Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 13% | 6,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 8% | 20,000 miles |
| 2018 | 2 | 4% | 12,000 miles |
| 2017 | 3 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2016 | 7 | 9% | 10,000 miles |
| 2015 | 20 | 12% | 48,000 miles |
| 2014 | 10 | 5% | 39,000 miles |
| 2013 | 8 | 4% | 52,000 miles |
| 2012 | 24 | 5% | 28,000 miles |
| 2011 | 21 | 8% | 35,000 miles |
| 2010 | 11 | 4% | 71,000 miles |
| 2009 | 28 | 6% | 58,000 miles |
| 2008 | 23 | 6% | 45,000 miles |
| 2007 | 22 | 6% | 38,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My 2021 Nissan Versa was struck at high speed while parked and required extensive repairs that exceeded the vehicle's value. After the repairs, the transmission began acting erratically. The car shudders, hesitates, and feels unstable while driving. Acceleration is unpredictable and the vehicle does not feel safe or reliable. These issues were not present before the collision and have continued to worsen. I have children and do not feel it is safe to operate this vehicle, so it is currently parked.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V496000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. While the contact was driving 35 MPH, an oncoming vehicle cut across in front of her vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed, but failed to operate and the steering wheel seized. The vehicle crashed into a sign post, ran off of the roadway, and ended up in a ditch. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained a bruised lower back, several scrapes and contusions, and a slight burn to the left arm from the air bag deployment. Medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. Autonation Nissan marietta (925 cobb pkwy se, marietta, ga 30060, [phone]) was contacted. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
My vehicle stops running whenever I turn on heater or A/C. When either is turned on, dashboard lights up with four or five other lights like battery, P/S, Brake, Temp, and other. When A/C or heater is not turned on, then my car is running. It looks like my vehicle may be defective in some way. I bought it only last year and I don't understand why this particular control for heater or A/C is causing the problems. I believe some parts may be sub-standard and they may will cause some problems one day.
My engine light has always been on in my car contacted the dealership and they never cared to take care of the situation. My car has a problem with picking up speed and turning corners. Took it to a mechanic and said it's my transmission and that it was never good especially the cvt transmission in my 2016 Nisan versa that it was recalled and no one contacted me. I would like it fixed I'm a single parent and I need my car
The PS warning light has been coming on intermittently. The power steering goes out and the vehicle is hard to steer. My safety and others are put at risk if I lose power steering. We have done research online and plan to take it to a dealership to confirm the exact issue. The PS warning light has come on a few times over the last several months and the power steering comes and goes.
While driving in the freeway this morning I heard a click and then the "ps", power steering, light turned on. The car was driving in a straight line when this occured. When exiting the freeway it was clear that the electric power steering had turned off. When I got to work unattached my Bluetooth OBD-ii reader to check the codes. The reader showed zero codes recorded. I left the reader installed. When I started the car to go to lunch the "ps" light was off again and power steering was functioning. When pulling into a parking lot for lunch the power steering suddenly cut out and the "ps" light turned back on. My OBD-ii reader reported no codes. Upon starting the car again the "ps" light was once again off and the power steering worked again. The power steering worked during the drive home and the "ps" light stayed off.
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the power steering warning light intermittently illuminated and experienced a loss of power steering assist. The failure had occurred twice. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the steering control unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,535.
Related recalls (2)
Steering › Electric power assist system
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code and replace the steering column assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 8, 2023.
Steering › Electric power assist system
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code, and replace the column, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 9, 2022.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Versa years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2009 (28), 2012 (24), 2008 (23), 2007 (22) and 2011 (21) model years. Steering complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2009.
Is there a recall for Nissan Versa steering problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-496 (electric power assist system, Jul 18, 2023); 22V-693 (electric power assist system, Sep 15, 2022). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Versa steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 43,000 miles; 56% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the linkages › tie rod assembly (2 mentions), followed by the rack and pinion (2).
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.