2016 Nissan Versa Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Nissan Versa has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Air conditioning evaporator core failure.” 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.

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 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

Air conditioning evaporator core failure

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

6 NHTSA complaints · 2018-07 → 2025-07

I own a 2016 Nissan Versa, and the air conditioning system has completely failed due to what I’ve been told is an evaporator core issue
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675682
A critical safety concern arising from the evaporator core defect in the Nissan Versa relates to the vehicle’s inability to properly control interior humidity and prevent window fogging during rainy conditions
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675744
My vehicle stops running whenever I turn on heater or A/C. When either is turned on, dashboard lights up with four or five other lights like battery, P/S, Brake, Temp, and other
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11427245

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Tire tread separation and sidewall failure

TIRES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2020-03

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN VERSA EQUIPPED WITH NEXEN NPRZ AH5 TIRES, SIZE: 185/65R15 (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION FROM THE BELT
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11267677
1) I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY US 35 GOING WEST BOUND WHERE MY REAR PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT RIGHT BEFORE THE 75 OVERPASS. 2) PASSENGER REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. A 2 INCH ABRASION ON THE SIDE WALL. 3) I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE AND REPAIRED MY RIM
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11316996
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN VERSA EQUIPPED WITH BRIDGESTONE, TIRE LINE: ECOPIA, AND TIRE SIZE: 195/55R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A BUBBLE ON THE SIDE WALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10861974

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CVT transmission failure with stalling and loss of power

POWER TRAIN

21 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2026-03

While merging onto [XXX] toward [XXX] , my 2016 Nissan Versa suffered a total loss of power while crossing active railroad tracks. The car stuttered and jerked before completely stalling and stopped responding
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11723320
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a complete stop at a traffic light, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11649023
CAR BOGGING DOWN WON'T ACCELERATE WHEN NEEDED JERKING AROUND NISSAN HAD A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST THEM FOR THIS AND IS REFUSING TO FIX THE VEHICLE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11337551

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Airbag warning light illuminated without deployment

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2017-11 → 2026-08

In July 2024 my airbag light came for no apparent reason. I took it to Nissan Service-they got it off with no guarantee it would stay off and said the airbag would have to be replaced if it came on again
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11756807
The airbag warning light has come on and is flashing.Brought it in twice for it was in diagnosis mode the first time. History mode second time and two days later it is on again and flashing that is three times in one month! Nissan needs to have this problem fixed!
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11677593
Just got the car from someone, and the air bag light comes up and stays on all the time the engine starts, trying all the ways to reset the light and not working, I found online that many same car owners has the same problem and there is no recall from the manufacturer
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11449353

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Air bags failed to deploy during a crash

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2020-02

LOST CONSCIOUSNESS DUE TO PREVIOUSLY UNDIAGNOSED MEDICAL ISSUE, CAR WAS IN 2ND GEAR AND HIT TELEPHONE POLE. CAR WAS TOTALED AND I WAS INJURED FROM THE IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11310213
I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND IN A CRASH AND WAS KNOCKED INTO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. SUFFERED MILD HEAD INJURY. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE INJURY COULD HAVE BEEN WORST. *JB
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11155510
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A VEHICLE THAT RAN THROUGH A RED LIGHT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10924072

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Service brake failure to stop the vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2019-11

THE NISSAN VERSA 2016 HAS A FAULTY BRAKE SYSTEM. I WAS IN MOTION DRIVING WITH ONGOING TRAFFIC I SAW THE TRAFFIC STOPPED I PRESSED THE BRAKES AND KEPT PRESSING BRAKES AND THE CAR DID NOT STOP
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11048696
THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A TWO WAY STREET TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MILES AN HOUR THE BRAKES WERE PRESSED AND THEN PUMPED AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. THE NISSAN SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF ANOTHER VEHICLE
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10980974
WHEN I DRIVE IN THE WINTER TIME AND APPLY THE BRAKES ON A SLIPPERY ROAD THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO STOP NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES I TRY TO USE THE BRAKES. INSTEAD, THE BRAKES POP AND CLICK UNTIL MY CAR SLOWS DOWN ON ITS OWN
Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11282408

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

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)

154 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.

13

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues 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 2016 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.