2016 Nissan Versa Problems, Recalls & Reliability

158 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Nissan Versa, alongside 0 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 29/100 on the trouble index — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 81,500 miles.

158Complaints
29/100Trouble index
0Recalls
31,450Typical trouble mileage

Typical

Where 2016 sits among all Versa years

Darker = quieter yearsBrighter amber = more trouble

What owners report

Transmission & drivetrain 30 complaints (19%) · typically ~81,500 miles
“Transmission slips, has shut of the engine. Have to go to dealership to have transmission fluid checked!”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Versa
Airbags 26 complaints (16%) · typically ~30,762 miles
“Air bag red signal on and off it is very loose. AC Compressor is locked that cause belt broken and pulley is not working that AC Condenser had to be fixed Power Train Catalyst issues Exhaust leaking at manifold and catalyst too exhaust as Exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond.…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Versa
Other 24 complaints (15%) · typically ~54,710 miles
Brakes & stability 14 complaints (9%) · typically ~10,461 miles
Engine 13 complaints (8%) · typically ~40,500 miles
Electrical 12 complaints (8%)

Mileage when trouble shows up

Among the 82 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 31,450 miles. Half of those reports fall between 10,461 and 78,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.

Recalls

No recall campaigns on file for the 2016 Nissan Versa.

Federal defect investigations

Still open as of the last data refresh. An investigation is not a recall; it may close with no action. All open investigations →

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture EA21002 opened September 17, 2021 · still open

Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade,…

Model years named: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018

Technical service bulletins

146 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and transmission & drivetrain — are on file for the 2016 Nissan Versa. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.

See the 2016 Versa TSB list →

Complaint history for this model year

When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.

2016peak 24 in 20202026

Questions buyers ask

Is the 2016 Nissan Versa reliable?

The 2016 Nissan Versa drew 158 complaints in federal safety records — a middle-of-the-pack year for this model. Its trouble index is 29/100, scored against the model's worst year (2012).

What are the most common 2016 Nissan Versa problems?

The top reported problems for the 2016 Nissan Versa are transmission & drivetrain (30 complaints), airbags (26), and other (24).

At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Versa problems show up?

Owners most often report 2016 Nissan Versa problems around 31,450 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 10,461 and 78,000 miles.

Does the 2016 Nissan Versa have recalls?

No recall campaigns are on file for the 2016 Nissan Versa. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check the VIN before buying.

← 2015 Versa All Versa years 2017 Versa →
Data updated 2026-08-20 from NHTSA's public records

Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.