NISSAN VERSA · model year

2017 NISSAN VERSA

93 NHTSA complaints, 14 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2017NISSANVERSA carries 93 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 14 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, Not Rated/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 2017 VERSA is air bags with 14 filings, followed by unknown or other (12) and electrical system (11). 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 3 active recall campaigns, 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 2017 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.

93
Complaints
14
Crashes
0
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

93 filings

Crashes Reported

14 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: 4/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS14
UNKNOWN OR OTHER12
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11
SERVICE BRAKES9
POWER TRAIN9
ENGINE8
SEAT BELTS6
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
STRUCTURE:BODY3
STEERING3
SUSPENSION3
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
WHEELS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1

Recalls (3)

17V27500026/04/2017

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Versa, and Versa Note vehicles. The ring plate that secures the air bag cushion to the passenger frontal air bag assembly may fail, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.

18V55100021/08/2018

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over t

16V72400011/10/2016

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2017 Versa vehicles manufactured August 1, 2016, to August 16, 2016. A seam in the fabric section of the side curtain air bags may tear during side curtain air bag deployment, potentially affecting the performance of the air bag.

Recent Complaints

20251123VISIBILITY/WIPER

To whom it may concern the tint on all four of my doors is obstructing my site with Windows up my back window has bubbles all through it. Mike Erdman Nissan has replaced that one one time and it’s bubbled again. They refuse to replace the door window tint and said it was self inflicted. I have also tried to contact the tint department at the dealership numerous times and the dealership said they would have them call me back several times throughout the last four years and they have yet to do it. if you cannot help me, can you direct me to where I can get the help I need for my windows also the three pictures that I have sent in is from one of the windows with the window up the one with it down and the back window.

20250528ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

On 3/21/25 I was informed by Malik's Auto Repair that I need my transmission replaced after a diagnostic of my car making a vacuum noise. After researching, I found that many Nissan vehicles have been experiencing this problem. I contacted Nissan and they informed me that no recall has been made for my make and model. It is a safety issue because at any time the car could stop causing an accident or fatality. Also, I had to have my starter replaced on this car. My car would not start. I was out with my daughter and if it was not for me having AAA we would have been stranded. Nissan stated that this issue was fixed on my car prior to me purchasing it. There is no record of this issue being fixed on Carfax and I paid almost $600 to replace it. Nissan have not assisted me with anything. Now I have to try to come up with the funds for a transmission.

20250528UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On 3/21/25 I was informed by Malik's Auto Repair that I need my transmission replaced after a diagnostic of my car making a vacuum noise. After researching, I found that many Nissan vehicles have been experiencing this problem. I contacted Nissan and they informed me that no recall has been made for my make and model. It is a safety issue because at any time the car could stop causing an accident or fatality. Also, I had to have my starter replaced on this car. My car would not start. I was out with my daughter and if it was not for me having AAA we would have been stranded. Nissan stated that this issue was fixed on my car prior to me purchasing it. There is no record of this issue being fixed on Carfax and I paid almost $600 to replace it. Nissan have not assisted me with anything. Now I have to try to come up with the funds for a transmission.

20250527UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car was purchased September 2024 for my grandson. This car was garaged until mid-March when my grandson received his driver's license. End of March 2025, car was in the dealership for service and a complimentary multipoint inspection was done. On May 14, 2025, my grandson was driving to school in the rain. All of a sudden, water starts gushing out of the glove compartment. The whole interior was flooded including the backseat. My grandson received his driver license in March, 2025 (a new driver). There were no warning signs before the water started gushing. Dealership said it was a clogged cowl. Nothing was said about maintenance on this cowl when the car was purchased. There is nothing in the manual about this cowl. Looking on the internet, this is a known defect of the Nissan Versa and nothing is being done about it. Thank God he did not get into an accident. After only putting 4000 miles on the car since purchased, the insurance company has totaled the car.

