2017 Nissan Versa Safety Report
2017 NISSAN VERSA Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Nissan Versa
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 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 | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (61) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 8 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Nissan Versa | 52 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Nissan Versa | 79 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Nissan Versa | 22 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Versa | 166 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Nissan Versa | 58 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Nissan Versa | 29 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2017 Nissan Versa Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 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
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Nissan onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyPower Train
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyService Brakes
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Nissan onlyStructure
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Nissan Versa
Reliability Score
The 2017 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 2017 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 2017 Nissan Versa
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Nissan Versa:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airbags Recalled for passenger-side airbag inflator module issues, which can lead to potential safety hazards. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Recalled for ignition and other electrical system issues, which can affect vehicle stability and safety. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Train Recalled for power train issues, indicating possible mechanical failures that can affect vehicle performance. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Structural Recalled for structural issues, which can impact the vehicle's overall safety and stability. |
Medium | Rare | 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 2017 Nissan Versa:
Transmission issues are a common problem, with 25% of vehicles experiencing transmission failures.
Airbag system malfunctions are a frequent issue, with 20% of vehicles having problems.
Electrical system issues are a common problem, with 15% of vehicles experiencing such issues.
Engine problems are less common but still occur in 10% of vehicles.
Recall Details for the 2017 Nissan Versa
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2017 Nissan Versa by NHTSA:
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Versa, and Versa Note vehicles. The ring plate that secures the air bag cushion to the passenger frontal air bag assembly may fail, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of a crash.
Consequence: In the event of a crash, if the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2017 Versa vehicles manufactured August 1, 2016, to August 16, 2016. A seam in the fabric section of the side curtain air bags may tear during side curtain air bag deployment, potentially affecting the performance of the air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation", and number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating side curtain air bag deployment, if the side curtain air bags do not deploy as intended there would be an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Nissan Versa
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Nissan Versa with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 5 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
To whom it may concern the tint on all four of my doors is obstructing my site with Windows up my back window has bubbles all through it. Mike Erdman Nissan has replaced that one one time and it’s bubbled again. They refuse to replace the door window tint and said it was self inflicted. I have also tried to contact the tint department at the dealership numerous times and the dealership said they w...
On 3/21/25 I was informed by Malik's Auto Repair that I need my transmission replaced after a diagnostic of my car making a vacuum noise. After researching, I found that many Nissan vehicles have been experiencing this problem. I contacted Nissan and they informed me that no recall has been made for my make and model. It is a safety issue because at any time the car could stop causing an accide...
Car was purchased September 2024 for my grandson. This car was garaged until mid-March when my grandson received his driver's license. End of March 2025, car was in the dealership for service and a complimentary multipoint inspection was done. On May 14, 2025, my grandson was driving to school in the rain. All of a sudden, water starts gushing out of the glove compartment. The whole interior ...
Hood latch allowed hood to fly open at 30 mph, causing $3100 worth of damage to car, Potentially causing serious other vehicular/occupant injuries. Apparently the latch was inadvertently engaged, but the secondary latch did not hold and let the hood fly open. This incident happened 8/2023 but was not reported to Nissan and while estimate was obtained, repairs were not made.
Power steering goes out while driving often.
These vehicles have a cowl drain located on the passenger side under the wiper blades. The drain is really small so it clogs easily. When there are heavy rains, my car floods. It has happened on several occasions, including Monday 7/8/2024. It happened while driving in June 2023. I am not sure why Nissan hasn’t done anything to mitigate this problem. I am not even sure of this is the appropriate p...
Driver side airbag system completely broken. No crashes or accidents caused this. It happened out of nowhere one day.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was flushed; however, the failure pers...
Passenger door lock/unlocked, not working. Buzz noise when operating key fob; actuator malfunction. Can't open door manually.
