2020 Nissan Versa Safety Report
2020 NISSAN VERSA Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Nissan Versa
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 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 | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (58) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2022 | Compare against the 2022 Nissan Versa with 16 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2017 | Check the 2017 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Nissan Versa | 29 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Nissan Versa | 22 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Nissan Versa | 16 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Nissan Versa | 52 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Nissan Versa | 37 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Nissan Versa | 61 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Nissan Versa Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 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.
Power Train
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyEngine
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Nissan onlyForward Collision Avoidance
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyFuel/Propulsion System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Nissan onlyAir Bags
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Nissan Versa
Reliability Score
The 2020 Nissan Versa receives a reliability score of 55 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.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 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 2020 Nissan Versa
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Nissan Versa:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train And Forward Collision Avoidance Vehicles have reported unexpected jerks and stalls during acceleration, particularly around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System Fuel system issues have led to an overwhelming smell of fuel inside the cabin, with reports of these problems occurring around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Electrical system failures have been reported, with 2% of vehicles experiencing these issues around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bags Air bag malfunctions have been noted, with 2% of vehicles experiencing these issues around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | 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 2020 Nissan Versa:
Issues with power train, including unexpected jerks and stalls during acceleration.
Problems with forward collision avoidance systems.
Fuel system issues leading to an overwhelming smell of fuel inside the cabin.
Electrical system failures.
Recall Details for the 2020 Nissan Versa
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Nissan Versa by NHTSA:
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.
Consequence: Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's numbers for this recall are PM986 and PC811.
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Versa vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the fuel tank wall thickness may be insufficient, potentially causing a small hole in the tank seam area.
Consequence: If a small hole is present, a fuel leak may occur if the operator fills the tank over half full, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Nissan Versa
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Nissan Versa with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 3 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle unexpectedly jerked and stalled with the transmission warning light and the malfunction indicator warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the fai...
Unknown: overwhelming smell of fuel (fumes) inside the cabin. Dealer "repaired" the issue when newer. Car has same issue again but the Dealer has NO records of what was done to fix the problem. Exposed to these fumes cannot be good for driver nor passengers.
I have a 2020 Nissan versa it only has 100,000 miles on it. That’s not really a lot since it had about 75000 miles on it. I noticed that the car started slightly jerking. I couldn’t figure out what was going wrong and neither could anybody else eventually at around 100,000 miles I took it into another mechanic and he found the problem. The transmission is slipping and it is completely ruined. The ...
Recently out 2020 Nissan Versa started "Shuddering" when accelerating at low speeds. I took it to the Nissan Dealership and they quoted me $7,000 saying the transmission had to be replaced. I conducted online reviews and found Nissan customers experience this same issue in concerning numbers. I found multiple Nissan Technical Bulletins about this very issue, with this vehicle. Not only is it conce...
I have had this happen numerous times in my car for absolutely no reason. I also just got my cars state inspection and nothing was noted, while other things unrelated to this issue were recommended by the mechanic. The car will start to stall in reverse AND in regular driving mode. Most recently it will come up with see manufacturers manual, and my engine light, traction control and crash sensors ...
I am reporting a chronic and dangerous defect in my 2020 Nissan Versa that results in an unpredictable, sudden, and complete loss of acceleration (motive power) while driving. This defect has been present since shortly after purchase and remains unresolved, posing a severe safety risk on public roads. Specific Safety Incident Details: Symptoms: The failure begins with the illumination of the Mal...
Stalls when accelerating after temporary stopping. Particularly when pulling out onto a main road. Wheels not registering psi properly.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving 25-30 MPH, another vehicle ran the stop sign and crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle, and the entire front end of the vehicle was impacted and was significantly damaged. The contact stated that the front bumper separated and the headlights detached. The contact was occupying the front driver's seat while th...
I have replaced the mass airflow sensor multiple times also transmission is starting to slipping,not responding correctly, when this starts all the lights on my dash come on and also does not accelerate or respond as it should very dissatisfied when they saw me would never recommend to buy another one
Car runs rough at idle and has difficulty accelerating. Check engine lights comes on intermittently. CODE p0101 points at MAF sensor. Replaced multiple times. Cleaned air system, ie filter, hoses and throttle body. Same issues. Car feels unpredictable and unsafe. Can’t accelerate through intersections and does not respond well went issue is present.
