2021 Nissan Versa: recalls and problems
3 recalls and 31 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train.
Most common problems
What owners report
Automatic cvt failure confirmed by future nissan of roseville ca. no warning prior to failure. replaced by kirkwood autoworx mechanical since nissan corporate denied a good-will replacement. reason: 15k miles over warranty - 75081odometer reading at replacement on 5/27/26. cvt failed while on a busy street [xxx] ). i had only reverse and had to back my way out of traffic. extremely dangerous situation. new issue:
Hi, my name is [xxx] and i live in [xxx] . in october 2023 i purchased a used nissan versa 2021 from a dealership. it only had 30k miles on it when i bought it. on may 9, 2026 i was driving to work when my car experienced acceleration failure. it had 80,600 miles on it. when the acceleration failed, i was in the process of making a left turn and came very close to being hit by oncoming traffic. after nissan claimed
I got into the car and started it up. put in reverse car shuts off. re started and put in reverse. was able to drive out of apartment parking lot then no power to speed and car was a little jerky and on dashboard it said warning malfunction see owners manual with a few pictures on dashboard
Cvt transmission failed while driving transmission popped and no forward drive leaving us in traffic unable to move in forward. had to get out and push the car to the side of the road. no warning lights no warning signs. just immediate loss of forward drive. engine revs up but no movement. dangerously leaving us in harms way. haven't had the vehicle inspected by nissan yet but will be doing so in the next day or so
Crash-test ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD |
Source: NHTSA recalls, complaints and NCAP APIs, covering Versa. Last refreshed 2026-09-29.