NISSAN VERSA · model year

2013 NISSAN VERSA

293 NHTSA complaints, 27 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013NISSANVERSA carries 293 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 27 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, and 3 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2013 VERSA is power train with 72 filings, followed by service brakes (32) and unknown or other (32). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2013 VERSA, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

293
Complaints
27
Crashes
0
Fires
18
Injuries
3
Deaths
2013 NISSAN VERSA — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2013 NISSAN VERSA. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 3.0 ★
  • Side Crash 4.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

293 filings

Crashes Reported

27 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 3/5 · Side: 4/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN72
SERVICE BRAKES32
UNKNOWN OR OTHER32
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL27
ENGINE26
AIR BAGS22
STRUCTURE:BODY12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
STEERING8
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
STRUCTURE6
SUSPENSION6
VISIBILITY/WIPER5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
SEATS3

Recalls (1)

15V50700012/08/2015

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles manufactured June 9, 2011, to March 11, 2015, and 2014-2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to March 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel tha

Recent Complaints

20260108UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The transmission hoses don't stay on well, I have had to take it to a specialist mechanic on two separate occasions because it's a CVT and no dip stick transmission. Reached 102,000 mi and transmission started to shutter and then 2 weeks later quit. Transmission stopped working January 6th 2026

20251119FatalSERVICE BRAKES

See attached document for complaint.

20250107UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The driver side door is stuck in the closed position and will not open. The only way for the driver to get out of the car is to move to the passenger seat and open the passenger side door. To get inside and drive the car, the driver needs to open the passenger side door and move to the driver seat. The condition creates a very dangerous situation for the driver and passengers. The design of the door mechanisms should fail on the OPEN POSITION for safety! I have owned many cars and this is the first time I experienced this dangerous condition. Today, 1/7/2025, I went to the Nissan dealership to repair the door defect. The replacement parts are not available and will be ordered. The repair cost of the Work Order is $825.61. I believe this defect should be recalled to protect other drivers and avoid dangerous situations. Details of Nissan car dealer and work order below: Future Nissan Roseville 600 Automall Dr. Roseville, CA 95661 Service: 916-547-2209 https://www.futurenissan.com/ CURT

20241226ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated upon inspecting the vehicle, she noticed water intrusion in the tail lights and headlights. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electrical system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.

Mileage: 71,000

20241210ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The Gear Shift Selector is stuck in Park. Being forced to use the manual override in order to drive, reverse or place car in neutral every time the car is being used. This is ridiculous!

20241210UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The Gear Shift Selector is stuck in Park. Being forced to use the manual override in order to drive, reverse or place car in neutral every time the car is being used. This is ridiculous!

20241210VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Speed Control, Engine and Transmission issues: After the recall from the manufacture was issued for the the acceleration problems this car still takes long to accelerate and get the car going. It feels like the transmission/ and or engine is ready to go out also and this car is only roughly at 80,000 miles. This car is well maintained.

20241210POWER TRAIN

Speed Control, Engine and Transmission issues: After the recall from the manufacture was issued for the the acceleration problems this car still takes long to accelerate and get the car going. It feels like the transmission/ and or engine is ready to go out also and this car is only roughly at 80,000 miles. This car is well maintained.

20241210ENGINE

Speed Control, Engine and Transmission issues: After the recall from the manufacture was issued for the the acceleration problems this car still takes long to accelerate and get the car going. It feels like the transmission/ and or engine is ready to go out also and this car is only roughly at 80,000 miles. This car is well maintained.

20240830POWER TRAIN

Car unstable while driving all of a sudden will not shift into 2cd gear will not go over 20mph car is 2013 but only has 32,000 miles. Dealer said no recalls warranty only 5 years or 100,000 miles, it is past that period. Online suggest multiple complaints from consumers with cvt transmission, clasa acyion suits etc.thwy want 5550.00 to replace transmission.

20240423POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission (CVT) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 100,000

20231011STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while reversing at 2 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the engine. The contact also stated that the vehicle was hesitant to accelerate when driving at various speeds which caused the vehicle to jerk. The brake warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure was due to a passenger-side lower control arm bushing being separated from the control arm. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

20231008POWER TRAIN

I feel something is wrong when I step on the accelerator and the rpm scale shakes while driving. When I stop and go while waiting for the signal, the rpm does not increase and speed does not increase even though I step on the accelerator to the end. When I visit mechanics, they told me it is a transmission problem.

20230928UNKNOWN OR OTHER

.The automatic transmission sensor. When u turn on the right blinker the car starts stalling acting like it's going to die. And it's not right turns it's the actual right blinker. And yes can be inspected. . You need ur signals to communicate with other drivers. So right blinker is very important, not only that the car jerking around in traffic like that is dangerous. . The car was inspected by a mechanic.. .I just bought the car and I noticed it about a month after I bought the car from private owner.

20230922POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:INTERNAL:CVT

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The mechanic performed an oil change. Several weeks later, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway to shut off and restart the vehicle before driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the CVT needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

Mileage: 93,000

20230807SERVICE BRAKES

For ten days my car suddenly loses 90% or more braking power—after moving at above 40 miles per hour for five minutes or more. Incredibly dangerous and no war I g lights and hard to diagnose. We are replacing master cylinder as they were investigated on this year and model. I want them to reopen that investigation and I want compensation.

20230508POWER TRAIN

Transmission problems include lurching, acceleration issues, vehicle overheating. It has been very dangerous. In the middle of traffic the vehicle will lose power and start jerking.

20230424ENGINE

Bottom line, Transmission needed. Had shifter put in stuck in park, paid for, right engine mount, paid, G censor said showed up . Trans is shot....this is what a Transmission person said.... couldn't get a person from Hesser Nissan only leave message, a week long nothing.

20221107POWER TRAIN

The contact owns 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning light illuminated, and the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The sensor was replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replace. The unknown sensor and battery were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact then stated that her son had to jump start the vehicle multiple times before the vehicle started. The contact stated that she notified the mechanic at the transmission specialist where it was determined to be an electrical failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,606.

Mileage: 62,606

20220912SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and the transmission slipped out of gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the turbine input sensor circuit B, pressure control solenoids including solenoid B had failed. The output, input, transmission, and primary speed sensors were replaced. Additionally, the CVT transmission fluid was flushed and refilled; however, the failure persisted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to bring the vehicle to their location for diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

Mileage: 103,000

Compare 2013NISSANVERSA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 NISSAN VERSA have?
The 2013 NISSAN VERSA has 293 NHTSA complaints, 27 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, and 3 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 NISSAN VERSA?
The 2013 NISSAN VERSA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 3/5, side crash rating of 4/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2013 NISSAN VERSA?
Yes, the 2013 NISSAN VERSA has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 NISSAN VERSA?
The most-complained component for the 2013 NISSAN VERSA is POWER TRAIN with 72 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2013 NISSAN VERSA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2013 NISSAN VERSA has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.