Reliability results for the Versa

[mkaresh]

Results won't be officially released until next week, but because this forum has been so helpful I wanted to give you guys a heads-up.

In short, the repair rate for the Versa has been high so far, about 1.1 successful repair trips per year. This is the highest of any 2006 or newer car I currently have a decent sample for. I'm still waiting for responses from a couple of owners, so this number could change a bit before I make it official next week.

This stat actually underrepresents the total number of trips to the dealer, because I don't include unsuccessful repairs and warning light resets in the analysis. And the Versa has had more of both of these than most cars.

Among the issues reported:TPMS -- usually reset, but sometimes the BCM is replaced--many reportsGas door release comes loose, in one case four times (only counted once in the analysis)Bluetooth module replacedRear defrost incompletely installedGas cap tether caught in intake - flawed designO2 sensors replacedVentilation sensors replacedBroken trunk lid mechanism

Overall Nissan appears to have taken this one out of the oven a bit early.

The good news is that repair rates usually come down when they start high like this, because the early cars get fixed and later cars benefit from running changes to correct common problems at the plant. The Dodge Caliber also started out around 1.1, and in the latest results will be at 0.6, which is about average.

I update quarterly, so if reliability does improve it'll be evident almost as it happens. Next results in August.
Modified by mkaresh at 6:49 PM 5/9/2007

[proxim2020]

Good Info I didn't even know some of these issues existed.

[mkaresh]

Some of these issues might be rare. The only one that clearly affects many cars is the TPMS issue, which is more of a nuisance than anything else.

[kc5f]

Overall Nissan appears to have taken this one out of the oven a bit early.

Given your "some of these issues might be rare" comment, it doesn't seem so bad to me. My V's one which added to the multiple-repair number, as I had the passenger air bag replaced twice. But I don't think it would have helped for Nissan to hold the US model release back another year. It's a minor issue and it's fixed. Just like the TPMS, which probably wouldn't even have been offered if it weren't mandated for next year for every new car. (Wasn't even an issue with mine, either.)

This is my eighth new car, with nearly all manufacturers represented. (Sorry, I can't afford the high-end makes!) I feel it's probably the best made and most reliable of the bunch, and that's after 25,000 miles.

[Ever Victorious]

I personally would have a hard time calling any air bag issue "minor", since there's really no way of knowing if the air bag will deploy properly unless you get in a wreck with a passenger in the seat. I somehow doubt anyone would volunteer for anything so foolhardy, and a "better safe than sorry" policy would be best in those circumstances.

But the TPMS problem... yeah, annoying at the very least. Frustrating could also be a good description.

Thanks for the work so far, mkaresh, and look forward to more in the future!

[stevenjb]

Reliability results are based on the market feedback, and will vary at the rate of the market/ consumer response for that feedback resource. JDPower, KBB, etc research will widely vary based on the feedback received during research or on a voluntary basis. No one source can define the reliability of a vehicle. Multiple sources need to be taken into account for a general picture of a vehicles reliability and problem areas.

[mkaresh]

I'm not sure what you're trying to say.

The important thing to realize with different sources is that everyone measures a different thing.

KBB doesn't collect reliability data.

J.D. Power collects data on manufacturing defects and design defects during the first 90 days. A design defect isn't something that can be fixed; it's an annoyance designed into the vehicle. It's not a reliability issue.

Consumer Reports collects data on problems that each individual respondent determines to be "serious." One person might decide that the TPMS issue is serious because it won't go away, another might decide it's not because it's just a warning light and doesn't really affect anything. I think this is far too subjective and approach.

TrueDelta collects data on anything beyond maintenance and wear items that a car goes into the shop for.

If these sources disagree, it could well be because they measure different things. But they are likely to track together.

[StanBo]

Wasn't this an existing model in Japan or are there's brand new as well?

[Ever Victorious]

It existed for something like 6 months in Japan before being released here. However, there are systems unique to the US such as the problematic TPMS system, and probably much of the emissions system.

[GoodbyeCavalier]

I was the gas the gas tether!! I still get paranoid everytime i get gas. I think it might be to long... just my opinon though

[Legacy40k]

It existed for something like 6 months in Japan before being released here. However, there are systems unique to the US such as the problematic TPMS system, and probably much of the emissions system.

Yep, no TMPS issue in Canada.

[proxim2020]

Where did the tether snap? Was it in the middle of somewhere or was it at one of the ends of the cable?

[GoodbyeCavalier]

no it didnt snap, when i close the cap, the tether will force the ring its attached to in a clockwise rotation and it ended up getting caught underneath the cap

[jacksan1]

The Tiida was released in Japan in September 2004. No TPMS over there. Basically, the JDM Tiida has experienced none of the problems that the NA Versa is having, which seems to indicate that this is an assembly and part supplier issue particular to the NA market.