NissanVersa2016Overview/nissan/versa/2016/base/

2016 Nissan Versa

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Versa.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2016 Nissan Versa is a compact passenger car built on Nissan’s long‑running subcompact platform and equipped with an automatic transmission that features variable gear ratios, delivering an EPA‑rated 31 mpg city, 39 mpg highway and a combined 34 mpg. Its modest powertrain is complemented by a reputation for relatively low owner‑reported issues, with only 79 complaints recorded for the model year and the most frequent problem confined to the air‑bag system, while the vehicle has not been subject to any recalls. Positioned between the historic peak of 502 complaints in 2009 and the record low of 11 complaints in 2025, the 2016 Versa sits in a period of steadily improving reliability, indicating a solid baseline for researchers examining the model’s durability trajectory.

Model year202520242023202220212017201620132011

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy31/39/34 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS 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 Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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 NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP185/65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter165461HK0A
Spark plug224011HC1B
Battery24410ZW40C
Front wiper blades28890EL000 discontinued · alt 28890ZR81A
Serpentine belt117201KT0A
Thermostat21200ED00A alt 21049ED00B
Cabin air filter272771KK0C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length163.4 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height60.6 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight2456 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined31 / 39 / 34 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.

9.2–10.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.20 sec — 2017 SV Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Note SR Hatchback 1.6L I-49.90 sec17.60 sec109 hpFWD
2015Note SR Hatchback 1.6L I-410.30 sec17.70 sec109 hpFWD
2017SV Sedan 1.6L I-49.20 sec17.10 sec109 hpFWD
2014Note S Hatchback 1.6L I-49.50 sec17.20 sec109 hpFWD
2014Note SV Hatchback w/SL Tech Package 1.6L I-410.10 sec17.60 sec109 hpFWD
2014Note SV Hatchback w/SL Tech Package 1.6L I-410.40 sec17.80 sec109 hpFWD
20121.6 SL Pure Drive Sedan 1.6L I-49.80 sec17.50 sec109 hpFWD
20121.6 SL Pure Drive Sedan 1.6L I-49.80 sec17.50 sec109 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan CVT fluid NS-3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.0
Brake FluidDOT 3
Clutch FluidGenuine NISSAN Brake Fluid R35 Special II
Engine CoolantUse NISSAN Long life antifreeze/coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity7.6 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts20
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub183.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14.0 ft-lbs
Ignition TimingMT: 10, AT: 4 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.80-1.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity4.10 oz

Service checks

RPM73 @ idle rpm
Engine Compressionpsi 184-219 / max variation 14.5 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 187-225 / maximum variation 14.5 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 187-225 / maximum variation 14.5 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.012-0.016 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.012-0.017 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque62
ABS Sensor Torque6.6 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.080; Rear: 0.040 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish.787
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0001
Maximum Rotor RunoutRunout limit with rotor attached to vehicle:
Maximum Drum Diameter8.040

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126 ft. lbs., step 2: 6026 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6024 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 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 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 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect) · Headlamp (inspect alignment) · Radiator Cap (inspect)
At 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (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 2016 Nissan Versa sits at a clear inflection point in the model's reliability trend, with complaints dropping sharply to 79 from 168 in 2015 and 336 in 2014, continuing a decline that began after a peak of 485 complaints in 2012. Recalls also hit zero for the first time in the generation, down from 1 in 2015 and 4 in 2014, while investigations remained low at just 1. Although technical service bulletins (139) are still relatively elevated compared to later years, the top complaint areas—air bags (13) and power train (10)—are modest in volume, and the data does not specify root causes. This year marks a significant improvement over the earlier, more problematic period of the generation, with only later years like 2018 and 2019 showing even lower complaint counts. Overall, the 2016 Versa represents a solid choice within the generation, offering a clean recall history and a clear downward trend in reported issues.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
139
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
79
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 1 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 79 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags13
Power Train10
Unknown Or Other7
Service Brakes4
Tires3
Engine3
Fuel/Propulsion System2
Power Train,Air Bags,Engine2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 139 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…
NTB19-071D2024-09-19Air BagsDTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…

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

Does the 2016 Versa have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Versa get?

EPA figures are 31 city / 39 highway / 34 combined mpg.