2016 Nissan Versa Safety Report
2016 Nissan Versa Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Nissan Versa
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Nissan Versa. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Low (0) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (79) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 14 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Air Bags | Compare air bags issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2019 | Compare against the 2019 Nissan Versa with 22 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Nissan Versa before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Versa Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Versa years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Nissan Versa | 61 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Versa | 166 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Nissan Versa | 52 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Nissan Versa | 22 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Nissan Versa | 58 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Nissan Versa | 29 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Nissan Versa Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Nissan Versa, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Air Bags
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Nissan onlyPower Train
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyService Brakes
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Nissan onlyTires
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Tires issues Nissan onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Nissan Versa
Reliability Score
The 2016 Nissan Versa receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Nissan Versa
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Nissan Versa
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Nissan Versa:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag Malfunction The airbag warning light has come on and stayed on, indicating potential issues with the airbags. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Failure Severe transmission issues, including shuddering, jerking, and loss of acceleration, have been reported. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Nissan Versa:
Transmission issues are the most common problem reported.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Nissan Versa
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Nissan Versa with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 3 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
0 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. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven for more than approximately 2 minutes. There are no warning lights or alerts prior to the failure. Th...
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. I was stranded in a high-traffic zone around [XXX] PM. I was worried that the vehicles coming behind me would not see my small car right away, as I was positioned past the railroad tracks ...
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. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven for more than approximately 2 minutes. There are no warning lights or alerts prior to the failure. Th...
There is a shutter leaving 1st gear
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!
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. Charged me $209.96 just to look at the car. Their report said AIRBAG SIDE MODULE LH FAULTY. I am very uneasy now driving around not knowing if my airbag will deploy if ever needed. It is now July, 2025 a...
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. When the evaporator core fails, the air conditioning system cannot effectively dehumidify the air inside the cabin. As a result, drivers are forced to keep the windows rolled up in rain or ...
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. I have already spent over $1,000 trying to fix the issue — including replacing multiple A/C components — and the air still doesn’t work. A mechanic told me the evaporator core needs to be replaced, but that repair alone is too expensive for me right now. ...
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. The failure causes extreme heat in the cabin, especially in summer months, and creates a serious distraction and discomfort while driving. It becomes ...
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. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to drive back to the residence, where the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restar...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle lost motive power, and started jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the RPM needled was fluctuating erratically. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The...
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the contact approached oncoming traffic and depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle continued to surge forward without warning. The contact deactivated the cruise control; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to pull off to the shoulder of the highway and placed ...
"Leaking injectors causing cylinder wall wash, resulting in low compression." Per Nissan of Chattanooga East. Stated they have seen this before and can be a "common" malfunction. Puts others and self at risk of catastrophic engine malfunction and fuel injector malfunction. Car fire, an engine explosion, or simply breaking down in the middle of the interstate, "Repair" occurred and sent home, 2 ti...
Transmission failure
A while ago my airbag light began flashing, we reset it a few times and it would come back after a week or two sometimes longer, either a flashing or solid light, it felt almost random. No codes came up when we had it ran, and then we took it to the dealership for inspection. It is the back of my driver seat, the airbag for the driver side back seat. I don’t know what the qualified number of compl...
My engine light has always been on in my car contacted the dealership and they never cared to take care of the situation. My car has a problem with picking up speed and turning corners. Took it to a mechanic and said it’s my transmission and that it was never good especially the cvt transmission in my 2016 Nisan versa that it was recalled and no one contacted me. I would like it fixed I’m a single...
Since buying car used last summer ive have numerous scares for the car stalling jerking and shutting off while driving or slowing down and taking off. I drove over train tracks on my way home and the car jerked stalled and died luckily i made it over the tracks and there was no train. Had a mechanic look at it and said the Cvt transmission more than likely blame for this problem. After researchin...
Fuel gauge is always stuck to full. I have to rely on the gas pump to know that I have full tank of gas. Luckily I only drive it for short distances. It will not be safe to drive interstate.
Hood flew up while driving and smashes into my windshield
Air bag red signal on and off. It is very loose. AC compressor needs repair that cause Belt broken, pulley isn’t working and AC condenser needed to be repair. Power Train catalyst issues. Exhaust leaking at manifold, catalyst too exhaust as exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond. Replace sensors with exhaust repairs.
Showing 20 of 79 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Nissan Versa
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Opened 2021-09-17
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 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 20...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Nissan Versa
Has the 2016 NISSAN VERSA been recalled?
No, the 2016 NISSAN VERSA has no recalls on record with NHTSA as of our latest data update.
How many complaints does the 2016 NISSAN VERSA have?
The 2016 NISSAN VERSA has 79 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 13 involved crashes. 16 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 NISSAN VERSA?
The 2016 NISSAN VERSA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 4/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 NISSAN VERSA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 NISSAN VERSA involve air bags (13 complaints), power train (10 complaints), unknown or other (7 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes, tires, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2016 NISSAN VERSA have?
There are 13 crash reports associated with the 2016 NISSAN VERSA out of 79 total complaints (16.5% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 NISSAN VERSA have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2016 NISSAN VERSA out of 79 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 NISSAN VERSA?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 NISSAN VERSA. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 NISSAN VERSA?
16 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 NISSAN VERSA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 NISSAN VERSA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 NISSAN VERSA is acceptable with caveats. It has 79 complaints, 0 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 NISSAN VERSA?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 NISSAN VERSA are: 1. AIR BAGS (13 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (10 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (7 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES (4 complaints), 5. TIRES (3 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 13 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 NISSAN VERSA?
Be cautious of transmission issues and airbag malfunctions. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2016 NISSAN VERSA has 79 NHTSA complaints and 0 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2016 NISSAN VERSA?
The 2016 NISSAN VERSA receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 79 owner complaints, 0 recalls, and 14 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbag Malfunction and Transmission Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2016 NISSAN VERSA?
Known issues with the 2016 NISSAN VERSA include: Airbag Malfunction, Transmission Failure. These are based on patterns found across 79 NHTSA complaints.
Are there any known transmission issues with the 2016 Nissan Versa?
Yes, severe transmission issues have been reported, including shuddering and loss of acceleration.
What should I do if my airbag warning light is flashing?
Have the airbags checked by a professional as soon as possible.
Can transmission issues affect the safety of the vehicle?
Yes, transmission issues can affect the vehicle's handling and safety, especially during acceleration.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of transmission issues and airbag malfunctions. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Nissan Versa
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Nissan Versa. The data includes 79 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 0 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 13 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 16 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Nissan Versa an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 4 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16