Nissan Versa: Monitor, climate, audio, phone and voice recognition systems - Rear Automatic Braking (RAB)

WARNING

Failure to follow these safety warnings and instructions regarding the proper use of the Rear Automatic Braking system on your Nissan Versa could result in serious personal injury or a fatal accident.

• The RAB system is designed purely as a supplemental driving aid. It is never a replacement for proper, attentive driving habits and standard safety procedures.

  Always use your side and rear-view mirrors, and physically turn your head to look around in the direction you intend to move before and while backing up your vehicle. Never rely solely or blindly on the RAB system to prevent collisions.

  It remains the sole responsibility of the driver to stay alert, drive safely, and maintain complete control of the vehicle at all times.

• There are inherent physical limitations to the operational capability of the RAB system. The RAB system is not fully effective in every conceivable traffic or backing scenario.
• Inclement weather conditions or powerful external ultrasonic noise sources—such as commercial automatic car washes, a large truck's loud compressed-air brakes, or pneumatic construction drills—can adversely affect the function of the system; this interference may result in temporarily reduced performance or an unwanted false activation.

The Rear Automatic Braking system can assist the driver of your Nissan Versa when the vehicle is backing up in reverse and approaching stationary objects or obstacles directly behind the vehicle.

The RAB system detects surrounding obstacles positioned behind the vehicle using the integrated parking sonar sensors 1 located flush along the rear bumper.

NOTE:

You can choose to temporarily cancel the proximity sonar alert function in the vehicle if needed, but the core Rear Automatic Braking system will continue to operate normally.

• RAB system operation
• RAB system limitations

RAB system operation Nissan Versa 2026

Vehicle Information Display

1. RAB system warning light and RAB system warning indicator
2. Center display screen
3. Steering-wheel-mounted control switches (left side)
4. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection OFF Switch (if so equipped)

Trip Computer

When the transmission shift lever is placed into the R (Reverse) position and the vehicle speed is kept below approximately 9 mph (15 km/h), the Rear Automatic Braking system is fully active and operational.

If a high risk of an imminent collision with a rear obstacle is detected while your Nissan Versa is backing up, the RAB system warning indicator will flash rapidly in the vehicle information display and the cabin audio system will chime three distinct times. The system will then automatically engage and apply the brakes.

Immediately following this automated brake application, the driver must firmly depress the brake pedal to sustain adequate brake pressure and bring the vehicle to a secure stop.

NOTE:

• The exterior rear brake lights of your Nissan Versa will automatically illuminate whenever braking is performed actively by the RAB system.
• When the automated brakes operate, a distinct mechanical operating noise may be heard. Rest assured that this is completely normal and does not represent a system malfunction.

Turning the RAB system on/off

Perform the following simple sequential steps to toggle the Rear Automatic Braking system on or off.

For vehicles equipped with the vehicle information display:

1. Press the control button repeatedly until "Settings" is clearly displayed in the vehicle information display.

Use the directional button to highlight and select "Driver Assistance." Then press the OK confirmation button.

2. Select the "Emergency Brake" menu option and press the OK button.

3. Select "Rear" and press the OK button to toggle the system either on or off according to your preference.

For vehicles equipped with the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) with Pedestrian Detection OFF switch:

1. The Rear Automatic Braking system is enabled automatically every time the vehicle starts.

2. Push and hold the AEB with Pedestrian Detection OFF switch down for approximately 3 seconds to turn the RAB system either OFF or back ON.

When the RAB system is switched off manually, the dedicated RAB system warning light will illuminate on the dashboard.

NOTE:

The Rear Automatic Braking system will be automatically re-enabled and turned back on whenever the engine is restarted.

If the RAB system is turned off using the physical AEB OFF switch, the associated AEB system will also be turned off simultaneously.

RAB system limitations Nissan Versa 3rd Gen

WARNING

Listed below are the critical operational system limitations for the Rear Automatic Braking system on your Nissan Versa. Failure to follow these important safety warnings and instructions for the proper use of the RAB system could result in serious personal injury or a fatal accident.

