2020 NISSAN VERSA Forward Collision Avoidance Problems

22 complaints about Forward Collision Avoidance

22
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Deaths

High Severity Issue

This component has been associated with crashes, fires, or deaths.

This Problem Across All Years

All Forward Collision Avoidance Complaints (22)

Nov 3, 2025

I am reporting a chronic and dangerous defect in my 2020 Nissan Versa that results in an unpredictable, sudden, and complete loss of acceleration (motive power) while driving. This defect has been present since shortly after purchase and remains unresolved, posing a severe safety risk on public roads. Specific Safety Incident Details: Symptoms: The failure begins with the illumination of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine Light), simultaneously accompanied by dashboard messages like "Malfunction See Owner’s Manual" and "Key System Error." The Critical Safety Hazard (Loss of Power): Immediately following the dash warning, the vehicle experiences a major, sudden loss of acceleration. This is not a gradual deceleration—the throttle becomes unresponsive, and the vehicle will not accelerate for approximately 4 to 5 seconds. Driving Conditions: This failure occurs randomly, including during critical maneuvers such as accelerating from a stop, merging into traffic, or attempting to accelerate on a highway. Consequence: When the vehicle unexpectedly fails to accelerate (especially in high-speed or high-traffic situations), it creates a high risk of being struck from behind or being unable to clear an intersection or merging lane safely. Initial Report (In-Warranty): The problem was first reported on March 31, 2021 (Mileage 25,404) to Central Houston Nissan (Invoice # NICS309560) and again on July 29, 2021 (Mileage 32,229) to Sterling McCall Nissan (Invoice # 2373806). Engineering Investigation: On both occasions, the dealerships specifically noted that the issue (DTC P0101 and associated warnings/power loss) was "under investigation under Nissan Engineers." Technical Service Bulletin (TSB): Nissan has acknowledged this widespread issue by releasing TSB NTB21-049 (June 8, 2021), which addresses the "MIL ON WITH DTC P0101" for the 2020-2021 Versa model.

Mar 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was purchased with a cracked windshield. After investigating the failure, the contact determined that the cracked windshield was interfering with the Forward Collision Avoidance sensor and the Rear Collision sensor. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.

Mileage: 45,000

Jan 25, 2025

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”.

Oct 31, 2024

After the car in front of me turned onto a side street, the Forward Collision Warning system alarmed and then the Automatic Emergency Braking slowed my car. I was following at a sufficient distance that I was at no risk of hitting the car in front of me. This incident was a near miss because nobody was following my car, but had someone been following me when my car unexpectedly braked, there would have been a risk of me being rear-ended. I have not reproduced the error and it would be very burdensome for me to try. I reported this to Nissan Consumer Affairs and they told me to get it inspected by a dealer, which I plan on doing but have not done yet. There were no warning lamps inconsistent with the event. Generally when this system actuates a light or two will come in and then clear on their own. I was focused on the road and not the dashboard so I cannot confirm this happened 100%, but there were no warning lights before or after the event.

Aug 30, 2024

My car while driving accelerates on its own and while driving it brakes on its own making it dangerous when driving because when you go to make a turn the car just brakes while you're trying to accelerate

Nov 28, 2023

Safety is at risk for multiple reasons one because a month upon receiving this brand new vehicle with 40 miles on it I’ve been experiencing malfunctioning problems. I am not able to receive a forward collision warning at times. I’m not sure if these electrical problems also caused my battery to die a few weeks later. In these moments is the start of when the malfunction notification would appear daily. Two— The transmission has been having issues for a long time as well. My drives no longer have a smooth transition when I press the gas it stutters and will not accelerate immediately. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. I brought my car new once again so am very disappointed at how much needs to be worked on and do not want to purchase from Nissan ever again.

Jan 26, 2023

Sometimes when starting my car 3 lights illuminate the ABS, Forward Collision Warning, and the Parking Collision Warning. When this happens my car will not accelerate. It will not move when gas is applied or it moves very slowly. This happens in drive and reverse. It happens at random times and it has almost caused me to get hit when I attempted to pull out of a parking lot and my car all of a sudden would not move.

Jan 26, 2023

Sometimes when starting my car 3 lights illuminate the ABS, Forward Collision Warning, and the Parking Collision Warning. When this happens my car will not accelerate. It will not move when gas is applied or it moves very slowly. This happens in drive and reverse. It happens at random times and it has almost caused me to get hit when I attempted to pull out of a parking lot and my car all of a sudden would not move.

Jun 13, 2022

while in reverse the automatic braking system locked up. There was nothing behind me or in my camera visually. Then I went to pull forward, the panel lights lit up, and, crash lights front can't up and the radar front light. My car has stayed in the shop at Nissan since January 2022 to present except for 4 weeks. Nissan refuses to deem as a lemon, yet everything is pointing to what other owners have experienced with this particular car. When those brakes locked up my car is no longer stable to drive, yet Nissan is saying it's a Shock on the right side. A shock doesnt go out at this early in a brand new car. Nor does all of the components mentioned.We take meticulous care of our vehicle. I have a case opened with Nissan USA Consumer affairs currently. Car is still in shop.

Jun 13, 2022

while in reverse the automatic braking system locked up. There was nothing behind me or in my camera visually. Then I went to pull forward, the panel lights lit up, and, crash lights front can't up and the radar front light. My car has stayed in the shop at Nissan since January 2022 to present except for 4 weeks. Nissan refuses to deem as a lemon, yet everything is pointing to what other owners have experienced with this particular car. When those brakes locked up my car is no longer stable to drive, yet Nissan is saying it's a Shock on the right side. A shock doesnt go out at this early in a brand new car. Nor does all of the components mentioned.We take meticulous care of our vehicle. I have a case opened with Nissan USA Consumer affairs currently. Car is still in shop.

