The 2009 Nissan Versa only lasts around 150,000 miles with serious transmission and spring issues. At $3,929 to $5,337 it’s cheap, but not worth the money when a transmission failure will total it out.
Is the 2009 Nissan Versa a Good Used Car?
- No, 2009 is a bad year for the Versa. Owner reviews complain about steering problems, uncomfortable seats, and poor acceleration.
- Interior quality is above average for a budget-friendly compact car with a lot of soft-touch materials used in the cabin, and the infotainment system is basic.
- Reliability ratings are terrible. There are a lot of problems on Versas from 2007-2009 with some improvements on the 2010–2011 model years.
- Performance is below average for both of the available 4-cylinder engines.
- The 2009 Versa is reasonably safe, getting an overall score of 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests, with the lowest score being 4-stars in frontal crash tests.
- Fuel economy is better than average at around 30 MPG, which should get owners around 396 miles of range out of the 13.2 gallon tank.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Nissan Versa?
- Consumer Reports says the 2009 Versa is not very agile and tricky to drive, with low owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds gives the 2009 Versa a 4.4/5 praising the low running and fuel costs, but doesn’t like the poor handling.
- Kelley Blue Book users rate the 2009 Versa 4.4/5 and enjoy the passenger room in the backseats, but owners don’t like the lack of anti-lock brakes.
What Common Problems Does the 2009 Nissan Versa Have?
The most common problems found on the 2009 Nissan Sentra include transmission failures on the CVT models, broken springs, and wheel bearing failures. Overall, these problems are more severe than some rivals, and repair costs are average for a car in its price range.
Transmission failures on CVT models are the most serious problem with the 2009 Nissan Versa. CVT transmissions found in Nissans are a known weak-spot and fail regularly. Replacing the transmission costs over $3,000 since they’re difficult to rebuild.
Broken springs on the suspension are a complaint from owners at around 71,000 miles. The front springs simply wear out and snap as the car ages, but can increase the risk of an accident. Replacing the springs costs around $500 depending on labor rates. Depending on the source of the problem, they may be covered by a recall if rust played a factor.
Wheel bearing failures are another issue that shows up on Versa models at around 30,000 miles. The bearings are not as strong as some found in other cars and wind up making excessive noise. Changing out the bearings costs about $200 per wheel, and aftermarket bearings last longer.
There are 7 recalls, average for a car from 2009, with the most serious being for the front springs which can corrode and break as they age. Most of the other recalls are not serious and cover airbags, which are not a concern once they’ve been changed.
How Long Will the 2009 Nissan Versa Last?
A well-maintained 2009 Nissan Versa should be able to last around 150,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles shorter than top competitors like the Mazda3. Regular annual maintenance costs are slightly higher than other compact cars at around $387 per year, according to data from Repair Pal.
Since most 2009 Versa models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace items including the wheel speed sensor for $275, timing chain tensioner costing $700, and the spark plugs for $250.
No, I did not have any problems. It is a good running car. It is cost effective and works well. I would buy another car if I could. It is also small so it fits in small spaces.
Problems with the transmission chain the engine chocks and the oxygen sensors, the spare parts are of poor quality.
No- I keep it up by getting oil changes every year, upkeep is key. The only 'problems' it may have are some scratches due to ice and snow and wear and tear.
The Versa is very reliable and does not have any noticeable problems. Easy driving even on rugged back roads.
No it’s not. Brakes go bad all the time, transmission is going bad and the suspension springs break.
The Nissan is reliable, yes, but if you get a car and expect that the car would not have problem then you most definitely mistaken, so yes the car have problems
I haven't encountered any major problems with mine. I do my routine maintenance regularly. And I also change the tires and brakes at least once in 2 years
It definitely has/had problems. I forget the issue it had but it would randomly just stop running, as if the battery was dead--but it wasn't that battery...
How Much Is the 2009 Nissan Versa Worth?
Blue book values range from $3,929 to $5,337, making the Versa thousands of dollars cheaper than a Honda Civic or Ford Focus. When new, the price range was $9,990 to $16,330. Depreciation is similar to average, losing about 10% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Nissan Versa?
There are four models of the Nissan Versa offered for the 2009 model year. The first generation of the Versa was introduced in 2006 and redesigned in 2013.
1.6 Base is the entry-level model with:
- 14-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Tilting Steering Column
1.6 is a step up, adding:
- Air Conditioning
- 4-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo System
1.8 S is next in the lineup with:
- 15-Inch Steel Wheels
- Power Windows & Locks
- Cruise Control
1.8 SL is the flagship model and adds:
- 15-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Premium Cloth Seating
- 6-Speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Jack
- Keyless Ignition
- Sunroof
What Engines Come In the Nissan Versa?
- The base engine is a weak 1.6L 4-cylinder which makes 107 horsepower and gets up to 29 MPG combined.
- An available upgrade is the slightly better 1.8L 4-cylinder which makes 122 horsepower and gets up to 30 MPG combined. Performance is poor, taking 8.9 seconds to go from 0 to 60 MPH.
What Colors Does the Nissan Versa Come In?
How Big Is the Nissan Versa?
The 2009 Nissan Versa is smaller than other compact cars including the Honda Civic and Ford Focus, and is offered as a sedan or hatchback. Passenger room is surprisingly good for a car of its size with more head and legroom than many rivals.
The cargo space in the sedan is average, fitting 3-5 suitcases easily, and the hatchback has enough room for over 10 suitcases with the backseats folded flat.
How Does the Nissan Versa Compare to the Competition?
The Nissan Versa is one of the worst small cars you can buy from 2009 with a lot of serious mechanical issues that cost a lot to fix.
The Nissan Sentra is another competitor from Nissan costing about $1,000 more. Performance is better in the Nissan Sentra, but the Nissan Versa is more efficient. We recommend the Nissan Sentra for the 2009 model year since it doesn’t have as many mechanical problems.
The Toyota Corolla is a rival which costs around $2,500 more. Passenger room and interior materials are nicer in the Corolla, but the Nissan Versa fits better in large cities. We recommend the Toyota Corolla over the Nissan Versa for 2009, but it’s not a good year for either of the cars.
Do Owners Recommend the Nissan Versa?
Yes, I have not had any major problems with this it runs well. I enjoy this car. It runs well on gas and has good mileage.
Very economical in fuel consumption but the bodywork is too plastic although it has good interior space for a low-cylinder vehicle.
It is a great vehicle. I have had for 10 years and have traveled 80 miles per day just going back and forth to work. Never gave me a problem in the cold or ice. Drives wonderfully in the ice. I feel very safe and secure with this car.
Yes, it is compact and has a nice smooth ride. Plenty of leg space. Easy window views. Good mileage and runs easily with a full tank of regular gas.
No. The brakes go bad constantly. The suspension is bad and the springs have broken twice. Nissan has a recall for the springs. The transmission has been going bad since 80,000 miles. It’s a known issue with the transmission.
Well because I got it at JD Byrider it was a used car and it already had its problem, so my opinion wouldn't do
Yes it is, it is very reliable and low maintenance. As long as you do your routine maintenance and change the brakes and tires when due, the vehicle gives no problem
It's has some strange issues and I don't know if that's unique to my vehicle or not. Otherwise, I feel that it mostly runs well. I've driven it around the city and on long drives.