Nissan Versa N18
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
Generations
Engine Overview
The Nissan Versa N18 is available with one engine variant at 94 hp.
The Nissan Versa (Petrol, 122 PS) has the HR16DE (1.6L) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
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Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic emergency braking triggers without obstacle — N18 The N18 Versa's Forward Emergency Braking system generates false-positive detections, triggering abrupt hard stops. Nissan has not issued a recall. Class action lawsuits were filed; a federal appeals court decertified the national class in 2024. Symptoms: Sudden hard braking with no obstacle present; 'Front Radar Unavailable' dashboard message; system self-deactivates; particularly frequent on bridges and in rain | Medium | |
| Infotainment system freezes or becomes unresponsive The 8-inch touchscreen in the N18 Versa occasionally freezes or fails to respond to inputs. Holding the power button to force-reboot the system usually provides a temporary fix. Nissan offers software updates. Symptoms: Touchscreen becomes unresponsive; display shows garbled graphics or freezes on boot screen; Bluetooth drops mid-drive | Low |
Alternatives
Hyundai i20 BC3-FL
Supermini (2023–2026)
Hyundai Bayon BC3
Supermini (2021–2024)
Skoda Fabia PJ
Supermini (2021–2025)
Dacia Sandero III
Supermini (2020–2026)
Fiat 500e 332
Supermini (2020–2026)
Honda Jazz GR
Supermini (2020–2024)
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 12 weaknesses have been documented for the Nissan Versa N18 (2020–2025) — 6 engine-related and 6 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Electronics, Gearbox, Steering, Brakes.
Versa (HR16DE, 2020–2025) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched, Elevated oil consumption from piston rings, Valve clearances require regular adjustment. Power: 122 PS.
What to watch out for with the Nissan Versa? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee