What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Versa?

Owners name the suspension group most often, followed by air bags and the engine.

Does the 2009 Nissan Versa have recalls?

Yes. The recalls section on this page lists them, and the by-year count is in.

Is the 2009 Nissan Versa reliable?

The record shows complaints across several groups. Suspension and air bags lead. Weigh that against the car's condition and service history.

What is the gas mileage of the 2009 Nissan Versa?

See the fuel economy section on this page.

Is 2009 the best year for the Nissan Versa?

See the by-year comparison on this page to weigh it against other years.

2009 Nissan Versa Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 504 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Nissan Versa^[1]. Suspension and air bags make up the biggest groups^[2]^[3].

504owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[4]

27–30MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners raise most, biggest first.

Suspension. 182 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe the car wandering at highway speed, clunks and pops when turning, and coil springs that snapped.
Air Bags. 180 complaints^[3]. Owners describe air bags that stayed shut or only partly opened after a collision, often a hit from behind, and some report injuries afterward.
Engine. 41 complaints^[6]. Owners describe slow or repeated starting, and an engine that hesitates or cuts out while driving. Some say the dealer swapped parts without finding the cause.
Steering. 28 complaints^[7]. Owners describe thumping or clicking from the steering column, a car that drifts and does not answer the wheel, and a broken tie rod.
Wheels. 26 complaints^[8].
Power Train. 20 complaints^[9].
Structure. 18 complaints^[10].
Tires. 18 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2009 Versa is necessarily included.

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (20V008), January 2020. About 307,962 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[12]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (18V044), January 2018. About 52,614 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: explosion, injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (17V449), July 2017. About 515,394 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (17V028), January 2017. About 152,554 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V349), May 2016. About 413,852 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, death. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs (15V573), September 2015. About 218,019 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) (10V401), September 2010. About 7,948 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[18]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Versa, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	26 / 31 / 28	$2,400
Versa, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[20]	27 / 33 / 29	$2,300
Versa, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[21]	24 / 32 / 27	$2,500
Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[22]	26 / 33 / 28	$2,400
Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[23]	26 / 34 / 29	$2,300
Versa FE, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[5]	28 / 34 / 30	$2,250

Safety ratings

NHTSA lists these versions as not rated: 4 DR FWD^[24].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
VERSA 4DR HATCH FWD 1.8S/1.8SL^[25]	169 in	67 in	61 in	102 in	2,723 lb
VERSA 4DR SEDAN FWD 1.8S/1.8SL^[26]	176 in	67 in	61 in	102 in	2,723 lb

How 2009 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Versa model year. The 2009 is highlighted^[4].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2007	354	8
2008	381	7
2009	504	7
2010	269	7
2011	269	6
2012	486	10
2013	204	1
2014	343	4
2015	254	2
2016	110	0
2017	72	3
2018	60	3
2019	25	1
2020	64	2
2021	32	3
2022	20	0
2023	37	1
2024	96	1
2025	12	0

NHTSA's counts for the Versa show 504 complaints and 7 recalls for 2009^[4]. Among the 19 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 2009 and 0 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2025 (12) and the most are for 2009 (504)^[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2009 Versa?

The record for this model year is a mix of everyday wear and a few serious reports. Suspension complaints lead the list^[2], and air bag complaints are close behind^[3]. Engine starting trouble shows up less often but is worth a test drive^[6]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales^[1]. Check the recalls section and have a mechanic look at the suspension before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Nissan Versa?: Owners name the suspension group most often^[2], followed by air bags^[3] and the engine^[6].
Does the 2009 Nissan Versa have recalls?: Yes. The recalls section on this page lists them, and the by-year count is in^[4].
Is the 2009 Nissan Versa reliable?: The record shows complaints across several groups^[1]. Suspension and air bags lead^[2]^[3]. Weigh that against the car's condition and service history.
What is the gas mileage of the 2009 Nissan Versa?: See the fuel economy section on this page.
Is 2009 the best year for the Nissan Versa?: See the by-year comparison on this page to weigh it against other years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Versa

2009 this page
2011 269 complaints, 6 recalls
2012 486 complaints, 10 recalls
2014 343 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 254 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 110 complaints, 0 recalls
2017 72 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 60 complaints, 3 recalls
2019 25 complaints, 1 recall
2020 64 complaints, 2 recalls
2021 32 complaints, 3 recalls
2025 12 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Nissan Versa

Other Nissan models from 2009

2009 Nissan Murano 635 complaints, 4 recalls
2009 Nissan Titan 47 complaints, 3 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2009: midsize cars

2009 Acura TL 42 complaints, 3 recalls
2009 Cadillac CTS 167 complaints, 5 recalls
2009 Chevrolet Malibu 1,534 complaints, 5 recalls
2009 Mazda 6 386 complaints, 9 recalls
2009 Mitsubishi Galant 16 complaints, 0 recalls
2009 Volvo S80 16 complaints, 5 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 504 owner complaints on file for the 2009 Nissan Versa (27 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
182 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
180 complaints name the air bags component group (19 crashes, 2 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Versa model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Versa FE, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 34 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
41 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,700). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 57,628). NHTSA vehicle records
26 complaints name the wheels component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,659). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
18 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 20,561). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 20V008, filed January 9, 2020: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V044, filed January 10, 2018: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V449, filed July 17, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V028, filed January 10, 2017: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V349, filed May 24, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 15V573, filed September 14, 2015: Suspension › Front › Springs › Coil Springs. NHTSA recall database
Recall 10V401, filed September 10, 2010: Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Versa, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 31 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Versa, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Versa, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 32 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 33 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VERSA 4DR HATCH FWD 1.8S/1.8SL: length 169 in, width 67 in, height 61 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,723 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VERSA 4DR SEDAN FWD 1.8S/1.8SL: length 176 in, width 67 in, height 61 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,723 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2009 Nissan Versa: problems, recalls and fuel economy