Nissan Versa note problems
The Nissan Note (Japanese: 日産・ノート, Hepburn: Nissan Nōto) is a supermini/subcompact hatchback or a mini MPV manufactured and marketed globally by Nissan. Introduced in 2004, the first-generation Note was primarily marketed in Japan and Europe, and was produced in Japan and the United Kingdom. The second-generation model was sold in other regions, including North America where it was manufactured in Mexico and marketed as the Versa Note, and Thailand, where it serves as one of the B-segment hatchback offered by the brand alongside the smaller March/Micra under the Eco Car tax scheme.
In 2017, the second-generation Note was replaced by the French-built K14 Micra for the European market. The Versa Note was discontinued in North America in 2019 due to the decreasing demand for subcompact hatchbacks in the region. It continued to be produced and sold in Japan up to the introduction of the third-generation Note in late 2020.
The Note was introduced with a series hybrid drivetrain in late 2016 as the Note e-Power. Due to its popularity and the push of electrification, the third-generation Note is only available with the e-Power drivetrain, which consumes 29.5km/l (69m/USg).
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Nissan Versa note model years
Common Nissan Versa note problems
The Nissan Versa Note has been a popular compact car since its inception in 2006, but like any vehicle, it has its share of common problems. Here are some of the most frequently reported issues based on complaints from owners:
- Transmission Problems: The 2014 Nissan Versa Note has been identified as the worst model year for transmission problems, with numerous reports of transmission failure.
- Fuel Injection: One of the most common issues reported by Nissan Versa Note owners is related to the fuel injection system, specifically the Throttle Body Fuel Injection (TBI). Some owners have reported that the TBI requires frequent cleaning to prevent high fuel consumption, while others have experienced complications due to this issue.
- Catalytic Converter: Another common problem reported by Versa Note owners is related to the catalytic converter. Some drivers have experienced their car failing due to this issue, with the engine dying after warning lights come on. However, this issue typically affects models with over 100,000 kilometers.
- Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS): Some Versa Note owners have reported issues with the ABS, with the warning light coming on for various reasons, such as faulty speed sensors, low brake fluid, or total brake failure.
- Lane-Keeping Assist System: Some drivers have reported issues with the lane-keeping assist system, which is designed to help keep the vehicle in its lane and prevent it from drifting from side to side.
In summary, the Nissan Versa Note has faced several common problems, primarily related to transmission issues, fuel injection, catalytic converter, anti-lock brake system, and lane-keeping assist system. While these issues can be frustrating for owners, it is essential to address them promptly to ensure the safety and longevity of the vehicle.
What is the major problem with the Nissan Versa?
Known examples include trouble shifting gears, the transmission jerking while driving, jumps in the tachometer gauge, and whining noises. Many owners have also reported that their Versa abruptly stopped on the road, which put them at great risk of a car accident.
Is the Nissan Versa Note a reliable car?
On average, you can expect a well-cared-for Nissan Versa Note to last for approximately 200,000 miles. The national average is around 15,000 miles per year, and getjerry.com indicates that the Nissan Versa is a fairly reliable vehicle.
What is the common problem of Nissan Note?
Problem: It is common on the Note for the gears to slip when changing. This is due to a fault with the torque converter in the gearbox. This can be a very expensive repair.
What is the weakness of the Nissan Note?
The Note's weakness was pedestrian protection, where it scored a mediocre 58%.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Nissan Versa note years
We have researched Nissan problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Nissan Versa note cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Nissan Versa note model years:
- Nissan Versa note 2014
- Nissan Versa note 2015
- Nissan Versa note 2016
- Nissan Versa note 2017
- Nissan Versa note 2018
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Nissan Versa note model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Nissan Versa note years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Nissan Versa note car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Nissan Versa note , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Power train problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Engine problems
- Air bags problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Nissan Versa note vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Versa note model years
A total of 88 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Versa note model years
There were a total of 5 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Versa note model years
There were a total of 76 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with deaths by Versa note model years
There were a total of 3 complaints that resulted in a death. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 738 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Nissan Versa note . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Nissan Versa note vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Nissan Versa note 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-11
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-11
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP6EL
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I had an accident, and it was pretty bad and my air bags did not deploy. The car might be a total loss and I was very surprised and concerned that the bags did not deploy. Even my phone detected the crash and alerted my family members. That happened immediately after the crash.
