The 2012 Nissan Versa is without a doubt the model year that you should steer clear of (or loser, for that matter). The 2012 Versa has received 779 NHTSA complaints and been the subject of 10 recalls, earning Carcomplaints’ “Avoid Like the Plague” designation.
The 2012 Versa has issues, but they weren’t as severe as the transmission’s flaws. The shifter knob and shifter rod of the 2012 Versa may interfere with one another, according to the NHTSA. This flaw makes it easy to release the brake pedal without shifting out of park. The car might roll into a pedestrian or another vehicle under certain situations.
Nissan had to initiate a recall because the problem with the transmission was so serious. For whatever reason, check with the dealership before purchasing a 2012 Versa to see if the shifter assembly has been subject to a recall.
Because purchasing a car may be so stressful, it can be good to have information ready when visiting the dealership. So that you can approach the process from a position of empowerment, we have put together a list of the top 10 American vehicles for dependability.
In This Article...
The model year that received the most complaints
The Takata airbags that were allegedly defective and installed in Nissan Versa vehicles from 2007 to 2011 are the subject of the majority of reports. Nissan issued recalls to replace these dangerously defective airbags, but car owners reported scheduling conflicts and difficulty getting repairs done at the shop because of a lack of components. Despite the large number of reports, 2009 wasn’t the Versa’s worst model year.
Nissan Versa’s worst model years
Concerningly, 734 complaints and 150 faults about the 2009 Nissan Versa were filed to Car Complaints. The suspension system is to blame for over 30% of this car’s issues. Nearly all of the 30% of these problems were brought on by damaged coil springs. The faults normally cost owners roughly $600 to rectify, and they began at about 71,000 miles.
The 2012 Versa, on the other hand, had numerous transmission issues. Users reported a total of 145 issues and 708 complaints, with the transmission being the most often mentioned concern. Failure of the transmission was the subject of 70% of these complaints. A transmission replacement costs $4,000 on average. Without a doubt, this model year received negative reviews worldwide.
Avoid buying a Nissan Versa from the model years 2007 and 2012 at all costs because they are generally the worst.
Versa problems with Nissan
The 2012 Versa’s gearbox has received the most severe user complaints; the models from 2012 to 2017 have an expensive CVT transmission failure problem that can be clearly seen in complaint data. A class action lawsuit that started in 2012 was settled about the problem in late 2018.
The transmission failure, the noisy transmission, the clunking transmission, the transmission estimating, and the car jerking or shifting roughly are the most common user complaints about the transmission. With a typical repair cost of $3,610 and an approximate failure mileage of 72,000 miles, the transmission replacement is the most popular fix.
Years when Nissan Versa performed best and worst
The Nissan Versa is a car that has gained recognition for being reasonably priced, yet it has its own problems and manufacturing flaws.
The worst year for the Versa was 2012, when there were 708 complaints and 145 faults reported on CarComplaint.
The 2012 model had the most recalls (10), which was due to the widespread problem of transmission difficulties.
Nissan focused on these problems and addressed them in the Versa models that followed, and many of these problems appeared to have been resolved in the 2019 model. This makes the Nissan Versa’s finest model year possible.
Are there transmission issues with the Nissan Versa?
The CVT transmissions have experienced far more issues than the manual transmissions, which are nonetheless susceptible to issues. Even while that might just be a result of the increased number of Versas with CVT transmissions on the road, it would be wise to be aware of what you’re getting, especially in older models.
Transmission issues with a Nissan Versa The Nissan Versa’s transmission issues have been shown to be most prevalent in model years 2012, 2013 and 2014.
The 2012 Nissan Versa’s transmission breakdown cost about $3,500 to repair, and it started happening at around 73,000 miles.
In terms of transmissions, the 2014 Versa ranks in second place as the “worst” model year. Around 82,000 miles, the transmissions started to malfunction.
The 2013 model year of the Nissan Versa ranks third worst for transmission issues. Transmission failure complaints started to appear at an average mileage of 90,000.
Nissan Versa owners have been known to just trade in or sell their vehicles due to the affordable initial cost, as opposed to shelling out hundreds of dollars to fix malfunctioning transmissions. A Versa transmission replacement might currently cost more than $4000.
Nissan Versa automobiles are they dependable?
Nissan Versas: Are They Reliable Cars? On all significant dependability evaluations, the Nissan Versa has received fair ratings. It is rated 3.3 out of 5.0 on RepairPal, placing it ninth out of 32 subcompact vehicles.
Is Nissan Versa maintenance expensive?
We looked at how frequently the vehicle required major unplanned repair over a three-year period to determine the frequency of major maintenance. This “serious” maintenance item is a costly system breakdown that needs to be repaired (often a part or component costing above $1,000).
It should be emphasized that even while we analyze this data by make and model, driving style, vehicle condition, and mileage undoubtedly affect outcomes. Different frequencies of maintenance are needed depending on the vehicle. While newer cars can go longer between services, older vehicles may require more frequent maintenance.
