2018 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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Common 2018 Nissan Versa note problems
The 2018 Nissan Versa Note has been reported to have several common problems, primarily related to airbags, engine, transmission, and interior features.
Airbags:
- Faulty sensor: A faulty sensor can lead to airbags being deactivated, which can be dangerous in case of a crash.
- Airbag light: The airbag light may remain blinking, indicating a problem with the airbag system.
Engine:
- Slow acceleration and lackluster handling: The Versa Note's engine is known for slow acceleration and poor handling, which can be frustrating for drivers.
- Noisy engine: The engine is also known to be noisy, which can be distracting and uncomfortable for both the driver and passengers.
- No telescoping steering wheel: The absence of a telescoping steering wheel can make it difficult for drivers to find a comfortable driving position.
- Low-quality interior materials: The interior materials are reported to be low-quality, which can affect the overall driving experience.
Transmission:
- Transmission failures: Some owners have reported transmission failures, which can be expensive to repair.
- CVT slippage: The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is known to slip, which can lead to a loss of power and poor fuel efficiency.
- Brake issues: Brake problems have been reported, which can be dangerous if not addressed promptly.
Interior features:
- No touchscreen: The base model of the Versa Note does not come with a touchscreen, which can be a drawback for some drivers.
- Low-quality interior materials: The interior materials are reported to be low-quality, which can affect the overall driving experience.
These common problems with the 2018 Nissan Versa Note can affect the overall driving experience and safety of the vehicle. It is important for potential buyers to be aware of these issues and consider them when making a purchasing decision.
Does the 2018 Nissan Versa have transmission problems?
If you don't routinely and regularly change your fluids at least every 30,000 miles or so, you may find that your 2018 Nissan Versa Note transmission will quickly slip.
What is the common problem with Nissan Versa?
Some of the most common Nissan Versa issues involve its transmission, steering, air bags, and coil springs.
Is a Nissan Versa 2018 a good car?
While the previous model was our top-rated subcompact sedan, the changes made to the new version have dropped it to the bottom of its category. On the positive side, this Versa gets much better fuel economy -- 32 mpg overall vs. 27 -- and it provides a roomy rear seat. But it's slow, noisy, and handles clumsily.
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.
2018 Nissan Versa note car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Nissan Versa note problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
- Suspension problems
- Service brakes problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Nissan Versa note vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2018 Nissan Versa note complaints
The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Nissan Versa note.
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-10-26
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP6JL
- Components: SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT LEAST 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. WHEN EXITING HIGHWAY CAR SLOWING DOWN. WHEN GETTING TO INTERSECTION BRAKES APPLIED. PULSATING FELT ON BRAKE PEDAL. LOUD THUMPING NOISE HEARD FROM LEFT FRONT OF CAR. TOOK CAD STILL UNDER WARRANTY TO DEALER SERVICE. DEALER TEST DROVE CAR STATED THEY HEARD OR FELT NOTHING SO THERES NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-06
- Crash: 1
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP1JL
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT RENTED A 2018 NISSAN VERSA NOTE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A WALL AND DAMAGED THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE RENTAL COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE CABIN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RENTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,058. *TT CONSUMER WAS A RENTER OF THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.*JB
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-09-06
- VIN: 3N1CE2CP0JL
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: NO BACKUP CAMERA. DEALER: NOT ALL HAVE THEM
2018 Nissan Versa note recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2018 Nissan Versa note.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Negative 2018 Nissan Versa note car reviews
Positive 2018 Nissan Versa note car reviews
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I recently purchased this car from a Hertz Sales center, of all places, and it only had around 30,000 miles on it. The best part? I got it for approximately $9,700! Dealers were asking for thousands more for similar cars with higher mileage. I must say, it handles like a dream and only needs a light touch. It accelerates smoothly both in the city and on the highway. I absolutely love the small touches, like the well-placed cup and bottle holders, the huge glove compartment that could hold a woman's pocketbook and then some, and the mini-glove compartment. The extenders for the small visors are also a nice touch. The car also has Bluetooth for phone calls and USB for playing music or podcasts from your phone to the radio. The doors automatically lock as you start driving and unlock when you shut off the engine, and the interior light comes on. You can even get a 'fake floor' for the cargo area so that you could hide a full-size briefcase or laptop. The mileage is also great so far, approximately 35mpg with a mix of city and highway driving and with the A/C on half-time. The interior is huge and roomy, and my co-workers cannot believe it. I do not work for Hertz, but I must say that my experience with them was the best I have ever had when buying a car.
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Hello! I hope you're doing well. I just wanted to share my experience with my car. I've had it for almost a year now and as a college student, it's been a great car to get me from point A to B. While it may not be a high-performance vehicle with all the bells and whistles, it is definitely affordable. I test drove the same car with the CVT transmission and was disappointed, but I absolutely love my 5-speed manual. The manual version is much peppier than the CVT counterpart and has no problem getting up to 70mph when getting on the highway. It was my first manual car and was very easy to drive. As the vehicle breaks in, it continues to get better. I believe that giving this car a low rating based solely on interior design is unfair because it's not meant to be a luxury car. For what it is, the car is very nice and I will continue to say that as long as I own it. Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts on this car!
