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.

8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$880
Average Mileage:
51,600 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace front coil springs (4 reports)
2012 Nissan Versa suspension problems

suspension problem

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2012 Nissan Versa Owner Comments

problem #4

Sep 012014

Versa

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,496 miles

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

I purchased a new 2012 Nissan Versa and within two years have already had to replace the front right coil back in September 2014. Now, I have to replace the left front coil. This is absolutely pathetic. The kilometers on my car are 96,000. I bought this as a commuter car and our financing rate which is over 7 years has a monthly payment of $200.

I am very disappointed in this car. From the first day I purchased it, it seemed very cheap. But I wanted basic. Now, since 2012 I will have spent over $2000 just for the coils. Nissan should be ashamed of themselves. Of course all this started once the warranty was over. To make matters worse, I have to pay for this car until 2019!!

- Al Z., Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #3

Apr 252015

Versa SL V4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,500 miles

I started hearing loud popping noises when turning the Versa left or right. I wanted to take the car to the dealer that I purchased from but they were approximately 35 miles away. I attempted to get the Versa in to the local GM dealer but they could not get the vehicle in the shop.

I ended up at the local Merchants repair facility where they diagnosed both front coils and struts as being defective. I had them replace with Nissan parts the following day. I could not believe the front suspension failed father two years. I take care of this vehicle and get it serviced in a timely manner as scheduled. This is my primary work vehicle that I just recently made my last payment on.

I am not sure that I will purchase another Nissan product. No way the suspension should fail in two years -totally unacceptable.

- volman4, Westminster, MD, US

problem #2

Mar 102015

Versa SL 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,395 miles

click to see larger images

front coil springs broke front coil springs broke

First I had brake problems had change all for sides still squeaks, now I just have another problem a broken coil spring.

- Nina R., Elkhart, IN, US

problem #1

Apr 072014

Versa SL, Hatchback 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 24,855 miles

In early April 2014, as I was backing out of a parking spot, turning right I heard a very loud "bang" noise coming from the front wheel wells. After the loud bang, when I turned the steering wheel right or left I would hear a distinctive "BOING" noise. Sounded just like a spring. The car, a Nissan Versa 2012 1.8 SL Hatch, had under 40,000km on it.

I took the car to my Nissan dealer, who then told me both the front coil springs had snapped. They also told me there was NO ETA for replacement parts, as the coil springs (this was April 2014) were on back order (none were available in Canada). I asked Nissan Canada to put me into a free rental (it was a 2014 Ford Focus Hatch - made the Versa look like garbage by the way). From that point on, I literally called Nissan Canada support a minimum of 2 times a week for the next 10 weeks to ask for an ETA and to yell at anyone willing to listen to my ranting. The best responses I got back from Nissan Canada Support was..."I'm sorry sir...I feel completely useless...there is nothing I can do for you...".

I posted on the Nissan Canada and US Facebook and twitter accounts. Nissan upon reading my posts would either ignore them or remove them. I posted an open letter to the president of Nissan Canada and US and Japan. I eventually got a hold of a Senior person at Nissan Canada, who apologized profusely and confessed the problem was with their supplier of the coil spring, and new coil springs were being manufactured in Japan. In the end, after 10 weeks of waiting, calling to complain, and posting on Nissan sites, my car was fixed. I was damn lucky (based on the other posts on other forum about this same problem) the car was still under warranty - ie zero cost to me in terms of out of pocket $$$. The rental car cost Nissan Canada was almost $3,000.

I swore after that ordeal I would never ever in a ba-zillion years purchase another Nissan vehicle. On another Nissan forum, I read where there is a class action suit underway for broken coil springs in a Nissan Versa. Google "broken Nissan coil springs". I've been trying to get more info.

- Michael H., Markham, Ontario, canada

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