Nissan Versa note 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-04
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-07
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP3HL
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch failed to start as needed and the vehicle failed to start. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer confirmed the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Nissan Versa note 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-09-23
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP4FL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: Only have 81000 miles on my versa took to shop and did diagnose on it said I need a new transmission I don’t even drive that much and quoted $8000 to replace it I called a transmission shop and they told me those cars are known to have bad transmission Nissan needs to step up and admit the transmission or faulty
Nissan Versa note 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-21
- VIN: 3N1CN7AP5HL
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Power steering goes out while driving often.
Nissan Versa note 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-30
- Date Complaint: 2024-08-20
- VIN: 3N1CN7AP4EL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: See attached document for complaint
Nissan Versa note 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-08
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-10
- VIN: 3N1CN7AP5HL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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 place to contract but I figured I would try. Thanks.
Nissan Versa note 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-07
- VIN: 3N1CN7AP8HL
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Driver side airbag system completely broken. No crashes or accidents caused this. It happened out of nowhere one day.
Nissan Versa note 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-03
- VIN: 3N1CN7AP7FL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I have had two major instances where the Mass Air Flow Sensor (MAF) has caused my vehicle to lose total power. The first incident occurred around midnight one night as I was heading home. I was unable to accelerate from a stop sign and had to put the car in neutral and coast in reverse to be able to get my vehicle out of the road and along the curb. The vehicle would not start on its own. I had to have the vehicle towed and taken to a mechanic where repairs were completed. WIthin two months of these repairs, I notice the problem seems to be returning. Three times I notice the car not accelerating correctly and one instance where I tried to press the gas pedal and had no response from the car to it. Ultimately these issue led to my coming home one night around 2am and the car simply would not accelerate at all. I had to pull over and again call a tow truck. My mechanic tells me the the MAF sensor is faulty, but the company handling the extended warranty wants to see the car orior to repairs being done. However, that means I am stuck waiting almost a week before repairs can even begin. Its very nerve racking having this issue on your vehicle. Its an intermittent problem that seems to creep up whenever it feels like it, I have to drive my car for work and I often keep late hours. I dont like the idea of breaking down at night in an area I am not familiar with Having thid problem affects not only my and others safety but my overall well being and financial stability
Nissan Versa note 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-03
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP8EL
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Over the past 4 years I have delt with my 2014 Nissan Versa Note SV constantly stalling in the middle of the road. I have replaced the transmission, TCM, and brake light wiring harness. I have had the Nissan dealership assess my vehicle three different times for 3+ days. They have completed wiring diagnostics and determined that the brake light wiring harness is getting water into the wiring causing a short and blowing the #49 fuse under the hood that also operates the transmission CVT/TCM. Their solution was to replace the wiring harness. This was completed last week. It rained again the last couple days off and on. The fuse has blown again. This causes the vehicle to stall in the middle of the road. There is no advanced warning or messages that appear. The check engine light does not come on either. It is way too hot out for my new baby for the vehicle to stall and not be able to run. Cars begin honking and swerving around my vehicle. The vehicle has to be pushed out of the road. Fuse after fuse has been replaced. New light bulbs. New wiring harness and still the same outcome. Please help.
Nissan Versa note 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-27
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP8FL
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: When driving the electric power steering began to malfunction in short periods of driving, making it very hard to drive safely. Until a few weeks later the whole unit stopped working and the power steering light came on. This made it hard to steer in high and low speeds. This put my car and others at risk in lane changing and during turns because of the seizing steering. Imagine if a person jumps out in front of the car and the brakes weren’t a viable option, I would not be able to swerve out of the way. Or run off the road. Our auto mechanic recommended we report it to NHTSA because the car can lose control due to the steering seizing. The mechanic said the car is not old enough for it to be failing and should be recalled due to safety. Research on the internet shows these cars with low miles are all having the same issue.
