CarBrief

The 2014 Nissan Versa has 343 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, and power train is the biggest group[1][2]. It also has four recalls[3][4][5][6].

343owner complaints[1]
4recalls[7]
30–35MPG combined (EPA)[8]
4★NHTSA overall rating[9]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 343 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 37 mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 22 mention injuries, and 1 death is reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Power train[2] 137
Engine[10] 63
Unknown or other[11] 55
Brakes[12] 50
Air bags[13] 43
Speed control[14] 42
Electrical system[15] 28
Structure[16] 20

Power train. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 3 describe surging forward after a stop, 4 describe hesitating or losing acceleration, and 3 describe rough shifting or clunks[2]. The median mileage at failure for this group is 75,957[2].

Engine. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, 5 describe stalling or a loss of power while driving, and 2 describe slow warm-up and weak cabin heat[10]. The median mileage at failure is 31,000[10].

Brakes. This group has 18 crashes among its 50 complaints[12]. In a sample of 12 we read, 3 describe the car lurching or drifting forward at a stop when the A/C turns on, and 2 describe a foot catching near the accelerator when moving to the brake[12]. The median mileage at failure is 14,952[12]. The recall for the console trim panel is covered below.

Air bags. There are 43 complaints, with 22 crashes and 16 injuries[13]. In a sample of 12 we read, 10 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash, and 2 say the front passenger air bag showed as off with an adult in the seat[13]. Optional: 'These are owner statements, and the facts do not say why the air bags did not deploy.'

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year. Each one lists a free dealer fix.

Ask the seller to show proof that the recall work was done, since each recall covers only certain build dates.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of the 1.6L 4-cylinder, all front-wheel drive and all on regular fuel[8][17][18].

Transmission City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Automatic (variable gear ratios)[8] 31 / 39 / 35 $1,900
Manual 5-spd[17] 27 / 35 / 30 $2,250
Automatic 4-spd[18] 26 / 35 / 30 $2,250

EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door sedan 4 stars overall, 3 stars in the frontal test, 4 stars for side and 4 stars for rollover[9]. Its rollover risk is 14.7%[9].

The hatchback also gets 4 stars overall, 3 stars frontal and 4 stars for rollover, with 5 stars for side[19]. Its rollover risk is 14.7%[19].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list rates the 1.6L 4-cylinder at 109 hp[20]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications.

Sedan Hatchback (Versa Note)
Length[21][22] 176 in 163 in
Width[21][22] 67 in 67 in
Height[21][22] 59 in 61 in
Wheelbase[21][22] 102 in 102 in
Curb weight[21][22] 2,496 lb 2,485 lb

How 2014 compares with other years

2007: 354 complaints, 8 recalls20072008: 381 complaints, 7 recalls2009: 504 complaints, 7 recalls20092010: 269 complaints, 7 recalls2011: 269 complaints, 6 recalls20112012: 486 complaints, 10 recalls2013: 204 complaints, 1 recalls20132014: 343 complaints, 4 recalls34320142015: 254 complaints, 2 recalls20152016: 110 complaints, 0 recalls2017: 72 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 60 complaints, 3 recalls2019: 25 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 64 complaints, 2 recalls2021: 32 complaints, 3 recalls20212022: 20 complaints, 0 recalls2023: 37 complaints, 1 recalls20232024: 96 complaints, 1 recalls2025: 12 complaints, 0 recalls2025
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Versa model year. The 2014 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20073548
20083817
20095047
20102697
20112696
201248610
20132041
20143434
20152542
20161100
2017723
2018603
2019251
2020642
2021323
2022200
2023371
2024961
2025120

NHTSA data for the Versa covers model years 2007 to 2025[7]. With 343 complaints, 2014 has the fifth highest count[7]. Four years are higher: 2009 (504), 2012 (486), 2008 (381) and 2007 (354)[7]. The other 14 years are lower[7]. The nearest lower years are 2010 and 2011 with 269 each[7].

For recalls, 2014 has 4[7]. Six years have more: 2012 (10), 2007 (8), 2008 (7), 2009 (7), 2010 (7) and 2011 (6)[7]. 2013 has 1 recall and 2015 has 2[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2014 Versa?

The numbers do not point to one clear flaw, but they do show areas to check. Power train leads the complaints with 137, and the complaint texts we read mention surging forward at a stop, hesitation and rough shifting[2]. EPA rates the best version at 35 combined MPG[8]. NHTSA gives 4 stars overall, with 3 stars in the frontal test[9][19]. Before buying, confirm the recall work was done on that exact car[3][4][5][6], then test drive it with the A/C on and pay attention to how it moves from a stop and shifts.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2014 Nissan Versa?
Power train has the most complaints on file with NHTSA at 137 out of 343, followed by engine at 63 and brakes at 50[1][2][10][12].
Does the 2014 Nissan Versa have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists four recalls: 15V507, 15V418, 13V326 and 13V324[3][4][5][6]. Each lists a free dealer remedy.
How many miles per gallon does the 2014 Nissan Versa get?
EPA rates the automatic (variable gear ratios) at 35 combined MPG, and the manual 5-spd and automatic 4-spd at 30 combined[8][17][18].
How safe is the 2014 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA gives both the sedan and the hatchback 4 stars overall and 3 stars in the frontal test[9][19].
Is 2014 a bad year for the Nissan Versa?
It has the fifth highest complaint count of 19 model years at 343, and 4 recalls[7]. Those counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 343 owner complaints on file for the 2014 Nissan Versa (37 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 22 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 137 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,957). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 15V507, filed August 12, 2015: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 15V418, filed July 1, 2015: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 13V326, filed July 24, 2013: Seats › Mid / Rear Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 13V324, filed July 24, 2013: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Versa model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 39 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 4 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 63 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 55 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,259). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 50 complaints name the brakes component group (18 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 14,952). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 43 complaints name the air bags component group (22 crashes, 0 fires, 16 injuries, median mileage at failure 31,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 42 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,195). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 28 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 20 complaints name the structure component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,353). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. EPA rating for Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 14.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. EPA Test Car List, 2014 Nissan Versa with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 109 hp. www.epa.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VERSA 4DR SEDAN S/SV/SL: length 176 in, width 67 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,496 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VERSA NOTE 4DR HATCHBACK S/SV/SL: length 163 in, width 67 in, height 61 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,485 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.