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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
27,320 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Nissan Versa Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #31

Apr 282023

Versa

  • miles

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

I carry my family with me and in traffic the traction control light would come on and the car would loose power and not accelerate almost causing accidents I was told it was the speed sensors malfunctioning and the brakes would not work properly when trying to stop

- Fredericksburg, VA, USA

problem #30

Mar 112023

Versa

  • miles
I carry my family in the vehicle and the lights would come on for the traction control and check engine light and speed sensor light and the car would stop moving and shut off while going down the road and the brakes would barely work and the transmission would stop pulling or slip and the engine would not rev up that is really dangerous when your traveling with traffic something needs to be done about this and I have read alot of other complaints about the same problems that other people are having

- Fredericksburg , VA, USA

problem #29

Dec 222021

Versa

  • miles
After having my transmission replaced with a used CVT transmission on Dec 2021, I went to leave the transmission shop only to have no power. When I gave my vehicle gas, there was no power it would not go forward or backwards. The code repeatedly coming up was P2101. My car was in the shop for 4 months with Williams Transmission in Park Hills, MO 63601. (573) 431-6570. Every time Willie would call & say it-??s fixed & I would go try driving g home, again same issue. Finally on March 23, 2022 I was called once again to come pick up my car after hack v another used CVT Transmission put in still the same code P2101 was coming up with the check engine light. It took me 40 mins to go home occasionally getting evcrlation to make it home, it should-??ve took no more than 10 mins from his shop to my house.. I paid $3000 to have transmission replaced and still isn-??t running correctly. I lose excelaration on highway, county & city tosds. I never know when!! It-??s a big issue & major safety issues & concerns

- Park Hills, MO, USA

problem #28

Jan 082021

Versa

  • miles

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

I-??ve had problems with this car from day one. All manor like Ac and heater going out that-??s OK. All issues I can deal with in time. But Now this can-??t handle I-??ve had to actually stop driving my vehicle. The check Engine light starts to flash then the car doesn-??t want to shift feeping like your about to blow up the car if you go over 20mph. transmission start to jerk and sUpper like your not get fuel or something. It-??s been missing up so bad not to mention it-??s freakin scary and you terrified you-??ve got to pull it over. Turn off the car try again. I-??ve had to leave my vehicle at random places multiple times too scared to drive it home. Now I tried to finally look at the problem to see what it might be happening cus nobody else seems to know what the issue is. And I see there several people with the same issue on the 2012 Nissan Versa.

- Pottsville, AR, USA

problem #27

Jun 062021

Versa

  • miles
When driving the car slows down to a crawl or just stalls and want pick up speed or while driving comes to a complete stop, also it makes a noise and when it rains it sounds like Rain is trapped in the doors or walls of the car.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #26

Aug 062021

Versa

  • miles
Vehicle is moving in forward direction always even if the gear shift is in Park or Reverse mode. It is scary. It put us lot of stress in terms of physical health, mental health and finance. We nearly met with an accident as vehicle was moving always in forward direction as soon as we moved the car from the parking lot. We towed the vehicle considering our and public safety. Contacted Nissan dealership and consumer affairs team. They went only by the books. Told that there is no recall. They did not seem to care about the safety. They asked me to go ahead and shell out for fixing. The same vehicle stopped in the middle of the road with heavy jerk/forward movement. We were lucky that we did not meet with an accident. We had to tow the vehicle in that case. I had to replace fuel pump at my own cost. With multiple safety concerns on this vehicle, I am surprised that there is no recall on this model. At the least, I was expecting this for my VIN. Request you to help on the recall considering the public safety. With vehicle few thousand dollars worth still, I may need to review and make a choice on disposing this vehicle (not sell) by taking the financial hit. Financial hit in this uncertain situation means a lot to me. It puts pressure. Since I care about public safety, I am reviewing this as the last choice. Nissan does not seem to be worried as there is no recall. Correct option is to have this vehicle recalled. Request you to review and help from safety perspective

- Mckinney, TX, USA

problem #25

Aug 082021

Versa

  • miles

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

Backing up out of a parking space the lights started flashing cruise control air bag horn started blowing whole dash lit up when I straightened the vehicle the horn stopped. Got to my destination backed up a few feet as soon as I turned the wheel and attempted to put it in drive the airbag deployey. I did not hit anything. The airbag deployed for some unknown reason. Fearful car might catch fire very startling called 911 fire dept disabled battery had the vehicle towed and reported the issue to Nissan. I also reported this on Sunday after it happened.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #24

Aug 082021

Versa

  • miles
I stopped at an atm when I backed out of space cruise control lights started flashing horn going off air bag light flashing passenger door clicking. Made it to store parked car got horn to stop. When I backed up out of space and turned wheel air bag deployed. Lights flashing horn sounding alarms. Turned off vehicle call 911 fire department came to see if no danger of fire and if I was ok. Called ins company set up CV claim because air bag deployed for no apparent reason hit me in the chest possibly due to electrical something malfunctioned.police also came but said I did not need to report anything because I did not hit anything. Called geico had vehicle towed and because air bag deployed they created a claim. Had vehicle towed to firestone but they were closed today adjuster from insurance company coming out tomorrow 892021 to assess damage and repairs needed.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #23

Jun 202019

Versa

  • miles
Car drive with no power and has transmission problems

- Lakeside, CA, USA

problem #22

Feb 062015

Versa

  • miles
Transmission. Car loosing power specially when going up a hil. When car is in motion will not go passed 45mph & feels like is going to give up.L took the car to Nissan dealer of buena park & was informed to trade in the car. In March 29 of 2015 car stop running took it to the mechanic & paid $1800 & car started runing.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #21

Jan 012013

Versa

  • 35,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. On several occasions, while driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but failed to respond. While attempting to drive up a steep hill, the vehicle decelerated to 25 mph. Nissan of irvine (located at 32 auto center dr, irvine, ca 92618, (949) 951-7575) was contacted by phone. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000.

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

problem #20

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 #19

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 #18

Jul 092016

Versa

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the vehicle accelerated independently as the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled when in reverse. The vehicle was not able to restart until after two hours later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

- Henrico, VA, USA

problem #17

Dec 032015

Versa

  • 80,000 miles
Transmission recall but nothing sent to tell us telling us that there was a recall. We were told it is our responsibility to call them. While driving at 60 mph with children in the car the car just stopped going forward and started to coast to a stop. Luckily we were able to pull to the side of the road before being tail ended and possibly killed. After taking the car to the dealer we were told all was ok but when leaving it was apparent the problem still was there after we drove some distance. Took the car back in a couple days and then we were told it would cost 4200 to repair because it was not part of the recall and there were to many miles on the car. Traded the car in at an enterprise after telling them about our trouble; they looked up the VIN # and said it wasn't repaired as the recall required. Lost a substantial amount of money but was much more concerned with the potential for a deadly accident.

- Monaca, PA, USA

problem #16

Feb 042015

Versa 4-cyl

  • miles
Son involved in fatal car crash on 2/4/2015 in san bernardino, ca.vehicle was in motion on highway. See san bernardino sun news on 2/4/2015 on cajon blvd/hancock in san bernardino. Updated 05/06/16...updated 11/21/17

- Grand Terrace, CA, USA

problem #15

Nov 202015

Versa

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While attempting to go uphill, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 15V507000 (service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle had issues accelerating in certain conditions. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Graham, NC, USA

problem #14

Oct 122015

Versa 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while on an incline and randomly while driving on a roadway. The contact also mentioned that the transmission was slow to change gears between first and third gears. The contact had to constantly check the gears to ensure they were changed over. The service engine warning light also randomly illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop and the mechanic stated that there was a cvt transmission failure advised the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was also experiencing a failure in which the distance between the accelerator pedal and brake pedal was causing his foot to become trapped between the two pedals. The contact had to maneuver his feet with the pedals to prevent a failure. The contact was not notified, but the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V507000 (service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control). The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The dealer was to further diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000. Updated 01/20/16

- Sauk Village, IL, USA

problem #13

Jun 042015

Versa

  • 75,000 miles
Driving in san francisco in stop and go traffic the car will take a few seconds to accelerate when the gas is pressed-long enough to have people behind be honk-this has happened a few times.took the car in and was told the car starts in high gear. They tried to adjust the cvt a few times, but there is still an issue with the transmission.

- Cloverdale, CA, USA

problem #12

Dec 082014

Versa

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 40 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle shifted from drive to reverse. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the transmission sensor failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

- Harrison Township, MI, USA

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