Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the dealer, where the fuel pump assembly, the lower control arm, and the electronic parking switch were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that cylinder #1 had misfired, and the dealer determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a transmission specialist, where the catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the catalytic converter was replaced for a second time. Additionally, the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift to first gear. …
The vehicle engine stalled while driving in motion at approximately 65 miles per hour, and occasionally would stall without warning while waiting at a traffic light stop. The vehicle occasionally would not allow for the key to turn its ignition and would remain locked unpredictably and would require extended amounts of time to lock/unlock via security key fob repeatedly to allow for the key to turn the ignition.
When taking off the transmission belt slips all the time so I try to ease into the gas as gently as possible. When A/C is running the car has almost zero acceleration and has a stuttering or stumbling issue that causes issues until I hit 3000 3500 RPM then seems to gain power. I have issues on the highway with the transmission seeming to slip out of engagement of the belt when speeding up to pass. When slowing down for a light, if the light turns before I come to a complete stop and I go to reapply pressure to the gas pedal, if I dont gently apply the gas the transmission belt will slip and cause the car to shutter. Im not sure what is causing this issue, but I have had since I purchased the car around 40000 miles, a cricket chirping noise that in the beginning was always at 2000rpm and no wheres else in the RPM range. …
With 68 miles on car, a click sound is always heard each time the air conditioning button is pressed to on position/light and the engine smells hot and gives off a burning smell every single time the car goes over 65 MPH/acceleration from 60 to 65mph or from any other speed/MPH up to 65mph makes the smell of a hot engine. There is no smoking but the air in the car smells at 65mph so I go 60mph to prevent the smell because it makes me very nervous. The car has not lost compression at any speed/climbs hills/but the smell happens when climbing a hill as well as being in motion at any speed or MPH climbing the steep hills of ny. For instance if the speed limit is 30mph at the bottom of a hill and 55mph at the top of the hill, the cars engine will smell hot. No gages or red lights occur to indicate overheating. …
I had previously made Nissan aware of a problem with my car stalling and shutting off. They assured me nothing was wrong with the vehicle, the car continued to stall and would not accelerate. Months later it would not accelerate and would decrease in speed while I was driving on the freeway. The vehicle would also not move when I would press on the gas at a red light or stop; I would have to turn it off and back on. Then it started to fail going in reverse and shutting off again while driving. Many other Nissan Versa owners have complaint of vehicles stalling. The vehicles are a huge safety concern and I believe Nissan knows this. I have now been told that the transmission does not work. Why has Nissan not done something about the terrible transmissions?
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. While driving various speeds, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle bucked and shuddered. The vehicle was taken to reed Nissan (3776 w. Colonial dr, orlando, fl) where it was diagnosed that an engine sensor was faulty. The sensor was replaced, but the bucking continued. Also, the vehicle would not accelerate above 30 MPH. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive normally. The contact called united Nissan at [phone] (located at 3025 e sahara ave, las vegas, nv 89104) and scheduled a diagnostic appointment. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, but a failure code could not be found. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 59,793.
I was driving down the highway, in traffic, 30 - 35 MPH, outside temp 88 degrees, ac was on, full gas tank, highway I-35 downtown dallas in the middle of rush hour, the car abruptly stopped while driving and turned off. The steering wheel did not respond, brakes did not respond, all warning lights came on, the car coasted to a stop. I put the car in park, waited 10 seconds, cranked, gassed it and it started back up. I took the car to o'riely's auto parts in cedar hill 30 min. Later to run a diagnostic test which came back that the battery, starter, alternator were functioning normally.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the engine stalled while the entire instrument panel illuminated. The failure was persistent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however they informed the contact that the warranty was expired. The failure mileage was approximately 67,320. The VIN was invalid.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while the driver drove at approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was taken to reed Nissan located at 3776 west colonial drive orlando, fl 32808 [phone] where a diagnostic was performed which was unable to locate a failure code. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 27,000.
Engine complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Nissan Versa, 15% of the model year's 168 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Nissan Versa engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 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 2015 Nissan Versa engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 53,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
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.