Nissan Versa note 2015
- Date Of Incident: 2017-01-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-21
- VIN: 3N1CN7AP9FL
- Components: POWER TRAIN,SEAT BELTS,ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to the dealer, where the fuel pump assembly, the lower control arm, and the electronic parking switch were replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while starting the vehicle, the vehicle made an abnormal sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that cylinder #1 had misfired, and the dealer determined that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to a transmission specialist, where the catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the catalytic converter was replaced for a second time. Additionally, the contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to shift to first gear. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, Classic Nissan Newport News (12925 Jefferson Ave, Newport News, VA 23608), where the transmission assembly, the ignition coil, and spark plug #1 were replaced. The contact stated while driving after the repair, the check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that while her grandson was occupying the rear passenger's side seat, the seat belt locked and failed to unbuckle. The contact stated that her daughter cut the seat belt and released her grandson. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.
Nissan Versa note 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-12
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-13
- VIN: 3N1CN7AP3GL
- Components: ENGINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the contact approached oncoming traffic and depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle continued to surge forward without warning. The contact deactivated the cruise control; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to pull off to the shoulder of the highway and placed the vehicle in park(P) while the RPM's continued to surge. Upon restart of the vehicle, the RPMs became extremely elevated, and the contact immediately shut off the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and reset the throttle sensor; the contact then restarted the vehicle and drove the vehicle home without further issues. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 176,000.
Nissan Versa note 2016
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-07
- VIN: 3N1CN7AP3GL
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: "Leaking injectors causing cylinder wall wash, resulting in low compression." Per Nissan of Chattanooga East. Stated they have seen this before and can be a "common" malfunction. Puts others and self at risk of catastrophic engine malfunction and fuel injector malfunction. Car fire, an engine explosion, or simply breaking down in the middle of the interstate, "Repair" occurred and sent home, 2 times. Subsequent followup revealed critical malfunction and requirement to replace engine and necessary components.
Nissan Versa note 2014
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-07
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP2EL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Hi, I am writing to express my concern regarding a recurring issue with my 2014 Nissan Versa Note. Recently, I noticed that the vehicle emits a noticeable noise when the engine reaches 1500 to 2000 RPM. Upon consulting a mechanic, I was informed that this problem is common with the CVT transmission in Nissan Versa Note models. The mechanic advised that the transmission needs to be replaced, as this defect poses a significant hazard. There is a risk that the transmission could fail without warning, compromising the safety of the vehicle and its occupants. Given the severity of this issue, I request that Nissan initiate a recall to address and rectify this problem promptly. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Nissan Versa note 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-03
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP6HL
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The car turn off while driving at 45mph and then check engine light came on and some other sensors
Latest 5 recalls Nissan Versa note
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 11 recalls for different components of the Nissan Versa note.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Nissan Versa note 2018
- Report Received Date: 2019-09-12
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
- Model: Nissan Versa note 2019
- Report Received Date: 2019-09-12
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
- Model: Nissan Versa note 2017
- Report Received Date: 2018-08-21
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
- 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.
- Model: Nissan Versa note 2018
- Report Received Date: 2018-08-21
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
- 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.
- Model: Nissan Versa note 2018
- Report Received Date: 2017-12-20
- Manufacturer: Nissan North America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018 Nissan Versa Note vehicles. During deployment of the side curtain air bag, a component of the air bag inflator may detach. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) number 214, "Side Impact Protection," and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
- Consequence: If the component detaches during deployment, it may enter the passenger compartment and be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Latest negative Nissan Versa note car reviews
Latest positive Nissan Versa note car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2017
I absolutely love my car! It's amazing on gas and has a zippy feel to it. Despite being tall and not skinny, I have plenty of room and find the seats very comfortable. The Versa Note hatchback is a cute little car and I couldn't be happier with it. Although it's not great on really snowy roads, even with studded snow tires, that's not a big issue for me as my hubby has a truck we can use on those days. I would definitely buy another one in a heartbeat!
