Nissan Versa VIN Number Check

Enter a Nissan Versa VIN for a free NHTSA vPIC decode: build details, the generation it belongs to and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. Owner reports follow below.

VIN prefix3N1

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Nissan Versa

About the Nissan Versa

Nissan has sold the Versa in the US since the 2007 model year, and there have been three generations. Gen 1 first (2007–2012), then Gen 2 (2012–2019), and the Gen 3 took over for 2020–2025. Across those years NHTSA lists 30 vehicle recall campaigns and 3,586 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 1. Its 2009 and 2008 model years alone account for 884 of them, with owners bringing up air bags most often and the suspension after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 27–30 mpg combined, while the Gen 3 gets 30–35 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2007–2025

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2 · Gen 3

NHTSA recall campaigns30

Owner complaints3,586 at NHTSA

Nissan Versa photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Nissan Versa generations

Three generations since the 2007 model year. The Gen 1 (2007–2012) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 2 (2012–2019) the most recall campaigns (19).

3 / 3

Gen 3

2020–20253rd generation

20072010201520202025

2020–2025· Generation 3 of 3

Gen 3 · 3rd generation

EPA classCompact Cars

EPA combined mpg30–35

NHTSA recalls5

Engines (EPA)

1.6 L 4-cyl · 2020–2025

Drive & transmission (EPA)

FWD
CVT (2020–2025), manual (2020–2025)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (105)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (86)Electrical system (46)2 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 260 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 33N1CN8BV?RL······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2024 Nissan Versa S, built in Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes

Check a Versa VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Versa model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 30 campaigns on file for Versa model years 2007–2025, and the 2012 shows up in more of them than any other year (10), ahead of the 2007 (8). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Nissan Versa owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 2009 (503 of 3,586). Tap any bar or generation.

3,586NHTSA complaints, 2007–2025

288mention a crash

39mention a fire

234injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 3: 260 complaints · most for the 2024 (96)

Top complaint areas · Gen 3

Mentions in 260 complaints, 2020–2025.

Engine and cooling105

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)86

Electrical system46

Speed control / acceleration38

Forward collision avoidance31

Fuel system25

Crashes 13Fires 0Injuries 10

2020–2025 (Gen 3)

NHTSA data summary

Complaints peak with the 2024 (96 of 260). Owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (105 mentions), then powertrain (86).

What Versa owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2020–2025 (3rd generation)

Owner data is thin for this generation, with only a few CarComplaints reports. For 2020 they cite a backup camera failure, white smoke from a parked car and air bags that deployed for no reason. On the 2024, many NHTSA complaints come from owners of manual transmission cars who say that after a stall the engine went into a reduced power mode and would not go past low speeds. The US Versa ended after the 2025 model year. [1] [2]

2012–2019 (2nd generation)

The CVT is the main concern. CarComplaints says the 2012–2017 Versa has an expensive CVT failure defect that stands out in its data and notes a 2019 class action settlement, and CVT and transmission trouble also leads NHTSA complaints on the 2014. Recalls cover a center console trim panel on 2012–2015 sedans that may catch the driver shoe and delay moving from the gas to the brake, and side impact sensor connectors on some 2012 models that may set off the side air bags when a door is slammed. [3] [4]

2007–2012 (1st generation)

Air bag recalls dominate this generation, which ran through 2012 for the hatchback. CarComplaints warns that the 2007–2011 Versa was recalled for defective Takata air bags and that many owners had trouble getting the repair done. Recalls cover driver air bag inflators on 2007–2012 models that may rupture, passenger inflators on 2009–2012 models and front coil springs on 2007–2012 models in road salt states that may corrode and break. NHTSA owners of the 2009 also report suspension and tire trouble. [5] [6]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the Takata air bag and coil spring recalls on 2007–2012 models and the console trim recall on 2012–2015 sedans.
Ask for CVT service records or proof of any transmission replacement.
On the drive, feel for shudder, slipping or hesitation, test the backup camera and on manual cars check for any reduced power warning.

Sources (6) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner opinions · Reddit

What Nissan Versa owners say on Reddit

Summarized from public threads

SummaryPros & consThreads

Versa owners on Reddit mostly describe a cheap, honest commuter. A new 2024 owner with the five-speed manual likes the low price, roughly 33 mpg in mixed driving, a big trunk and simple controls, but misses a center armrest and a key fob. Owners of older manual cars call theirs the most reliable car they have had, with one 2014 at about 120,000 miles. A 2019 CVT owner started having uphill jerking right after a dealer fluid flush, and others say a drain and fill is the safer service.

Pros

Low purchase price and cheap to maintain
Good fuel economy and a large trunk for a small car
Manual cars praised as simple and very reliable

Cons

Base trims lack an armrest and keyless entry
CVT service needs care, and a flush caused trouble for one owner
Slow and plain to drive

Nissan Versa 5-Speed Manual Review r/nissanversa · 2024-02-20
Love this thing r/nissanversa · 2025-11-01
Transmission Fluid Change Update + Problems r/nissanversa · 2026-06-18

Opinions of individual owners, summarized in our own words. Not verified data; check recalls and complaints above.

Owner complaints · by model year

Versa complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Versa version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

3,586complaints, 2007–2025

288mention a crash

39mention a fire

234injuries reported

12complaints report a death

Most complaints: 2009 (503), 2012 (486), 2008 (381)

2009 · 503 complaints

Crashes 27 · fires 2 · injuries 16

Suspension182

Air bags179

Steering28

Wheels26

Engine and engine cooling23

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Versa CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 59 Versa versions for model years 2007–2025. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 253 g/mi (2025). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 12007–2011

27–30 mpg · CO₂ 296–329 g/mi

Gen 22012–2019

27–35 mpg · CO₂ 255–329 g/mi

Gen 32020–2025

30–35 mpg · CO₂ 253–296 g/mi

Model year2025

35combined MPG

253CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$1,900EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

7/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Versa · Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 1.6 L — 35 MPG · 253 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Versa vs Toyota Corolla vs Volkswagen Jetta

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2020–2025. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the Versa, while the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta have 11 each. Pick a range to compare.

Nissan VersaGen 3

Model years 2020–2025

NHTSA recall campaigns: 5
NHTSA owner complaints: 260
EPA combined mpg: 30–35
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.6 L
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 105
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 86
Electrical system 46

Toyota Corolla

Model years 2020–2025

NHTSA recall campaigns: 11
NHTSA owner complaints: 769
EPA combined mpg: 22–52
Engines (EPA): 3-cyl 1.6 L · 4-cyl 1.8, 2.0 L
Also listed: hybrid, turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 184
Electrical system 103
Air bags 99

Volkswagen Jetta

Model years 2020–2025

NHTSA recall campaigns: 11
NHTSA owner complaints: 281
EPA combined mpg: 28–35
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 1.4, 1.5, 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): FWD
NHTSA crash rating: 5★ overall (2025)

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Brakes 68
Electrical system 59
Engine and cooling 52

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Nissan Versa VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Versa

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

White Nissan Versa (third generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Versa's VIN appears on a plate at the base of the driver's side windshield. Inside the driver's door jamb, a sticker carries the full number, and the door sill may carry an additional stamp on some model years. The Gen 3 generation starts with the 2020 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (L for 2020) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Nissan Versa VIN questions

Which Nissan Versa model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2009 leads with 503, ahead of the 2012 (486) and 2008 (381). Those first two alone make up 28% of the 3,586 Versa complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Nissan Versa had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 30 vehicle campaigns for model years 2007–2025, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 2 leads with 19. Then come the Gen 1 (16) and Gen 3 (5), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Nissan Versa recalls are high risk?

16V-349, 17V-028 and 17V-449 cover air bag inflators that can rupture. 18V-452, 20V-008, 18V-044, 18V-401, 17V-275 and 24V-154 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 10V-401 and 20V-112. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Versa generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2007–2012 and the Gen 2 2012–2019. Gen 3 spans 2020–2025. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (L is 2020).

What fuel economy does the Nissan Versa get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2020–2025 Gen 3 at 30–35 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 27–30 mpg for the 2007–2012 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Nissan Versa compare with the Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Jetta on recalls?

For 2020–2025 models the Versa has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Toyota Corolla has 11, the Volkswagen Jetta 11. Complaints run 260, 769 and 281 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Nissan Versa have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Versa 5 stars overall. One version, FWD, is rated.

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Nissan Versa VIN Number Check

About the Nissan Versa

Nissan Versa generations