20241121STRUCTURE:BODY

Hood latch allowed hood to fly open at 30 mph, causing $3100 worth of damage to car, Potentially causing serious other vehicular/occupant injuries. Apparently the latch was inadvertently engaged, but the secondary latch did not hold and let the hood fly open. This incident happened 8/2023 but was not reported to Nissan and while estimate was obtained, repairs were not made.

20240821STEERING

Power steering goes out while driving often.

20240710UNKNOWN OR OTHER

These vehicles have a cowl drain located on the passenger side under the wiper blades. The drain is really small so it clogs easily. When there are heavy rains, my car floods. It has happened on several occasions, including Monday 7/8/2024. It happened while driving in June 2023. I am not sure why Nissan hasn’t done anything to mitigate this problem. I am not even sure of this is the appropriate place to contract but I figured I would try. Thanks.

20240707AIR BAGS

Driver side airbag system completely broken. No crashes or accidents caused this. It happened out of nowhere one day.

20231201POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was flushed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle after the vehicle had been serviced at an independent mechanic, ten months later, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking sound. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure might be related to the transmission. The vehicle was towed to a certified transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shards inside the transmission. T

Mileage: 77,645

20231112ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Passenger door lock/unlocked, not working. Buzz noise when operating key fob; actuator malfunction. Can't open door manually.

20230720STRUCTURE:BODY

When door assembly went out the door was stuck in the locked position the drivers door couldn’t be opened from inside or outside with or without the key. even if you manually opened the lock from the inside you couldn’t get out

20230607ENGINE

ENGINE BROKE DOWN AT 25000 MILES ONLY WITH ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ,

20230531ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car will only start sporadically. Had both camshaft sensors replaced, check engine light still on. Unable to predict when vehicle will start. Sometimes it will rev up but wont actually start. Dealership says it needs ECM and engine harness replaced. I have had to get it towed several times from several random parking lots or streets because it wouldn't start. Wont pass an emissions test even though sensors were replaced, check engine lights wont go off.

20230531ENGINE

Car will only start sporadically. Had both camshaft sensors replaced, check engine light still on. Unable to predict when vehicle will start. Sometimes it will rev up but wont actually start. Dealership says it needs ECM and engine harness replaced. I have had to get it towed several times from several random parking lots or streets because it wouldn't start. Wont pass an emissions test even though sensors were replaced, check engine lights wont go off.

20230531UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Car will only start sporadically. Had both camshaft sensors replaced, check engine light still on. Unable to predict when vehicle will start. Sometimes it will rev up but wont actually start. Dealership says it needs ECM and engine harness replaced. I have had to get it towed several times from several random parking lots or streets because it wouldn't start. Wont pass an emissions test even though sensors were replaced, check engine lights wont go off.

20221213POWER TRAIN

Transmission failed 2x within 6 months extended warranty was 5k miles past 130k max mileage coverage 2nd transmission went out going 20 mph and revved up to 25mph and transmission failed. 1st time it went out I was in Cleveland on a busy road making a turn and transmission went out. Cars were beeping behind me. Issue is unknown as to why transmission keeps going out but is a safety issue. 2nd transmission was used with only 30-40k miles on it.

20221004POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved fault code: P0705 indicating the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,799.

Mileage: 107,799

20221004ENGINE

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved fault code: P0705 indicating the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,799.

Mileage: 107,799

20220907POWER TRAIN

The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and vibrate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a relative who was an independent mechanic; he informed her daughter that the issue was related to the transmission and to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle; she was also provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

20220117ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My car stalled while at an intersection, i was driving and came to a red light where i stopped upon the light changing green i stepped on the gas pedal and my car would not move. I shifted into reverse and still no movement. I turned my car off and restarted it and no movement, the engine turned on etc i had to move it over to a side residential street to get it out of on coming traffic.

Compare 2017NISSANVERSA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2017 NISSAN VERSA have?
The 2017 NISSAN VERSA has 93 NHTSA complaints, 14 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
The 2017 NISSAN VERSA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
Yes, the 2017 NISSAN VERSA has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
The most-complained component for the 2017 NISSAN VERSA is AIR BAGS with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2017 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 2017 NISSAN VERSA has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/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.