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Vehicle year: 2016
Hello! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share our experience with the 2016 Versa Note SV. We actually had the previous model and loved it so much that we decided to get another one. We purchased this one through Enterprise Car Sales and the buying experience was fantastic. The car itself is perfect for our needs as a commuter car. It's comfortable, spacious, and has all the electronic features we could want. The backup camera is a nice touch, but with so many windows, it's not entirely necessary. The body style is a significant upgrade from the previous model and the cargo space is remarkable. I especially love the Divide-n-Hide storage feature. As for the driving, I personally enjoy the CVT, but I can understand why some drivers might prefer a five or six-speed. Overall, we're very happy with our purchase and would highly recommend the Versa Note SV to anyone looking for a reliable and economical vehicle. Thank you for reading!I can't argue with the results though. My average gas mileage has been an impressive 41.5 mpg in combined highway and local driving. I watch this stuff carefully (with my budget I have to) and this is not just accurate, it's spot-on. Those are near hybrid numbers, at what, a half of the cost? A third? Remarkable! Mind you, I drive with a light foot mostly, but hey, I stay out of the way and don't slow anybody else down. I bet I could speed up a bit with little loss in mileage, but I'd rather be kind to the car. The small fuel tank probably helps too, holding about 2.5 gallons less than the 2011 Versa. Less gas, less weight. Less range too, you would think, but at 41.5 mpg you're talking 450 miles per tank, and that's more than the 2011 ever got. The steering is precise on the road but remarkably light in the parking lot...nothing to complain about there. The car mags all note the supposedly gutless engine, but hey, it gets me up to speed just fine and I don't have any problem keeping up. So far as costs go, apart from gas, regular oil changes, and rotating tires, the Versa would be frugal on that score too. Summing up, as a used vehicle, fleet or otherwise, the Versa Note is a remarkable bargain, proof that you don't have to give up much to gain a lot of value. I expect to be driving it for many years to come. UPDATE 5/5/20 This may not come as much of a surprise to other Versa owners, but we have now had serious problems with our machine. It started with a sudden Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) that noted that we apparently had problems with our ABS system. Next time the car started, the error cleared. Bemused, I continued to drive the car. A couple of weeks later, the same error reappeared. In order to clear it, I shut the car down and restarted it (yes, I am an IT tech, no, it wasn't terribly bright to do this whilst stopped at a traffic light.) To my alarm, the car would not restart again!I received some help to push my vehicle off the road. After a few minutes, it restarted and I was able to get it home. I took it to a shop where they replaced the Camshaft Position Sensor. I brought the car back home and tried to start it the next day to go to work, but unfortunately, it happened again and it wouldn't start. The shop took the car back and later informed me that the computer was faulty and needed to be replaced. They tried to replace it but were unsuccessful, so they refunded all my money and suggested that I take it to a dealer. I did, but unfortunately, the dealer didn't want to work on it. They suggested that I look at some of the other cars they had on the lot instead. So, I took the car back home and it's been sitting there ever since. Interestingly, it seems to have something to do with temperature, as it was fine all winter but now that the weather has gotten warmer, the problem has recurred. Unfortunately, the Versa has been discontinued, and I'm disappointed that it had to end this way. UPDATE 11/5/21: I'm happy to provide an addendum to this story. We finally managed to convince someone to take a serious look at the car. After spending $2200, the wiring harness was replaced (the whole wiring harness!) and the car now starts as it should. However, we do still have a Check Engine light that comes on every so often. We invested in a code reader and it tells us that an oxygen sensor is bad, which we're told is not an uncommon problem. We clear the light when it appears and continue to drive the car, which has over 110K miles on it and is still holding on. In this frantic age, that's definitely a good thing!
