The 2008 Nissan Versa is a budget econobox that suffers from catastrophic CVT transmission failures and premature engine damage, particularly on the 1.8L models. What was marketed as reliable basic transportation became infamous for requiring complete drivetrain replacements well before 100,000 miles.
CVT Transmission Complete Failure (RE0F08A/B)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or juddering during acceleration, especially 15-40 mph, Whining or grinding noise from transmission, Hesitation or delayed response when accelerating from stop, Sudden loss of power or failure to move forward, Check engine light with codes P0868, P0730, P0746
Fix: CVT replacement is the only real fix once failure begins. Rebuilds rarely last. Requires 8-12 labor hours for transmission removal, replacement, and fluid fill. Nissan extended warranty to 120k/10yr on some units but many 2008s aged out. Used transmissions are a gamble; remanufactured units recommended.
Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500
Premature Engine Failure - Piston Ring and Bearing Wear (1.8L MR18DE)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption, quart every 500-1,000 miles, Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Loud knocking or rattling from engine block, Loss of compression, hard starting, Metal shavings in oil, low oil pressure warning
Fix: Piston ring wear leads to oil burning; if neglected, spun bearings follow. Repair requires full engine teardown with new rings, bearings, and often piston replacement. Most owners opt for used engine swap (6-10 hours) or short block replacement (12-16 hours). Head gasket replacement alone runs 8-10 hours if caught early with overheating.
Estimated cost: $2,800-6,000
Takata Airbag Inflator Rupture Risk
Common · high severity
Symptoms: Recall notice received in mail, SRS airbag warning light (if inflator begins deteriorating), No symptoms until deployment, when inflator can explode sending metal shrapnel into cabin
Fix: Multiple Takata recalls (4 for passenger side, 2 for driver side) affect nearly all 2008 Versas. Dealers replace inflators free, 1-2 hours per side. DO NOT ignore this recall - fatalities have occurred. Check VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls even if you think it was done.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall repair)
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: Red transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, usually front-center, Burning smell from engine bay, Transmission overheating warnings, Fluid level dropping rapidly, requiring frequent top-ups
Fix: Rubber hoses and crimp fittings at the CVT cooler deteriorate. Replacing cooler lines runs 2-3 hours; often discover main cooler itself is leaking or clogged, adding another 1-2 hours. If CVT runs low on fluid even briefly, internal damage accelerates. Catch this early or face transmission replacement.
Estimated cost: $350-800
Failed Engine and Transmission Mounts
Occasional · low severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive vibration at idle, especially in Drive, Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Engine rocks visibly when accelerating or braking, Increased cabin noise and harshness
Fix: Hydraulic engine mounts and transmission mounts collapse from heat and age. Right-side engine mount is most common failure. Replacing all three mounts (right, left, transmission) runs 3-4 hours. Don't ignore this - broken mounts put stress on CV axles and shift cables.
Estimated cost: $450-750
Front Coil Spring Fractures
Rare · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking noise over bumps, Vehicle sits lower on one front corner, Tire wear on inside edge from misalignment, Possible tire damage if broken spring end contacts sidewall
Fix: Recall 14V-342 covered some units for corroded/fractured front coil springs. If not recalled, springs can still fracture from road salt exposure. Replacement involves strut removal, spring compressor work, 2-3 hours per side plus alignment. Check recall status by VIN first.
Estimated cost: $400-700 (if not covered)
Owner tips
Change CVT fluid every 30,000 miles with Nissan NS-2 or NS-3 spec fluid only - this may extend transmission life to 100k+
Check oil level every fillup on 1.8L engines; top off immediately if low to prevent bearing damage
Verify all Takata airbag recalls completed before purchase - some owners still haven't done them
Inspect transmission cooler lines annually for seepage; $20 in hose clamps beats $4,000 in CVT replacement
Avoid the 2007-2012 Versa CVT models entirely if possible; the 6-speed manual transmission is bulletproof by comparison
Hard pass unless it's a manual transmission model under $3,000 with documented oil consumption test showing no burning - the CVT failure rate and engine issues make this one of the least reliable used car values in its class.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 22E066000
2022-08-09
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 20V008000
2020-01-09 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, 2002-2004 Pathfinder, 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback, 2001-2004 Infiniti I30 and I35, 2002-2003 Inifiniti QX4, 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45 and 2006-2010 M35 and M45 vehicles. The vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated, frontal passenger air bag inflators containing phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant that were used as interim remedy parts for previous Takata recalls. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators with alternate desiccated inflators, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 888-737-9511 or Infiniti customer service at 888-810-3715.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 18V452000
2018-07-06 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2008 Nissan Versa sedan and Versa hatchback vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The passenger air bag inflators may explode due to propellant degradation due to exposure to humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: If an inflator were to explode it may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 25, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: The vehicles covered by this recall are in addition to those covered by recall 16V-349.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 17V449000
2017-07-17 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the subject inflator with a new one manufactured by a different supplier, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 17V028000
2017-01-10 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A".
Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B".
Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 16V349000
2016-05-24 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2003-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2011 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A."
Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2003-2004 Infiniti I35, 2006-2008 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles, originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B."
Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Infiniti I35 vehicles originally sold, or registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2017. All owners should receive a second notice by May 15, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS · 15V573000
2015-09-14 · PE15019
Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
Consequence: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began on February 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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