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Nissan Versa New Owners Report

2

Comments

  • factionfaction Member Posts: 9
    Vacuum lock! I thought I was just a woosie! Well at least I feel better about myself now. Guess I'll have to put a wrench in my back seat.

    question: anyone having problems with their ignition? Mine would start just great for about the first two weeks and then started to get cranky if it sat for too long (overnight). Then I would have to crank it hard 3 or 4 times to get it to start.
    It's been at the dealer for over a week now and he still can't figure out what is wrong with it? :cry:

    I got rid of my Taurus for the Versa because it was such a lemon and always in the shop. I'm beginning to get very nervous about a replay of that nightmare.
  • julian4julian4 Member Posts: 2
    I'm a new owner of versa S and its Sapphire Blue. It's a nice car and my family loves it. :)
  • denverdavodenverdavo Member Posts: 38
    Did they figure out what was wrong with difficult-to-start Versa? I am quite interested in this car, but am a bit frightened to switch from a Camry. I would think that since the Versa is not a new car (it's been sold as the Tilda in other countries for some time) that they would have gotten these bugs out. Also, hasn't this engine been around for like a very long time?
  • jacksan1jacksan1 Member Posts: 504
    The Tiida in Japan has an excellent reputation for reliability. The bugs for the Versa, if they exist, are probably not so much the design/engineering bugs as the manufacturing bugs. To the Aguascalientes facility, the Versa is indeed a very new model to build. It's one thing to have specs worked out. It's another thing for the plant to be able to build to the specs right away.

    And, as I have mentioned elsewhere, Nissan seems to have trouble maintaining the QA standards in North America. The Nissan cars built in this part of the world are sometimes markedly inferior in build quality than those in Japan.
  • factionfaction Member Posts: 9
    Yes they got it figured out.
    It was the Body Control Module. The hardest part about that was waiting to get the new part, since parts for the Versa are a little shorthanded right now.

    But they've fixed it, they have been starting it all weekend and it's been working fine, and I'm picking it up tomorrow afternoon. Yay!
  • sschwsschw Member Posts: 8
    Hello,

    I just purchase a 2007 Nissan Versa in October at 400 miles I started hearing a noise from the engine when the car is idle in gear stopped and the brake is applied. From inside the car is sounds like a constant rattle. I took it to the dealership and they can't figure out what the problem is because this is all new to them. Is anyone else having this problem?????? It's almost like something is loose and when the engine vibrates it's making the rattle it can get very loud a times. It's now at 4000 miles and they still can't figure it out.... Anyone else across the country having or had the same problem?
  • flightnurseflightnurse Member Posts: 2,217
    THe only Rattle I have is my exhaust system, and was caused hitting a carcus of a dead dog. The part came in, and gets fixed on Tuesday. Before that, no rattle, and my car has 8000 miles on it.

    Tony
  • clonedcloned Member Posts: 4
    We finally got our V, hopefully the wait allowed some of the bugs to be addressed.

    Got a Brilliant Silver SL, CVT, convenience package, audio deal, moon roof and satellite capabilities. The dealer claimed he over paid us for the trade in but I suspect we paid very close to MSRP.

    It would appear that most dealers in our area (Council Bluffs/Omaha) are able to have Vs on hand now, high percentage of Ss. Had the feeling they were moving a lot of cars around. Ours had 145 miles on it and saw another on a flat bed.

    Have yet to see a V (knowingly) on the road including a couple of weeks in the Seattle area.

    Demographics; we're both retired seniors, also have a Honda van.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Picking up the new addition to the family in the morning. Looking forward to this Versa lasting as long as my previous Nissan vehicles have, although I think it will be a while before it catches up with the 235,000 miles on my '96 Sentra :surprise:
  • flightnurseflightnurse Member Posts: 2,217
    Congrats on the new car, I have a Versa S as a rental, it had the 4spd auto, much different car then what I was use to, it did have the power package tho..
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Mine's the 6-speed since my wife and daughter INSIST on having a stick :P

    I'll be posting pics of it on my CarSpace page sometime today no doubt!

    http://www.carspace.com/pf_flyer
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    imageSee more Car Pictures at CarSpace.com
  • cathy8cathy8 Member Posts: 37
    Twice I've had a problem with my car starting. Once started, the engine light came on and the car went into safe mode. It would drive more than 20 KM. Was your experience similar?

