Makes›Nissan›Versa›2011

2011 Nissan Versa

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2011 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 / 33 hwy
Length
169.3–176 in
Curb weight
2,535–2,723 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 29% better than the average 2011 midsize car (23.2 MPG).

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints230 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 41 for similar models — most often about the air bags.
  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2011 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2011 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 / 33 highway), 29% better than the 2011 midsize car average of 23.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 230 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2011

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2010 Versa — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2010; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2010 Versa →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Hatch FWD 1.8s/1.8sl169.3 in66.9 in60.6 in102.4 in57.5 / 58.7 in2,723 lb60/40
4dr Sedan 1.6 FWD176 in66.9 in60.6 in102.4 in57.9 / 58.3 in2,535 lb60/40

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Versa1.8L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive28 / 33 / 30+29%$2,250296
Versa1.8L 4-cylManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 31 / 28+21%$2,400317
Versa1.6L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive25 / 32 / 28+21%$2,400317
Versa1.6L 4-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive26 / 33 / 28+21%$2,400317
Versa1.8L 4-cylAutomatic 4-spdFront-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 27+16%$2,500329
Save $750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
23.2 MPG2011 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2011 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2011 Nissan Versa.

Similar 2011 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2011 Nissan Versa (this car)30 MPGNot rated6
2011 Toyota Corolla30 MPGNot rated9
2011 Honda Civic41 MPGNot rated9
2011 Toyota Prius48 MPGNot rated6
2011 Hyundai Elantra32 MPGNot rated8
2011 Ford Focus29 MPGNot rated0
2011 Ford Fiesta33 MPGNot rated3

Recalls (6)

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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2011 Nissan Versa is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

230Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
13Involved a crash
6Involved a fire
13Injuries reported
70,400 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags144
Suspension40
Unknown Or Other21
Steering16
Electrical System9
Seat Belts7
Structure › Body6
Power Train5
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/02: 320/05: 120/06: 120/07: 220/10: 120/11: 121/01: 121/06: 221/10: 122/02: 122/04: 122/05: 322/06: 122/09: 122/11: 123/07: 123/09: 124/08: 225/03: 125/07: 125/08: 125/09: 126/04: 126/08: 120/0220/0721/0122/0222/0623/0725/0325/09max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2011 Nissan Versa buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 144 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Suspension — 40 owner reports. Drive over bumps and listen for clunks; look for uneven tire wear.
  4. Steering — 16 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 70,400 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2011 Nissan Versa. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Versa years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2025 Versa35176.8 in★★★★★012
2024 Versa35176.8 in★★★★★196
2023 Versa35176.8 in★★★★★137
2022 Versa35176.8 in★★★★★020
2021 Versa35176.8 in★★★★★332
2020 Versa35–★★★★★264
2019 Versa34163.4 in★★★★★125
2018 Versa34163.4 in★★★★★360
2017 Versa34163.4 inNot rated372
2016 Versa34163.4 inNot rated0110
2015 Versa34163.4 inNot rated2249
2014 Versa35175.6 inNot rated4296

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →