I am not certain if the airbags should have deployed but they did not deploy even with my putting my foot on the brakes hard & still hitting the deer, I thought it strange that the airbags did not deploy with the sudden brakes & hitting the side of the deer. Was the airbags supposed to deploy in that situation? I don't know. Is there something wrong with the airbags? Unknown not deploy. Is this normal? I don't know?
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. While the contact's daughter was driving 20 MPH, the vehicle slid on ice and crashed into a telephone pole. The air bags did not deploy. The contact's daughter received a mild concussion after her face struck the steering wheel. Medical attention was received. The vehicle was towed. A police report was filed. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 17V449000 (air bags). The failure mileage was 70,000.
I was driving in a left turning lane slowing down when all of a sudden I heard a voice asking if I were OK? I came to and noticed the air bags were deployed and my Versa 's hood was smashed, along with the front sides. The car in front of me had a small dent on the rear bumper. Apparently I hit the vehicle in front of me. I am still in shock. I wear a size 14 shoe. I believe my foot came off the brake and hit the accelerator. My insurance company totaled my vehicle.
I was driving south and a car it me in the driver side door. Turned me around 360degrees the hold front in of the car was gone. I had broken bones in my right leg, and foot was in the hospital for 5 days then sent to a rehab for 8 weeks then was given 2 months of therapy to be able to walk. I lost my job because of being off work for long. Still in my 2 months of therapy. Airbags exploded and torn all to pcs. .. Updated 09/30/15
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 45-50 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a john deere tractor and a lamp post. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the contact's residence. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. While attempting to make a left turn, an oncoming vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The driver side air bag did not deploy, but the passenger side air bag deployed. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was towed. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The approximate failure mileage was 186,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. While driving various speeds, the cruise control activated independently. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and parked overnight. Upon attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start. An independent mechanic and dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000. The consumer also stated the air bag light illuminated and the vehicle continued to smell of gas, after the fuel pump was replaced. Also, the RPM fluctuated between 1500 to 3500 and the tire pressure light illuminated. Updated 10/13/16.
Passenger airbag warning light (warning that the airbags are off) is constantly on; no matter if no one, an adult, or a child is is in the passenger seat. Occurs when vehicle is idle or in motion. Seat belt warning light (warning that seat belts are not being used by driver or passengers) was constantly on, even though driver did wear a seat belt & no passengers were in vehicle. Spontaneously corrected itself; currently have no issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH she was unable to remember what caused her to crash into a telephone pole. The air bag did not deploy. The contact sustained brain damage, and a fractured vertebrae. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure and current mileage was 5,000.
NHTSA investigations
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited.
Airbag complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2013 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Nissan Versa, 11% of the model year's 204 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Versa airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2013 Nissan Versa, though it has 1 recall 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 2013 Nissan Versa airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 41,000 miles, and 37% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to air bags 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.