— The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into 130,000 model year 2008-2010 Nissan Versa cars after complaints about coil springs breaking without warning.
NHTSA has received 93 complaints about front suspension coil springs that can break while traveling at any speed and rip the tires into pieces.
One owner said that without warning, the passenger-side coil spring broke at 65 mph and cut the inner sidewall of the tire by 360 degrees. Another Nissan Versa owner said the passenger spring fractured and not only punctured the tire but also damaged the brake line.
Owners of the 2010 Nissan Versa have written to CarComplaints.com about the dangers of never knowing if the coil springs will hold.
"Had tire blow out on expressway on way to job interview. Cause was spring and strut failure on passenger side, spring sliced into tire causing blow out. The spring and strut will be replaced by dealer when the parts come in but tire is not covered. They offered to replace the spring and strut on the other side for a charge of $700. This should not have failed on a 4 year old car with 40,000 miles." - 2010 Nissan Versa owner / Big Bend, Wisconsin
"There is no way that a 2010 Nissan Versa should have 2 broken springs. I can see them start to sag after a few years but to have both break and puncture the front right tire is unacceptable. I will never buy a Nissan again, with these type of safety issues." - 2010 Nissan Versa owner / Winnipeg, Canada
CarComplaints.com will update you with results of the federal Nissan Versa investigation once it's complete. It's possible NHTSA could close the investigation without further action, expand the investigation or push Nissan to recall 130,000 model year 2008-2010 Nissan Versas.
