Nissan Versa Engine Problems

Owners have filed 432 complaints about engine & cooling problems with the Nissan Versa — 13% of all Versa complaints. The worst model years are 2012 (56), 2024 (53) and 2009 (41). Problems typically start around 58,000 miles. No engine recall has been issued for the Versa.

432complaints
2012worst year
58ktypical miles
0related recalls
10crashes
11fires

Engine complaints by model year

’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25392841241156283926108143145723533
Engine complaints per model year, Nissan Versa.
YearComplaintsShare of year's complaintsTypical mileage
2025325%4,000 miles
20245355%0 miles
20232362%11,000 miles
2022735%19,000 miles
2021516%—
20201422%—
2019313%172,000 miles
20181425%42,000 miles
2017813%9,000 miles
20161012%51,000 miles
20152615%53,000 miles
20143919%57,000 miles
20132814%77,000 miles
20125612%63,000 miles
2011114%70,000 miles
2010249%57,000 miles
2009418%65,000 miles
2008287%42,000 miles
20073911%60,000 miles

Which parts fail

  • Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
    21
  • Engine
    9
  • Exhaust system
    8
  • Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
    1
  • Cooling system › Radiator assembly
    1
  • Engine › Crank/camshaft position sensor
    1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

  • Under 25k
    6926%
  • 25k–50k
    4617%
  • 50k–75k
    7829%
  • 75k–100k
    5119%
  • 100k–150k
    207%
  • 150k+
    62%

What owners report

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated the vehicle failed to exceed 45 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle entered LIMP Mode. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle independently reset. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,800.

2025 Versa · 4,000 miles · Aug 2025

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that during cold starts, the vehicle was jerking and vibrating abnormally. After the engine had warmed up, the jerking and vibration were self-corrected, but the vehicle failed to properly accelerate. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer on several occasions, but the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13.

2025 Versa · 0 miles · Dec 2025

Rod, piston breaks and punctures tire after losing ability to steer, accelerate, brake. MANUFACTURER DEFECT/RECALL on stated parts not revealed until after car crashed. No test drive given. Car began experiencing horrible loud banging noise immediately after leaving dealership. WAS NOT OFFERED TO TEST DRIVE. Took to dealer next day to check problem (noise) and was told NOTHING IS WRONG after taking to dealer. On way home, experienced erratic steering, unable to keep stable on highway. Rounded corner and the automobile completely failed to steer, brake, tire punctured by rod come to find out, a known defect straight from manufacturer was problem. No apology. Dealer will not take back NEW vehicle despite customer fears, claims to have fixed problem but not the body of vehicle stating customer had to go elsewhere to fix body with NO OFFER OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR BODY WORK. …

2024 Versa · Mar 2025 · crash

The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The contact stated that he depressed the accelerator pedal however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the loss of motive power was also felt while driving up an incline on the road. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact stated that after turning off and restarting the vehicle, the vehicle operated normally. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 400.

2024 Versa · 0 miles · Apr 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the check engine warning light remained illuminated. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were yet contacted. The failure mileage was 11,000.

2023 Versa · 11,000 miles · Oct 2024

Recently began driver training on this vehicle with my son (at approximate vehicle mileage of 12,500). Vehicle is manual transmission and had never previously been stalled. Once vehicle had been stalled during driver training, reduced vehicle power was available, creating an unsafe condition when attempting to merge into traffic or driving on an uphill grade. The issue produced no warning message or CEL but did produce a pending OBDII error code of P2615 (camshaft signal output circuit low). The error appears to resolve after a full restart (shut down, unlock and open door, close door, restart). The error is reproducible and has occurred on multiple occasions. The error does not reset if simply restarting vehicle without opening door between restart. I have scheduled an appointment for evaluation by dealer, but it has not yet been confirmed by dealer. …

2023 Versa · Jun 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle started losing motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that during the failure, the vehicle was turned off, restarted, and operated as needed. The contact stated the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The contact stated the failure recently reoccurred, and he was able to diagnose the vehicle with an ODB scanner and retrieved DTC code: P2615 (Failure with the Camshaft Position Signal Output Circuit Low Issue). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

2022 Versa · Engine › Crank/camshaft position sensor · 19,000 miles · Jul 2023

I'm [redacted] with health issues and my mother is [redacted] we bought a car at ( Drive Time ) hoping we would get a good car to go to the dr , I have a [redacted] I can't afford it though,in my opinion I felt drive time took advantage of us because I look Mexican and indigenous, they sold us a bad car where the engine was bad , as soon as I drove it there's was a smell I didn't think k anything about it but the manager at pep boys in pearland tx told me the reason I smelt something is because some liquids were mixing in the engine that are highly toxic when the engine is about to fail , drivetime would not take the car back and get us a good car, I found Nissan Clearlake and they put a new engine in the care I'm thankful but now it has something worse , I was in the freeway and the engine light came on malfunction the car would not move but the engine was still on , it was s wry I had …

2022 Versa · May 2026

Frequently asked questions

Which Nissan Versa years have engine problems?

By NHTSA complaints, the 2012 (56), 2024 (53), 2009 (41), 2007 (39) and 2014 (39) model years. Engine complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2012.

Is there a recall for Nissan Versa engine problems?

No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for any Nissan Versa model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.

At what mileage do Nissan Versa engine problems start?

Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.

What part fails most often?

Owners most often name the exhaust system › manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe (21 mentions), followed by the engine (9).

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.