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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
35,711 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.

2012 Nissan Versa electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Nissan Versa Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #8

Oct 042014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 8,400 miles

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

This vehicle had an electrical problem. The entire electrical system would randomly shut down, killing all gauges, lighting, power steering and etc. Multiple visits to the dealership brought "unable to duplicate" responses and no attempt to repair. Nissan dealership recommended to drive the vehicle until the stated problem could be displayed at the dealership (note that a car cannot drive without a working electrical system). When vehicles electrical system shut down the final time a fire was ignited under the hood. The car was soon engulfed in flames. It is a total loss. Video of burning car can be seen here: youtu.be/0_pfv4cesps.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #7

Jun 062012

Versa 4-cyl

  • 20,000 miles
I have to hit the curb to stop car tire damge and under car to prevent hit a car.. I been notice that since ibougth my car, I report to Nissan they say is nothing wrong with my car.. sometimes I been driving and car accelarate by himself, also.. shoe stock in gaz pedal..very dangerous.. because cant brake.!!.

- Henderson , NV, USA

problem #6

Mar 102014

Versa

  • 41,000 miles
I am writing with to provide notification about a serious safety issue with my vehicle, a 2012 Nissan Versa, purchased on October 11, 2011 with approximately 42,000 miles. My car is unsafe to drive, and after several failed attempts to have Nissan address the issue, I believe that it is my duty to report this issue. On March 10, 2014 I was driving my vehicle on the highway and noticed that the tachometer was oscillating rapidly, even though I was driving at a constant speed via cruise control. Over the next several days this issue continued to persist both under local and interstate driving conditions. On March 15, 2014 I was driving my car when it suddenly stopped running. To fix the problem I had to come to a stop, put the car in park, take my key out of the ignition, and completely restart the car. Shortly thereafter this issue occurred while I was driving on a highway at a highway speeds. On March 17, 2014 I brought my vehicle to Nissan for consultation. It took them three weeks to diagnose the problem, at which time they said that car needed a new wiring harness. While they initially said that the problem would be covered under warranty, they subsequently retracted this and refused to cover it. I appealed to corporate Nissan twice advising that this is not a normal repair but a serious, potential life threatening safety issue and they rejected my appeals. Please note that Nissan confirmed that my vehicle is not the only Versa that has this problem, thus other Nissan owners may be subject to the same unsafe wiring harnesses. Since I am unable to afford the $2000 repair cost for a new harness, I have been forced to drive my vehicle as-is, which is a danger to me and other drivers on the road. If my vehicle stops running while I'm on the highway I could cause a very serious accident, and Nissan has shown minimal interest in acknowledging this problem.

- Hartford, CT, USA

problem #5

Jan 022014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 32,000 miles

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

January 2nd I was asked to jumpstart a vehicle in my driveway. Approximately 5 minutes later my Nissan Versa, with less than 32000 miles, caught on fire. The cables were hooked up correctly. Prior to this incident and at least three times, I had complained of a burning smell after highway driving. I was told by my insurance company, I should bring it to a Nissan dealer where a licensed Nissan mechanic could determine the cause of the fire. When the dealer neglected to do so, Nissan North America was called in to do an inspection. They completed their inspection and would not cover the expense or release the report to me or the Nissan dealer. They opted to keep the information undercover. I am assuming it is was an electrical issue or some type of leak judging by the 250,000 Nissan vehicles recalled in 2012.

- Epsom, NH, USA

problem #4

Jan 202014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 24,470 miles
Lights flicker on and off when driving. Will no longer come on. Only the use of high beams is possible.

- Port Monmouth, NJ, USA

problem #3

Jan 142013

Versa

  • 20,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 mph, a strong burning odor and smoke was emitted inside the vehicle. The vehicle was moved to the shoulder then exited at which time the entire vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department extinguished the flames and informed the contact that the fire was contributed to electrical failures. The vehicle was towed to an independent shop for further investigation. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Allison Park , PA, USA

problem #2

Dec 172012

Versa

  • 12,000 miles
I rented a 2012 Versa hatchback this week. Upon driving the vehicle I discovered that the turn signal indicators were not working. I reported this to the rental Agency and was told that this model does not have indicators. I drove the car for 3 days and found that it had no turn or high beam indicators. These are basic safety devices to inform the driver of the these functions. These cars should not be allowed on us roadways. According to what I read in a document published by the U. S. dot these are required, so I wonder how these vehicles are allowed in the U.S. the document is publication number tp-108-13. Please advise about this.

- Justin, TX, USA

problem #1

Apr 022012

Versa

  • miles
2012 Nissan Versa. Consumer writes in regards to several issues with vehicle and quality the consumer stated the defroster was a major concern. In order to turn on the defroster, he must turn the knob to defrost, but also slide the horizontal switch underneath the dash to defrost as well. Then, he had to turn the driver and passenger side vents toward the glass, all while operating the vehicle. The defroster worked fair at best. It only eliminated about half the fog on the front windshield and none on the rear windshield and side windows. Half the time, when the consumer attempted to turn off the vehicle, the key did not want to come out of the ignition. He would have to jiggle the key and the shift knob to get the key out. The auto door locks did not unlock when he put the vehicle in park. The vehicle had to be turned off in order for the auto doors to unlock. Also, the transmission would emit a loud bang, when the consumer put the vehicle in reverse.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

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