2009 Nissan Versa Reliability ReportC+ grade · moderate risk · system-by-system breakdown
Quick Facts · 2009 Nissan Versa
- The system most likely to surface first: cvt transmission (major severity).
- Has 8 NHTSA recalls on record — the most notable involves the air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module.
- Outscores the 2008 Nissan Versa by 10 points — one of the stronger nearby years to consider.
Is the 2009 Nissan Versa Worth Buying?
The 2009 Nissan Versa offers exceptional value as an economical commuter, making it an attractive choice for the budget-conscious. However, proceed with caution, as the common Xtronic CVT automatic transmission poses a significant long-term reliability risk that can overshadow its initial savings. If you find one with a manual or traditional 4-speed automatic, it transforms into a surprisingly dependable little car.
Biggest Strengths
- Excellent fuel economy (especially with manual)
- Surprisingly spacious interior for its class
- Low initial purchase price and simple maintenance (non-CVT)
What Tends to Fail First on the 2009 Nissan Versa
The systems that break first on the 2009 Nissan Versa. Mileage windows, repair costs, and fix-before-you-buy notes are in the full report.
2009 Nissan Versa Recall History
8 recalls on record from NHTSA. Check your VIN atnhtsa.gov to see if the repair was performed.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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.
What breaks on the 2009 Nissan Versa?
Full reliability breakdown — engine, transmission, rust, electrical. With repair costs and mileage danger zones.
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Other Nissan Versa Years to Consider
Compare KeepScores across nearby years of the Nissan Versa. Click any year for its full report.
2009 Nissan Versa Alternatives
Similar class, similar year range — ranked by KeepScore.
Relevant Products for Your 2009 Nissan Versa
Parts and accessories matched to your 2009 Nissan Versa
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Frequently Asked Questions
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