CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012-2017 Nissan Versa has an expensive CVT transmission failure defect that shows up plainly in our complaint data.

In late 2019, the CVT defect was subject to a class action settlement. However the settlement only covers transmission repairs up to 7 years after purchase or 84,000 miles (whichever occurs first).

Because many owners commonly drive 20,000 miles/year or more, Versa owners experiencing CVT transmission problems may find they are not covered by this settlement due to the mileage limitation.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,679 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Nissan Versa drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2012 Nissan Versa Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #116

Dec 242018

Versa

  • 70,619 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The check engine light came on & the car slowed down on the interstate. I was driving from birmingham, al to acworth, ga. I was able to drive home without incident. But I had to replace the transmission on a 2012 Nissan Versa purchased new 8/6/2012. The check engine light came on & the car slowed down. The total cost of transmission $3,534.93. The Versa had 70,619 miles. I had the transmission serviced on 2/23/18 at a total cost of $572.93 at 63,067 miles. No problems were noted at the time of service. Because of the issues I experienced with the Versa, due to no fault of my own, I feel I should be compensated for the cost of the repairs.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #115

Dec 182018

Versa

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 60 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to leckner Nissan (540-628-2500, located at 1 coachman cir, stafford, va 22554) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and promised to call the contact back the next day. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #114

Dec 192018

Versa

  • 122,000 miles
Transmission problem in the 2012 Nissan Versa my transmission just went out I have heard of numerous transmission of the 2012 Nissan going out on other people re-programming does not work the transmission is bad programming only seems to make it worse I have changed at all and had it re-program and the transmission only gets worse I was driving and the transmission with clock and that was

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #113

Oct 032018

Versa

  • 90,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Front coil springs are cracked, transmission cvt slips and I have to depress accelerator to be able to change gears.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #112

Sep 242018

Versa

  • 37,000 miles
While in heavy traffic at a red light, when it turned green went to press the accelerator and my 2012 Nissan Versa with 37000 miles did not go forward. Thank god I was not on a hill so my car went slowly forward. Had to get the car towed to the Nissan dealership where I purchased my car. A day later I get a call saying that my transmission is done and needs to be replaced. Replaced under 37K miles! prior to this when I went to get an engine diagnosis I was informed that there were several recalls and updates that needed to be performed on my car. So being worried that something might be wrong with my car I asked the mechanic to thouroughly check my vehicle. With a bill of $2500 paid in April 2018 three months later my muffler breaks apart $400 repair and a month and a half after that in Sept my transmission is completely shot and needs to be replaced. While doing research I noticed that a lot of people are experiencing this transmission problem after that mandatory update.

- Bayonne, NJ, USA

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problem #111

Jul 142018

Versa

  • 94,382 miles
Car will not go in reverse nor park and is in drive when I stopped. It will nor start it is in my drive way. It was slipping out of gear while travelling forward.

- Statesboro, GA, USA

problem #110

Jul 282018

Versa

  • 57,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The problem is with the shifter. The shifter moves from park to any other position without the use of the break pedal. Also, the shifter slides easily from drive to neutral while driving. Finally, the cable broke and the car was stuck in park. This car has 57,000 miles. The mechanic said it needs a new shifter assembly. There is a recall for some Nissan Versas for this problem. Why not this one?

- Glastonbury, CT, USA

problem #109

Jul 092018

Versa

  • 112,000 miles
My caa is a Nissan Versa 2012 with a cvt transmission, I was waiting at the light to make my left turn and when I tried to accelrate the car would not move it acted like it was on neutral transmission would not budge still I can backup but cant drive forward.

- Miami, Fl, 33172, FL, USA

problem #108

Jun 012017

Versa

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would not immediately accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. The failure was also present when attempting to accelerate from a stationary position. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The local dealer (filsbee Nissan in filsbee, tx) and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000.

- Kirbyville, TX, USA

problem #107

May 012018

Versa

  • 45,200 miles
Sluggish acceleration, high rev while gas oedal is pressed w no acceleration on highway & city streets. Jerking into gear while advancing from a dead stop. Nissan says the cvt needs replaced & it only has 45K miles on it.

- Mount Washington, KY, USA

problem #106

Apr 022018

Versa

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. After the vehicle was restarted, it would jerk for approximately 30 minutes while driving and then return to normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer (jeff wyler fairfield Cadillac Kia Nissan, 5815 dixie hwy, fairfield, oh 45014, (513) 682-2500) where the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The contact declined to pay the fee for diagnostic testing; therefore, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: 30914316. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 40,000.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #105

Mar 222018

Versa

  • 55,000 miles
As I accelerate, the rpms keep jumping and the car jumps forward.

- Naugatuck, CT, USA

problem #104

Apr 052018

Versa

  • miles
Just had vehicle checked today at cottman transmission. After they road tested and ran their analysis on the transmission, I was informed that my vehicle has Nissan 'cvt' transmission and there is no fix for it other than a $4000 replacement. The transmission hesitates and will not switch gears properly. Took vehicle to the dealership on a couple of different occasions prior to taking it to cottmans and was told that there was no problem.there's a recall on the transmissions for the 2011 & 2012 Nissan Versa for the same issues I'm experiencing with the same transmission but does not include my vehicle according to my VIN number.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #103

Aug 192014

Versa

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving 45 mph, the contact's vehicle inadvertently shifted from drive into neutral before stalling. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and it operated normally. The contact also stated that the vehicle shifted into park while driving. When the vehicle stalled, all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to southern 441 Nissan (9405 southern blvd, royal palm beach, fl 33411, (561) 249-4254) where it was diagnosed with a transmission failure, which caused the vehicle to shift without depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact researched the failure online and found NHTSA campaign number: 12V032000 (power train). The contact was unsure if the vehicle was previously repaired per the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #102

Jan 242018

Versa

  • 80,000 miles
While family traveling, car began to skip and vibrate and slow down. Then could not press gas pedal and maintain speed to get off road in a excessable area which almost caused accident by others not realizing there was a problem and it did happen quickly so others had little time to respond. This happened on a two lane highway in busy section. After towing back to town, it was found to be a failed cvt transmission which has been a known problem by Nissan for many years and they even extended the warranty on models up to 2010 but since mine is 2012, it was not included in this extension?

- Wilmington, NC, USA

problem #101

Jul 062017

Versa

  • 48,000 miles
While driving car stalls. RPM go way up and down but doesn't move. Very dangerous on a highway. This problem was suppose to be fixed on Versas up to 2010 but is reaccurring. Wonder how many people have to die before recall? this happened on a main highway while going 60mph. Dealership can't get it to happen but if you read it happens a lot

- Salem Lakes, WI, USA

problem #100

Nov 252015

Versa

  • miles
The car dosent accelarate properly trans feels like it slips axles make noise after being checked and gas smell tje car turn off wjen running my tire popped after being checked

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #99

Jan 192018

Versa

  • miles
My auto is disabled. Key doesn't turn, the wheels are locked up and noticed that there is hesitation when shifting made a nose. I can't drive my auto at all. I am still responsible for the payments on the vehicle. It doesn't seem like a regular wear and tear issue.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #98

Sep 292017

Versa

  • 58,600 miles
Started to drive in stop and go traffic and the car bucked and then had no power and then had power. Stopped again in traffic and it happened again. Seemed to fix itself. Hasn't happened since. Also sometimes the powertrain shudders when first starting off. Doesn't happen all the time, just sometimes.

- Reynoldsburg, OH, USA

problem #97

Feb 012016

Versa 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While the vehicle was in drive, the power door locks unlocked. Also, the gears independently shifted out of drive, reverse, and neutral without warning. The contact stated that there were three manufacturer recalls that needed to be performed, but the dealer indicated that the parts may not be available until mid spring of 2018. The dealer (mcgavock Nissan wichita, 10625 E kellogg dr, wichita, ks 67207, (316) 681-6900) was notified several times and had not diagnosed the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The recall details and failure mileage were not available. Updated 12/13/2017 the consumer stated the air bag light illuminated, the radio would change on it's own, and the navigation system operates on it's own as well as gives incorrect directions. The vehicle lunged into another vehicle after inadvertently jumping into drive.

- Caldwell, KS, USA

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