Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Nissan Versa, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 6 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 6% |
| Engine | 4 | 6% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 4 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 2 | 3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 3% |
| Air bags | 2 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 3% |
| Power train | 2 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Driving home heard loud metallic sounding”pop” sound at entering driveway in reverse. Found broken spring piece in driveway.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
My 2020 Nissan versa kept hesitating when being put in reverse the engine light kept coming on every few months I kept being told it was other issues until the transmission went out. I got it checked on multiple occasion
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I am constantly getting a malfunction for P0101 despite changing my air flow system. It creates acceleration problems everytime.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Since 2021 my 2020 Nissan versa SR had been giving me problems with the sensors. All of the dash lights would come on. Then in 2023 my vehicle started to stall and hesitate. It’s gotten to the point where I’d be taking a
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
On the interstate from [XXX] to [XXX] the Nissan Versa's License Plate reflected light so bright that it blinded my ride and we had to slow down and wait for them to get farther away from us. This is not random, they h
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle unexpectedly jerked and stalled with the transmission warning light and the malfunction indicator warning light il
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Unknown: overwhelming smell of fuel (fumes) inside the cabin. Dealer "repaired" the issue when newer. Car has same issue again but the Dealer has NO records of what was done to fix the problem. Exposed to these fumes can
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I have a 2020 Nissan versa it only has 100,000 miles on it. That’s not really a lot since it had about 75000 miles on it. I noticed that the car started slightly jerking. I couldn’t figure out what was going wrong and ne
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2020 Nissan Versa. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate.
Risk: Inoperable front turn signals cannot alert on-coming drivers and/or pedestrians that the vehicle will be turning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Versa vehicles. Due to a manufacturing issue, the fuel tank wall thickness may be insufficient, potentially causing a small hole in the tank seam area.
Risk: If a small hole is present, a fuel leak may occur if the operator fills the tank over half full, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel tank, free of charge. The recall began April 6, 2020. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 84 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 79 | good |
| Performance | 41 | below average |
| Efficiency | 57 | average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 64 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 6 of them (9%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2020 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 77/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.