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2019 Nissan Versa Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2019 Nissan Versa carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering camera. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission hesitation and jerking during acceleration.” 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

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign #19V654000 · Dec 9, 2019

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Nissan Versa.

Reported to NHTSA

CVT transmission hesitation and jerking during acceleration

POWER TRAIN

9 NHTSA complaints · 2019-11 → 2026-02

“CVT Transmissions on these versa’s are extremely wonky and very jerky. The transmission causes extremely slow acceleration, Nissan has had a really bad track record with their CVT transmissions and it appears to be the same issue with this vehicle as well”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11539065
“2019 Nissan Versa sedan has a transmission issue where you stop and immediately or within up to 3 seconds, there is a clunk. The engine is jumps forward, causing the engine to rock”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11502535
“When accelerating from a stop vehicle shutters/perks hard”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11704906

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal failing to stop or slow the vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 NHTSA complaints · 2021-01 → 2023-08

“The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while his wife was making a stop at the stop light, the brake pedal was depressed and went all the way to the floorboard”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11435386
“ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING ON MINOR ICY OR SNOWY ROADS (NOT EXTREMELY SLICK) WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKES THE CAR DOES NOT STOP OR SLOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11390513
“The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed and the turning signals were activated, the vehicle felt as if the transmission had improperly shifted”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11535985

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Odometer mileage discrepancy at time of purchase

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2026-03 → 2026-03

“The contact purchased a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle at the residence, an independent mechanic discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725572
“Odometer Fraud: The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the vehicle jolted while driving. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been tampered with”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725592

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Intermittent electrical power loss and stalling

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STRUCTURE, ENGINE

4 NHTSA complaints · 2021-01 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn with the turn signal activated, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11571667
“While my car is in Drive, every so often the car will die and cut out power steering and the brake light will go on. The check engine light is on but the code is not reading properly”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11546192
“AUGUST OF 2020, WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED BETWEEN GEAR 4/5, ALL OF MY ELECTRIC WAS LOST(TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY, INTERIOR/DASH LIGHTS) ABOUT 2 SECONDS LATER ALL LIGHTS RETURNED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11390620

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Loss of vehicle control resulting in crash

AIR BAGS, TIRES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2019-09 → 2020-09

“I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE CAR. BECAUSE OF TIRES AND AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING. I WAS NOT INJURED BUT THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11360644
“TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2019 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, DROVE INTO THE WOODS, AND CRASHED INTO A TREE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11269045
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, A LOUD THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11259121

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.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

63 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.

2

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 2019 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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