2016 Nissan Versa Note recalls & problems
The 2016 Nissan Versa Note has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 29 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (10 complaints).

Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2016 Nissan Versa Note.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings


2016 Nissan Versa Note 5 HB FWD
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 14.7% |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power train Automatic transmission | 10 | 83,984 mi |
| Unknown or other | 8 | — |
| Air bags | 5 | — |
| Service brakes | 5 | 11,500 mi |
| Engine | 3 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | — |
| Suspension | 2 | — |
| Electrical system | 2 | — |
| Seat belts | 1 | — |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | — |
| Steering | 1 | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages Doors › Latch | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Mar 5, 2026 · 120,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Exhaust system
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated that the exhaust became loose and was melting the brake line, which affected the braking system. The vehicle was driven 5 MPH to an independent mechanic, who discovered the failure. The exhaust was repaired. The independent mechanic advised the contact to replace the brake lines due to the damage caused by the exhaust system. The contact stated that the brake pedal was mushy and had to be depressed almost to the floorboard to stop the vehicle, and the stopping distance was extended. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000. - Jul 2, 2026 · 100,000 miles · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags
The contact owned a 2016 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH in a parking lot, the vehicle failed to stop as needed while the brake pedal was depressed. No warning lights were illuminated. The failure caused the vehicle to crash into a nearby wall, which was not damaged. The driverâs side steering wheel air bag deployed, and the front windshield fractured on the passengerâs side of the vehicle. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed away to a local tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance provider. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The air bag deployed and struck the contact in… - Aug 30, 2025Air bags
After arriving home, I stopped in my driveway and waited for the front passenger to exit. The vehicle was still running and may not have been in park. Immediately after the passenger exited and closed the door, the passenger curtain airbag and passenger seat airbag deployed unexpectedly. The vehicle was stationary and had not been involved in any collision. This sudden deployment posed a serious safety risk â anyone still inside or near the vehicle could have been injured. I brought the vehicle to a Nissan dealership, where technicians scanned the airbag system. I am awaiting additional diagnostic results or a written report. The manufacturer has indicated the situation is considered… - Sep 19, 2023Power train
Engine keeps losing oil level when no leaks found which causes transmission and engine to act making weird noises when gas pedal hit when driving car. Transmission is making weird noises like it is slipping when driving when gas pedal is pressed down. A settlement with Nissan was reached due to a class action lawsuit as car is having the issue as car pass 120000 mileage limit when issue started. Volume on internal bluetooth speaker is too low for people to hear when on phone calls with cell phone paired to car thru bluetooth as issue on two different phone models. - Sep 12, 2023Power train
My vehicle was jumping when accelerating. It then went into limp mode to protect the engine due to code NTB17-034g. The mechanic stated this code is coming up and is a safety issue. The car is not accelerating as normal, car is jumping and will go into limp mode randomly. - Apr 27, 2023Unknown or other
My transmission gave out. My car stopped in the middle of the street as I was crossing to the next intersection and would not go. I had to have my car pushed to the curve until tow truck came. The car was towed to the dealership (nissan of mobile) the dealer confirmed the transmission was bad. No lights or warning came on prior just stopped and would not go. This was a very scary situation and I'm still devastated. - Jun 15, 2022Suspension
Sway bar link broken, causing dangerous risk of steering failure. Rear hub bearing disintegrated, causing worn tires and high risk of wheel randomly separating from axel while driving! Wow! Car not old enough for such problems! - Jan 17, 2022Unknown or other
Vehicle was shuddering or hiccuping accelerating and decelerating on its own without any warning lights turning on. Warning light (MIL) only came on after total failure and car would not move forward at all.without any control of acceleration I was forced to let the vehicle roll down the hill I was on to coast it into a parking lot to be off the road, while traffic was behind me causing a potentially dangerous situation as it was on a short street so line of cars driving the wrong direction with traffic entering behind going the appropriate direction.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021 · openDesiccated 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…