repaired · 2021 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
2008 Nissan VersaProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 381 owner complaints about the 2008 Nissan Versa, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-452 the manufacturer reports only 18% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 27, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Nissan Versa has problems
381 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
171Air bags14 crash/fire/injury
70Suspension2 crash/fire/injury
25Electrical system
23Steering
21Engine and engine cooling
18Fuel system, gasoline
17Power train
16Wheels
12Tires
6913 other systems20 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 171 | 14 |
| Suspension | 70 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 6 |
| Steering | 23 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 2 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 18 | 0 |
| Power train | 17 | 1 |
| Wheels | 16 | 0 |
| Tires | 12 | 0 |
| 13 other systems | 69 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2008 Nissan Versa recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2019 Q4
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. If an inflator were to explode it may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2019 Q2
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show 3 more recalls
repaired · 2018 Q1
Passenger side: inflator module
Risk. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
repaired · 2017 Q2
Springs: coil springs
Risk. If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk. OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.
Mileage at failure
When do air bags problems start?
74kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 37 air bags complaints. 70% were reported before 100,000 miles.
7under 30k miles26under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Versa year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Versa median. How we score
'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Nissan Versa safety ratings
2008 Nissan Versa 4-DR w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Nissan Versa, and the recalls they led to.
- Desiccated Air Bag Inflator RuptureOpen
- Front Coil Spring FractureLed to recall 15V-573
In owners' words
What Versa owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that he had been receiving recall notifications of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22E066000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list because he no longer owns the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted.
I had not driven the car prior to noticing the air passenger light blinking and continuing to stay on. This is occurring whether someone is in the seat or not. Regards, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Traffic stopped suddenly when I hit my brakes they failed to work and the airbags didn’t work either so I ended up hitting my head on the roof of the car when I ran into the truck that suddenly stopped in front of me at speed of about 50mph. I don’t feel good but have no way to get medical…
Own a 2008 Versa?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.