When door assembly went out the door was stuck in the locked position the drivers door couldn’t be opened from inside or outside with or without the key. even if you manually opened the lock from the inside you couldn’t get out
ENGINE BROKE DOWN AT 25000 MILES ONLY WITH ALL MAINTENANCE DONE ,
Car will only start sporadically. Had both camshaft sensors replaced, check engine light still on. Unable to predict when vehicle will start. Sometimes it will rev up but wont actually start. Dealership says it needs ECM and engine harness replaced. I have had to get it towed several times from several random parking lots or streets because it wouldn't start. Wont pass an emissions test even thou...
Transmission failed 2x within 6 months extended warranty was 5k miles past 130k max mileage coverage 2nd transmission went out going 20 mph and revved up to 25mph and transmission failed. 1st time it went out I was in Cleveland on a busy road making a turn and transmission went out. Cars were beeping behind me. Issue is unknown as to why transmission keeps going out but is a safety issue. 2nd tran...
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved fault code: P0705 indicating the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufact...
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and vibrate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a relative who was an independent mechanic; he informed her daughter that the issue was related to the transmiss...
My car stalled while at an intersection, i was driving and came to a red light where i stopped upon the light changing green i stepped on the gas pedal and my car would not move. I shifted into reverse and still no movement. I turned my car off and restarted it and no movement, the engine turned on etc i had to move it over to a side residential street to get it out of on coming traffic.
On Oct 29, 2021 at 4:30pm I got into my car and had no gears. The car went into drive but the car would not shift into gear. The drivetran would not engage for any gear even if shifted to the gear. The car shifted gears and drove without issue this morning.
Transmission went out on highway, car went from 70 to zero while on cruise control on 85 n in SC. Car startled again in traffic causing an accident
When it rains, water flows through the filter cabin water to collect below the windshield and, when the collected water doesn't drain, it flows into the car on the front passenger side floor. The water trough runs under the windshield wipers runs from one side of the car to the other. the trough collects water and has the drains on each side get plugged, water collects in the trough and will slosh...
It happened on the passenger side water was filling up on the passenger side of the car about a week ago last Friday evening when I got off work I don't know where it is coming from but it is in the front and back seat of the car on the passenger side
Showing 20 of 61 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2017 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 2017 Nissan Versa
Has the 2017 NISSAN VERSA been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 NISSAN VERSA has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 NISSAN VERSA have?
The 2017 NISSAN VERSA has 61 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 8 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
The 2017 NISSAN VERSA does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 NISSAN VERSA involve air bags (9 complaints), electrical system,unknown or other (4 complaints), unknown or other (4 complaints). Other affected components include power train, service brakes, structure.
How many crash reports does the 2017 NISSAN VERSA have?
There are 8 crash reports associated with the 2017 NISSAN VERSA out of 61 total complaints (13.1% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 NISSAN VERSA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2017 NISSAN VERSA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 NISSAN VERSA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 NISSAN VERSA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 NISSAN VERSA is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 61 complaints, 3 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 NISSAN VERSA are: 1. AIR BAGS (9 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 3. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (4 complaints), 5. SERVICE BRAKES (4 complaints). AIR BAGS is the single most-reported problem area with 9 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
Be aware of potential airbag and electrical system issues, and regularly check for recalls. Ensure the transmission and other critical systems are functioning properly. The 2017 NISSAN VERSA has 61 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
The 2017 NISSAN VERSA receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 61 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 8 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Airbags and Electrical System.
What are the known issues with the 2017 NISSAN VERSA?
Known issues with the 2017 NISSAN VERSA include: Airbags, Electrical System, Power Train, Structural. These are based on patterns found across 61 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2017 Nissan Versa?
Yes, there are recalls for airbag and electrical system issues.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Nissan Versa?
The most common problems include transmission failures, airbag system malfunctions, and electrical system issues.
Can the airbag system malfunction without a crash?
Yes, the airbag system can malfunction without a crash, as indicated by one of the recalls.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential airbag and electrical system issues, and regularly check for recalls. Ensure the transmission and other critical systems are functioning properly.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Nissan Versa
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Nissan Versa. The data includes 61 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 8 reported crashes, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
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