The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has recently announced an inquiry into the Nissan Versa spanning the model years 2022 through 2024.
Prompted by numerous field reports and 20 formal complaints, concerns have emerged regarding the vehicle’s tendency to enter limp mode after stalling. This development may potentially lead to a recall of manual-equipped late-model Versas in the foreseeable future.
Typically, manufacturers identify and address issues preemptively through recalls. However, in this case, complaints lodged by Versa owners with the NHTSA have spurred the ODI to initiate an independent investigation. Should this probe uncover a significant number of occurrences attributable to Nissan’s oversight, further actions may ensue.
Several Versa owners have recounted instances where their vehicles transitioned into limp mode subsequent to stalling. Intriguingly, this phenomenon appears to afflict solely Versas equipped with a manual transmission, with stalling incidents occurring irrespective of speed.
Some drivers report encountering the issue after inadvertently stalling the vehicle themselves, while others describe occurrences during highway travel. As per the investigation notice, once the vehicle enters limp mode, it becomes incapable of sustaining speed or accelerating beyond 30 mph.
In its official communication, the ODI delineates the problem as follows: “The complaints allege that if the vehicle stalls, resulting from releasing the clutch too fast (or for other reasons), the vehicle goes into limp mode resulting in limited torque available to move, or accelerate the vehicle.”
Furthermore, it asserts that such incidents could transpire both on highways and in urban traffic scenarios. While a maximum speed of 30 mph might seem tolerable in congested city streets, on highways, it poses a potential safety risk, although no reported instances have surfaced thus far.
Numerous Versa owners have voiced their concerns on online forums, with some creating videos addressing the issue. Certain individuals have associated it with a check engine light code P2615-00, indicative of a crankshaft position sensor malfunction.
Others speculate a correlation with a software update linked to the transition from a push-button start to a key-crank start system.
The ODI pledges to disclose its findings upon the completion of the investigation. Meanwhile, affected individuals are encouraged to file formal complaints to furnish the ODI with additional data pertaining to the issue.
Also read: NHTSA Initiates Investigation on 250,712 Honda Vehicles Regarding Brake Concerns