2016 Nissan Versa Safety Report

2016 Nissan Versa: Solid crash ratings, but significant powertrain and airbag reliability concerns.

79Complaints
0Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
45/100Reliability Score
13Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
16Injuries
1Deaths
Most reported components: Air Bags (13)Power Train (10)Unknown Or Other (7)Service Brakes (4)Tires (3)Engine (3)Fuel/Propulsion System (2)Power Train,Air Bags,Engine (2)Exterior Lighting (2)Unknown Or Other,Engine (2)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Nissan Versa

The 2016 Nissan Versa presents a mixed safety picture. While it received respectable 4-star ratings across all NHTSA crash tests (Overall, Frontal, Side, and Rollover), indicating solid performance in controlled collision scenarios, its real-world complaint data reveals significant concerns, particularly related to the powertrain and airbags. With 79 total complaints, including 13 crashes, 1 fire, 16 injuries, and 1 death, there are clear areas of potential risk not fully captured by crash test ratings alone. A prominent pattern in the complaints revolves around the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Multiple reports describe severe shuddering, jerking, loss of acceleration, and complete stalling, sometimes at highway speeds. This issue, frequently cited as 'CVT transmission failure,' poses a high safety risk, as it can lead to sudden loss of motive power in traffic. Another significant concern is the airbag system, with 13 complaints specifically mentioning 'AIR BAGS.' Owners report persistent airbag warning lights, system malfunctions, and high repair costs, suggesting potential issues with sensor or module reliability that could compromise airbag deployment in a crash. Despite these recurring issues, there have been no recalls issued for the 2016 Nissan Versa, which is notable given the nature and frequency of some complaints. The absence of recalls means these problems have not been deemed widespread enough by the manufacturer or regulators to warrant a mandatory fix. The crash test performance is reassuring for structural integrity, but the high number of powertrain and airbag complaints, coupled with incidents involving crashes, injuries, and even a fatality, indicates that potential operational failures could still lead to dangerous situations.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Nissan Versa receives a reliability score of 45 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

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:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Cvt Transmission Failure
Severe shuddering, jerking, loss of acceleration, and complete stalling, often leading to total loss of motive power. Multiple complaints describe inability to exceed low speeds or sudden power loss at highway speeds.		 High Common 30000-90000 miles
Airbag Warning Light/Malfunction
Persistent illumination or flashing of the airbag warning light, indicating a potential system malfunction that could prevent proper airbag deployment in a crash. Owners report high diagnostic and repair costs.		 Medium Common any miles
Engine Stalling/Loss Of Power
Vehicle unexpectedly shuts off completely while in motion, regardless of speed, or bogs down and fails to accelerate when needed. Often linked to powertrain issues.		 High Occasional any miles
Ac System Failure (Evaporator Core)
Complete failure of the air conditioning system, often attributed to a defective evaporator core, leading to extreme cabin heat and potential window fogging in rainy conditions.		 Low Occasional any 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:

Air Bags 16% of complaints

Frequent complaints about airbag warning lights, system malfunctions, and high repair costs for components like side modules.

Power Train 13% of complaints

Numerous reports of CVT transmission failure, including shuddering, jerking, loss of acceleration, and complete stalling.

Unknown Or Other 9% of complaints

A variety of miscellaneous issues not fitting neatly into other categories, some of which may relate to underlying powertrain or electrical problems.

Service Brakes 5% of complaints

Complaints related to braking performance, including instances where the vehicle continued to surge despite brake application.

Engine 4% of complaints

Reports of engine issues such as stalling, low compression due to leaking injectors, and general performance problems.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Nissan Versa

Is the 2016 Nissan Versa safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Nissan Versa received strong 4-star crash test ratings across the board, suggesting good performance in collisions. However, it has accumulated 79 complaints, including 13 crashes, 16 injuries, and 1 death. A significant number of these complaints point to serious powertrain issues, specifically CVT transmission failures leading to loss of power, and airbag system malfunctions, which could compromise safety in real-world driving.

What are common problems with the 2016 Nissan Versa?

The most reported issues for the 2016 Nissan Versa are related to the POWER TRAIN (13 complaints), primarily CVT transmission failures causing shuddering, jerking, and loss of acceleration. AIR BAGS (13 complaints) are also a common problem, with owners reporting persistent warning lights and system malfunctions. Other issues include engine stalling and AC system failures.

Has the 2016 Nissan Versa had any recalls?

No, the 2016 Nissan Versa has not had any recalls issued by NHTSA. This is despite a notable number of complaints regarding critical safety components like the powertrain and airbags.

How does the 2016 Nissan Versa perform in crash tests?

The 2016 Nissan Versa performed well in NHTSA crash tests, earning a 4-star Overall Safety Rating. It also received 4 stars for Frontal Crash, 4 stars for Side Crash, and 4 stars for Rollover resistance.

Are there any known transmission issues with the 2016 Nissan Versa?

Yes, there are significant and common transmission issues reported for the 2016 Nissan Versa, specifically concerning its CVT. Complaints describe severe shuddering, jerking, progressive loss of acceleration, and complete stalling, sometimes at highway speeds, posing a high safety risk.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2016 Nissan Versa has good crash test ratings, potential buyers should be aware of widespread complaints regarding CVT transmission failures and airbag system malfunctions; a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these areas is highly recommended.

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.