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Vehicle year: 2017
This is a great manual shift car with extremely comfortable front seats. I purchased it new in the summer of 2014 and have driven it at highway speeds in very hot weather in Texas. The AC is excellent and the only expenses I've had are gas and oil changes for over 50,000 miles. The steering, brakes, and manual shift are all fine, and the tires are excellent. Visibility is also great. I purchased this car for trips over 3,000 miles and have had no issues with back or knee pain, which is surprising considering the only adjustments I made were for the seat's position and recline. Even a 6+ footer can comfortably sit in the back for 3,000-mile trips, and a child safety seat is no problem. At 45 mph, I get 40 mpg, and at 80 mph, I get 30+ mpg. The highest mileage I've gotten was over 40 mpg driving on flat 50 mph roads. The engine temperature gauge indicates the same in both summer and winter, and the traction in heavy rain is excellent. I've never driven in ice or snow, but I'm confident it would handle well. The manual windows work great, and the only inconvenience is the lack of power door locks and cruise control. I would have also liked to have a 6th gear. I could enter an 80 mph road at 80 with a reasonable uphill ramp, and the car would cruise at 80 to 90 indicated speed all day in Texas. I never exceeded 6k revs and would typically rev to 5700 to get to 80 mph. 80 mph would take 4K revs in 5th. There's enough power in 1st to chirp the front tires, and the car always feels safe and solid on the road. It still looks like new both inside and out.
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Vehicle year: 2018
June 2018 update. This car is still the best small car I have ever driven, even after 22,000 miles. As someone who has been driving for 58 years and owned and driven many small cars, I can confidently say that this car is the best. It drives like a feather, has a good ride and comfort, is not noisy, and gets great 40+ OA mpg's with no problems yet. It performs well on both long trips and shorter jaunts. How can you not love it? Oh, and by the way, it's enormous inside, especially in the back seat. If you're buying, I recommend getting the 15Went to Mobil 1 low friction oil (0W30) at 3500 miles and increased already excellent mileage by at least 1 mpg, so I highly recommend it. The car drives great, handles like a dream, and is quiet from road and engine noise, making for a nice ride. Pump to pump mileage checks show consistently over 40 mpg in warm weather, even in hilly and mountainous conditions, with usually two people aboard. The car looks good to my eye with an upright stance, as compared to the Fit, for example. It rides and handles great with outstanding mileage and is enormous inside. I highly recommend it. In June 2016, I added to my original review, stating that I like this car more than ever. It has great room inside, is quiet and comfortable for its class, and is very good for long trips on highways as well as local driving. The MPG's are outstanding, with very mixed driving and 40+ mpg's easily attainable in warm months. In the northeast, the high/low range is 43-36 depending on the time of season. Please note that petroleum companies change their formulations in the cold months/areas of the country, so cold weather driving drives mpg's down. We have come to like the CVT and would not likely return to a conventional automatic transmission in any future car. I would buy this car again. My tips are to recommend the 15The car handles beautifully, making it a breeze to drive on secondary roads and in towns. As previously mentioned, one of the big advantages of this car over others in its class is that it performs well on longer trips. In fact, it is very good on highways over a length of time. Recently, I drove my son's 2007 Honda Fit Sport around (on secondary and highway roads) and it is a fine little car, especially if you enjoy driving in a spirited fashion. I must confess that, being older, I now drive very conservatively, but I can still appreciate a snappy small car. However, I would give the Versa NOTE a noticeable comfort edge, especially on highways, and say that it is ideal for older folks, also because ingress and egress are outstanding. Perhaps the newer Fit is different. Anyway, I can confidently say that this is the best small car I have ever driven, and I have driven small cars (owned 6, and rented many) for around 57 years. I highly recommend the NOTE.
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Vehicle year: 2018
The Note is such an interesting car in a market full of similar options. I've only driven 600 miles so far, but I'm already averaging about 35 miles per gallon on both the highway and in the city. I'm really happy with my SV model and the CVT transmission. It has enough power for my needs, but I haven't pushed it too hard yet. Reading the owners manual is definitely a plus for this car, but I also discovered a few features on my own which I'll list in the next section. The Note is quite spacious and reasonably quiet, although I did find the bluetooth and media volume buttons a bit confusing at first. The phone button controls the volume up and down, while the button going across is for volume control.
Are you having problems with your Nissan Versa note?
Bernardo Hayes 2025-08-27
Vehicle year: 2014
I am writing a follow-up to my initial review, left by montigirlmn. I want to assert that my CVT transmission failed at 21000 miles, 10 months into owning a new car.
