CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2012-2017 Nissan Versa has an expensive CVT transmission failure defect that shows up plainly in our complaint data from the earlier model years in this 2nd generation Nissan Versa.

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.

8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,200
Average Mileage:
42,450 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. repair transmission (3 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
  3. replace transmission (2 reports)
2015 Nissan Versa transmission problems

transmission problem

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2015 Nissan Versa Owner Comments

problem #7

Oct 142020

Versa S

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

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

I got my 2015 Nissan Versa in August 2015 from the dealership, used at 1,600 miles. It currently has 34,000 miles.

My car completely stopped driving around October 14, 2020. It had to be towed to the local Nissan dealership, where they diagnosed my car with leaking transmission cooler lines, which would cost $550 to repair. I have an extended CVT warranty but the dealership said they wouldn’t cover the repair because the transmission was fine (no codes coming up regarding the transmission itself), it was the lines that were the issue. I called Consumer Affairs at Nissan and they mediated then offered to pay for 50% of the repair, to which I agreed.

I was contacted by the dealership a couple days later and they told me that the transmission actually was bad, and that they would need to repair it or do a full replacement. This would be covered under the warranty now. I also asked for and received a loaner vehicle which would also be covered. The dealership was texting me with updates last week, but I haven’t heard from them since Saturday (10/31/20), and it is now Friday (11/6/20).

This car has caused nothing but issues since I got it, and it's cost thousands in repairs at this point.

- Erica F., Rochester, NY, US

problem #6

Aug 162019

Versa SV 1.6L

  • CVT transmission
  • 37,000 miles

Bought the car under the certified used warranty with 1000 miles in 2015 also bought the extended warranty for addition 3000 dollars. Since then I have had these items fixed: A/C because leaking; l trunk because spoiler was coming off (they won't fix happened 3 months after normal warranty ended). Now transmission failure (car revs but no power). Still at dealership being fixed a week later. One other thing I can't think off right now (something with the drive train again).

I'm very happy with the customer service other than the actual Nissan brand itself. The dealership has been great trying to help me. If I had not bought the extended warranty, I would be in the hole over $6000 by this point give or take. Still need to see what this issue would of cost.

I'm not happy with my purchase and will never buy a Nissan again due to all the issues I'm having with a car that has less then 40000 miles on it and original owner.

- Ryan G., San Diego, CA, US

problem #5

Oct 272018

Versa 4L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,927 miles

Bought this car brand new in Feb 2015, paid it off a year later. Ran great until it didn't!! Died when my daughter was out of town. She was about 150 miles from home and we had to have it towed back home to the tune of 500.00. Warranty expired in Feb 2018. I have never lost a car this early in the game. Nissan dealer says "too bad, so sad", more or less. The mechanic wants 6500.00 for a new tranny and 3200. for a rebuilt. My friends are telling me to raise hell at the dealership. Really think I should bec the car should not have died so soon. Any advice would be appreciated. Right now it is sitting in our driveway, dead. Sad.

- Missy J., Austin, TX, US

problem #4

Apr 012018

Versa SV 1.6L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 42,000 miles

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

Those of you looking to invest in the falsely marketed Continuously Variable Transmission save your money. After being the sole owner of a 2015 Nissan Versa SV, which I took care of meticulously for the 3 years I owned it, I had a complete transmission failure at 42K miles. Coasted from 25-5 MPH over 1 minute after hearing grinding sound. Hit the gas at 5 mph, transmission didn't engage. However even though transmission didn't engage the engine will still rev "up to 5k-7k RPM's if your unlucky and it fails to engage at high speeds." If your lucky like I was and it's under 60k miles, you will most likely be covered. However, if that is not the case you are SOL and end up paying $3,000-5000 out of pocket since CVT Transmissions have to be completely replaced due to the complex prefabricated design/manufacturing method. Never buy a CVT Transmission based vehicle. Ever.

- Dylan F., Mesa, US

problem #3

Sep 122017

Versa

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,900 miles

I NEED TO KNOW WHY I HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEN THE CAR HAVEN'T EVEN HAD 36,000 MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE AT ALL. THIS IS THE WORST CAR THAT'S ON THE MARKET RIGHT NOW. NISSIAN NEEDS TO TIGHTEN THEIR GAME UP ON THE MODEL VEHICLE. THIS PIECE OF SH*T CAR COULD HAVE GOTTEN MY DAUGHTER KILLED IF IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FOR THE GRACE OF GOD

- Dan N., Clarksville, US

problem #2

Mar 062017

Versa SV

  • CVT transmission
  • 31,000 miles

The transmission on my 2015 Nissan Versa with 31,000 miles on it went out. It was covered under warranty but still a little peeved about it! The service manager acted very "oh well, we've seen this happen once before" and he told me not to let it shake my confidence in the Nissan brand. Whatever. I was going to trade it in for an Altima, however, after seeing the complaints on this site I've changed my mind. Thinking Ford or Honda might be a better choice!

- Melissa W., Independence, US

problem #1

Jan 182017

Versa S/S Plus

  • CVT transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I bought the Nissan Versa in Dec 2014 SUPPOSE TO BE A 2015 NISSAN VERSA brand new. I put every mile on it. From Jan 2015- March 2015 the car stayed at the dealership for the pedal l problems which they finally fixed and I notice a recall after I had complain to Nissan of North America about. We are now in Feb 2017 and my transmission is gone, I reach out to the dealership and I would have to pay out of pocket for the repairs in the amount of $3,600. which is crazy & I did not have an extended warranty which I should not need since the car is not even 2 years old. The car is under 85k miles and after reading other complaints I feel this needs to be brought to the fore front like the recall from the pedal. I have children and the last thing I need is for the car to stall like it did in 2016. there are way to many issues with Versa for people to not be safe. IF I purchase an extended warranty per the dealership I have to wait 30 days before it will kick in..why should I have to wait that long by then I can be a wreck.. the dealership wont take the car back since the value is low and I would have to put about another $4,000.00 that is almost the same amount for the transmission...I am currently not working since my car was use for UBER/LYFT so there goes my income..

- Delabia C., Fairburn, Georgia

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