2016 Nissan Versa Note Safety Report

The 2016 Nissan Versa Note presents a mixed safety picture. While it achieved a respectable 4-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, with a strong 5-star side crash rating and 4-star rollover rating, its frontal crash rating was only 3 stars, indicating potential weaknesses in head-on collisions. A significant concern arises from the 106 total complaints filed with NHTSA, which include 15 crashes, 1 fire, 18 injuries, and 1 death. The absence of any recalls for this model year is notable, suggesting that widespread, manufacturer-acknowledged defects requiring corrective action have not been identified by Nissan or mandated by regulators, despite the volume of complaints. The most common complaint patterns revolve around the POWER TRAIN (16 complaints) and AIR BAGS (15 complaints). Power train issues frequently describe CVT transmission failures, characterized by severe shuddering, jerking, loss of acceleration, and vehicles entering 'limp mode' or stalling, sometimes in dangerous situations like crossing railroad tracks. Airbag complaints often detail unexpected deployments, persistent warning lights, and system malfunctions, with some owners reporting significant repair costs. Other notable issues include SERVICE BRAKES (7 complaints) and ENGINE (4 complaints), with some engine complaints mentioning oil consumption and low compression. Despite the decent crash test performance in some categories, the high number of complaints, particularly concerning critical components like the transmission and airbags, raises questions about long-term reliability and potential safety risks not fully captured by initial crash tests. The 18 reported injuries and 1 death underscore the severity of some of these incidents. Prospective buyers should be aware of these documented issues, especially the recurring power train and airbag problems, which could impact both safety and ownership costs.

Our recommendation: Exercise caution when considering a 2016 Nissan Versa Note due to common and severe CVT transmission and airbag issues; prioritize a pre-purchase inspection focusing on these components and review all service records.