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:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
53,152 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 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #26

Jul 092016

Versa

  • 95,000 miles

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

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 #25

Mar 212017

Versa

  • 8 miles
On 8 March 2017, my battery died and I had it replaced at tj automatics & services. I drove the car for a few days before going on vacation. On 21 March 2017, as I'm driving home on the far (fast) left lane, on I-85N, atlanta, ga.at approximately 3:30pm, the car shuts-down. I was able to coast over to the emergency lane without incident. I had the car towed to the above mentioned shop and they performed a diagnostic test that showed ECM no communication. They replaced a maxi fuse 20A and reprogramed key. On 23 March 2017, I pick up the car from the shop, drove about 5 miles and car shuts-down again. As of 9 April 2017, the car is still in the shop. They can not figure out what is causing this issue.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #24

Jun 152014

Versa

  • 57,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving various speeds, there was an abnormal popping noise emitting from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15V573000 (suspension); however, the repair failed to remedy the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the abnormal popping noise was associated with the recall repair. The dealer diagnosed that the protective plastic cover under the vehicle had loosened and needed to be torqued to specifications. The contact stated that the plastic cover was tightened to specifications, but the noise was still evident. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

- Crawfordville, GA, USA

problem #23

Apr 112015

Versa

  • 25,000 miles

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

I bought my car brand new with 18 miles on it. At approximately 25K I was doing a fluid check on my vehicle because while driving the car stutter while accelerating. When I popped the hood open I noticed the my coolant reservoir tank was bone dry. I found some coolant in my garage and immediately added it to the reservoir to get it down to the dealership with no issue. The following day I brought it into the dealership and was trying to explain my situation. The service tech looked at the car and kept saying that the tank was full and there was nothing wrong with it even though I explained that I added some to get it there. They finally took my car back and had it for 2 days. When I came down to pick it up that said they couldn't find anything wrong with it. They said they pressure tested the cooling system and found no leeks and told me I was imaging thing as far as the stutter with my tranny. At approximately 32K again I was low (1/4 full) on coolant and the stutter stilled happened intermittingly. Again I took it down to the dealership. They had it for about 2 days and when I got it back they told me the same thing. At approx. 38K the stuttering had gotten worse and there would be times that id press the accelerator and nothing would happen for about 5-10 seconds. I took it back to the dealership for the tranny only this time. And they told me with out the check engine light coming on there was nothing they could do for my car even though it was under warranty. I have almost been in a coupe accidents because the tranny would not respond while pressing the accelerator.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #22

Apr 042016

Versa

  • 75,811 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,811.

- Oklahoma City, OK, USA

problem #21

Feb 152016

Versa

  • 65,000 miles
I was driving my vehicle on the freeway in the middle of traffic and it began to jerk and then turned off completely. Luckily I had my brother with me to push it to the side of the road I called a tow truck and was waiting and I attempted to turn on the vehicle it turned back on and drove off the freeway then I thought maybe I had done something wrong because it was back to normal and no engine light was on or nothing but later on in the week I was at a stop light and it happens again and so I called a tow truck and they said it was going to be 45min until someone came so I waited and then like 10minutes after I tried to turn the vehicle on and it turned on like normal...so that has been happening and also my engine light keeps turning off and

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #20

Mar 092015

Versa

  • 69,670 miles

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

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving on the freeway at approximately 60 mph, the RPM gauge increased abnormally to approximately 4,000-5,000 and the vehicle jerked. In addition, while idling at a stop light, the RPM gauge increased to 4,000 before the vehicle became operable again. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,670.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #19

Feb 192016

Versa

  • 68,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at 50 mph, the transmission hesitated between shifting and the engine rpms revved. The transmission would shift gears violently causing the vehicle to jerk. The contact mentioned that the failure was getting progressively worst. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

problem #18

Jan 282016

Versa

  • 79,000 miles
The car jerks, bucks, speeds up really fast, stop out of no where, scrub the ground once you push on break then immediately jolts out of no where, and when coming to a stop when pushing on gas it goes back instead of forward

- Mobile, AL, USA

problem #17

Jan 152016

Versa

  • 70,000 miles
I pulled up to a pump at a gas station, got out and went in the store to get a drink. Came back out and my car had locked up. The steering and brakes were both locked. Thank god I wasn't in motion when this happened. The car would not accelerate. I cut the car off and let it sit there before trying to start it again. It cranks but never turns over. There is a battery light, brake light, ps light and oil light on the dash. I researched it and everything indicated a bad alternator. I bought a Nissan alternator and put it on. Still never turned over. The fuel pump runs and I put some starting fluid into the throttle body and it started but died after a five seconds. Every Nissan dealership tells me they don't know what the problem is. Its my only car, I'm flat broke and I am walking 2 hours to work every day so I don't lose my job. I need to know what's wrong.

- Selma, NC, USA

problem #16

Oct 122015

Versa 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles

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

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 #15

Jul 012015

Versa

  • 45,000 miles
I bought a new Nissan Versa 2012 3 years back. It has only 50,000 miles. The vehicle jerks when I shift from 'R" to "D:. the ses light comes on frequently with code P0705. The dealership updated software and adjusted range switch. The problem persists. Now the dealership says there is a short-circuit near tail light. Nissan refuses to fix the problem. The car is used for normal commute and was not in any accident. The car sometime jerks/skids even in normal drive. According to the dealer it loses power due to short-circuit. I complained to Nissan, North America and they refuse to fix it.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #14

Jul 152015

Versa

  • 66,562 miles
The engine light is on. There is hesitation between 20-30 mph. I had a diagnostic test performed and was told: System: Transmission, part number: 31036-3aa6B, dtc: P0740, detailed info: Torque converter

- North Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #13

May 022015

Versa

  • 52,293 miles
While driving at about 35 miles per hour an P0101 obdii code was triggered. Code was verified with a autoxray codescout 2500 obdii code reader. Code was cleared. One month later while driving at 25 miles per hour an additional P0101 obddii code was triggered. Again code was verified with same model code reader. Code was cleared and the mass air flow sensor was replaced with an aftermarket delphi sensor part# AF10141 by a independent car mechanic. Mileage was 52300 at sensor change. Over the lifetime of the vehicle numerous complaints were made to Nissan dealership mechanics at van nuys Nissan of rough idle at speeds below 40 miles per hour and in stop and go traffic. Vehicle would not accelerate smoothly at low speeds when purchased. Dealership would not investigate or resolve issue. Replacement of mass air flow sensor corrected condition.

- Belmont, CA, USA

problem #12

May 062015

Versa 4-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate. Once the vehicle accelerated, there was an increase in engine rpms. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 37,000. MA 08/10/15 the consumer stated the vehicle would stop suddenly in traffic and needed to be restarted. Updated 11/30/2015

- Floral Park , NY, USA

problem #11

Mar 032015

Versa

  • 34,600 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician was unable to find a failure. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 34,600. The VIN was unavailable.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #10

Feb 202015

Versa

  • 53,295 miles
Driving home from grocery store during daylight hours, engine check light came on. I went to meineke to have code determined. Store manager checked my car for code, he found code is 007 and it will cost me over $400 to repair. I should not drive the auto until it gets repaired. This part should not be an issue with low mileage and age of vehicle! he said car will disable if I drive it because it is dangerous if it disables while driving! I have drs appts to go to and cannot be without being able to drive it! is this a recall for this part? if I drive on the freeway and I diables, I will be in a dangerous situation and I have an 18 month old baby in her car seat if I get rear ended, she could be killed!

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #9

Nov 282014

Versa

  • 18,000 miles
I purchased a 2012 Nissan Versa from a private owner for my grandson to drive at college. A week after the purchase, my grandson was driving on I95 at 55 mph and the engine started to slow down. He tried to accelerate, the car continued to slow down while making a horrible sound like it was stuck between gears. He coasted to the nearest exit, pulled onto the shoulder and turned the car off. He restarted the car and was able to make it home. I took the car to a Nissan dealer since it only had 18,000 miles and is under warranty. They were not able to duplicate the issue but did replace a "sensor". two weeks later it happened again and Nissan again replaced a "sensor". the third time, my grandson was driving to the poconos and just made it to the lodge before the car shutdown completely. We had the car towed to the nearest dealer where it sits today. Nissan is directing me to contact the district office. How many complaints do you need to get a recall" does someone need to die before Nissan does the right thing"

- Wilmington, DE, USA

problem #8

Dec 182013

Versa

  • 17,000 miles
Brought the car in August 2011. At every service I would report of knocking noise as if the car was in need of oil. I was repeatedly told that there is/was nothing wrong with the car. Again in December 2013, mileage was 17,000 I complained (very loudly) about the noise.... one of the tech's took it for a hard test drive and blow up the engine. They said my engine was gone and they needed to replace it which they did do. The only thing I have to ask should the warranty start over? I copied and pasted this but added my own stuff to it! you cannot detect a bad engine bearing with a computer sensor.... you have to use your brain....... something that has gone with the times:(

- Auburn, WA, USA

problem #7

Oct 052014

Versa

  • 61,964 miles
The exhaust failed prematurely. Welding of flange at muffler has snapped apart.

- North Attleboro, MA, USA

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