2010 Nissan Versa
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Hatch FWD 1.8s/1.8sl, 4dr Sedan 1.6 FWD
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 30 combined · 28 city / 34 hwy
- Length
- 169.3–176 in
- Curb weight
- 2,535–2,723 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 7 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 35% better than the average 2010 midsize car (22.2 MPG).
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints220 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 64 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
- 7 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 20 similar 2010 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2010 Nissan Versa is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (1.8L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 169 inches long and 67 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,723 lb (4dr Hatch FWD 1.8s/1.8sl).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (28 city / 34 highway), 35% better than the 2010 midsize car average of 22.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.
It has 7 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 220 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.
What changed for 2010
- Lightest version 187 lb lighter
Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 Versa →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Hatch FWD 1.8s/1.8sl | 169.3 in | 66.9 in | 60.6 in | 102.4 in | 57.5 / 58.7 in | 2,723 lb | 60/40 |
| 4dr Sedan 1.6 FWD | 176 in | 66.9 in | 60.6 in | 102.4 in | 57.9 / 58.3 in | 2,535 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Versa | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 34 / 30 | +35% | $2,250 | 296 |
| Versa | 1.6L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 34 / 29 | +31% | $2,300 | 306 |
| Versa | 1.6L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 28 | +26% | $2,400 | 317 |
| Versa | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 31 / 28 | +26% | $2,400 | 317 |
| Versa | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 / 32 / 27 | +22% | $2,500 | 329 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 Nissan Versa under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2010 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Nissan Versa (this car) | 30 MPG | Not rated | 7 |
| 2010 Toyota Corolla | 30 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2010 Honda Civic | 42 MPG | Not rated | 8 |
| 2010 Toyota Prius | 50 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2010 Hyundai Elantra | 29 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2010 Ford Focus | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2010 Volkswagen Jetta | 32 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (7)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Jan 9, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V008000 · 307,962 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- 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 · Jun 15, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V401000 · 104,762 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- 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 · Jan 10, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V044000 · 52,614 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- 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 · Jul 17, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V449000 · 515,394 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- 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 · May 24, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V349000 · 413,852 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- 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 · Sep 14, 2015
NHTSA campaign 15V573000 · 218,019 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(Global Positioning System) · Sep 10, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V401000 · 7,948 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2010 Nissan Versa is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2010 Nissan Versa buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 7 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 125 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Suspension — 53 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
- Engine — 12 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 73,310 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Versa. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Versa years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Versa | 35 | 176.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 12 |
| 2024 Versa | 35 | 176.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 96 |
| 2023 Versa | 35 | 176.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 37 |
| 2022 Versa | 35 | 176.8 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 20 |
| 2021 Versa | 35 | 176.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 32 |
| 2020 Versa | 35 | – | ★★★★★ | 2 | 64 |
| 2019 Versa | 34 | 163.4 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 25 |
| 2018 Versa | 34 | 163.4 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 60 |
| 2017 Versa | 34 | 163.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 72 |
| 2016 Versa | 34 | 163.4 in | Not rated | 0 | 110 |
| 2015 Versa | 34 | 163.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 249 |
| 2014 Versa | 35 | 175.6 in | Not rated | 4 | 296 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →