CarComplaints.com Notes: Be aware the 2007-2011 Nissan Versa was recalled in the US in May 2016 & July 2017 for defective Takata airbags that are potentially deadly. Many Versa owners have reported problems getting Nissan dealers to complete the recall repair, due to scheduling problems & parts shortages.

If you are considering purchasing a 2007-2011 Nissan Versa, call your local Nissan dealer with the VIN# & ask if the airbag recall has been done.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,868 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2009 Nissan Versa suspension problems

suspension problem

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2009 Nissan Versa Owner Comments (Page 8 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #34

Apr 282014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 129,124 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While traveling at low speed, under 25 miles per hour, on a smoothly paved road, I heard a loud bang followed by a rattling sound in the left front wheel well. After pulling over I found a part of a coil spring in the road. After looking at the coil spring in the wheel well I noticed that the end was broken and jagged and matched the broken piece of coil that was left on the road. I do not drive off road and have maintained my vehicle well. There was no indication that there was a problem with this coil prior to the break.

- Portage, PA, USA

problem #33

Apr 242014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 94,323 miles
I was driving aprox. 30 mph when I heard a snap in the front.the car pulled to the left and went in the opposite lane of traffic. I got out and found a piece of broken or snapped coil spring under my vehicle.

- Watertown, MA, USA

problem #32

Apr 192014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 36,300 miles
Put car in gear and started to pull away from parking spot. Drove maybe 100 yards and heard a loud bang. I pulled over and looked around. Noticed part of a coil spring laying on the ground. Looking at the car it was obvious it was from mine. Took it to the local Nissan dealer and they looked over car. Said that they have not seen this happen before and it should never happen. After looking over information on my car and seeing I had the extended warranty they told me I needed a new strut and spring as well as an alignment. Nissan would help with the cost of the strut but not the spring or alignment. How is this possible when the failure is caused by a coil spring breaking. A part that should never break. Service advisor said spring broke because of a little rust spot on it. Someone needs to explain to me how cars from the 50's have rusty coil springs that don't snap but a 2009 Versa has a rust spot and it snaps off. This matter needs to be addressed by Nissan. There maybe only a few complaints on here about it but google "09 Nissan Versa coil spring" and you will find tons of complaints of this exact thing happening to the left front coil spring. Seems odd that its always the front left.

- Toms River, NJ, USA

problem #31

Apr 022014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 23,400 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Althuough I'm not sure exactly when it occurred, I suspect it happened while dodging winter potholes in streets leading into cleveland, Ohio for an event there. Returning home on the freeways, my wife and I noticed the ride was extremely harsh. Later I noted the drivers side was low in the front. Actually there was only an inch between the tire and the wheel cutout. I tried bouncing the front suspension but is was solid. Clunking as I drove out my driveway, I went to my dealer service manager who did a quick look at my parked car. He knew instantly it was a broken coil spring and had a set for both sides readily at hand. The new springs are only warrantied for 1 year or 12,000 miles. Which makes me think they haven't solved thier problem and I don't like the idea of paying for it while being a test driver. I never owned a car in 55 years before that I did not trust. I did buy this car new in July of 2009 but found out later it was manufactured in November 2008.

- Middleburg Heights, OH, USA

problem #30

Apr 142014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 56,000 miles
Both front coil springs on the 2009 Nissan Versa snapped. Thought this was highly unlikely and just bad luck. However after some searching I found that many Nissan Versa owners have had the exact same trouble, and have been told by their dealers that they were unaware of a problem. The car is driven back and forth to work on city streets and not on bad or dirt roads. It has not been subject to any heavy Transport. Both springs broke off at the bottom of the spring, where most other people have described as their break points.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

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problem #29

Dec 212013

Versa 4-cyl

  • 54,000 miles
I was pulling out of my parking space when I experienced what felt and sounded like running over an empty soda bottle. I even looked back to see what I had run over but saw nothing on the ground. Needless to say I continued on my way but while driving down the highway the front of my car felt like it was bouncing up and down and was hard to steer and control. It was taken to the dealership where it was purchased and I was told that the front left coil spring had broken and this was going to be a major repair. I was shocked that something like this could randomly happen and was informed that this is a typical result of an accident (which was not the case) and was then later told that is can occur from "normal" wear and tear or age of the car. Now this is where I became skeptical because the car is ~4.5 years old, less than 54,000 miles, is very well kept, and although I have a long commute it is primary on the highway. I have done some research on this issues and it appears that I am not the only one that has encountered this issue in the same year, make and model of this car. I have also spoken to a few mechanics who also feel that a 4.5 year old coil spring should not just break so easily as it did. I did ask to keep the part and now have it in my possession. I have contacted the Nissan's corporate branch but found that to be a dead end after several back and forth exchanges over the past few months. After speaking with a few other Nissan owners they were not surprised as not one of them has ever had a pleasant experience dealing with this corporation.

