2012 Nissan Versa Powertrain (other) Problems

The transmission failed on the highway making the car serging violently from high to low speeds and then to nothing

NHTSA ID

11693228

Incident

Sep 16, 2025

It won’t let me go over 30 without the rpm’s significantly increasing and transmission light is on

NHTSA ID

11663550

Incident

Feb 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the RPM was revving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the transmission had failed. An unknown repair was completed; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she had stopped driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11518694

Incident

Feb 24, 2023

Mileage

111,000 mi

I carry my family in the vehicle and the lights would come on for the traction control and check engine light and speed sensor light and the car would stop moving and shut off while going down the road and the brakes would barely work and the transmission would stop pulling or slip and the engine would not rev up that is really dangerous when your traveling with traffic something needs to be done about this and I have read alot of other complaints about the same problems that other people are having

NHTSA ID

11516003

Incident

Mar 11, 2023

2012 nissan versa commonly known for defective cvt transmissions I had taken it to costal nissan to get it looked at before for a jerking transmission and the dealership just adjust a brake light switch the problem came back and threw an engine code for input sensor after replacing all my bulbs the problem went away for a couple months but the past 2 months it started slipping jerking stuck in low gears high reving rpms I had the transmission fluid serviced or replaced and it worked good for about a week died in the middle of the road with no throttle response I've only driven this car 5k miles in 8 months of purchase vehicle is available for inspection at any time

NHTSA ID

11510502

Incident

Mar 6, 2023

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while reversing into a parking spot, the vehicle began to hesitate and jerk before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle restarted. The contact stated she had experienced the failure six times. The contact called and notified the Used Car dealer where she purchased the vehicle of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11505130

Incident

Jan 7, 2023

Air bag on driver side red airbag light blinking repaired Coil needs replacing Motor mouth broken Front seat belt not locking Car wasn't starting

NHTSA ID

11490680

Incident

Aug 23, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated then lost motive power and stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle off the highway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to replace. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, did not offer any further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

NHTSA ID

11481262

Incident

Aug 6, 2022

Mileage

88,000 mi

After having my transmission replaced with a used CVT transmission on Dec 2021, I went to leave the transmission shop only to have no power. When I gave my vehicle gas, there was no power it would not go forward or backwards. The code repeatedly coming up was P2101. My car was in the shop for 4 months with Williams Transmission in Park Hills, MO 63601. (573) 431-6570. Every time Willie would call & say it’s fixed & I would go try driving g home, again same issue. Finally on March 23, 2022 I was called once again to come pick up my car after hack v another used CVT Transmission put in still the same code P2101 was coming up with the check engine light. It took me 40 mins to go home occasionally getting evcrlation to make it home, it should’ve took no more than 10 mins from his shop to my house.. I paid $3000 to have transmission replaced and still isn’t running correctly. I lose excelaration on highway, county & city tosds. I never know when!! It’s a big issue & major safety issues & concerns

NHTSA ID

11474220

Incident

Dec 22, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the transmission started slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact released the accelerator pedal and continued to drive; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while depressing the accelerator pedal and had worsened. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11460892

Incident

Feb 15, 2022

Mileage

110,000 mi

The vehicle is a 2012 Nissan Versa driven only 81,000+ miles. I was driving the vehicle up a modest incline on Saturday, February 12, 2022. The car started to shudder and felt like it was losing power, as if it were running out of fuel. I pulled off when I turned the next corner and stopped. As I started out again, the check engine light came on, so I drove it to my mechanic. He has informed me that the malfunction code is a transmission failure code, and he is performing more diagnostics related to this code. In doing research, I now know that there is a fundamental failure with the CVT automatic transmissions for this model year of Nissan Versa, typically occurring at 75,000-85,000 miles. I am not eligible for Nissan's $278M settlement of a class action suit for this issue, because claims were only eligible for the first 84 months after purchase and the claim window is now closed. Everything I have read suggests that this is a critical and dangerous problem, because this CVT transmission failure can even result in the car losing all power and coming to a complete stop in traffic. This is a fundamental and life-threatening issue for which I believe Nissan should provide a full recall for the affected vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11453192

