The Most Common 2018 Nissan Versa Problems

Despite its affordability, the 2018 Nissan Versa has two recalls and a few worrisome airbag and engine issues.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
The
Nissan Versa's insurance costs
and purchase price may be unbeatable, but its engine and airbags have a troublesome reputation.
"Inconsistent" is probably the most frustrating thing you can say about a car manufacturer. For instance, when Nissan does well, it does really well—look no further than the game-changing, all-electric
Leaf S
for proof! When it does bad, well... let's just say the Japanese automaker has faced quite a few ups and downs in its
quest
for success.
Find out which category the 2018 Versa fits into with
Jerry
. The App Store’s favorite
super app
for
car insurance
has a list of all the most common 2018 Nissan Versa problems you should know about, plus how to lower your
Nissan insurance costs
.
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The most common 2018 Nissan Versa problems

With three generations under its belt, the Nissan Versa has had plenty of time to perfect its formula for an affordable, fuel-efficient, compact sedan. The 2018 model year came just after the second-generation facelift and just before the third-generation redesign. After starting at $13,005, its price has dropped to $8,000-$10,500, savings that are also reflected in
Nissan Versa SV insurance costs
.
So, what’s the catch? Well, the NHTSA has received
numerous complaints about the Versa
's airbags, electrical system, and engine. Five of these complaints allege that the airbags failed to deploy during a severe collision, resulting in injuries to the driver and passengers.
Here are the most 2018 Nissan Versa common problems and the parts named in their complaints.
  • Airbags: failure to deploy, faulty sensor leads to deactivation, airbag light stuck blinking 
  • Electrical: check-engine light stuck on, check airbag light stuck on, failed ignition requiring replacement at 45,000 miles, lack of backup camera
  • Engine: stalled engine
  • Steering: steering lock up
  • Transmission: jerky gear shifting
The complaints led to two recalls in 2018 and 2019. The first required a software update to fix a problem with the Nissan Versa’s backup camera display. For the second, the ignition switch had to be replaced to avoid being knocked into the 'off' position, which would result in the Versa’s engine shutting down.
A total of 59 models were affected (including cars by
Infiniti
and
Chevrolet
) and received a free fix at Nissan dealerships.
An authorized Nissan dealership is the best place to start if you have a problem with your car and know
how to get a car warranty honored
. The basic three-year warranty on your 2018 Versa has most likely expired by now, but the five-year limited powertrain warranty may still be valid. If you bought a certified pre-owned Nissan, it’s worth a visit, since
Nissan's certified pre-owned warranty
extends to seven years/100,000 miles.
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Is the 2018 Nissan Versa reliable?

Having trouble with your 2018 Nissan Versa? You're not alone. The Versa has an above-average reliability rating on RepairPal (putting it in ninth place among 21 subcompact cars), but this covers models new and old.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2018 model year’s predicted reliability is merely ‘average’.
On the plus side, the 2018 Versa's average annual repair cost is only $456, considerably less than the average maintenance cost of $652 across all models.
Versa SR insurance costs
are equally affordable.

How to solve your Nissan car insurance problems

While some Nissan Versa problems don’t have an immediate solution, high insurance premiums do. Just download
Jerry
from the App Store!
With Jerry, you can save money in three easy steps. It only takes 45 seconds to sign up and tell us about your current coverage. Next, Jerry compares thousands of insurance products from over 55 top providers to find you the best five to seven deals.
Choose the plan you want, and let Jerry handle the paperwork. Once you've saved over $800 a year, you just need to decide what to do with it!
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