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Compact cars are meant to be economical, but still reliable. When doing research, a lot of customers choose the 2019 Nissan Versa because it was named a BEST 5 award winner in the small car segment by Automotive Science. However, this car is nothing but a disappointment with poor steering, defective service brakes, a malfunctioning powertrain and non-functional back over prevention.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018 2020 2021
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2019 Nissan Versa
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power Train | |
| Electrical System | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Steering | |
| Electronic Stability Control | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Air Bags:frontal |
Problems with the Steering
It shouldn’t be difficult to keep such a small car on the road, but owners are struggling.
Here is one Cars.com review to consider. “This vehicle seemed ok during test drive but quickly realized that the steering is too loose at times and that the alignment of the front tires is a constant issue. 20,000 miles the brakes have ate through the rotors and the warranty was almost out on the car. The dealership in Franklin, TN tried to swindle my fiancé telling her there was no warranty on the vehicle when there was and I had to call the dealership in Shelbyville to verify.”
Additionally, the company acknowledges that there might be a clicking noise that comes from either axle during acceleration. With the alignment concerns combined with the clicking, it might feel like the wheels are going to fall off while driving. It’s like something out of a child’s cartoon, but not at all humorous.
Problems with the Brakes
While the car is out of control, it would be helpful to know that stopping is easy. However, that’s not the case either.
One other Cars.com review states, “This car has made me feel so unsafe in it I’ll touch the breaks and it’s like I slammed on them sometimes I have no clue but it doesn’t help that I was in an accident now the tires shake like crazy and I am praying this car can handle it I might just give it back and explain to them that the insurance money isn’t enough to fix the car but seriously this is a throw away car get your credit n move on to something better.”
With this situation, there are no communications from Nissan. Instead, the automaker is taking the silent approach, hoping no one notices how the vehicle jerks during braking. Of course, if the wheels fall off while driving, the brakes aren’t going to be useful anyway.
Problems with the Transmission
On the lower-cost compact cars, automakers often skimp on the transmission to save money. However, these transmissions are still supposed to be reliable, which isn’t the case with the Versa.
Read this NHTSA review. “Steering clutch transmission. Letter regarding the malfunction of gear shifts, transmission, clutch damaged by 5 speed manual Nissan transmission and stopped my ability shift gears from 5. No gears worked I was traveling on Arizona HWY 60 with cars going 75 miles an hour. I was headed west to Phoenix for 17 HWY and I was between exits 152 and 153. That is where Highway Patrol when they arrive could stop traffic and use their vehicle to push mine to the side of the road. I have been driving in the middle lane and cars or trucks could have killed me even though I had my flashers on until Highway Patrol arrived. I have reports. The sudden malfunction of the major components on a new vehicle purchased on February 27th from [dealer] in Tucson, Arizona. The car was manufactured in Mexico at one of Nissan’s plants.”
This is one area that the company is acknowledging, although not to the level of complete failure. Instead, Nissan issued Service Bulletin #NTB19-068a, which says that the car may experience a lack of power and hesitation. Apparently, the company feels like this might be acceptable since it is a budget-friendly model. Owners might do better taking public transportation than getting behind the wheel of this death trap.
Problems with the Back Up Camera
All vehicles are supposed to come with a back-up system that prevents accidents, but this system is downright defective.
Here’s another NHTSA complaint. “The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number 19V64500 (Back Over Prevention) at [dealer]. However, while in reverse, the image on the screen was difficult to see. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,750.”
The NHTSA recall being referenced in that review affects over a million Nissan vehicles. It turns out that owners lose the ability to see the image in the backup camera. However, as this customer and others suggest, the problem is not getting repaired. Instead, they are left to go backward blindly. Love is blind after all. Quite honestly, one has to be blind to enjoy the Versa, with all of its defects.
