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Nissan Versa key fob problems

13 of the 3,330 owner complaints about the Nissan Versa describe key fob or push-button start problems, most of them for the 2007 model year.

owner complaints
13
worst model year
2007
typical mileage
81,821
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2023
    2
  • 2021
    1
  • 2020
    1
  • 2017
    2
  • 2015
    1
  • 2012
    1
  • 2010
    1
  • 2009
    2
  • 2007
    2

What owners say

Filed Jun 2, 2026 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Automatic CVT failure confirmed by Future Nissan of Roseville CA. No warning prior to failure. Replaced by Kirkwood Autoworx Mechanical since Nissan Corporate denied a good-will replacement. Reason: 15k miles over warranty - 75081odometer reading at replacement on 5/27/26. CVT failed while on a busy street [XXX] ). I had only reverse and had to back my way out of traffic. Extremely dangerous situation. New Issue: Left Front Door (Driver) Locking actuator failure on XXX Not a safety issue yet. Will not lock or unlock with key fob. Manual entry only. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 25, 2025 · Driver assistance, Engine · TN

I’ve read other other complaints about this make/ model car and my car does ALL of those things. First the acceleration at Rand times my car will not accelerate whether it be pulling out of a parking space, sitting at a red light, making a turn etc. have took to a mechanic because this issue and my check engine light was on due to the mass air flow sensor or filter got that fixed and car still does the same thing. Second when playing music through Bluetooth the radio just randomly restarts after playing approx 3 songs. Next the forward and back collision , abs system lights make an appearance on the dash whenever they feel like it. The emergency breaking system forward and back breaks for me when nothing is behind my car or I’m a great deal behind another car. The car now cuts off while driving. My passenger side door does not lock when pressed on the key fob with all of the other doors. The remote start does not work AT ALL. The trunk does not open when pressed on the key fob either. The lighter port does not have any power. I did buy this car used for being 5 years old and having 71,000 miles I thought that I was getting a somewhat decent deal but that is not the case, I do not feel safe in this car nor do I get to enjoy any of the features of “having a newer car”.

Filed Feb 26, 2024 · CT

My vehicle goes into unexplained limp mode. Research says it is a programming issue for Nissan when they deleted the push button start. Very dangerous when it happens.

Filed Nov 12, 2023 · Electrical · MO

Passenger door lock/unlocked, not working. Buzz noise when operating key fob; actuator malfunction. Can't open door manually.

Filed Sep 21, 2023 · Airbags, Engine · TX

The vehicle engine stalled while driving in motion at approximately 65 miles per hour, and occasionally would stall without warning while waiting at a traffic light stop. The vehicle occasionally would not allow for the key to turn its ignition and would remain locked unpredictably and would require extended amounts of time to lock/unlock via security key fob repeatedly to allow for the key to turn the ignition.

Filed Sep 7, 2023 · Visibility · 96,632 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2009 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the alarm erroneously activated. The contact clicked on the key fob to disarm the alarm however, the alarm failed to turn off. The contact walked outside to the vehicle and noticed that the rear driver’s side window had shattered without impact. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 96,632.

Filed Aug 21, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · WV

Car is 4 months old 12,000 miles. 3 intermittent episodes upon startup car has only 20% power even with gas pedal to the floor like it’s in limp home mode. All episodes so far on cold start up 60-80 degree weather. No CEL lights, no misfire, no odd smells. YouTube poster has same problem and ran obd scan tool showing crank position sensor malfunction. Others suspect problem is software issue associated with Nissan removing the push button start from Versa S trim level only cars in 2022/2023 model years and possibly in manual transmission cars only. Car is extremely unsafe to drive in this condition and the female owner is reluctant to drive it 50 miles to work and be stranded. Nissan dealer examined the car and found no issues on first attempt. Car going to the repair shop for a second time.

Filed Oct 4, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 221,000 miles · NC · fire

I have owned this car since I bought it new in sept.2006. Never have had any problems and have kept it serviced, on oct 02, 2020 I went to store and back home about 8 miles total, parked in yard, approx. 10 minutes later alarm went off and key fob would not dissarm it so I opened the hood and the whole firewall was on fire, and flames bellowing from underneath, I immediately ran and got a fire extingusher andd completely used the large cannister to put fire out. The car is a total loss and very scarey and upsetting that this could happen from a parked car.

Filed Aug 1, 2020 · Fuel system, Lights · 30,000 miles · AZ

If you have the AC full blast and are idling at a red light the car will stall out as if it weren't getting fuel because it won't start right back up. In order for me to start it I had to press and depress the acceleration pedal while attempting to turn it over. If turning over exceeds the batteries voltage it will kill the battery resulting in worse problems. If you're lucky it will turn over after a long time turning it over while pushing gas pedal but if you don't unplug and plug in the fuel pump it might not work. If you idle for long periods of time you'll stall out for sure once the car starts sputtering hitting the gas pedal will only increase the speed of the stall because letting go seems to drain the systems fuel and it seems you'll have to get the fuel running thru system again. This car also has a lot more wrong with for starters the trunk is not sealed by welding it honestly looks like brown paint which doesn't completely cover the cracks between the frame and trunk bottom and sometimes I get light headed when idling before it started to stall out. This particular vehicle was made in mexico and seems to be cheaply made because the trim doesn't even display the versa s just versa aside from that immediately after purchasing it the passenger door lock no longer works neither does the trunk. You can hear the wind thru the doors while driving and the floor seems poorly insulated from heat. The blower motor isn't blowing the AC out as hard as it was. When accelerating pops are heard coming from the bottom of the car which I don't know the source but I do know it can't be good. This vehicle is my mother's but I drive it a lot and this is only my half of the experience. I honestly think she got scammed because this 2017 car doesn't have electric seats, door locks or windows and doesnt even have a key fob or alarm.

Filed Sep 14, 2017 · 27,500 miles · MO

My hatchback will not open. One day it worked and now wont. Do not have key fob option.

Related recalls

Electrical system: ignitionReported August 21, 2018 · 153,047 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk
If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑867‑7669.

Recall number 18V551000 · Recall details

Electrical system: ignition: switchReported July 1, 2015 · 14,595 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Versa Sedan vehicles manufactured July 16, 2013, to January 29, 2014, 2013-2014 Cube vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to October 21, 2013, and 2013-2014 Juke vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to October 22, 2013. When exposed to hot temperatures, the affected vehicles have an engine start/stop button that may stick inside the button housing.
Risk
If the engine start/stop button gets stuck in the housing, road vibrations may cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the start/stop switch housing, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 15V418000 · Recall details

Questions about the Nissan Versa key fob

Which Nissan Versa years have key fob or push-button start problems problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2007 (2 complaints), 2009 (2 complaints) and 2017 (2 complaints).

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