Reliability AnalysisBased on known issue patterns, repair cost data, and ownership trends · How we score

2011 Nissan Versa Reliability ReportC- grade · moderate risk · system-by-system breakdown

68/ 100

KeepScore

MODERATE RISK

Grade: C-

A budget-friendly option, but the CVT is a ticking time bomb that demands careful scrutiny and proactive maintenance.

Full system breakdown + what I would do

Quick Facts · 2011 Nissan Versa

  • The system most likely to surface first: continuously variable transmission (cvt) (critical severity).
  • Has 7 NHTSA recalls on record — the most notable involves the air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module.
  • Scores 10 points below the strongest nearby year — the 2009 Nissan Versa earns a 78.

Is the 2011 Nissan Versa Worth Buying?

While the 2011 Nissan Versa offers a practical and economical package, its widely documented transmission issues, particularly with the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), make it a purchase that requires significant caution. It's a vehicle that can be dependable if you understand and mitigate its weaknesses, but it's far from a 'set it and forget it' option.

Biggest Strengths

  • Fuel-efficient 1.6L and 1.8L engines
  • Spacious interior for its class
  • Affordable purchase price

What Tends to Fail First on the 2011 Nissan Versa

The systems that break first on the 2011 Nissan Versa. Mileage windows, repair costs, and fix-before-you-buy notes are in the full report.

1
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)critical
2
Suspension & Steering Componentsmoderate
3
Electrical Sensorsminor
Typical mileage, cost ranges, and the exact what-to-check list are in the full report.

2011 Nissan Versa Recall History

7 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 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.

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.

What breaks on the 2011 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.

2011 Nissan Versa Alternatives

Similar class, similar year range — ranked by KeepScore.

Relevant Products for Your 2011 Nissan Versa

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Frequently Asked Questions

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