- Chadds Ford , PA, USA

problem #28

Feb 092014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 64,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Tire blew out on the highway. Had car towed to a body shop where I was informed that a coil spring had broken and caused the tire to blow. Looked online and noticed that this is a known issue with the Nissan Versa. Nissan customer service was unhelpful, getting basic facts of my case wrong and claiming no liability since warranty had expired. This is a known issue with high potential for mortality. I recommend an investigation into a potential recall.

- Sun Prairie, WI, USA

problem #27

May 162012

Versa 4-cyl

  • 48,180 miles
The first instance happened on the driver's side of my car as I was backing out of the parking spot at my house, I heard the loud ping of metal snapping. I backed up a little farther and stopped to find a piece of what I would later learn was part of the coil spring on the front driver's side. I took my car the dealership where they told me it could have easily sliced open my tire or brake line had I been going fast. After a lot of back and forth between us they repaired it without charging me. Fast forward to January 12, 2014, 64,500 miles. I don't know exactly when the break occurred this time, but as I was driving home, I would here a clanging sound whenever I turned or hit even the slightest bump in the road. I checked the car the next day and noticed the front end was low. Upon closer inspection, the passenger side spring is now broken. I haven't been able to get a closer look at it yet, but it looks broken in a similar manner to the first one. Everything I've looked up tells me that these springs are normally suppose to last over 100,000 miles, and yet both mine have broken now before hitting 65,000 miles. Once again the spring could have easily sliced the tire or a brake line, and had I been on the highway when that happened it could have easily ended badly. This really needs to be looked into, from all the other related problems I've seen, it sounds like a bad batch of springs.

- Newmarket, NH, USA

problem #26

Jan 052014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 44,800 miles
I was driving at 45 mph and a loud "thump" under my car sounded like something hit the undercarriage. I looked back and could not see anything on the road. The next day, heard a "clang" under the as I decelerated from 20 mph. I stopped and found a piece of my right front coil spring in the roadway. The entire bottom coil of the spring had snapped right through the metal and fallen off the car. This is the second coil spring on my car that has done this. The left spring snapped the same way, about a year ago. The manufacturer must have used bad metal for the springs, and they could keep snapping while I am driving. It was dangerous when the first spring snapped, but if both springs snap on the same car, there is a serious defect.

- Bellport, NY, USA

problem #25

Dec 242013

Versa 4-cyl

  • 71,500 miles
Passenger side spring coil broke nearly 5 months after the driver side spring coil broke. See complaint from 7/31/13. Luckily, coil broke while backing out of drive way, so I did not lose control of vehicle. Broken part of coil is now pinched between coil seat and rest of coil leaving the remaining spring unseated. Car is undriveable in this condition for second time before 5 year loan is even paid off. Case opened with Nissan, but they thus far have refused to pay diagnostic fee to confirm broken spring coil. Broken coil can be clearly seen in tire well. Diagnosis is required for any further action by Nissan regarding repair reimbursement. Bad customer service.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #24

Dec 152013

Versa

  • 70,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Coil spring on passenger front side snapped and damaged the tire to bring a complete flat tire while driving.

- Wheeling, IL, USA

problem #23

Oct 142010

Versa 4-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
I have a history of complains with Nissan about the steering. My complaint was about a pinging noise coming from the front end. You could also feel this ping in the steering wheel. Nissan ignored this complaint and explained it was my ABS calibrating. As time went by the noise got worst. Nissan would even charge me $150 each time they look at the car for this noise and could not find anything wrong. Last week Nissan told me there is a problem with the spring moving when the steering wheel turns. The spring tightens and loosens with each turn of the wheel. They have identified the problem and have a fix for it, but they want me to pay for it. To me this sounds like a defect in design and I should not be liable for the charges, however they wont repair it unless I pay for it.

- Medford, NY, USA

problem #22

Jul 222013

Versa 4-cyl

  • 58,230 miles
At 65 miles an hour the front coil spring on the driver's side malfunctioned and broke creating a sharp edge that cut the front driver's side tire. This caused a blow out on the highway. The car on examination after the malfunction had a total of three broken coil strings (two front and one rear), and other damage to the suspension (two struts, and sway bars). Vehicle was traveling on interstate highway at the time. Operator was able to control vehicle and move to shoulder thus avoiding a major accident. Vehicle had to be towed from shoulder. It appears these springs are defective.

