Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2021 | 2 | 6% | 6,000 miles |
| 2020 | 6 | 9% | 12,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 17% | 16,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 11% | 100,000 miles |
| 2017 | 9 | 15% | 20,000 miles |
| 2016 | 9 | 11% | 10,000 miles |
| 2015 | 20 | 12% | 16,000 miles |
| 2014 | 31 | 15% | 22,000 miles |
| 2013 | 34 | 17% | 20,000 miles |
| 2012 | 32 | 7% | 38,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 2% | 28,000 miles |
| 2010 | 6 | 2% | 5,000 miles |
| 2009 | 12 | 2% | 50,000 miles |
| 2008 | 17 | 4% | 52,000 miles |
| 2007 | 11 | 3% | 38,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Good afternoon This is [redacted] The car wholesale auto Naugatuck CT number We got a Nissan versa 2020 picked it up on [redacted] the car is having same issues twice it is drifting to one side mostly when braking I first got it fixed myself with new control arm in the front because the car was favoring the the passenger side and wheels would get locked we got it fixed form the dealership first then the bolts came off three weeks later the tire got dislodged we had it fixed again they extended the warranty but same problem show up again it's safety issue seems the car was In an accident on passenger side which damage the wheel rod which is wearing out the bolts and joint in the control arm and the steering and suspension.
while in reverse the automatic braking system locked up. There was nothing behind me or in my camera visually. Then I went to pull forward, the panel lights lit up, and, crash lights front can't up and the radar front light. My car has stayed in the shop at Nissan since January 2022 to present except for 4 weeks. Nissan refuses to deem as a lemon, yet everything is pointing to what other owners have experienced with this particular car. When those brakes locked up my car is no longer stable to drive, yet Nissan is saying it's a Shock on the right side. A shock doesnt go out at this early in a brand new car. Nor does all of the components mentioned.We take meticulous care of our vehicle. I have a case opened with Nissan USA Consumer affairs currently. Car is still in shop.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while his wife was making a stop at the stop light, the brake pedal was depressed and went all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring at the stop light whenever the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed and the turning signals were activated, the vehicle felt as if the transmission had improperly shifted. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle failed to exceed 40 MPH. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake pedal, motherboard, and taillight assembly had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 30,500.
I pulled up to a stoplight that was on a hill and tried to put on the brake. The brake pedal was highly resistant and wouldn't let me push down fully. At that moment, all of the warning lights on the dashboard turned on. When the light turned green, I tried to hit the gas pedal but the car wouldn't move forward. The car started rolling backward and I almost collided with the car behind me. I had to stomp on the brake as hard as I could to get the vehicle to stop. I then had to put on my hazards, put the car in park, turn it off, and turn it back on again before the vehicle worked like normal. My spouse said he's had the same thing happen to him twice in the past year. Each time, the brakes and accelerator pedal freeze up and all the warning lights come on. But after turning the car off and on again, it goes back to normal. …
1) When at red light with car in drive and brake pedal pressed the car occasionally begins to roll forward and then the brakes suddenly depress even more. 2) All brake lights intermittently go out and if hit will come back on for an unknown time until u realize they're not working again. 3) I have already had to replace the fuel pump twice with only 60k on miles on the car
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, the braking system malfunctioned while depressing the brake pedal and the vehicle did not immediately stop, nearly causing the vehicle to crash. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 20,000.
I purchased my 2017 Nissan Versa in September 11th, 2017. Within 2 weeks, I began having brake issues. The car would screech when slowing down and make almost a grinding sound when making a hard brake. I took it to the dealer who I purchased the car from (abc Nissan) and they twice refused to fix it. Than I drove across town to another dealer (midway Nissan) who admitted that it was a known defect and said it simply needed more grease. About a week after being fixed, the problem continued. Two weeks later, I was on the freeway and attempting to slow down to stopped traffic when the brakes locked up and would not allow me to stop. I attempted to steer in the direction of the side lane, but was unable to avoid the collision with the car in front of me. …
Related recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, 'passenger car brake systems.' the brake fluid reservoir cap is missing part of the required brake fluid warning.
Remedy: New brake fluid reservoir caps will be mailed to vehicle owners along with instructions for installation. The letters will instruct owners who do not want to replace their own brake fluid reservoir cap to take the car…
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.
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.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Versa years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (34), 2012 (32), 2014 (31), 2015 (20) and 2008 (17) model years. Brake complaints make up 17% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Nissan Versa brake problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 06V-348 (service brakes, hydraulic, Sep 12, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Versa brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles; 72% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the pedals and linkages (4 mentions), followed by the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › wheel speed sensor/tone ring (1).
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.