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.

9.0

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
37,500 miles
Total Complaints:
2 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (2 reports)
2016 Nissan Versa AC / heater problems

AC / heater problem

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2016 Nissan Versa Owner Comments

problem #2

Feb 012019

Versa SV

  • CVT transmission
  • 60,000 miles

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

AC/Heater wasn't working properly at around 60k miles, but I thought it was probably just taking a little while longer to heat up. It was cold in the morning and my work is close by, so I thought maybe I'm just not giving it enough time. Well, I was really wrong because next winter rolled in and I was freezing in the New England cold! Went to Firestone, they checked cooler and it was fine. They wanted to replace the whole AC/heat unit with knob for close to $2000. I felt like I was being scammed so I took it to a second mechanic. He was more knowledgeable, older and more experienced, and said it looks like a problem with the gears.

It turned out to be a transmission problem that I couldn't afford to fix. The transmission began slipping soon after.

Here's the thing: the reason I bought a newer model (only had 34k miles on it, certified) is because I preferred to make monthly payments on a "healthy" car than be stuck with amounts I can't afford to fix out of the blue, and risking losing wages and being inconvenienced. And I figured, once I'm done making payments on it, I will resell it and buy a newer car again, thereby avoiding costly repairs. Nissan scammed me! I can't afford to fix my car, I can't afford to use it and it is a serious safety issue, I depend on it to get to work, and I can't sell it either. That's $11,000 grand out the window in 3 years! No resale value, just complete loss of a small fortune. This is like theft, it's scamming people, and they should double the coverage up till 120,000 miles. Because their current extension up to 84,000 isn't enough. Some of the transmission issues shows up earlier, but doesn't take full form of failure until CONVENIENTLY a little outside of this warranty.

Double the warranty to 120,000 Nissan!!!

- Ava A., Foxboro, MA, US

problem #1

Mar 032017

Versa

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles

We rented a Versa to drive from Logan airport (Boston) home to NH last night, a three hour trip. The outdoor temp was 20 degrees, there were some snow flurries, but no precipitation. We turned the heat on high, and also the defroster. The windshield did have two large circles where the defroster worked, but the top 8" of the wind shield was ice covered, on the interior. The passenger side window was covered with ice (on the inside!) which made it impossible to see the side mirror. The drivers side window initially was slightly better, but also became ice covered. Even with the heat vent directed toward the passenger side window, it would not defrost. I was sitting in the passenger seat, and the whole right side of my body was freezing. I couldn't believe that a small car, on maximum heat and fan, could not get warm enough to be comfortable. I can't imagine what it would be like to drive this car in below zero weather.

- Jane S., Plainfield, US

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