VehicleVerdict

2018 Nissan Versa Note problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2018 Nissan Versa Note — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Versa Note years?

Versa Note NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted199 complaints2014: 199 complaints2015: 136 complaints2016: 42 complaints2017: 13 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 2 complaints
Versa Note NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Versa Note years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Nissan Versa Note problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission240%
Brakes120%
Other120%
Suspension120%

Does the 2018 Nissan Versa Note have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V654000Driver AssistanceSeptember 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

18V551000Electrical SystemAugust 21, 2018 · 153,047 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

17V837000AirbagsDecember 20, 2017 · 111 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018 Nissan Versa Note vehicles. During deployment of the side curtain air bag, a component of the air bag inflator may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Consequence

If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2018 NISSAN VERSA NOTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A WALL AND DAMAGED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 6, 2018 · crash

“DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. WHEN EXITING HIGHWAY CAR SLOWING DOWN. WHEN GETTING TO INTERSECTION BRAKES APPLIED. PULSATING FELT ON BRAKE PEDAL. LOUD THUMPING NOISE HEARD FROM LEFT FRONT OF CAR. TOOK CAD STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO DEALER SERVICE. DEALER TEST DROVE CAR STATED THEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 26, 2020

“DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. WHEN EXITING HIGHWAY CAR SLOWING DOWN. WHEN GETTING TO INTERSECTION BRAKES APPLIED. PULSATING FELT ON BRAKE PEDAL. LOUD THUMPING NOISE HEARD FROM LEFT FRONT OF CAR. TOOK CAD STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO DEALER SERVICE. DEALER TEST DROVE CAR STATED THEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 26, 2020

2018 Nissan Versa Note — common questions

Is the 2018 Nissan Versa Note reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Nissan Versa Note have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Nissan Versa Note. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Versa Note years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Versa Note years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2016. The cleanest record among Versa Note years belongs to 2019.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.