2009 Nissan Versa Reliability
The 2009 Nissan Versa has 504 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about suspension and air bags. Compared with nearby Versa model years (2007–2011), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Versa's typical year, while the 2010 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
504
NHTSA owner complaints
8
Recall campaigns
27
Complaints citing a crash
2
Complaints citing a fire
2009 Nissan Versa complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 model year, filed between 2008 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 182 | 36% |
| Air bags | 180 | 36% |
| Steering | 28 | 6% |
| Wheels | 26 | 5% |
| Engine & cooling | 23 | 5% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 20 | 4% |
| Engine | 18 | 4% |
| Body structure | 18 | 4% |
2009 Nissan Versa recalls
8 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2009 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10V401000 | Sep 10, 2010 | Equipment — electrical / navigational system(global positioning system) | 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. |
| 15V573000 | Sep 14, 2015 | Suspension — front / springs / coil springs | 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,… |
| 16V349000 | May 24, 2016 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | 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,… |
| 17V028000 | Jan 10, 2017 | Air bags — frontal / passenger side / inflator module | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the… |
| 17V449000 | Jul 18, 2017 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | 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… |
| 18V044000 | Jan 10, 2018 | 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,… |
| 20V008000 | Jan 9, 2020 | 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… |
| 22E066000 | Aug 9, 2022 | Air bags — frontal / driver side / inflator module | Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti… |
How the 2009 compares with nearby Versa years
Verdicts compare these Versa model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 354 | 9 | Air bags | Caution |
| 2008 | 381 | 8 | Air bags | Caution |
| 2009 (this page) | 504 | 8 | Suspension | Avoid |
| 2010 | 269 | 8 | Air bags | Solid |
| 2011 | 269 | 7 | Air bags | Solid |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2009 Nissan Versa
- Suspension: listen for clunks over bumps, look for leaking struts and uneven tire wear.
- Air bags: make sure the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that any air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
- Steering: check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering and clunks over bumps; power-steering faults show up at low speed.
- Wheels: check for bent rims and loose lug nuts, and feel for vibration at highway speed.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 8 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2009 Nissan Versa can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2009 Nissan Versa reliability FAQ
Is the 2009 Nissan Versa reliable?
The 2009 Nissan Versa has 504 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about suspension and air bags. Compared with nearby Versa model years (2007–2011), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Versa's typical year, while the 2010 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2009 Nissan Versa problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2009 Nissan Versa are suspension (182), air bags (180), steering (28), wheels (26). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2009 Nissan Versa have recalls?
NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2009 Nissan Versa, including 10V401000 (equipment — electrical / navigational system(global positioning system)) and 15V573000 (suspension — front / springs / coil springs). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2009 Nissan Versa compare with the 2008 and 2010 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2008 has 381 complaints and 8 recalls (caution); the 2010 has 269 complaints and 8 recalls (solid). The 2009 has 504 complaints and 8 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2009 Nissan Versa?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Nissan Versa research
Other Nissan Versa model years:
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2009 Versa, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.