Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
A while ago my airbag light began flashing, we reset it a few times and it would come back after a week or two sometimes longer, either a flashing or solid light, it felt almost random. No codes came up when we had it ran, and then we took it to the dealership for inspection. It is the back of my driver seat, the airbag for the driver side back seat. I don't know what the qualified number of complaints is, but please at least look into this. The most complaints this car has is something to do with the airbags. I've also had a similar ac/belt problem that was mentioned by the guy from Texas. He said the ac compressor caused a belt failure, mine was the other way around, my belt was squeaking for a while, had it replaced- month later my ac compressor gave out due to the belt operating at full capacity for the first time in a long time. It is available for further inspection. …
0 The vehicle has a CVT transmission failure causing severe shuddering, jerking, and progressive loss of acceleration. Initially the vehicle would not exceed 20 mph, then worsened to 15 mph, then 10 mph, and now will not exceed 5 mph. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven for more than approximately 2 minutes. There are no warning lights or alerts prior to the failure. The vehicle has completely lost power while driving and has stopped in the middle of the road with no ability to accelerate or restart the vehicle, creating an extremely dangerous situation and risk of collision. This appears to be a known and common defect with the CVT transmission on this vehicle model and year. The condition has progressively worsened and makes the vehicle unsafe to operate.
In July 2024 my airbag light came for no apparent reason. I took it to Nissan Service-they got it off with no guarantee it would stay off and said the airbag would have to be replaced if it came on again. In came on again in June 2026. I got my oil changed at a local shop and they got the light off verifying it was the L side airbag causing it to flash. That lasted about 2 months and it is flashing again. I got it off turning the key on and off 3 times. I am not 100% sure the airbag would work if needed. Nissan wants thousands of dollars to fix it. I wonder why this hasn't been a recall.Many Nissan owners have had the same issue.
My Check Airbag light came on without any incident and has stayed on since January, 2025. I took it to a Nissan dealer and they told me they would charge me $4,000.00 to see if it could be fixed. Charged me $209.96 just to look at the car. Their report said AIRBAG SIDE MODULE LH FAULTY. I am very uneasy now driving around not knowing if my airbag will deploy if ever needed. It is now July, 2025 and I cannot afford putting out this kind of money for the airbag light. I am a [redacted] over [redacted]. Can anyone help?
Just got the car from someone, and the air bag light comes up and stays on all the time the engine starts, trying all the ways to reset the light and not working, I found online that many same car owners has the same problem and there is no recall from the manufacturer, Nissan cars has a lot of air bags problems., my car has no collision and has only 62000 miles. Going to a dealer to ask about the price to fix and was told about more than a thousand dollars and not guaranteered'
Air bag red signal on and off. It is very loose. AC compressor needs repair that cause Belt broken, pulley isn't working and AC condenser needed to be repair. Power Train catalyst issues. Exhaust leaking at manifold, catalyst too exhaust as exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond. Replace sensors with exhaust repairs.
Air bag red signal on and off it is very loose. AC Compressor is locked that cause belt broken and pulley is not working that AC Condenser had to be fixed Power Train Catalyst issues Exhaust leaking at manifold and catalyst too exhaust as Exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond. Need to repair sensors with exhaust.
The airbag warning light has come on and is flashing.Brought it in twice for it was in diagnosis mode the first time. History mode second time and two days later it is on again and flashing that is three times in one month! Nissan needs to have this problem fixed!
Air bag failed to deploy during head on collision driving about 70mph on the 1604 hwy animal ran across I swerved out of the way to avoid hitting it but lost control on the grass and went head on into a pole as I tried to steer the car from hitting I spinned out of control after the impact then landed on the access road. Front of vehicle got pushed in but not one air bag deployed during the whole incident nissans excuse is I didn't hit the car correctly which I'm not quite sure what would be the correct way to crash a vehicle for future reference.
Airbag recall notice recipient on 11/6/2017 checked VIN number crash occurred on 624 e hungry mother rollover front end crash neither airbag deployed I [redacted] have a claim against nationwide insurance. Broken toe pain suffering had to rescue mother from bridge covered with moss mildew rot and ice owned by [redacted] occurred 11/30/2017
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 2016 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Nissan Versa, 26% of the model year's 81 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Nissan Versa airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2016 Nissan Versa. 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 2016 Nissan Versa airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles, and 40% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 0 fires and 8 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.