    Cathy
  • cathy8cathy8 Member Posts: 37
    Has anyone had this problem......Twice my car has been hard to start, the engine light has come on and the engine went into safe mode. Safe mode did not allow me to drive faster than 20 KM/hour.

    The car has been tested with all the equipment at the dealership and tests fine. Yet, something is definintely wrong. I've had the car for 3 months. First incident happened at the 2 month mark. The car has 6500 km on it.
  • flightnurseflightnurse Member Posts: 2,217
    my car has never gone into safe mode, but when we had our cold snap that came through the southwest, I found the car really didn't want to start in 28 degree weather, It started but not as easy as before.
  • backybacky Member Posts: 18,949
    Uh-oh. I don't like the sound of that. It's been below zero F every morning where I live for the past few weeks. If it has trouble starting at 28 degrees, how about -15? The Versa has moved up high on my next-car list due to its great showing on the IIHS crash tests, but I'll have to rethink that if it has trouble getting going in temperatures I see six months out of the year.
  • kaemomkaemom Member Posts: 2
    Hi Everyone. We're looking to buy a Versa tonight for our 18 year old daughter. Would you recommend this car for an 18 year old? What are the main things we need to know/questions to ask and finally how do we get a great deal? What can we expect to pay below sticker? Thanks!
  • bazencebazence Member Posts: 1
    I'd say its a great car for a young person. It has good fuel economy (college students dont have money), its easy to drive, has more than enough space and the price is right. If you are buying tonight, you should check edmunds for the invoice price, because thats the price I got from my dealer. These cars arent selling as much as they used to in my part (NYC) so you shouldnt have a problem getting a good price. If you get the S - power package and ABS are a must. But your daughter might like the SL better (mostly due to the AUX jack for MP3 players). Also, try to get the low financing (.7APR for up to 36months). Hope that helped!
  • Kirstie_HKirstie_H Administrator Posts: 11,148
    A reporter from a large national newspaper is looking to speak to anyone who has purchased a small car in the past couple of months. If you purchased this car as an additional car for the family versus a replacement, please note that as well. Please provide your daytime contact info to ctalati@edmunds.com no later than Thursday, May 10, 2007.

    MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
    Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
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  • w00000tw00000t Member Posts: 23
    Does anyone know if this CAM in the engine is belt driven, chain, or gears? If it is belt driven, would it be possible and not too painful to replace it with a chain? Thanks
  • kaemomkaemom Member Posts: 2
    We ended up getting her the Versa and then *19* days later it was totalled. :cry: :sick: 100% the other person's fault :mad: so we turned around and got her as close to the identical car as we could. So far, so good. She loves it, we love it. She has the dark blue one :)
  • flightnurseflightnurse Member Posts: 2,217
    I beleive all new cars have chain for thier cam drives. My Versa is in the shop and I'll asked the Dealer this question.
  • inharmswayinharmsway Member Posts: 153
    The Versa has a timing chain. Lots of cars have timing belts. They work fine if you change them when called for. It would not be cost effective to change a belt to a chain (running in oil etc.)
    Niels
  • zebraox04zebraox04 Member Posts: 3
    Not bad for the first 100+ miles. Now, granted, this is such a small/early sampling, that I would certainly not expect this to be the "norm" data point. But, it is a good enough start to note.

    We drove home our 2008 Versa SL HB CVT in mostly highway traffic (at ~ 60mph); with about 5 miles of start-stop traffic. The last forty miles included mixed traffic plus a full hatchback of two to-be-assembled rocking-chairs and six bags of mulch.

    When we arrived home, we topped it back up with 2.8 gallons @ 120 miles, which is better than 40 mpg. We'll re-check when we top an empty tank after using the car for mostly 15 mile-round trips to the office.

    To be continued...
  • jd10013jd10013 Member Posts: 779
    the big advantage with a belt is it's much much much cheaper to replace. usually, 3-4 hundred. replacing a chain can (depending on the car) run 1500-2000.

