Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and the transmission slipped out of gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the turbine input sensor circuit B, pressure control solenoids including solenoid B had failed. The output, input, transmission, and primary speed sensors were replaced. Additionally, the CVT transmission fluid was flushed and refilled; however, the failure persisted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to bring the vehicle to their location for diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
For ten days my car suddenly loses 90% or more braking power-after moving at above 40 miles per hour for five minutes or more. Incredibly dangerous and no war I g lights and hard to diagnose. We are replacing master cylinder as they were investigated on this year and model. I want them to reopen that investigation and I want compensation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brakes lost power and did not stop the vehicle. The contact was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into a parked vehicle. Various warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged and was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact called michael jordan Nissan [phone], 3930 durham-chapel hill blvd, durham, nc 27707) and was referred to the consumer affairs division of the manufacturer. An inspector was sent to investigate the failure and the contact was informed that there was no brake failure. Prior to the failure, the contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 15V507000 (vehicle speed control, service brakes, hydraulic). …
I was drviing my car on greenbelt rd, md, and noticed s stange low noise or sputtering..of some ssort. I decided to stop the car...however car did nto stop...I put in park, turned engine off...did not stop...I uesed emergency brake...did not stop...I felt it accerelated on its own..and had loss of brake effectiveness. I sounded the horn loudly to warn people. But the car kept going and going. I am a single mom, and my child was with me...for safety of life and property... I intentionally drove into a ditch. I felt like it was an unintentional acceleration and loss of brake effectiveness issue. I have called Nissan consumer affairs to report it, and my car is now at the dealership . I am not an expert. I need for a safety investigation into my vehicle by an independent agency other than Nissan. I am still shaken.. ..updated 02/13/17..updated 02/22/17 updated 08/10/2017
Tl* the contact owned a 2013 Nissan Versa. While driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact was rendered unconscious from the air bag deployment. The contact was transported to the hospital for injuries that required medical attention. The front and rear seat passengers sustained seat belt burns. The rear seat passenger also suffered a displaced hip. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V507000 (service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 50,512. The vehicle was destroyed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle did not respond when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a fence. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact suffered whiplash and injuries to the neck, which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000. The VIN was unavailable.
I was going 35 MPH and I tried to slow down as I noticed the cars infront of me were at a complete stop at a red light, I pressed my breaks and noticed I barely even slowed down as I got closer to the car ahead of me I put my emergency break on and it made my car slide forward forcing my car into the rear end of the car ahead of mine. The mileage on the car is an estimate.
While operating my vehicle on a highway, at approximately 75mph, traffic slowed and I lightly depressed my brake pedal to slow my vehicle in response and no braking was detected. I pressed the pedal further to no avail. The brake pedal had to be pressed all the way to the floor before the brakes finally engaged. Thankfully, I was traveling at a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of me. Nevertheless, the experience was unsettling. Normal brake operation resumed for a short time. Within 25 miles of the last occurrence, I once again experienced the excessive brake pedal travel, followed by normal brake operation. I cautiously made my way to a Nissan dealership the next morning. The car was inspected, and the dealership confirmed the cause of the problem to be a leak in the master cylinder. …
It was a rainy day outside. The front and back brake pads/shoes were replaced 10,000 miles previously at a Nissan dealership in dover, oh. I was driving on normal pavement. I drove on a highway at speed limit of 70 MPH. I drove on a village main st at a speed limit of 25 MPH. It did not matter what speed or whether the vehicle was straight or turning: whenever the brake pedal was depressed there was a loud clunking noise. After that, when the gas pedal was depressed there was another clunking noise. The noise was coming from the brakes. I asked a passenger to join me to test the noise and even let them drive. They confirmed. The noise suddenly stopped after 30 minutes of driving. Once it stopped we pulled over and popped the hood and smelled what seemed to be brake fluid. Checked all the fluids in the car and they were fine.
This is an event similar to odi resume (pe 14-018) opened on 06/24/2014 by the national highway traffic safety administration. Similar to complainant, voq 10597004, my foot was trapped by the trim panel. Panel is located next to the accelerator pedal and the lower corner is positioned such that it is near the right outer edge of the driver's shoe. Also similar to complainant 10573057, when attempting to remove my foot from the accelerator pedal to apply the brake, my shoe was caught by the trim panel which delayed braking ability several times. It is important to note that this vehicle was purchased from a rental facility, enterprise car sales in elmwood park, nj. The photographs in odi resume pe 14-018 illustrate the same safety issue I am having with my vehicle. ... Updated 03/19/15 updated 6/18/2015
NHTSA investigations
Pedal Operation Interference
On June 24, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE14-018 to investigate allegations that the tunnel carpet cover trim panel on model year (MY) 2012 through 2014 Nissan Versa, Versa Sedan and Versa Note vehicles has, in certain situations, interfered with the driver's ability to promptly release the accelerator pedal and transition to the brake pedal.
Excessive Brake Pedal Travel
On May 20, 2014, ODI opened PE14-014 based on eight complaints alleging incidents of excessive brake pedal travel in model year (MY) 2013 through 2014 Nissan Sentra, Versa Sedan and Versa Note passenger cars (Figure 1) and information in Early Warning Reporting field reports indicating issues with master cylinder internal seals.In response to an information request letter sent by ODI, Nissan identified a condition…
Pedal Operation Interference
On August 11, 2015, Nissan North America, Inc., submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) describing a condition that may impede the driver's ability to transition quickly and smoothly from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal in certain model year (MY) 2012 through 2015 Nissan Versa Sedans and MY 2014 through 2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles (NHTSA Recall No.
Brake complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2013 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the brakes of the 2013 Nissan Versa, 17% of the model year's 204 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › wheel speed sensor/tone ring (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Versa brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 52% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 6 injuries and 1 death to brakes 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.