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Drivers looking for a budget-friendly subcompact car can’t do better than the Nissan Versa. The Versa rose in popularity due to its distinction as the most affordable car, beating its competitors like the Honda Fit and Hyundai Accent. Even for its 2020 model, the Versa can be yours for the starting price of $14,730.
But does this budget-friendly price tag come at a cost? Is it safe to buy a used Versa and depend on its reliability? Some Versa model years are more problematic than others, like all vehicle lineups.
Today, we have rounded up some of the worst Nissan Versa years to avoid, along with the model years you can buy without worry.
Which Nissan Versa Years to Avoid?
Below are the Nissan Versa years to avoid due to overall reliability ratings. Avoid these model years if you can:
- 2007 Nissan Versa
- 2008 Nissan Versa
- 2009 Nissan Versa
- 2012 Nissan Versa
- 2014 Nissan Versa
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2007 Nissan Versa
As the debut model year, the 2007 Versa had a rough start. According to our friends atCar Complaints, this Versa has 549 NHTSA complaints and eight recalls under its belt.
The biggest concern with the 2007 Versa is engine failure. According to frustrated Versa owners, the engine started making loud clanking noises. Eventually, the owners had their Versa engines die on them, and it happened at low mileage of 50k+ miles. The engine problem is severe and may cost owners up to $4,250 in repairs.
Furthermore, the 2007 Versa also used the infamous Takata airbags, which have been the subject of numerous recalls. These airbags are potentially deadly, so we highly recommend checking with the dealer if the airbags have been recalled before buying.
2008 Nissan Versa
The following year wasn’t much better for the Nissan Versa. The2008 Nissan Versahas racked up 538 NHTSA complaints and seven recalls, making it one of the worst Nissan Versa years to avoid.
At the top of the list of complaints, the 2008 Versa has a complex transmission system. Affected Versa owners claimed they noticed the car’s noise and leaking transmission fluid. In addition, drivers noticed that shifting became difficult, and there were plenty of hesitations. A typical repair cost for this issue is $3,700.
Another prominent issue with this car is the rusting exhaust flange. Many reports claimed that their car’s exhaust flange had premature rusting. As a result, you may hear more engine noise or lead to gasket leakage. The potential fix is to replace the exhaust assembly with a typical repair cost of $280.
2009 Nissan Versa
The Versa can’t catch a break! As per Car Complaints, the 2009 Nissan Versa has a whopping751 NHTSA complaints and seven recalls.
The bulk of the complaints is about the Versa’s coil spring prone to breakage. According to the reports, the driver-side rear coil spring broke out of nowhere. Most reports claimed that the vehicle was in motion when the coil spring broke. In some cases, the broken coil spring punctured a tire and had to be replaced. A coil spring replacement is needed for a fix.
Another major problem that affects this model year is fuel pump failure. If the fuel pump fails, you cannot get any gas at all. Symptoms of a bad fuel pump include stalling out or the car won’t start at all. The engine may throw a P0087 trouble code for diagnosing this issue.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE NISSAN VERSA
Buying one second-hand can be perilous because cheaper cars don’t have the best reputation. We’ll explore this by identifying the most reliable Nissan Versa years.
2012 Nissan Versa
If there’s one model year that you should absolutely avoid, the 2012 Nissan Versa is the undisputed winner (or loser, for that matter). Earning Carcomplaints’ ‘Avoid Like the Plague’ award, the 2012 Versa has logged 779 NHTSA complaints, and ten recalls.
The 2012 Versa had problems, but they’re not worse than itsdefective transmission system. According to the NHTSA, the 2012 Versa may experience an interference between the shifter knob and shifter rod. Because of this defect, it’s possible to shift out of park without depressing the brake pedal. In certain circ*mstances, the car may roll into another vehicle or pedestrian.
The faulty transmission issue was so severe thatNissan had to issue a recall. If, for some reason, you’re planning to buy a 2012 Versa, make sure that the shifter assembly has been recalled by the dealership to avoid potential headaches.
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Because the car buying experience is so stressful, it’s helpful to go into the dealership with information ahead of time. Therefore, we’ve curated a list of the 10 most reliable American cars so you can approach the process from a place of empowerment.
2014 Nissan Versa
The 2014 Versa might be one of the cheapest subcompact cars you can buy, but it’s not without problems. While it’s not as worse as the 2012 model year, the 2014 model is yet another recipient of Car Complaints’‘Avoid Like the Plague’ award.
Unfortunately, the 2014 Versa was also plagued by inconvenient and expensive transmission problems. Numerous reports said their transmission system wouldn’t shift properly, make loud noises, or outright fail. Nissan was aware of the issue and had to issue extended transmission warranties to address the problem.
Another issue you may want to look for is the loss of power during acceleration. Some drivers have experienced wobbliness during acceleration, while one driver claimed that the vehicle wouldn’t go past 40 mph.
Which Nissan Versa Years are Safe to Buy Used?
Now that we’ve gotten the Nissan Versa years to avoid out of the way, here are the models that you can buy with confidence.
2018 Nissan Versa
The 2018 Versa marks the point where you don’t have to worry about Nissan’s transmission woes (2012-2017). The 2018 Versa lacks some standard tech, features, and creature comforts, but you have to remember its ridiculously low sticker price.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly subcompact car with plenty of utility and solid fuel economy, the 2018 Versa gets our vote.
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2019 Nissan Versa
The 2019 Nissan Versa was designed to provide affordable and comfortable transportation, and it never claimed otherwise. As one of the cheapest cars available, the 2019 is a solid purchase for first-time buyers, budget shoppers, and rental fleets.
With an excellent fuel economy and only a few (and minor) reliability issues, the 2019 Versa offers a tremendous bang for your buck and a low cost of ownership.
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