Wrench.Pro

2016 Nissan Versa Note Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Nissan Versa Note has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Tire tread separation and blowout.” 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 Note.

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

Tire tread separation and blowout

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
“THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT P185/65 R15 TIRE EXPLODED WHILE PARKED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF, AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN LESS THAN TEN MILES PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11140124
“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

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission failure and loss of power

POWER TRAIN

32 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2026-03

“The vehicle has a CVT transmission failure causing severe shuddering, jerking, and progressive loss of acceleration. Initially the vehicle would not exceed 20 mph, then worsened to 15 mph, then 10 mph, and now will not exceed 5 mph”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11723507
“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
“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle would inadvertently decrease in speed to 30 MPH. The contact stated that the RPMs would fluctuate while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11422112

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

9 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!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11677593
“My Check Airbag light came on without any incident and has stayed on since January, 2025. I took it to a Nissan dealer and they told me they would charge me $4,000.00 to see if it could be fixed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11676703

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2020-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11155510
“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
“AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING HEAD ON COLLISION DRIVING ABOUT 70MPH ON THE 1604 HWY ANIMAL RAN ACROSS I SWERVED OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID HITTING IT BUT LOST CONTROL ON THE GRASS AND WENT HEAD ON INTO A POLE AS I TRIED TO STEER THE CAR FROM HITTING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10949876

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake failure to stop vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES

11 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2020-11

“THE BREAK PEDDLE WILL SINK ON ITS OWN. IT HAS DONE THIS AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE CAR OFF, ON THE HIGHWAY, ON CITY STREETS, IN CORNERS. IT GOES OFF SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11375834
“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 CONTACT OWNED A 2016 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD ON INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10883112

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Evaporator core failure causing loss of cabin cooling

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-08 → 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. After researching, I’ve found that this is a very common problem among Versa owners across multiple model years”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675682
“I own a 2016 Nissan Versa, and the air conditioning system has completely failed, making the car almost unbearable to drive in the Florida heat”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675690
“TRYING TO LEAVE FOR WORK, TURN ON MY CAR AND THEN THERE WAS A SQUEAL (LIKE A BELT) AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, NOT THE CAR (BATTERY IS WORKING)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11243458

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss and vehicle veering

STEERING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2016-08 → 2019-09

“SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING CONTROL ON 2016 NISSAN VERSA NOTE WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION ON CITY STREET (QUEENS, NY) THANKFULLY, WE WERE ABLE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH A STEERING WHEEL THAT WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO TURN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11253582
“I HAVE A 2016 NISSAN VERSA WITH APPROX 12,000 MILES AND HAVE CONSTANT ISSUES WITH THE STEERING OF THIS VEHICLE. THE CAR VEERS OFF AND HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN FREQUENTLY AND FEELS AS IF IT IS BEING PULLED BY WIND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10995577
“I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2016 NISSAN VERSA AND WHEN I DRIVE IT, IT VEERS TO THE LEFT WHICH IS A MATTER OF SAFETY FOR MY FAMILY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10899854

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

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.

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 Note 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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