- Portageville , NY, USA

problem #21

Aug 202013

Versa 4-cyl

  • 19,940 miles
The driver side front spring completely broke. I went to the vehicle one morning and noticed the front of the car sitting very low to the ground on the driver side. Almost not space between wheel and fender. I looked up under the wheel well and saw that the spring was completely broken. Luckily I was not driving this vehicle when this happened. I have seen numerous complaints about this same incident and strongly believe there should be a recall on this part. Nissan better step up. I am very disappointed with Nissan and would never purchase another one ever again. The vehicle still has not been fixed. I ordered the two front springs and would try to replace them this weekend. I will take pictures and post them online.

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #20

Aug 062013

Versa 4-cyl

  • 128,247 miles
Drove approximating 5 miles city driving good paved streets and felt something not right with suspension. Inspected suspension parts after reaching my destination to find a broken right front coil spring. Vehicle is in excellent condition and no signs of rust on any parts. This spring broke in the bottom coil.

- Rotterdam, NY, USA

problem #19

Jul 052013

Versa 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
At first I was hearing "bump" noises that sounded like a sway bar issue for a couple days. Then I heard a noise that sounded like I ran over a branch, except there was nothing in the road before - or after. I drove about 100 miles home on the highway, still thinking it was related to the sway bar. After about 10 miles on the backroads, it sounded like I shed a metal part. Upon retrieving the part from the road, it was about a semicircular piece of the front driver side coil spring that broke free. All unidentified noises are now gone, and dealer found nothing wrong with sway bar (after $88 diagnostic fee). Dealer quotes $565 for repair, except they can't do the repair even if I wanted them to. According to the dealer, it is a Nissan exclusive part, except Nissan is not currently making the part and it is on "national Nissan back order". the dealer advises that "I am currently paying monthly for a car I cannot drive, and cannot repair without using junkyard parts that in all likely-hood will also fail at some point.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #18

Jul 052013

Versa

  • 65,000 miles
At first I was hearing "bump" noises that sounded like a sway bar issue for a couple days. Then I heard a noise that sounded like I ran over a branch, except there was nothing in the road before - or after. I drove about 100 miles home on the highway, still thinking it was related to the sway bar. After about 10 miles on the backroads, it sounded like I shed a metal part. Upon retrieving the part from the road, it was about a semicircular piece of the front driver side coil spring that broke free. All unidentified noises are now gone, and dealer found nothing wrong with sway bar (after $88 diagnostic fee). Dealer quotes $565 for repair, except they can't do the repair even if I wanted them to. According to the dealer, it is a Nissan exclusive part, except Nissan is not currently making the part and it is on "national Nissan back order". the dealer advises that "I am currently paying monthly for a car I cannot drive, and cannot repair without using junkyard parts that in all likely-hood will also fail at some point.

- Westfield, MA, USA

problem #17

Jul 092013

Versa

  • 43,000 miles
I drove my car to work fine that morning. Leaving work I heard strange clunks while in the parking lot. Looked the car over but didn't notice anything. Continued to drive car on my usual route. I went over a bridge and my car bounced terribly. I made it home and my boyfriend found my driver side coil spring busted. Was still able to carefully drive it to my mechanic and he found that the passenger side spring broke too. Reading online I see many complaints on this happening. There should be no reason they should break on such a new car. They are defective and hazardous. I feel very lucky mine broke the way they did and not puncture my tire or lock my steering.

- Ebensburg, PA, USA

problem #16

Jun 142013

Versa

  • 33,000 miles
The left front coil spring snapped while pulling out of my driveway. Cost to fix - $389. Nissan has 33,000 miles and is a few months out of warranty. The service dept manager acknowledged the part as defective and urged me to contact Nissan. Nissan corporate, after two weeks of back and forth, told me too bad, not their problem.

- Quakertown, PA, USA

problem #15

Jun 282013

Versa 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
I backed up my car in the morning from parking lot, heard an unusual noise. Stopped the car and could not find anything wrong. As I started driving the car, even though the car was moving as usual a strange noise was coming from the front passenger side. Just before pulling to the nearest mechanic, smoke started coming from the car and soon the front passenger tire burst with a loud noise. Immediately pulled the car to the shoulder and found a broken coil spring fell on the road. The same issue happened to me couple of months back where the driver side (front) coil spring broke and popped out when the car was backed up in the parking lot (tire did not burst as I was already in a mechanic shop for an oil change). I think the Nissan Versa 2009 hb model coil spring has an issue specially when the vehicle is backed up( may be with the steering in a certain position). This is a life threatening issue if such things happen in a highway as the coil spring break followed by a tire burst can risk the lives of passengers.

- Guilderland, NY, USA

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