Incident

Feb 12, 2022

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle would shake then inadvertently shut off. Additionally, while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would jerk. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11440664

Incident

Jul 5, 2021

Mileage

72,000 mi

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was unable to pull over and had to push the vehicle onto the shoulder and waited approximately 20 minutes before the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the torque converter replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V032000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

NHTSA ID

11437389

Incident

Oct 12, 2021

Mileage

116,000 mi

When driving the car slows down to a crawl or just stalls and want pick up speed or while driving comes to a complete stop, also it makes a noise and when it rains it sounds like Rain is trapped in the doors or walls of the car.

NHTSA ID

11437029

Incident

Jun 6, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the failure persisted and was getting worse. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V032000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA ID

11436773

Incident

Sep 1, 2019

Mileage

25,000 mi

Vehicle is moving in forward direction always even if the gear shift is in Park or Reverse mode. It is scary. It put us lot of stress in terms of physical health, mental health and finance. We nearly met with an accident as vehicle was moving always in forward direction as soon as we moved the car from the parking lot. We towed the vehicle considering our and public safety. Contacted Nissan dealership and consumer affairs team. They went only by the books. Told that there is no recall. They did not seem to care about the safety. They asked me to go ahead and shell out for fixing. The same vehicle stopped in the middle of the road with heavy jerk/forward movement. We were lucky that we did not meet with an accident. We had to tow the vehicle in that case. I had to replace fuel pump at my own cost. With multiple safety concerns on this vehicle, I am surprised that there is no recall on this model. At the least, I was expecting this for my VIN. Request you to help on the recall considering the public safety. With vehicle few thousand dollars worth still, I may need to review and make a choice on disposing this vehicle (not sell) by taking the financial hit. Financial hit in this uncertain situation means a lot to me. It puts pressure. Since I care about public safety, I am reviewing this as the last choice. Nissan does not seem to be worried as there is no recall. Correct option is to have this vehicle recalled. Request you to review and help from safety perspective

NHTSA ID

11429042

Incident

Aug 6, 2021

The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, the vehicle started shifting gears inadvertently and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle after a short period of time. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission had failed, and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V032000 (Power Train) however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the Vin was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.

NHTSA ID

11427065

Incident

Jul 23, 2021

Mileage

72,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT ONLY 112,000 MILES WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH.

NHTSA ID

11408164

Incident

Apr 5, 2021

Mileage

112,000 mi

DRIVING CAR STARTING JERKING AND THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO WRECK VERY SCARY ON MY ROAD IN MOTION

NHTSA ID

11387217

Incident

Jan 5, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

TRANSMISSION IS NOT CHANGING GEARS LIKE IT IS SUPPOSE TO AND STUTTERS AT STOP SIGNS AND STOP LIGHTS.

NHTSA ID

11385000

Incident

Nov 8, 2020

Mileage

45 mi

I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH MY CAR SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT. IT TAKES A WHILE FOR IT TO ACTUALLY ACCELERATE AND I'VE HAD SERIOUS ISSUES SINCE 60K MILES AND I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND ASKED IF THEY COULD LOOK INTO IT. THE SECOND THAT MY WARRANTY EXPIRED IS WHEN THEY LET ME KNOW THAT I NEEDED TO GET MY TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED, BUT THEN IT TURNED OUT TO BE MY TRANSMISSION, AND THEN THEY KEPT GOING BACK AND FORTH AND DIDN'T WANT TO DO IT BEFORE BECAUSE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TIMES ON THE FREEWAY WHERE IT STALLS AND WON'T GO MORE THAN 20MPH. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I'VE HAD TO PULL OVER MULTIPLE TIMES TO STOP AND THEN BE ABLE TO GO AGAIN. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN ON TOP OF THE MAINTENANCE AND I'M HOPING WITH THE RECALL THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION AT NO COST. I DON'T SEE MYSELF EVER BUYING A NISSAN VEHICLE AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11338909

Incident

Jul 10, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CVT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO REEDMAN TOLL NISSAN OF DREXEL HILL, 5018 TOWNSHIP LINE RD, DREXEL HILL, PA 19026 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ONCE BEFORE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,664.