Apr 22, 2022 Crash

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking; went to auto service center to fix rest of accident body damage, unsure if they addressed these specific issues until I pick up the car this weekend --- How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Myself and one other passenger (child) were safely secured while driving, as was the other driver as reported; Safety did feel even more assuring prior to impact, as we were under the impression that FCW and AEB features were going to activate --- Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - It has been reported to both insurance and auto service center, but not reported as of this writing if issues were addressed --- Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Yes, it is currently at auto service center, in preparation for pickup this weekend --- Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No. Prior to this accident, I have seen both the FCW and AEB features deploy without any issues when in situation where they would normally.

Apr 22, 2022 Crash

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? - Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking; went to auto service center to fix rest of accident body damage, unsure if they addressed these specific issues until I pick up the car this weekend --- How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? - Myself and one other passenger (child) were safely secured while driving, as was the other driver as reported; Safety did feel even more assuring prior to impact, as we were under the impression that FCW and AEB features were going to activate --- Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? - It has been reported to both insurance and auto service center, but not reported as of this writing if issues were addressed --- Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? - Yes, it is currently at auto service center, in preparation for pickup this weekend --- Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? - No. Prior to this accident, I have seen both the FCW and AEB features deploy without any issues when in situation where they would normally.

Mar 20, 2022

Everytime I turn my car on, there’s a chance that some lights will turn on my dash for absolutely no reason..the car could be parked and getting warmed up and the traction control light,parking collision warning, and front collision light all turn on simultaneously. I have included a photo to get a Better picture! only way for me to get rid of them is by turning my car off for 5 minutes then turning it back on again. It been a real inconvenience. Not to mention when those lights turn on it means I can’t Parallel park anywhere because my rear parking assist prevents me from backing up, because it “thinks” something is in the way…ugh! Not only that but everytime I play music my Nissan Connect shuts of in the middle of my drive then resets and starts playing music again. If you guys have any answers for me please let me know I bought this car in August of 2021

Feb 25, 2022

Recently, my Nissan has started having many problems with several of the collision/emergency sensors on the vehicle. It will happen randomly, in any sort of weather, and the sensor warnings will stay on for different amounts of time during each incident. Having the sensors randomly go off while driving is incredibly distracting, not to mention completely unsafe and useless. Along with the sensor issues, the AEB will spontaneously stop my vehicle and not allow me to brake it hot the gas. This is notable mainly when reversing. Just this morning I was completely unable to back out of my driveway because the AEB system kept automatically braking and preventing me from being out (though there was absolutely nothing moving or in the way.)

Feb 25, 2022

Recently, my Nissan has started having many problems with several of the collision/emergency sensors on the vehicle. It will happen randomly, in any sort of weather, and the sensor warnings will stay on for different amounts of time during each incident. Having the sensors randomly go off while driving is incredibly distracting, not to mention completely unsafe and useless. Along with the sensor issues, the AEB will spontaneously stop my vehicle and not allow me to brake it hot the gas. This is notable mainly when reversing. Just this morning I was completely unable to back out of my driveway because the AEB system kept automatically braking and preventing me from being out (though there was absolutely nothing moving or in the way.)

Dec 14, 2021 Crash

After I crossed a bridge between 55 and 60 mph the aeb gave a collision warning and almost immediately applied full braking power. This caused a 3 car collision that resulted in moderate injuries. Before the incident there were no recalls or other repairs needed on the car. After the incident the car was inspected for potential issues by a team of lawyers the insurance company and the repair shop and no non crash damage related issues were found. Since the vehicle was repaired the problem has occurred on 3 separate occasions during normal daily use.

Oct 24, 2021

Cvt transmission shutter hesitating and failing in places that could cause an accident several times the car has come to a stop with the emergency assistance system and errors out often

Oct 24, 2021

Cvt transmission shutter hesitating and failing in places that could cause an accident several times the car has come to a stop with the emergency assistance system and errors out often

Oct 13, 2021

This issue has been going on for 6 months. On three different occasions I have taken my car to Fred Hass Nissan due to the sensor lights coming on as if someone is going to hit me from the back and side of my car. It is still not fixed and they tell me it is safe to drive but I feel unsafe. You can be driving down the road whether it be sunshine or raining and no cars are around you and all of a sudden these sensor lights come on and my car slows down as if trying to avoid a collision. I have purchased 4 vehicles over the past several years from this same dealership and this one has given me trouble. I had to beg for them to give me a rental car so they could check my car out Monday and then they called me Tuesday late afternoon to come get my car because they couldn't fix it and it's under engineering review to figure out how to resolve this issue. This is the 2nd time they have given me this excuse. I called Nissan Corporate 800 number and complained and this man from Consumer Affairs who was very rude kept telling me there was nothing they could do and they weren't going to buy back my car and that I would just have to take it back to the Dealership and they would have to figure it out on how to fix the issue and that a letter would be going out to them and that I would need to contact them on if they received the letter or not. I have photos and videos of the sensor light issues and have given them to Fred Haas Nissan to review and again nothing has been done. I am back in this car still having the issue and Nissan doesn't want to keep the car and give me a rental until they can come up with a solution to fix the issue. I am afraid that if it is not corrected there is going to be an accident that could have been prevented.

Apr 18, 2021

FLASH ABE LIGHT FOR NO REASON

Mileage: 16,000

Nov 21, 2020 Crash

I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I STRUCK A DEER. THE FLOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND INJURED ME. MY LEG HAS A BAD HEMOTOMA FROM IT.

Mileage: 3,180

Nov 21, 2020 Crash

I HAD AN ACCIDENT WHERE I STRUCK A DEER. THE FLOOR AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND INJURED ME. MY LEG HAS A BAD HEMOTOMA FROM IT.

Mileage: 3,180