• When your Nissan Versa approaches a rear obstacle while either the accelerator or brake pedal is actively depressed, the automated braking function may fail to engage or the start of its operation may be significantly delayed. The RAB system may not operate properly or may perform insufficiently due to varying vehicle conditions, driving dynamics, the surrounding traffic environment, weather elements, road surface states, and other factors. Never wait for the automated system to act; always take immediate control and operate the brake pedal yourself as soon as necessary.
• If it ever becomes necessary to actively override an ongoing RAB braking intervention, firmly and strongly press down on the accelerator pedal.
• Always visually check your surroundings and physically turn your head to look behind you before and while backing up your Nissan Versa. While the RAB system is designed to detect stationary objects directly behind the vehicle, please note that the system cannot and will not detect the following types of objects:
  • Moving objects or walking pedestrians
  • Low-profile objects situated near the ground
  • Narrow or thin objects
  • Wedge-shaped objects that deflect sound waves
  • Objects positioned extremely close to the rear bumper (less than approximately 1 ft [30 cm])
  • Objects that suddenly dart or appear into your path
  • Thin objects such as ropes, wires, chains, or cables
• Furthermore, the RAB system may completely fail to operate or detect the following kinds of obstacles:
  • Obstacles located too high off the ground
  • Obstacles positioned in a spot offset from the direct centerline of your vehicle
  • Obstacles featuring soft outer surfaces—such as spongy materials, thick foam, or deep snow—that easily absorb and dampen ultrasonic sound waves
• The RAB system may also fail to operate correctly under the following adverse conditions:
  • When heavy rain, packed snow, ice, mud, or road dirt is thickly attached over the rear sonar sensors.
  • When a loud, competing ambient noise is present in the immediate area around your vehicle.
  • When the physical surface of the rear obstacle is angled diagonally relative to the rear end of your Nissan Versa.
• The RAB system may occasionally engage and operate unintentionally under the following harmless conditions:
  • When driving through tall, overgrown grass surrounding the vehicle.
  • When passing close to solid structures (such as a concrete wall, toll booth equipment, a narrow tunnel entrance, or a parking lot access gate) near the side of your vehicle.
  • When rolling over sharp bumps, raised road protrusions, or exposed metal manhole covers on the street surface.
  • When your vehicle drives through a draped hanging flag, banner, or plastic curtain.
  • When there is a heavy accumulation of wind-blown snow or ice built up directly behind the vehicle.
  • When an external ultrasonic wave source—such as another vehicle's active parking sonar—is operating nearby.
• Please remember that automatic brake control can only function and operate for a very short period of time.

  Therefore, the driver must quickly step in and depress the brake pedal to maintain secure stopping power.

• In the following situations, the RAB system may fail to operate properly or may provide insufficient assistance:
  • When your Nissan Versa is driven in severe bad weather (such as heavy rain, dense fog, or blinding snow).
  • When the vehicle is driven up or down a steep hill grade.
  • When the vehicle's structural posture is abruptly altered (for example, when driving forcefully over a speed bump).
  • When the vehicle is driven on an extremely slippery, icy road surface.
  • When the vehicle is turned sharply by locking the steering wheel fully to one side.
  • When winter snow chains are installed on the tires.
  • When wheels or tires other than those officially recommended by NISSAN are fitted on the vehicle.
  • When the braking components are cold due to low ambient outdoor temperatures or immediately after starting a drive.
  • When braking force becomes noticeably impaired due to wet brake pads after driving through a deep puddle or washing the vehicle.
• You should manually turn the RAB system off in the following specific conditions to prevent unexpected accidents resulting from sudden, unwanted system intervention:
  • When your vehicle is being towed behind another vehicle.
  • When your Nissan Versa is being transported on the back of a flatbed truck.
  • When the vehicle is mounted on a chassis dynamometer for testing.
  • When driving across exceptionally rough or uneven off-road surfaces.
  • When suspension components other than those designated as Genuine NISSAN parts are installed. (If the vehicle ride height or overall body inclination is altered, the sonar system may fail to detect obstacles correctly.)
  • If your vehicle is utilizing exterior accessories like a rear bicycle rack or cargo carrier box that physically obstructs and blocks the sensors.
• Excessive interior cabin noise (such as high audio system volume levels or having windows rolled down while driving) will interfere with your ability to hear the warning chime, meaning the audio alert may not be heard in time.

System malfunction

If the Rear Automatic Braking system on your Nissan Versa experiences an internal system malfunction, the system will be turned off automatically, the dedicated RAB system warning light will illuminate on the dashboard, and the "System fault" warning message will appear directly within the vehicle information display screen.

Action to take

If this warning light illuminates, safely pull over and park your vehicle in a secure location, turn the engine off completely, and then restart the engine. If the warning light continues to illuminate persistently, you should have the RAB system checked. It is recommended that you visit an authorized NISSAN dealer for this professional maintenance service.

NOTE:

If the RAB system cannot be operated temporarily due to external factors, the RAB system warning light will begin blinking.

System maintenance

To ensure that the Rear Automatic Braking system on your Nissan Versa continues to operate properly and reliably, be sure to observe and follow the essential maintenance items listed below:

• Always keep the parking sensors 1 impeccably clean and free from mud, snow, and road grime.
• If the parking sensors become dirty, gently wipe them off using a soft, clean cloth while taking great care not to scratch or damage the sensor surfaces.
• Do not subject the area around the parking sensors 1 to any strong impacts, knocks, or heavy blows. Furthermore, never attempt to remove or disassemble the parking sensors yourself. If the parking sensors and their surrounding bumper areas become deformed due to an accidental scrape or collision, you must have the sensors professionally checked. It is recommended that you visit an authorized NISSAN dealer for this service.
• Do not install any stickers—including transparent protective films or decorative decals—or mount any aftermarket accessories directly on or near the parking sensors 1 and their surrounding bumper areas. Doing so may cause system malfunction or improper operation.