CarBrief

NHTSA has 254 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Nissan Versa, and the largest group is about the power train[1][2]. It also has two recalls, including one for a console panel that can catch a driver's shoe near the pedals[3][4].

254owner complaints[1]
2recalls[4]
29–34MPG combined (EPA)[5]
4★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 254 owner complaints on file for this model year[1]. Of those, 26 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 29 injuries and 1 a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Here are the largest component groups:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Power train[2] 68 64,000
Unknown or other[7] 48 32,000
Engine[8] 37 45,000
Air bags[9] 35 40,999
Speed control[10] 31 47,555
Electrical system[11] 29 69,100
Brakes[12] 28 16,155
Steering[13] 28 44,750

We also read a small sample of complaint texts for four of these groups. The counts below show how many of the sampled texts mention each theme. They do not tell you how common a problem is among all owners.

Power train. In a sample of 12 power train complaints we read, 6 describe a transmission that slips, jerks or fails[2]. Some of those owners describe an expensive repair. In 4 of the 12, owners describe a delayed response when they press the accelerator[2]. In 2 of the 12, owners describe clutch trouble on a car with a manual gearbox[2].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 9 describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving[8]. In 4 of them, a shop could not find a cause or a fault code[8]. The engine group lists no crashes, fires or injuries[8].

Speed control. In a sample of 12 speed control complaints, 5 describe the car speeding up or moving when the driver did not expect it[10]. One of those describes a shoe catching on trim near the pedal, which fits the first recall below[10][3]. In 4 of the 12, owners describe hesitation or no response from the accelerator[10]. The group lists 2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury and 1 death[10].

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 6 say the air bags did not deploy in a crash, as the owner reports it[9]. In 4, owners describe the front passenger air bag indicator or seat sensor seeming to misread the passenger[9]. The group lists 16 crashes and 25 injuries[9].

Brakes. NHTSA lists 28 brake complaints with 7 crashes, 6 injuries and 1 death[12]. The median mileage at failure is 16,155, the lowest of the groups in the table above[12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for this model year. Newest first:

Both recalls name build date ranges. Ask a Nissan dealer whether a specific car is covered and whether the work was done.

Fuel economy

EPA lists three ratings for the 1.6L 4-cylinder, front-wheel drive, regular gas[5][15][16]. Which one applies depends on the transmission:

Transmission City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
Automatic (variable gear ratios)[5] 31 / 39 / 34 $1,950
Manual 5-spd[15] 27 / 36 / 30 $2,250
Automatic 4-spd[16] 26 / 35 / 29 $2,300

EPA bases the annual cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not on the price when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4 door sedan 4 stars overall, with 3 stars for frontal crash, 4 for side crash and 4 for rollover[6]. Its rollover risk is 14.7%[6].

The 5 door hatchback also gets 4 stars overall, with 3 stars for frontal crash, 5 for side crash and 4 for rollover[17]. Rollover risk is 14.7%[17].

Engine and size

The EPA test car list shows a 1.6L 4-cylinder engine rated 109 hp[18].

Size data in our sources covers the Versa Note hatchback only. These are Canadian-market specifications, so a US car can differ slightly[19].

Measure Versa Note hatchback
Length[19] 163 in
Width[19] 67 in
Height[19] 61 in
Wheelbase[19] 102 in
Curb weight[19] 2,416 lb

How 2015 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 recalls2015: 254 complaints, 2 recalls25420152016: 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 2015 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20073548
20083817
20095047
20102697
20112696
201248610
20132041
20143434
20152542
20161100
2017723
2018603
2019251
2020642
2021323
2022200
2023371
2024961
2025120

The 2015 model year has 254 complaints and 2 recalls on file[4]. Seven model years have more complaints: 2009 with 504, 2012 with 486, 2008 with 381, 2007 with 354, 2014 with 343, and 2010 and 2011 with 269 each[4].

Eleven years have fewer: 2013 with 204 complaints and 1 recall, 2016 with 110 and 0 recalls, and every year from 2017 to 2025 (between 12 and 96 complaints)[4]. The year before, 2014, had 343 complaints and 4 recalls[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2015 Versa?

The 2015 Versa has more complaints than 11 other model years and fewer than 7[4]. It has 254 complaints, fewer than seven other model years but still a real file[1][4]. Power train is the biggest complaint group, so a test drive that checks acceleration and shifting, plus service records, is a sensible step[2]. Make sure the pedal trim recall work was done, because the recall describes a longer stopping distance if a shoe catches[3]. On the plus side, EPA ratings go up to 34 MPG combined[5]. Our complaint reading is a small sample of unverified reports, so it cannot tell you how likely any one problem is.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Nissan Versa?
By complaint count, the power train group is the largest with 68 of 254 complaints[1][2]. In a small sample of those texts, owners describe transmission slipping or failure and a delayed response to the accelerator[2].
Does the 2015 Nissan Versa have recalls?
NHTSA lists two. Recall 15V507 is about a console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe, and 15V453 is about door latches on certain cars built in June 2015. Dealers fix both free of charge[3][14].
What is the gas mileage of the 2015 Nissan Versa?
EPA rates it at 31 city, 39 highway and 34 combined MPG[5] with the automatic that has variable gear ratios. The manual 5-spd is rated 30 combined and the automatic 4-spd 29 combined[5][15][16].
How safe is the 2015 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA gives the 4 door and the 5 door hatchback 4 stars overall, and 3 stars for frontal crash in both[6][17].
Is 2015 a good year for the Nissan Versa?
It has 254 complaints and 2 recalls[1][4]. Seven model years have more complaints and eleven have fewer[4].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 254 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Nissan Versa (26 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 29 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 68 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 15V507, filed August 12, 2015: Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Versa model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 31 city / 39 highway / 34 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 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
  7. 48 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 32,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 37 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 35 complaints name the air bags component group (16 crashes, 0 fires, 25 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,999). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 31 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,555). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 29 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 28 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 1 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 16,155). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 28 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,750). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. Recall 15V453, filed July 21, 2015: Latches / Locks / Linkages. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 36 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 35 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. 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
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2015 Nissan Versa with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 109 hp. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VERSA NOTE 4DR HATCHBACK S/SV/SR/SL: length 163 in, width 67 in, height 61 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 2,416 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.