    Not only would it not be cost effective to swictch to a chain, it would be impssible. the engine has to be designed for it. a belt is outside the engine, with just a cover over it. a chain, because a metal chain on a metal sprocket has to be lubricated, is inside your engine. thats also why it costs so much to replace.
  • bobw3bobw3 Member Posts: 2,989
    I guess the question is whether or not you'll EVER have to replace a chain.
  • jd10013jd10013 Member Posts: 779
    not if you keep it full of oil, and changed regularly. it's very uncommon for a chain to break. But running it low on oil, or with excessively dirty oil can cause the guides to wear out.
  • eopenboxeopenbox Member Posts: 3
    :mad: I had this car for 3 months with 3000 miles only. Car died 3 times completely dead, and no lights and no start. Jump start will start the car. All accessories had been off. The IQ remote will not even open the locks. Very disappointed with the Versa. I have 2004 Nissan quest and 2007 Nissan Murano but Versa is not the best choice for me at present.
  • flightnurseflightnurse Member Posts: 2,217
    I had the same problem once, had it towed to the dealer, come to find out the battery was dead, replaced the battery and the car has been perfect ever since..
  • jd10013jd10013 Member Posts: 779
    sounds like the battery won't hold a charge. You don't see a problem when your driving because the altenator is running the car. But, the bad battery won't hold a charge, and therefore can't start the car.
  • jacksan1jacksan1 Member Posts: 504
    Changing the battery should fix the problem, but I would also look at the voltage regulator, just to make sure that a defective one is not fying the battery.
  • flightnurseflightnurse Member Posts: 2,217
    Jackson my Battery was bad, it wouldn't hold a charge. The dealer had seen one of these before mine. My car wouldn't take a jump either. But so far so good, no problems...
  • jacksan1jacksan1 Member Posts: 504
    Yes, a bad battery is most likely to be the case also for the above poster. I am wondering, though, how the car with a bad battery got delivered in the meantime. If a battery is bad to begin with, after the vehicle rolls off the assembly line, it would not start then. Even if it did, by the time someone wants to move it from the car pool outside of the assembly area it would have a problem starting. Failing that, the PDI people should notice that the battery does not hold charge. I don't know how this slipped through the QA net.
  • daniknightdaniknight Member Posts: 15
    Before buying my Versa, the salesman escorted me out to the back lot to see the one in their inventory that came closest to having everything I wanted on it. He went to pull it out of the line to show it to me and let me test drive it. It didn't start. Probably had the same issue.

    I didn't get that one, ending up with one from a dealership 200 miles away. So far (knock wood) no problems whatsoever and it has been a fantastic car.
  • flightnurseflightnurse Member Posts: 2,217
    Jacksan, in my case, I drove home from work, parked the car, has no issues with it. Next morning at 0800, the car wouldn't start at all... I had radio, the Intelli-key worked, lights inside lights, but it wouldnt turn over, even with a jump....
  • jacksan1jacksan1 Member Posts: 504
    Yes, that kind of thing can and does happen. I have a friend who once called me for rescue because she drove to a shopping mall and later found her car dead in the same as you describe when she came out of the mall. We bought a new battery right there (Sears Auto Center was in the same mall), and put it in, which revived the car. Why is it that the battery died in this manner was never resolved. And my friend never had a problem like that again after that.
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    It sounds like when you get a Nissan, immediately go to Sears and get a DieHard put in. Fascinating!
  • jd10013jd10013 Member Posts: 779
    Yes, exactly. it's even in the owners manual now in "pre driving" section.
  • winkie733winkie733 Member Posts: 14
    I bought an 07 Versa SL auto in 10/07 with CVT trans, upgraded 6 CD and bluetooth. love the ride and feel. it is very fast and responsive. only downsides are the mileage, drift in high winds, and very high rev when the overdrive off is activated. I understand the drift due to its height. But, my mpg has been consistently in the 22 mpg range. i do combo driving, with high speed on I-95 and some slower, town driving. I've read on these blogs that the problem could be an adjustment in O2 sensor is needed. I have noticed, however, that midway through my current tank of gas, I seem to be getting better mileage. I have 3400 miles on the car. The high-rev overdrive off is annoying. seems like it it stuck in second gear even at 60 mph. I have driven other cars with this feature, like a Maxima, and never had this much of a high rev. Any thoughts on these issues from other owners?
  • irismgirismg Member Posts: 345
    I'm not an owner, but I will offer this rule of thumb that's been helpful to me:

    The higher the RPM, the worse your mileage. If you hear your car revving, then, it's like having a hole in the gas tank. Therefore, drive in such a way that keeps your RPM as low as possible.

    In my Toyota, I keep the overdrive button on at all times.
  • mperedithemperedithe Member Posts: 1
    Hello everyone,
    I'm not a mechanic so please bear with me. I'm also very upset so please excuse me if it starts to show.