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Nissan pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Electrical System, Power Train, Service Brakes |
| Date | Jan 18, 2023 |
| State | CT |
| Description | 2019 nissan versa sedan has a transmission issue where you stop and immediately or within up to 3 seconds, there is a clunk. The engine is jumps forward, causing the engine to rock. In a range of years, up to 2017, there is a recall on the transmission. For 2018, which is just for that year, is a recall for that transmission. How can I find out if 2019 recall is in a preliminary stage at nissan and will be released later this year? I feel it's a safety issue because the transmission can stop working while I'm on the highway which could cause an accident at high speeds. The mechanic at dealership said that they do not get any codes when there is an issue within cvt type transmission. He stated basically there are no way to open transmission, to exchange parts, due to, no codes for inside of transmission. He stated nissan altima transmission was fixed for the year 2019. Then the made the fixes for 2019 versa. Seeing the pattern with 201? To 2017, & 2018 recall on transmission |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Nov 13, 2022 |
| State | MS |
| Description | Transmission failure |
| Category | Electrical System, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Sep 23, 2022 |
| State | MO |
| Description | Car is not wanting to accelerate, continues to shift hard, stalls on flat ground electrical outlets on car seem to have a short, will work one minute, next they do not passenger window is slowing when rolling up |
| Category | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
| Date | Oct 04, 2021 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | The contact owns a 2019 nissan versa. The contact stated while his wife was making a stop at the stop light, the brake pedal was depressed and went all the way to the floorboard. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring at the stop light whenever the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that no issues were found. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000. |
| Category | Electrical System, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jan 29, 2021 |
| State | MD |
| Description | I purchased a 2019 nissan versa june of 2020 with only 9,000 miles on it from a licensed dealer. August of 2020, while driving at a speed between gear 4/5, all of my electric was lost(touch screen display, interior/dash lights) about 2 seconds later all lights returned. This occurred again in october of 2020. Same conditions. There were no other issues with the vehicle, no check engine lights, nothing. Then again in december of 2020, same issue. Since december, I noticed my vehicle hesitating more and more to turn the engine on when starting. First week of january 2021, my vehicle did not start. I waited a moment and tried again, it started. I took the vehicle into a nissan dealer who inspected the vehicle. They scanned my obd for codes - none to be found. Said the odb system was "monitoring" one of the systems' (bcm) but didn't have any codes stored. After requesting them to re-flash my bcm, they then responded that it was my tire pressure sensor that was being monitored. I have had a failed bcm before so the symptoms with the car are very consistent with a failing bcm. I paid 0 total for them to tell me the car is perfect. Obviously not because vehicles just don't loose power while driving at highway speeds. I have a 5 year old child who goes everywhere with me. If it is in fact the bcm and I get into an accident because it failed while driving high speeds - neither of us are likely to walk away uninjured. There are no after-market parts on the vehicle. No modifications. The vehicle gets detailed/cleaned/maintained regularly as needed to keep extended warranty valid. Doesn't make sense. I have a 360 dash cam arriving this weekend so the next time it "surges" power - I have proof. |
| Category | Electrical System, Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Service Brakes |
| Date | Jan 28, 2021 |
| State | CO |
| Description | On several occasions while driving on minor icy or snowy roads (not extremely slick) when I depress the brakes the car does not stop or slow. I hear a rattlling noise in the front of the car that I am told is the vehicle dynamic control system engaging. I press down on the brake and the rattlling continues but the car does not slow or stop. I have narrowly missed having two serious accidents when I had to pull of the road or into another lane to avoid hitting the car in front of me. I was not following closely, the car failed to brake on each instance for 80-150 feet. The flashing icon comes on showing the vdc is in use. During the last most serious instance the icon showing that the system had turned itself off came on. I know you are not supposed to pump the brakes with the system, and I did not until the last moment when I had to turn sharply to avoid a collision. Pumped, turned and brakes finally held. In each case I was travelling at 25-30 mph on level two lane highway in snowy, icy, but not severly so,conditions. I have been driving in colorado for 40 years and have never had an accident, or difficulty controlling my car in ice or snow. On two other occasions under similar circumstances the brakes held but the car pulled sharply to the right or left. I am scheduled to see dealer tomorrow. |
| Category | Fuel/propulsion System, Power Train, Steering |
| Date | Dec 20, 2020 |
| State | OH |
| Description | I bought a used 2019 nissan versa with 34, 213 miles from enterprise car sales on 07/08/2020 and at 45,000 miles on 12/20/2020 on my way back from myrtle beach car does not want to accelerate and or change gears when pressing down on the gas pedal. Out of town mechanic looked at the car and advised it has issues with cvt. Car has a loud noise when shifting from park into drive and or reverse and at times does not want to move. Car only moved after turning it on and off. Car struggles to take off at lights and has weird loud noise coming from the transmission, car also jerks really bad when taking off at a red too green light. Also the battery is 1 year old and is defective and gas reading gauge reads wrong when car is filled up with gas. Traction control light comes on and off for no reason in dry roads. When entering a highway car struggles to gain speed and jerks when shifting gears. Dealer notified since car has 45,168 miles and is still under the nissan 46,213 warranty. Car is park and at times does not want to move. Waiting on a dealer appt. |
| Category | Electronic Stability Control, Power Train |
| Date | Oct 19, 2020 |
| State | CA |
| Description | I was driving highway 101 camarillo to home. Its uphill I tried to press the gas but my speed gauge stock on 50mph no matter I tried. Then suddenly the abs light and the car with zigzag appeared on my dash board. I bought my car used... The car have 38k+ mileage. I've researched online if the nissan versa having problem going uphill. I went to my mechanic they said mybe there a transmission problem go to the nissan dealership because my mileage is under 60k mybe im still on manufacture warranty... But I didn't bought the car on nissan dealer. I bought it on drivetime. |
| Category | Air Bags:frontal, Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module, Tires |
| Date | Sep 23, 2020 |
| State | GA |
| Description | I had an accident in the car. Because of tires and airbag not deploying. I was not injured but the car is a total loss. And the accident is being blamed on me. Could someone contact me about this matter. *dt*jb |
| Category | Back Over Prevention, Fuel System, Gasoline |
| Date | May 19, 2020 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2019 nissan versa. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, the automatic shutoff valve caused the pump to shutoff however, the fuel tank was not full. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 19v645000 (back over prevention) at riverside nissan (8330 indiana ave b, riverside, ca 92504, (951) 509-6500,) however, while in reverse, the image on the screen was difficult to see. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,750. |
| Category | Power Train, Steering, Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Nov 12, 2019 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | Steering clutch transmission. Letter regarding the malfunctioning of gear shifts, transmission, clutch damaged by 5 speed manual nissan transmission and stopped my ability to shift gears from 5. No gears worked I was traveling on arizona hwy 60 with cars going 75 miles an hour. I was headed west to phoenix for 17 hwy and I was between exits 152 and 153 that is where highway patrol when they arrived could stop traffic and use their vehicle to push mine to the side of the road. I had been driving in the middle lane and cars or trucks could have killed me even though I had my flashers on until highway patrol arrived. I have reports. The sudden malfunction of the major components on a new vehicle purchased on february 27th from jim click nissan in tucson arizona. The car was manufacturered in mexico at one of nissan's plants (aqua). |
| Category | Electronic Stability Control |
| Date | Oct 16, 2019 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Tl* the contact rented a 2019 nissan versa. While driving 35 mph over a bump in the road, the contact lost control of the vehicle, drove into the woods, and crashed into a tree. The driver's and front passenger air bags deployed. The contact sustained injuries to the hips and other areas, which did not require medical attention. Police report number: 9150 was filed. The vehicle was towed. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was not available. |
| Category | Air Bags, Power Train |
| Date | Sep 30, 2019 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2019 nissan versa. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. When the vehicle was placed in reverse, a loud thumping noise was heard underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 5,472. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
See more posts from Brian Jones
My car keeps acting like it don’t want go forward, it keeps stopping I had service department at the place where I brought car from. They told me it’s transmission problems so they sent me to another dealership so they can fix it but they told me I need a transmission. I can’t make payments and buy another transmission too
My 2019 Versa zooms out of control while I am driving very slowly (pulling into a parking space, backing out of a driveway. It has done this twice. Fortunately the brakes worked. It’s really frightening though