VehicleVerdict

2010 Nissan Versa problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2010 Nissan Versa carries two red flags at once: 337 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA — 2.2× the Versa norm — and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). It is one of the Versa years to avoid. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Airbags leads the complaint categories with 130 reports (39% of the total).

337

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

2

Investigations · 1 open

30

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

12

Injuries

1

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Versa years?

Versa NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted672 complaints2007: 447 complaints2008: 461 complaints2009: 614 complaints2010: 337 complaints2011: 327 complaints2012: 672 complaints2013: 294 complaints2014: 302 complaints2015: 261 complaints2016: 113 complaints2017: 94 complaints2018: 86 complaints2019: 44 complaints2020: 118 complaints2021: 53 complaints2022: 29 complaints2023: 72 complaints2024: 156 complaints2025: 15 complaints
Versa NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Versa years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Nissan Versa problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags13039%
Suspension6920%
Engine237%
Electrical System196%
Body & Structure165%
Other154%
Tires & Wheels124%
Steering113%
Fuel System93%
Latches & Locks62%
Transmission62%
Brakes62%
Seats41%
Speed Control41%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Seat Belts21%
Lighting21%

Does the 2010 Nissan Versa have recalls?

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

22E066000AirbagsAugust 9, 2022 · 375 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Consequence

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

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

20V008000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2020 · 307,962 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

18V401000AirbagsJune 15, 2018 · 104,762 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

18V044000AirbagsJanuary 10, 2018 · 52,614 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

17V449000AirbagsJuly 17, 2017 · 515,394 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

16V349000AirbagsMay 24, 2016 · 413,852 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

15V573000SuspensionSeptember 14, 2015 · 218,019 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

10V401000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2010 · 7,948 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence

OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA21002

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

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, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TAKATA RECALL, MY VEHICLE WASN'T IN THE RECALL LIST BUT IT SHOULD BE. I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHERE I WAS SITTING DID NOT DEPLOY. I SUFFERED A CONCUSSION, CERVICAL STRAIN AND OTHER INJURIES FROM THE AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. POLICE REPORT NUMBER IS: A16-00409, INGHAM COUNTY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 25, 2016 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 TO 60 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO FISHTAIL AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AS NORMAL. NOT BEING ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SHE THEN CRASHED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · March 22, 2011 · crash

“DRIVING IN SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS. VEHICLE STARTED ANGLE TOWARDS ONCOMING VEHICLE (LARGE POWER COMPANY BUCKET/BOOM TRUCK). THE TRUCKS DRIVER (THERE WERE MORE THAN ONE) SAW ME COMING AT HIM. THE TRUCK MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO AVOID ME. I COLLIDED INTO THE DRIVER CORNER OF THE LARGE TRUCK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 12, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ROOF STARTED MELTING AND SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE ROOF. A FIRE DID NOT ERUPT. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 27, 2013 · fire

“I HAD ON THE HEATER, I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL A LOUD POP SOUND AND THEN I SPAN OUT OF CONTROL INTO A DITCH. I WAS LIVING IN SACRAMENTO, CA ABOUT TO GET OFF THE HIGHWAY TO PICK SOMEONE UP FROM THE AIRPORT. IT WAS RAINING, BUT NOT HARD AT ALL.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 2, 2018 · crash

2010 Nissan Versa — common questions

Is the 2010 Nissan Versa reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 337 complaints put the 2010 model at #5 of 19 Versa years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Versa years to avoid.

What are the most common 2010 Versa problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (130 complaints), suspension (69 complaints), engine (23 complaints).

Does the 2010 Nissan Versa have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Nissan Versa. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2010 Nissan Versa under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Nissan Versa years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Versa years to avoid are 2012, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. The cleanest record among Versa years belongs to 2025.

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.