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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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If you're looking for a sports car with great acceleration, this might not be the best choice for you. However, if you're looking for a car with good gas mileage, plenty of room, and low mileage, then this car might be perfect for you. The exterior might be deceiving, but it's actually quite spacious inside. The back seats are easy to fold down for extra carrying space, and there's plenty of room for passengers in the back seat area. The SiriusXM and back up camera are great options, and the car is easy to maneuver. It's important to be careful of cement parking dividers in parking lots as the car is low to the ground, but overall it's a great car. The gas mileage and storage capacity are impressive, and the hatchback design is very convenient. The seats might be a bit hard on long trips, but adding thin cushions can help. My husband, who is a big man, fits better in this car than in our Nissan truck. We've had the car for about 6 months now and it's been exactly what we needed. It's perfect for the two of us and we can zip around in it while enjoying the gas savings. The mini 'SUV' design with the hatchback is very convenient for putting extra cargo in the back. It's a smaller car, but not too small that you feel unsafe or cramped.In fact, the interior design is rather spacious both in the front and back seats, considering the size of the car. I love it because it's so useful for what we wanted it for - something fuel-efficient but not too small to carry all our stuff. The main thing is that it's running great and we haven't had any problems in that regard.
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I recently purchased a 2018 Nissan Versa Note SV. When I walked into the dealership, I had the idea that I wanted an SUV because I needed more room for my growing family. I had been driving around a 1999 Toyota Corolla for 6 years and wanted to upgrade to something with more space. Fuel efficiency was still important to me, though, so I had my sights set originally on a new Nissan Rogue (33 mpg hwy). However, the minute I drove the Versa, I knew it was exactly what I had been looking for! The S model was a bit basic for me, so I upgraded to the SV which includes power locks and windows, full screen radio, and a backup camera. Not only does this little car outdo my beloved Corolla in gas mileage, but it's also a surprisingly smooth ride! Visibility and handling are excellent. I actually test drove my new car on a snowy Denver afternoon and was blown away by how well it performed. The brakes are very sensitive, which I love as a mom with kiddos in the backseat. The seats in the SV have upgraded cloth, and the comfort level is reflective of that. My 6'2For Denver shoppers, I would definitely recommend purchasing from Larry H. Miller Nissan on 104th Avenue. Their staff, including service, sales, and finance, are all top-notch professionals. My buying experience was hands down the best I have ever had with any car dealership, and if this car proves to be as reliable as expected then I am officially a Nissan driver for life.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Nissan Versa note problems:
2018 Nissan Versa Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Aug 8, 2023 ... Common problems found on the 2018 Nissan Versa include delayed throttle response, cracked tail light housings, along with some paint fade issues ...
2018 Nissan Versa Note Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 Nissan Versa Note? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 ...
The Most Common 2018 Nissan Versa Problems | GetJerry.com
Dec 13, 2023 ... The most common 2018 Nissan Versa problems ... 's airbags, electrical system, and engine. Five of these complaints allege that the airbags failed ...
The Nissan Versa Note Years to Avoid - CoPilot
Jul 13, 2023 ... Common Issues with the Nissan Versa Note · Transmission failures · Windshield cracks · Tire slipping · Brake issues · CVT slippage · HVAC problems.
Oil Leak. 2018 Nissan Versa | Nissan Versa Forums
Aug 29, 2018 ... I had a sentra in the 90's and it was a very good car with no issues. Alot has changed since then IMO. I had originally planned on paying this ...


Keith Parker 2025-03-05
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.
Stefan Blanda 2024-11-22
I experienced some issues with the radio not functioning properly from the very beginning, but the dealership was able to resolve the problem. During the first oil change, I was informed that both front axle nuts were loosening, but the dealership was able to address the issue. Although the car handled well during a long-distance trip, I did notice some transmission slipping. As a result, I have scheduled a third repair appointment. While these issues are concerning, I remain confident in my choice of car and trust that the dealership will continue to provide effective solutions.
Cristopher Cronin 2024-10-06
After experiencing the initial excitement of having a new car, you may begin to notice some issues with the vehicle. Unfortunately, the windshield has unexpectedly popped and the dealer has been unwilling to replace it. Additionally, there was a safety recall six months ago that the dealership failed to inform you about, which is concerning. Furthermore, after consulting with mechanics, it has become apparent that the CVT transmission requires more expensive maintenance and shop time than anticipated. We understand that these issues can be frustrating, but we are here to help find a solution.
Gerardo Tromp 2024-09-26
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my 2015 Nissan Versa Note SV. While I did have to replace the transmission this year (2020), I unfortunately found out that my 5yr Powertrain warranty had expired by just a month. Nissan was unable to assist with the repairs, so I ended up paying $5,000 for a new transmission. It turns out that this is a common issue for the Versas and Sentras from 2012-2017, so I would recommend being aware of this if you own one. If you're considering trading in your car, it may be worth doing so before the CVT transmission gives out. Nissan offered me $2,500 for my car with the broken transmission, so keep that in mind. Let me know if you have any questions!
Brett Cormier 2024-09-09
Transmission shudder at 60,000 miles. Brakes failed at 25,000 miles. Dashboard lights indicate a problem.