2011 Nissan Versa recalls and problems

The 2011 Nissan Versa has 6 safety recalls and 270 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
270
Crashes / fires
19 / 6
Injuries / deaths
23 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2011 Nissan Versa vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2011 Nissan Versa recalls

Recall 20V-008: Air Bags

Reported Jan 9, 2020 · 307,962 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.

Recall 18V-401: Air Bags

Reported Jun 15, 2018 · 104,762 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2011-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Recall 18V-044: Air Bags

Reported Jan 10, 2018 · 52,614 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Versa Hatchback, and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Nissan is also recalling certain 2009 Versa Hatchback and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall 17V-449: Air Bags

Reported Jul 17, 2017 · 515,394 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the subject inflator with a new one manufactured by a different supplier, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall 16V-349: Air Bags

Reported May 24, 2016 · 413,852 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall 15V-573: Suspension

Reported Sep 14, 2015 · 218,019 vehicles affected · Nissan North America, Inc.

Problem: Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

Risk: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began on February 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

2011 Nissan Versa problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Air Bags153
Suspension46
Steering21
Unknown or Other21
Electrical System19
Engine11
Power Train8
Structure8
Seat Belts7
Exterior Lighting6
Tires5
Seats5

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 6
  • Electrical System › Horn — 2
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 1
  • Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System — 1
  • Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems — 1
  • Suspension › Front — 1
  • Structure › Body › Hood — 1
  • Steering › Rack and Pinion — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 64,800 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2011 Nissan Versa complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Exterior Lighting · at 149,667 miles · reported Nov 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at 10 MPH, the cruise control message illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag warning light subsequently illuminated, and the horn failed to function properly. The contact stated that the interior lighting and exterior lighting experienced electrical malfunctions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the failures were associated with a prior recall remedy. The contact stated that the failures occurred after the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V349000 (Air…
Air Bags · reported Aug 20, 2026
I am submitting a vehicle safety complaint regarding my 2011 Nissan Versa SL. VIN: [XXX] Incident Date: XXX Time: Approximately 7:30 a.m. While driving to work and making a right turn from [XXX] onto [XXX], the driver-side airbag suddenly deployed without a collision or impact. Prior to the deployment, the vehicle experienced abnormal electrical symptoms involving the steering wheel. The horn had previously stopped working and later began sounding continuously. After the airbag deployed, I noticed a burning odor, and approximately 20 minutes later, the inside of the steering-wheel/airbag area…
Air Bags · at 172,000 miles · reported Sep 8, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH in a parking lot, the front driver's side air bag unexpectedly deployed without an impact to the vehicle. In addition, the air bag exploded. The contact was unsure if any warning light was illuminated. The contact sustained minor injuries to the right eye and the neck, and an allergic reaction on the face from the powder released from the air bag. The police and the paramedics were called. Afterwards, the contact went to an Urgent Care clinic. The contact's husband drove the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle…
Air Bags · reported Aug 28, 2025
I was working for Uber Eats in New Smyrna Beach, FL. The car was front parked and I reversed the car to pull out from the parking lot. I drove at 5 MPH on the parking lot ready to drive to the main road. The main road was two stop signs away. I was halfway to the first stop sign the airbag deployed all of a sudden. There was no car in front of me or behind me. But the airbag impact blew my right arm from the wrist. My right arm was numb and upper right shoulder was bruised.
Latches/Locks/Linkages · at 58,000 miles · reported Jul 31, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side door failed to unlock and unlatch as intended. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the door lock actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was diagnosed at the owner's expense. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

Other Nissan Versa years

Compare all Nissan Versa years · All Nissan models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Nissan Versa have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2011 Nissan Versa: 20V-008 (air bags), 18V-401 (air bags), 18V-044 (air bags), 17V-449 (air bags), 16V-349 (air bags) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2011 Nissan Versa?

Owners report air bags problems most often (153 reports), followed by suspension (46). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 64,800 miles.

Are Nissan recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Nissan dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.