Joesph Fay 2025-08-08
Vehicle year: 2015
Not a bad little car except for the CVT transmission. Fortunately, we had an extended warranty and the transmission was replaced at 61,000 miles. However, my wife drove the car for only 2 days before the transmission quit again. It is currently at the dealer awaiting repair. Although I no longer trust the car, I appreciate the support we received from the dealership. I would be hesitant to buy another Nissan product with the CVT transmission, but I am grateful for the assistance we have received.
Darius Lind 2025-08-03
Vehicle year: 2019
Please forgive the wall of text, I'm currently on mobile. I recently rented this car because it looked cool and I wanted to try it out. The car had just over 2k miles on it and I put an additional 350 miles on it. During my time with the car, I drove in the city (Vegas!), on the freeway, and on some mountain roads. Let me start with the positives. The Bluetooth connectivity is simple and easy to use. You can even take it a step further by downloading an app, although I just used Google Maps, which only works if you have the stereo on Bluetooth mode. The car is great for parking, tight turns, u-turns, braking, and has decent fuel economy. The steering response is middle of the road, maybe a bit above average because the car doesn't roll when you have to make sudden lane changes. It also has a backup camera and provides a good view of the surroundings when in traffic. Although I didn't get a chance to test the traction control, the air conditioning worked okay for 110F heat and no window tint. I had to keep it on full blast 95% of the time, even when it was under 100F. The audio system sounded better than I imagined! Weaving in and out of traffic was a breeze, and there was plenty of room. The car is not the ugliest or most boring compact car out there. There was plenty of room for just the two of us, and the dash is nice to look at. The double glove box was very convenient, and the knee one was very deep. The seating was firm but comfortable, and combined with the suspension, it provided a sporty feel. Now for the cons; even if you are at the front of the line at a stop light, you'll be the last one to take off. Not only is the takeoff unnaturally slow, but the actual throttle response is about a whole second behind. Then after that, you'll start to crawl forward (no need to worry about burnouts!). This can actually be annoying because if traffic speeds up a bit while rolling down the road, it'll be a while before you catch up. It was amazing that it could go 70mph (okay, there were times we may have gone 85mph, but we were just keeping up with the flow!), but the ride was challenging due to the swaying.Imagine you are getting on the freeway and you hit the Apex, pinning the throttle. The rpms jump up and as you need to start merging, you desperately look down and realize you are only doing 55-60mph, pending if the hill was in your favor. But don't worry, this car is perfect for cruising on flat roads. It's modern, has a CVT, and is small! It can hold its speed, but only if it's minor. If you start climbing a little, it'll rev up. And if it's a 6% grade, you might want to take the slow lane with the truckers. On a flat road, it's perfect, that goes for the pavement. If it's concrete with slits, you might start swerving like a tractor trailer with high cross winds, but don't worry, it's only a slight over exaggeration. At around 50mph, it becomes noticeable. Maybe it's a safety feature to keep you paying attention! With all the negative I wrote, I really do not hate this car! Sure, it's gutless, the road surface can be a challenge, and the suspension is borderline cheap feeling, but it was fun! The only way I would own this is if I got it with 6sp and 30 more ponies. (I do kick myself for not getting the Fiat 500!)
Amos McCullough 2025-07-13
Vehicle year: 2014
I purchased this car because it was cute and affordable. Unfortunately, I had some issues with it. At around 50,000 miles, I experienced engine leaks and a shot bearing, which cost me thousands of dollars to repair. Although the engine was covered under warranty, I continued to have problems with the car. I heard knocking sounds from the front every time I pressed and released the brakes, but the Nissan dealership couldn't find anything wrong. Eventually, the problem got worse. One day, I hit a pothole and my spare tire flew out from under the car. Finally, my transmission started slipping at only 70,000 miles. Sadly, I had to say goodbye to my Versa. I hope to find a more reliable car in the future.
Baylee Nolan 2025-07-08
Vehicle year: 2016
Not a bad little car except for the CVT transmission. Fortunately, we had an extended warranty and the transmission was replaced at 61,000 miles. However, my wife drove the car for only 2 days before the transmission quit again. It is currently at the dealer awaiting repair. Although I no longer trust the car, I appreciate the support we received from the dealership. I would be hesitant to buy another Nissan product with the CVT transmission, but I am grateful for the assistance we have received.