NissanVersa2021Overview/nissan/versa/2021/base/

2021 Nissan Versa

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Versa.

Transmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2021 Nissan Versa is a subcompact sedan equipped with an automatic transmission that employs variable gear ratios and a 4.33‑quart capacity for 0W‑20 engine oil. Its EPA fuel‑economy rating of 32 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 35 mpg combined reflects the efficiency of its power‑train design, while the reliability data show a modest 31 owner complaints overall, with Power Train issues topping the list and three recalls recorded for the model year. Placed within a complaint history spanning 2007‑2025, the 2021 Versa sits nearer the lower‑end of reported problems—well above the 2025 low of 11 complaints but far below the 2009 peak of 502—indicating a relatively stable reliability record for this generation.

Model year202520242023202220212017201620132011

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.33 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy32/40/35 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 510 EN rating CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 510 EN rating CCAOEM · verified
Tire size195/65R15 91HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter165465RB1A
Spark plug224015RL1B
Front wiper blades288905EE0B discontinued · alt 288905EF0A
Serpentine belt117205RB0B
Thermostat21200ED00A alt 212005RF3A
Cabin air filter278915RB0C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.8 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2632 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined32 / 40 / 35 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume90 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Versa of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.5–11.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.50 sec — 2023 SR Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020SR Sedan 1.6L I-49.70 sec17.40 sec122 hpFWD
2020SR Sedan 1.6L I-410.40 sec18.00 sec122 hpFWD
2020SR Sedan 1.6L I-411.30 sec18.60 sec122 hpFWD
2023SR Sedan 1.6L I-49.50 sec17.30 sec122 hpFWD
2023SR Sedan 1.6L I-410.00 sec17.60 sec122 hpFWD
2023SR Sedan 1.6L I-411.20 sec17.90 sec122 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.33 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to Use a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan CVT NS-3 Fluid
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.39 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantNissan Long Life Antifreeze/Coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity7.39 qt
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity4.33 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts80.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new washer: 25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed: NS rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)25 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)Setting Speed: NS rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)25 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity.88 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100YF
Oil Capacity4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group Number47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 EN rating cca

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessRear: 0.059" in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bracket Bolts 9-111.4 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 9-1117 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen all bolts., Step 3: 14.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 60-65°20 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Loosen all bolts., Step 3: 14.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 60-65°20 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126 ft. lbs., step 2: 6026 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°26 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60°, Step 3: Loosen all bolts in reverse order of tightening. Step 4: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: 75°, Step 6: 75°30 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-65°24 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-65°24 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 15,000 miBrake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Nissan Versa sits within the third generation (2020–present), which shows a clear downward trend in complaints from the prior generations, dropping from 63 in 2020 to just 31 in 2021 and further to 19 in 2022. However, the 2021 model year stands out with 3 recalls, a slight uptick compared to 2 in 2020 and 0 in 2022, though the data does not specify the root causes. The top complaint areas—power train and visibility—each account for only a handful of reports, and there are no fire-related complaints, with just 5 crash complaints. This places the 2021 Versa in a period of generally improving reliability, but the recall count suggests a need for due diligence. Overall, it is a good year to buy, provided the three recalls have been addressed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
92
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
31
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 31 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train4
Visibility/Wiper3
Unknown Or Other3
Power Train,Electrical System2
Engine2
Air Bags2
Power Train,Exterior Lighting,Vehicle Speed Control1
Electrical System,Air Bags,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V471000Exterior Lighting:Turn Signal:BulbsReported 23/06/2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Titan, Titan XD, and Versa vehicles. The front right and/or left turn signal bulb can crack and fail to illuminate. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the bulbs as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 20, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at…

22V693000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 15/09/2022

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2021 Versa and Kicks vehicles. An intermittent electrical connection in the electric power steering (EPS) torque sensor can disable the power steering assist. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column torque sensor lot code, and replace the column, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 92 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB23-048A2026-04-08Electrical SystemDTC P17F4 STORED IN THE TCM IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports transmission vibration…
NTB19-042F2025-02-20Electrical SystemAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS: Vehicles equipped…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Versa. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 Versa take?

4.33 qt of Nissan SN 0W-20 Motor Oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Versa have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Versa get?

EPA figures are 32 city / 40 highway / 35 combined mpg.