NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Nissan Versa[1]. The model year also has 3 recalls[2].
Most reported problems
Owners filed complaints across several parts of the car, and these are the groups they named.
- Power Train. 9 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners describe sluggish pulls from a stop, whining and jerky driving, shuddering, and one case of losing forward drive in traffic.
- Electrical System. 8 complaints[6]. Owners describe a fuel gauge that reads wrong, a radio that cuts out, warning lights that come on, and stalling that a dealer could not reproduce.
- Air Bags. 5 complaints[7]. Owners describe crashes where they felt the safety equipment did not do its job, plus a worry about dealer tint that made night driving hard to judge.
- Engine. 5 complaints[8]. Owners describe coolant that slowly drops and a car that stops accelerating for a while and then stalls.
- Unknown or other. 5 complaints[9]. These did not fit a clear group.
- Steering. 4 complaints[10]. We did not read these closely, so we leave the details out.
- Visibility and wipers. 3 complaints[11]. We did not read these closely either.
- Exterior lighting. 3 complaints[12]. The details are not covered here.
These are unverified reports sent by owners. One complaint can name more than one part.
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2021 Versa is necessarily included.
- Steering › Electric Power Assist System (23V496), July 2023. About 11,824 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Steering › Electric Power Assist System (22V693), September 2022. About 20,040 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, steering problems, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
- Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Bulbs (21V471), June 2021. About 30,799 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.[15]
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.
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD[4] | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 11.8% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Versa with 1.6L 4-cylinder[17] | 122 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
| Version | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VERSA 4DR SEDAN[18] | 177 in | 69 in | 57 in | 103 in | 2,632 lb |
How 2021 compares with other years
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 32 complaints and 3 recalls for 2021[2]. Among the 19 model years listed, 3 have fewer complaints than 2021 and 15 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2025 (12) and the most are for 2009 (504)[2]. 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 2021 Versa?
The 2021 Versa has 32 complaints on file[1]. The power train and electrical groups lead the list[5][6]. Some complaints mention crashes, so it is worth taking any warning light or drivability change seriously[1]. There are also 3 recalls for this model year[2]. Check the recall section on this page and compare the year against its neighbors in the by-year section before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common 2021 Nissan Versa problems?
- The largest group in the complaints is the power train[5], followed by the electrical system[6]. See the problems section for what owners describe.
- Does the 2021 Nissan Versa have recalls?
- Yes. The model year has 3 recalls[2]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
- How many complaints does the 2021 Nissan Versa have?
- NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file[1]. These are unverified owner reports.
- Is the 2021 Nissan Versa reliable?
- The complaint record is mixed and limited to owner reports[1]. Read the problems and recalls sections, then compare with other years in the by-year section.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Nissan Versa?
- See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Nissan Versa
Compare all model years of the Nissan Versa
Other Nissan models from 2021
Similar cars from 2021: compact cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 32 owner complaints on file for the 2021 Nissan Versa (5 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Versa model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Versa, 1.6L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 32 city / 40 highway / 35 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 9 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 8 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the air bags component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 5 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 4 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 3 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 23V496, filed July 18, 2023: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 22V693, filed September 15, 2022: Steering › Electric Power Assist System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 21V471, filed June 23, 2021: Exterior Lighting › Turn Signal › Bulbs. NHTSA recall database
- 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
- EPA Test Car List, 2021 Nissan Versa with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 122 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VERSA 4DR SEDAN: length 177 in, width 69 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 103 in, curb weight 2,632 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov