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.

6.7

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
$280
Average Mileage:
68,450 miles
Total Complaints:
3 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
2012 Nissan Versa transmission problems

transmission problem

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2012 Nissan Versa Owner Comments

problem #3

Jun 012018

Versa S 1.6L

  • CVT transmission
  • 34,000 miles

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

click to see larger images

transmission clunking

CA Smog check is due, but can't be passed because idiot light is on from transmission clunking after I slow to stop. DTC P0705. Only happens on some days, usually after 1hr driving. "D"/drive indicator often missing/blank in tiny odometer display. Have seen "P"/park indicator flickering erratically during long warmup idling. Sounds similar to complaint by 'boofenheim'.

Till now I like the CVT, but now I have this peripheral problem and can't get any shop, Nissan dealers included, to address it. Paid dealer $130 to diagnose, and they only offered to replace the throttle body for $1100, but didn't assert that would fix it! Last year, for same transmission kicking, the dealer claimed the check-engine-light light bulb had caused the problem by failing, charged $300 to fix that.

At this point I'm trapped, only 34k miles and I can't renew its license. What kind of system is this?? Nissan uses 'CVT' to constrain service to dealers, but dealers won't fix the car, and state won't let it drive without being 'fixed'!

Update from Jul 2, 2018: I think it's fixed, at least for long enough to get my smog certification, so I'm ok now. I had taken it to a second, different Nissan dealer, paid $150 for diagnosis, and they offered to replace my CVT transmission for ~$4500. I was still unhappy, because I was sure that the problem was external to the transmission (more like a sensor switch module at the root of the gearshift stick), and could not need replacement be to fixed. I procrastinated, drove away, and the problem was unstatedly gone! Hooray! But no dealer ever "diagnosed" it correctly, and I don't know how they fixed it. It remains a secret secret. Or at least a magic-fingers fix. There is a hole in the center-hump next to the shift lever, with a release trigger deep inside it. I pressed that once, a few months ago, heard a sharp release. Can't find any instructions about that in the owners manuals, and wonder if it had anything to do with my Versa's problem.

- James S., El Segundo, US

problem #2

Apr 062017

Versa

  • CVT transmission
  • 85,600 miles

Engine light came on. Transmission clunked hard on two occasions shortly after coming to a stop at a stoplight. Autozone read two transmission codes. Engine light went off shortly and a transmission shop was unable to determine the cause.

- boofenheimer, Austin, US

problem #1

May 062017

Versa

  • CVT transmission
  • 85,700 miles

Engine light came on and transmission clunked hard on two occasions shortly after coming to a stop at a stoplight. Took it to the transmission shop. They cleared the codes and put some miles on it, but were unable to duplicate the clunking. Transmission shop believes the problem may be electrical, or a switch in the transmission that will cost approximately $2000 to repair. I have to schedule an appointment with the dealership to test the wiring and computer.

- boofenheimer, Austin, US

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