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2015 Nissan Versa Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2015 Nissan Versa carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering accelerator pedal. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Brake pedal loses pressure and travels to floor.” 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.

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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 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 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

Brake pedal loses pressure and travels to floor

SERVICE BRAKES

8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2021-12

“WHILE DRIVING, NOTICED MOSTLY AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL BE SPONGY. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND CANNOT BE PREDICTED IN ADVANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11195770
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10639444
“WHEN SLOWING TO STOP FOR A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKES LOST PRESSURE AND WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE STRUCK THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT, CAUSING THAT CAR TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10759852

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission failure and hesitation

POWER TRAIN

40 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2026-05

“The CVT transmission has only 80k miles and is changing gears for no reason up and down at all speeds and won’t drive safely. Rpm’s increase and randomly gear kicks in and hits very hard and then stops working”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11550905
“The CVT transmission has gone bad on this vehicle, while on vacation the car started sputtering and shut off at a stop light”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11421780
“FEB. 10TH 2020 CVT TRANSMISSION STARTED SHUDDERING AND THEN BROKE DOWN IN VALDOSTA GEORIGA”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11311791

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in collision

AIR BAGS

12 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2021-11

“THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AFTER LARGE TRUCK REAR ENDED 2015' NISSAN VERSA KNOCKING AUTO VERY HARD INTO CAR IN FRONT OF IT A STOP LIGHT CAUSING SEVERE INJURY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11010436
“THE AUTOMOBILE WAS HIT VERY HARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE DOOR CAVED IN ALMOST TO THE STEERING WHEEL. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AS EXPECTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10968365
“WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE AND AT 62 MPH ON A HIGHWAY MY CAR COLLIDED WITH A DEER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11154678

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2015-08 → 2020-07

“THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUALLY FLASHES WHEN CAR IS TURNED ON AND WHILE DRIVING. DOES NOT TURN OF WITH KEY RESET”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11339774
“FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHTS UP WHEN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT, WHICH INDICATES THAT THE FRONT ADULT PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WHILE TRAVELING ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS AT NORMAL SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10747968
“PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON SOMETIMES WHEN PASSENGER IS IN THE SEAT. IT SHOULD BE OFF INDICATES PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11048252

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss and PS warning light

STEERING

10 NHTSA complaints · 2015-06 → 2026-02

“The PS warning light has been coming on intermittently. The power steering goes out and the vehicle is hard to steer”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11715927
“THE POWER STEERING ON MY CAR STOPPED WORKING OUT OF NO WHERE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I COULDN'T TURN AND ALMOST CRASHED WHILE GOING AROUND A BEND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11080227
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING INDICATOR INTERMITTENTLY ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033262

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Accelerator pedal entrapment and unintended acceleration

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

11 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2016-12

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE CONTACT'S SHOE OCCASIONALLY BECAME STUCK ON A SECTION OF PLASTIC TRIM LOCATED NEAR THE PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10723544
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 35 DAYS AGO. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT HIS FOOT WAS GETTING STUCK ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10722198
“2015 NISSAN VERSA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNPROFESSIONAL SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP WITH RECALL NOTICE 15V-507 ISSUES. *SMD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935689

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hood latch releases while driving

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2025-10

“The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the hood latch inadvertently released, causing the hood to slam into the windshield”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11426873
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE HOOD SUDDENLY UNLATCHED AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11204682
“I was driving on the highway and my hood came up and hit my windshield. The windshield was cracked”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11696296

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

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

Raw data + downloads for this 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

On AWD and 4WD models, 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)

228 crashes 1990–2024

How the 228 occupant deaths break down

169

driver deaths

59

passenger deaths

228

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2014 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

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

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

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

2

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 2015 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.

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