    Couple of months ago I bought a 2007 Nissan Versa Hatchback. I fell in love with the car immediately. My wife and I also purchased the extended warranty or service agreement (can't remember which). After about a month I began noticing that the car would act funny when accelerating from a stop. Basically the car feels like it is not getting gas and then all of sudden BAM, the altimeter needle skyrockets and the engine whines like I'm in a race. Please note that the car doesn't seem to have much power so it isn't pushing me back in my seat when this happens it just makes a loud embarrassing racket like I'm trying to squeal the tires or something. The symptoms are worse when the over-drive function is on (which I'm understanding is the default setting). Then there are times when I get the opposite reaction, either from a stop or when trying to speed up. One time at the McDonalds drive through I had just placed my order and took my foot off the brakes and onto gas. The tires actually squealed even though I hadn't depressed the gas pedal at all--I let the car kinda coast up to the window.

    These symptoms are awful and embarrassing as I attract the wrong kind of attention. I took the vehicle in to the dealership from where I purchased it and they found nothing wrong. What they told me was that they drove it around all day but couldn't get the car to reproduce the symptoms I was describing! There was nothing they could do. They did find that the car needed a new bearing for the front passenger side wheel and that required taking the car back to them twice more (the first time they couldn't install the bearing because the one they received was defective or something). Each time they would tell me that they once again drove the car around but still could not reproduce the symptoms.

    I got into with the one rep. telling him he needed to have the mechanics research possible causes for the symptoms that I'm having but he said it doesn't work like that. He said that they need to reproduce them before they'll know what to do. I told him that was bullsh*t because if they could reproduce the symptoms all they're gonna do is go back and research what might cause those symptoms. I mean, its not like the cars gonna come alive and tell them whats wrong they'll still need to diagnose the problem--right?

    I'm at a point where I'm ready to talk to a mechanic and maybe an attorney, this is ridiculous. Anyone who might know of anything that I might be able to do to get satisfaction would be of a great help to me. I just want the problem fixed and I know there is one. It's not in my head.

    Thanks for listening to my ramble, I appreciate all your help.

    Marc
  • kiawahkiawah Member Posts: 3,666
    Did you buy the 4 speed automatic, or the CVT ? I'm betting the CVT and you have a transmission problem.

    I bought the cheaper 4 speed, to stay away from the CVT belt drive technology. As an engineer, that CVT just doesn't seem like something that is going to last very long.....compared to a regular tried and true transmission that typically gets 100K+ miles.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Just about 39,000 on my 2007 and all is well. I'd love to have regular gas back with NO ethanol, but that's not the fault of the car.

    Any other high mileage Versa owners ready to sing the praises of their ride? ;)
  • zoomingseattlezoomingseattle Member Posts: 5
    Just wanted to say how awesome my 09 Versa SL was in the deep snow we had in Puget Sound area. It never skidded and felt very surefooted in turns. Those tiny wheels dig deep into the snow! I don't even think I need winter tires.

    My Mazda6 S is definitelly not as good for winter.
  • sarah70007sarah70007 Member Posts: 1
    I am having the same problem as many others with the dead battery. If I have not used the car in 3 or more days, the battery is dead. The longer not in use, the more dead it is (Intelli-key wont work at all). This will be my third battery........such a waste since I can NEVER rely on this car to take me to the airport or sit for a few days without working. Its sad since I bought it in October 2008. I thought Nissans were reliable, and now I am finding out they are not. :mad:
  • twistedmuffintwistedmuffin Member Posts: 27
    I bought my 09 in Aug, 09. MPG is 32 with 75% hiway, not babying it. Babying it ( 60 mph or less) gives me 35 mpg (twice). Using non-ethanol gas. Lucky to have it available. Shell. I have some surface rust on the exhaust already. Will show it to dealer. I need a pillow behind my back for lumbar support. Radio has NO SCAN feature. Big negative. Have to keep pressing the button to get new station. Safety hazard, like texting.

    Overall, am happy with car. Looks good. Good mpg. Smooth ride. I have 4,000 miles already, in just 2 months.
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    is your Nissan Versa outfitted with a manual tranny or an automatic tranny?

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • twistedmuffintwistedmuffin Member Posts: 27
    I have the auto trans. And it's the regular 4 speed auto, not the newfangled CVT autotrans.

    TM
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,704
    helps me frame my thoughts properly when you post from now on. :blush:

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • colloquorcolloquor Member Posts: 482
    Has then been a owner comparison of MPG based on the 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, and CVT? I would be sincerely interested in seeing the average city/highway fuel mileage comparisons for each the three transmission types.
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