NHTSA ID

11337152

Incident

Jun 30, 2020

Mileage

58,664 mi

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING FROM OHIO TO VIRGINIA WHEN HER CAR STOPPED WORKING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO WHEN ACCELERATED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A FATALITY. HAD THE CAR TOWED SEVERAL TIMES TO FINALLY END UP AT A NISSAN DEALER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. THE SERVICE TECHNICAL SAID THAT HER TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSAN AND WAS A PAST RECALL. BECAUSE THE RECALL TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION HAS EXPIRED, NISSAN REFUSED TO FIX IT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 68,500 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION IS DEAD. THIS IS NOT A NORMAL CASE AND I WOULD LIKE FOR NISSAN TO EXTEND THIS RECALL AND FIX THE CAR AS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED MY DAUGHTER TO LOSE HER LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID

11330851

Incident

Jun 20, 2020

Mileage

68,500 mi

TRANSMISSION FAILED AFTER ONLY EIGHT YEARS WITH PROPER MAINTENANCE. I REVERSED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO THE BUSY HIGHWAY AND WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. I AM VERY LUCKY THAT THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC NOTICED I WAS HAVING ISSUES OR I WOULD CERTAINLY BE DEAD. MY MECHANIC SAID IT IS NOT WORTH IT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WILL ONLY FAIL AGAIN AND AGAIN. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE AND PURCHASE A NEW ONE, IT SEEMS NISSAN'S CVT TRANSMISSIONS HAVE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES THAT ARE WIDELY KNOWN. IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT NISSAN IS ALLOWED TO CONTINUE SELLING LEMONS. MY VERY FIRST CAR WAS A 1981 MONTE CARLO AND THE TRANSMISSION ON THAT CAR NEVER HAD TO BE REPLACED, I USED THAT CAR UNTIL 2016 AND THE ONLY REASON I GOT RID OF IT WAS THAT THE FRAME BUCKLED IF THAT CAR CAN GO 35 YEARS WITH NO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, THEN THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR A 2012 TRANSMISSION TO FAIL IN 8 YEARS.

NHTSA ID

11329863

Incident

Feb 26, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

THE TRANSMISSION HAS HAD ONGOING ISSUES SINCE MANUFACTURED. NISSAN HAS KNOWN OF THE ISSUE BUT HAS MADE PATCH WORK OF THE ISSUE INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. SINCE THE RECALL DEADLINE WAS MAY 9,2020 THEY ARE RECOMMENDING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED BUT UNWILLING TO REPAIR IT UNDER THE RECALL AT MY COST. IN GOOD FAITH OF THE COMPANY, THEY KNEW OF THE ISSUE AND SHOULD COVER THE MAJORITY OF THE COST AND I WAS WILLINGLY TO PAY A PORTION HOWEVER THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP. I WAS UNABLE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THEIR SHOP BEFORE THE DEADLINE DUE TO THE GOVERNMENT LOCKDOWN. THE CODE THAT THE ALWAYS COMES UP ON WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON IS P0486. THE HAVE REPLACE THE VALVE BODY AND REPROGRAMMED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON AND THE REPROGRAM IT AND DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION UNTIL AFTER THEIR RECALL WAS EXPIRED. I HAVE BARELY PUT 4300 MILES ON IT SINCE THE PATCH JOB THEY DID. THEY SAID THAT THIS PATCH WOULD CORRECT THE ISSUE AND THE SAME ISSUE SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.THIS IS MY DAILY DRIVER AND THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON BUT WENT OFF PRIOR TO MY FIRST VISIT IN JUNE BUT ON THREE DAYS LATER. THE DEALERSHIP COULDN?T GET ME IN UNTIL JUNE 10. *TR

NHTSA ID

11329329

Incident

Apr 10, 2020

Mileage

115,800 mi