The 2010 Versa is budget transportation that shows its price point in durability. The CVT transmission and catalytic converter are the two biggest wallet-drainers, while the 1.8L engine has a known pre-ignition defect that can destroy internals.
CVT Transmission Failure (RE0F08A/B)
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Shuddering or juddering during acceleration, especially 15-40 mph, Whining or grinding noises from transmission, Slipping, hesitation, or loss of power on inclines, Transmission overheating warnings, Complete failure to move forward or reverse
Fix: CVT replacement or rebuild required; Nissan extended warranty to 120k/10yr on some VINs but many fall outside coverage. Fluid changes every 30k can delay but not prevent failure. Rebuild: 8-12 hours labor. Replacement with reman unit: 6-8 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $3,200-5,500
Catalytic Converter Failure and P0420 Code
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with P0420 (catalyst efficiency below threshold), Reduced fuel economy, sluggish acceleration, Rotten egg smell from exhaust, Failure of state emissions testing
Fix: OEM cats fail prematurely on both engines; aftermarket often fails quickly too. Must use quality aftermarket or OEM. Includes downstream O2 sensor replacement recommended. 2-3 hours labor for cat replacement.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
1.8L MR18DE Pre-Ignition Engine Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Knocking or pinging sound under load, especially uphill or hot weather, Loss of power and excessive oil consumption (1qt/1,000 mi or worse), Metal shavings in oil, low oil pressure warnings, Complete engine failure with rod knock or seized motor
Fix: The 1.8L has a defect causing pre-ignition that cracks piston ringlands and scores cylinder walls. Once symptoms appear, damage is done. Requires shortblock or complete engine replacement. Some got Nissan goodwill assistance but most pay out of pocket. 18-24 hours labor for engine replacement.
Symptoms: Recall notices by mail from Nissan, SRS airbag light may or may not illuminate, No symptoms until deployment, when inflator can rupture sending metal shrapnel into cabin
Fix: Driver and passenger airbag inflators affected by Takata recall. NHTSA shows 6 recall campaigns for this vehicle's airbags. Repair is FREE at any Nissan dealer but parts availability has been an issue. Check VIN at Nissan's recall site before purchase. 1-2 hours labor per inflator (dealer covers).
Estimated cost: $0
Transmission Cooler Line Corrosion and Leaks
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi
Symptoms: Red transmission fluid puddles under vehicle, Fluid leaking near radiator or along frame rails, Low CVT fluid level causing slipping or overheating, Visible rust or corrosion on steel cooler lines
Fix: Steel transmission cooler lines rust through, especially in salt-belt states. Sometimes external cooler also leaks. Must replace lines and flush system; if CVT ran low on fluid, internal damage likely already done. 2-3 hours labor for line replacement.
Estimated cost: $400-750
Front Coil Spring Fracture (Recall 14V-220)
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: Clunking or popping noise from front suspension over bumps, Visible crack or break in coil spring, Vehicle sits lower on one side, Tire wear on inner or outer edge from misalignment
Fix: NHTSA recall for front coil springs cracking due to corrosion. Primarily affects rust-belt vehicles. Recall covers inspection and replacement if cracked. If outside recall scope, spring replacement is 2-3 hours per side including alignment.
Estimated cost: $0-600
Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start condition with cranking but no fire, Stalling while driving, especially when engine is hot, Check engine light with P0335 or P0340 codes, Intermittent cutting out that worsens over time
Fix: Crank sensor fails internally, often heat-related. Common no-start cause. Sensor itself is cheap but labor varies by engine: 1.6L is easy (0.5-1 hr), 1.8L requires removing timing cover and more access work (2-3 hrs). Always replace with OEM Hitachi sensor, not cheap aftermarket.
Estimated cost: $150-450
Owner tips
CVT fluid change every 30,000 miles with OEM NS-2 or NS-3 fluid is mandatory — extends trans life but won't prevent eventual failure
If buying used, avoid the 1.8L engine unless you have full service records showing no oil consumption issues; 1.6L is more reliable
Check VIN for all outstanding Takata airbag recalls before purchase — this is a safety issue
In rust-belt states, inspect frame rails, subframe, and suspension components carefully — these rust badly
Budget $200/month for the inevitable CVT or engine repair fund if keeping past 100k miles
Only buy if under $4k, you need basic A-to-B transport, and you're handy enough to swap it when (not if) the CVT or engine dies — otherwise walk away.
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.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2010 Nissan Versa
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
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 · 18V401000
2018-06-15 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2011-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of 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. Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of 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.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity 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: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · 18V044000
2018-01-10 · EA15001
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Versa Hatchback, and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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."
Nissan is also recalling certain 2009 Versa Hatchback and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of 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 or "Zone C."
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity 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: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
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 · 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.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.