2013 Nissan Versa Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2013 Nissan Versa carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering accelerator pedal. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Steering wander and loss of steering control.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Campaign #15V507000 · Dec 8, 2015

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles manufactured June 9, 2011, to March 11, 2015, and 2014-2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to March 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal.

Risk: A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the console trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2013 Nissan Versa.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA
  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    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 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Steering wander and loss of steering control

STEERING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2020-01

THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WANDER OUT OF THE LANE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TWO TIMES FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM AND INFORMED THAT BOTH FRONT AND REAR
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10509238
WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10855241
WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE WAIVES TO THE RIGHT AND SINCE THE STEERING WHEEL IS HELD STRAIGHT THE CAR COMES BACK INTO THE LANE. THIS HAPPENS AT SPEEDS 30+ AND SPECIALLY 60+
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11300594

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission hesitation, stalling, and failure

POWER TRAIN

73 NHTSA complaints · 2014-03 → 2024-12

The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11584732
The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The mechanic performed an oil change. Several weeks later
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11546033
Since the car had 72,000 the transmission started to lurch forward while coming to a stop. This lurch has pushed me out into traffic on at least 5 times. As you come to a stop, and you think you are stopping it lunges forward placing others at serious risk
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11473797

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal loss of stopping power

SERVICE BRAKES

30 NHTSA complaints · 2013-06 → 2025-11

For ten days my car suddenly loses 90% or more braking power—after moving at above 40 miles per hour for five minutes or more. Incredibly dangerous and no war I g lights and hard to diagnose. We are replacing master cylinder as they were investigated on this year and model
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11536938
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKES LOST POWER AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11121698
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS FROM THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10928531

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Airbag warning light and non-deployment in crashes

AIR BAGS

21 NHTSA complaints · 2013-04 → 2020-06

WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON ICE AND CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER RECEIVED A MILD CONCUSSION AFTER HER FACE STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11164221
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45-50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A JOHN DEERE TRACTOR AND A LAMP POST. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11044536
NISSAN VERSA WAS STOPPING NORMALLY TO MAKE A LEFT TURN. AS AUTO CAME TO A COMPLETE NORMAL STOP AND BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED AUTO VIOLENTLY LUNGED FORWARD DEPLOYING BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS. SAME VIOLENT TYPE OF STOPPING OCCURRED TWO WEEKS PRIOR ALSO BUT NO DEPLOYMENT AT THAT TIME
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096486

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Stalling and loss of acceleration power

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

16 NHTSA complaints · 2014-04 → 2022-02

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10980392
WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE NECK CAUSING STIFFNESS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10790759
I WAS DRIVING AND THE FLOOR MAT GOT STUCK ON THE GAS PEDAL AND WAS PRESSING IT DOWN WHEN I WAS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. I MUST MENTION THESE WERE NOT OEM MATS, BUT SIMILAR TO
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10606783

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 3 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

65 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

18

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2013 Nissan Versa reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.