The frequency score can be used to determine how long a vehicle can go without maintenance. A frequency score reveals how frequently a certain vehicle needs major repair over a three-year period. If an automobile has a maintenance frequency score of 3, for instance, it needs major repairs every year because the score is calculated over a three-year period. The longer it can go without major maintenance services, the closer the frequency score is to 0.
The frequency score for a Nissan Versa is 1.1099999999999999. This indicates that the Nissan Versa is significantly better than average given that the industrial average is 1.3. The breakdown of all manufacturers and models is shown in the chart below.
It’s important to note that there are many trustworthy cars that could also need frequent, yet reasonably priced maintenance. For instance, many domestic brands have higher maintenance visits but lower overall costs (since labor and parts expense are typically cheaper for domestic brands). This doesn’t imply that cars break down less frequently, but it does show that when they do, the problems are usually fairly simple to remedy, which is perhaps even more significant.
How far will a Nissan Versa drive?
Your Versa should last 13 years if you drive the typical 15,000 kilometers per year in the country. Of course, frequent upkeep and repair are necessary for all of this. Your versa’s mileage can be substantially decreased by mistreating it. Alternately, taking good care of your Versa will almost certainly result in you all driving it for at least 200,000 worry-free miles. a 300,000, if you’re fortunate.
When did the Nissan Versa get its CVT?
Transmitter Problems The transmission on the 2012 model is prone to malfunction. At a typical distance of 72,850 miles, this occurs. A automobile may stop working because of an issue with the engine.
As a result, owners of this model should be alert if their vehicle ever starts to make odd noises or if there are any problems with shifting gears.
This problem does not exist in the majority of Nissan Versa cars with automatic transmission. The Versa’s CVT transmissions from 2012 to 2017 are where it is most prevalent. It will struggle to shift gears, which is one issue that is well recognized.
The transmission jerks while the automobile is being driven, which is another problem. Additionally, the tachometer gauge will leap or whine. Even in the midst of the road, the Versa reportedly stopped suddenly, according to some drivers.
It’s crucial to recognize the signs early on because this is a highly expensive repair.
Nissan addressed this problem by extending the automatic transmission control and transmission assembly’s limited warranty for an additional 24,000 miles or 24 months.
Additionally, new owners get a coupon for up to $1000 or the option to lease an Infiniti or Nissan car.
Is the Nissan Versa 2017 a dependable vehicle?
Is the 2017 Nissan Versa Reliable? J.D. Power has given the 2017 Nissan Versa an above-average expected dependability rating of 3.5 out of 5.
What are the 2017 Nissan Versa’s usual issues?
Owners who reside in cold climates have reported that if they don’t wait 10 or 15 minutes for the car to warm up before pulling out of the driveway, they might anticipate the vehicle to stall or have trouble shifting into higher gears when accelerating.
The transmission or a transmission module that controls fuel pressure while accelerating have both been replaced as solutions. Every year the vehicle was made with a CVT has this issue.
Nissan Versa or Sentra: Which is better?
Despite being marginally smaller than the Sentra, the Nissan Versa gets better gas mileage and is more affordable. Compared to the Versa, the Sentra does provide more engine options and higher horsepower.
How dependable is the Nissan Versa 2015?
What Is the 2015 Nissan Versa’s Reliability? J.D. Power has given the 2015 Nissan Versa a reliability rating of four out of five, which is above average.
Is the Nissan Versa’s engine reliable?
In fact, the Nissan Versa is a great vehicle. It features competent handling and a capable, albeit uninspired, engine. The Versa has a pleasant ride and gets good gas mileage. A lovely cabin with supportive chairs and user-friendly technology is present inside.
Are Nissan Versa transmissions subject to a recall?
You should make sure the car is in good functioning order whether you plan to acquire one or currently have one. Automakers strive to offer a safe automobile and do several testing to guarantee their vehicles are in excellent condition. There may be issues, and when they become serious the company announces a recall to address them.
No as of August 2020. However, there have been a number of additional complaints and recalls made for different types of issues, including:
- Possibly stuck engine start/stop button
- Lower body bolt could be absent or loose.
- Pedal operation may be hampered by the lower trim panel.
- Rear seat latch bolts could break
We’ll go through these issues in more detail below so you know what to anticipate and can make sure you have all the information you need regarding the 2014 Nissan Versa.
How long is the lifespan of a Nissan Versa CVT?
A Nissan Versa transmission’s overall life duration mostly depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design problems and how hard you drive both play a role in this equation. However, the Nissan Versa transmission typically lasts between 130,000 and 80,000 miles. However, a high-quality replacement transmission can live significantly longer if all of the problems in the original design have been fixed and the car has been kept up.
Are there any gearbox issues with the 2018 Nissan Versa?
You can drive at the speed you want thanks to your transmission, which transfers power from the engine to the wheels.
Your transmission is in charge of translating the appropriate amount of power into the appropriate amount of speed, therefore
Are there any transmission issues with the 2016 Nissan Versa?
In order to enable you to drive at the correct speed, the gearbox transfers power from the motor to your wheels.
Given that the transmission must convert the exact quantity of power for the required speed,