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.

3.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
44,978 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.

2016 Nissan Versa engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Nissan Versa Owner Comments

problem #10

Jun 122024

Versa

  • 176,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH with the cruise control activated, the contact approached oncoming traffic and depressed the brake pedal; however, the vehicle continued to surge forward without warning. The contact deactivated the cruise control; however, the failure persisted. The contact was able to pull off to the shoulder of the highway and placed the vehicle in park(P) while the RPM's continued to surge. Upon restart of the vehicle, the RPMs became extremely elevated, and the contact immediately shut off the vehicle. The contact opened the hood and reset the throttle sensor; the contact then restarted the vehicle and drove the vehicle home without further issues. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 176,000.

- Mc Daniels, KY, USA

problem #9

May 032024

Versa

  • miles
"Leaking injectors causing cylinder wall wash, resulting in low compression." Per Nissan of Chattanooga East. Stated they have seen this before and can be a "common" malfunction. Puts others and self at risk of catastrophic engine malfunction and fuel injector malfunction. Car fire, an engine explosion, or simply breaking down in the middle of the interstate, "Repair" occurred and sent home, 2 times. Subsequent followup revealed critical malfunction and requirement to replace engine and necessary components.

- Harrison, TN, USA

problem #8

Jul 192022

Versa

  • miles
Air bag red signal on and off. It is very loose. AC compressor needs repair that cause Belt broken, pulley isn-??t working and AC condenser needed to be repair. Power Train catalyst issues. Exhaust leaking at manifold, catalyst too exhaust as exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond. Replace sensors with exhaust repairs.

- Austin , TX, USA

problem #7

Jul 192022

Versa

  • miles

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

Air bag red signal on and off it is very loose. AC Compressor is locked that cause belt broken and pulley is not working that AC Condenser had to be fixed Power Train Catalyst issues Exhaust leaking at manifold and catalyst too exhaust as Exhaust connections. Oxygen sensors too slow to respond. Need to repair sensors with exhaust.

- Austin , TX, USA

problem #6

Aug 162020

Versa

  • 82,000 miles
So I'm problems with speed and the transmission

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 182019

Versa

  • 30,000 miles
Purchased a 2016 Nissan Versa (brand new) car ran well until 11/18/19. When I left work, started car as usual and headed home. Passed a roundabout along with some freeway driving. While on roberts rd. At a traffic light (waiting for right away) car seemed fine, but once I applied the gas to cross the intersection on a green light. Nothing happened. All the dummy lights came on, radio and heat was still working but car shut down at rush hour. I could not move. I called for the police to help then had it towed to the Nissan dealership. I later found out that there was a technical service bulletin sent to dealers about this issue of cars stalling. Why was I not made aware and sold a lemon. I thank god that it did not happen on the freeway or roundabout. The dealer claimed they fixed the problem, but my hunch told me it's a lemon and not to keep it. I now own a 2020 Toyota corolla. I don't want anyone to go through what I went through, very scary. Fyi if you goggle Nissan cars stalling there is a news story from ktnv channel 13 out of Nevada.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

problem #4

Nov 112019

Versa

  • 15,000 miles

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

The car shut off completely while I was at a red light and I had to restart it.

- Culver City, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 272019

Versa

  • 55,284 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. When the vehicle was restarted, it operated normally. The contact took the vehicle to five star Nissan of albany (located at 1100 E oglethorpe blvd, albany, ga, 229-792-8718), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,284.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #2

Jul 072019

Versa

  • 40,500 miles
Trying to leave for work, turn on my car and then there was a squeal (like a belt) and then the engine shut off, not the car (battery is working). I do this about three times to see if maybe the gas needed to be pressed or if the car needed to be in gear, same thing happened. I call my father for advise, and I wanted him to hear the noise before the shut off, so I turn off the radio, ac, everything. Then the car starts and stays on. Turns out that if I had the fan going it was shutting off the engine. I take it to sisk Nissan and they inspect, say first that its the condenser and after the part is ordered and the car taken apart they say that the whole ac system is contaminated. The compressor had stopped working. One week without ac and one week in the shop to replace the whole ac system.

- Oak Grove, KY, USA

problem #1

Oct 052018

Versa

  • 51,000 miles
Car shuts off in the middle of driving and it's becoming unsafe to drive.

- Memphis, TN, USA

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