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the Chevrolet dealer where the vehicle was purchased, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informe...
I have serval codes from varies companies, O'Reilly's, Luther Nissan Dearlership from April to June 2025, the code is P0012, camshaft. The vehicle intermittently does not have power and I could easily be rear ended. Even thought Luther Nissan has had code P0012, camshaft they have not fixed it. I brought it to Luther Nissan 3 times since 4/22/25 to 6/2/25. Luther said,"Valvoline put transmission f...
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving 40 MPH or exceeding 40 MPH, the vehicle started jerking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure milea...
The transmission slips constantly. Car loses power. When they check the car they say nothing is wrong. CVT transmission
Good afternoon This is [XXX] The car wholesale auto Naugatuck CT number We got a Nissan versa 2020 picked it up on [XXX] the car is having same issues twice it is drifting to one side mostly when braking I first got it fixed myself with new control arm in the front because the car was favoring the the passenger side and wheels would get locked we got it fixed form the dealership first then the...
Engine slowing down during acceleration, transmission not changing gears, and jittery driving during 40-55 MPH
All the dash lights come on car acceleration will either speed up or slow down on its own the transmission slips shakes and stalls at red lights
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased with a cracked windshield. After investigating the failure, the contact determined that the cracked windshield was interfering with the Forward Collision Avoidance sensor and the Rear Collision sensor. The vehicle was taken bac...
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the RPM dropped, and the vehicle was unable to accelerate. The contact stated that the RPM then suddenly increased and the vehicle quickly accelerated. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who w...
I am writing to formally report ongoing and unresolved issues with my vehicle that have significantly impacted its safety and reliability. The persistent problems include: Multiple simultaneous dashboard warning indicator illuminations Recurring "See Owner's Manual" malfunction notifications Intermittent Key System Error messages Continuous presence of diagnostic Code P0101 A representative from ...
Showing 20 of 58 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Nissan Versa
Has the 2020 NISSAN VERSA been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 NISSAN VERSA has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 NISSAN VERSA have?
The 2020 NISSAN VERSA has 58 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 5 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 NISSAN VERSA?
The 2020 NISSAN VERSA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 NISSAN VERSA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 NISSAN VERSA involve power train (5 complaints), engine (4 complaints), forward collision avoidance (4 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, fuel/propulsion system, air bags.
How many crash reports does the 2020 NISSAN VERSA have?
There are 5 crash reports associated with the 2020 NISSAN VERSA out of 58 total complaints (8.6% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 NISSAN VERSA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2020 NISSAN VERSA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 NISSAN VERSA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 NISSAN VERSA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 NISSAN VERSA?
5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 NISSAN VERSA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 NISSAN VERSA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 NISSAN VERSA is acceptable with caveats. It has 58 complaints, 2 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 NISSAN VERSA?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 NISSAN VERSA are: 1. POWER TRAIN (5 complaints), 2. ENGINE (4 complaints), 3. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (4 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints), 5. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 NISSAN VERSA?
Be cautious of unexpected jerks and stalls during acceleration, and be aware of potential fuel system issues leading to an overwhelming smell of fuel inside the cabin. The 2020 NISSAN VERSA has 58 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2020 NISSAN VERSA?
The 2020 NISSAN VERSA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 58 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Power Train and Forward Collision Avoidance and Fuel System.
What are the known issues with the 2020 NISSAN VERSA?
Known issues with the 2020 NISSAN VERSA include: Power Train and Forward Collision Avoidance, Fuel System, Electrical System, Air Bags. These are based on patterns found across 58 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2020 Nissan Versa?
The most common issues are unexpected jerks and stalls during acceleration, and fuel system problems leading to an overwhelming smell of fuel inside the cabin.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 Nissan Versa?
Yes, there are recalls for exterior lighting and fuel system issues.
What should I do if I experience unexpected jerks and stalls during acceleration?
Take your vehicle to a dealership for inspection and repair as soon as possible.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of unexpected jerks and stalls during acceleration, and be aware of potential fuel system issues leading to an overwhelming smell of fuel inside the cabin.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Nissan Versa
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Nissan Versa. The data includes 58 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 5 reported crashes, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Nissan Versa an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 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