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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
26,624 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 steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Nissan Versa Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Aug 012020

Versa

  • miles

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

The front airbag is not functioning properly. Because of the steering I almost had an accident, my wheel didn't want to turn. The brakes always make noise.

- Alameda, CA, USA

problem #23

Nov 262018

Versa 4-cyl

  • 112,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While attempting to park the vehicle, the steering wheel was turning, but the wheels were not registering with the steering wheel movement. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. An independent mechanic came to the contacts residence and stated that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 112,000.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #22

Nov 102018

Versa

  • miles
Complaint on wheels and suspension. Rmv failed me on tie rods too? in any case wheel bearings are a definite as wheel was loose on left. The front end of car was not good despite new springs. Can load rmv report for Nov 2018. Car is at 80,000 M-- could not drive car per registry for safety reasons- no sticker

- N Billerica, MA, USA

problem #21

Jan 192018

Versa

  • miles

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

My auto is disabled. Key doesn't turn, the wheels are locked up and noticed that there is hesitation when shifting made a nose. I can't drive my auto at all. I am still responsible for the payments on the vehicle. It doesn't seem like a regular wear and tear issue.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #20

Jan 192018

Versa

  • 83,000 miles
Steering column locked up key wouldn't unlock so I could drive. Steering wheel just wouldn't unlock. Had to have my car towed

- Kansas City, MO, USA

problem #19

Mar 042017

Versa

  • 15,000 miles
Too bouncy when driving and squeeking sound when driving slow on curves un even that occurs before I got the Nissan Versa 2012

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #18

Jun 232017

Versa

  • 52,000 miles

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

The car suddenly stopped while I was driving. I had no control of brakes or steering. It coasted to a stop. I contacted ktnv channel 13 investigative news and they filmed me and my story. The episode aired last night and today. I have two 2012 Versa's; the other one did not do this. They are my twins cars; I try to drive one every two weeks to make sure everything is ok. The vehicle was definitely in motion when this happened; had just exited the interstate.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #17

Mar 252017

Versa

  • miles
Damage steering column assy. Excessive steering movement up and down or sideways abnormal noise from inside column when turning

- Rio Grande, PR, USA

problem #16

May 222016

Versa

  • 8 miles
Something making noise in the steering wheel inside when making turns... and pass airbag sometimes off sometimes on when driving... and the last one the brake pedal is not smooth as other cars and also you can hear a crack on it when pressing on it.

- Lebanon, PA, USA

problem #15

Nov 212015

Versa

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving 35 mph, the contact was distracted and swerved to gain control of the vehicle. The brake pedal was applied but failed to stop the vehicle. The contact crashed into a telephone pole. The air bags deployed and the brakes and steering wheel locked up. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the chest and left arm, which required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #14

Jan 152016

Versa

  • 70,000 miles

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

I pulled up to a pump at a gas station, got out and went in the store to get a drink. Came back out and my car had locked up. The steering and brakes were both locked. Thank god I wasn't in motion when this happened. The car would not accelerate. I cut the car off and let it sit there before trying to start it again. It cranks but never turns over. There is a battery light, brake light, ps light and oil light on the dash. I researched it and everything indicated a bad alternator. I bought a Nissan alternator and put it on. Still never turned over. The fuel pump runs and I put some starting fluid into the throttle body and it started but died after a five seconds. Every Nissan dealership tells me they don't know what the problem is. Its my only car, I'm flat broke and I am walking 2 hours to work every day so I don't lose my job. I need to know what's wrong.

- Selma, NC, USA

problem #13

Nov 302015

Versa

  • 50,000 miles
Salesman/dealer did not disclose vehicle maintenance report when requested. Was told that the vehicle was not involved in any accidents. 1) vehicle rolls back after it is put in park. May have been associated with previous recall. 2) when putting car in gear, can feel tugging in the floor board of driver side. Called recall.gov and was told that there were 4 recalls on the vehicle in which 2 had already been performed. Called Nissan dealer and scheduled an appointment for service for 12/31 to rectify those issues.

- Apalachicola, FL, USA

problem #12

Apr 272015

Versa

  • 73,500 miles
My car will not move when the gas is pressed, it stutters and vibrates then jerks. The transmission catches then RPM hit 7500 very unsafe. This happens every time I stop and go. Took it to Nissan they said that they could not replicate the problem therefore could not fix it. This is ( bs ) cause it happens all the time. Also when I turn my steering wheel I feel something moving and hear popping noise on the driver side floor board.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #11

Oct 042014

Versa 4-cyl

  • 8,400 miles
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 #10

May 292014

Versa

  • 3,912 miles
I was getting ready to back my Versa into a parking space. I had my foot on the brake when I shifted the car into reverse the car engine revved up, brakes failed, and the car flew backwards into a wall causing considerable damage to the back end of the car. This could have been deadly if I was backing out of the parking space and not into it. Once I hit the wall the brakes came back on. Since the dealer was unable to replicate the incident they said it never happened. They also told me that it was impossible for the brakes to fail as they are a cable system. I also contacted Nissan motor Corp directly and was told this was not a warranty issue and I would have to go through my insurance and pay the deductible. I had mentioned to the Nissan dealer previously that I thought the brakes were funny prior to this incident as they would routinely go to the floor if I was traveling at slow speeds. I was told this was normal operation.

- St. Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #9

May 082013

Versa

  • 47,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the vehicle always veered to the left and the steering wheel had to be held tightly to prevent a crash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer twice for a front end alignment; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.

- Socorro, TX, USA

problem #8

Jul 012014

Versa

  • miles
Vehicle started lurching while driving, power shut off on its own and then going back up to speed at 45mph. When slowed down to park, the power steering light came on and the power steering immediately cut off.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #7

Jul 142013

Versa 4-cyl

  • 28,000 miles
Vehicle has been in 2 collisions over 2 year span. Once T-boned by another car, second time front end collision. First time passenger side door received severe damage, second time major front end damage. Never or neither time did any airbags deploy. Vehicle was doing 35 mph at least each time. Have children and family whom are in vehicle often. Worried about all our safety. Thank you very much, with regards.

- Garden City Park, NY, USA

problem #6

Mar 012013

Versa

  • 15,000 miles
When driving down the highway, my Versa went into neutral but the shift still said D for drive, had no acceleration took to dealer and they passed it off as nothing because nothing read on the computer system and they basically said in a round about way I'm a woman are you sure you didn't bump it into neutral? then a month later had it back as it did the same thing but this time I was going 25 mph. Hooked it up to the computer again and there was nothing reading and reset the computer system. Happened again but was in our parking lot and just blew it off as the dealer would just tell me nothing was wrong. Just yesterday (6/29) as I was turning into the park I work at it slipped back into neutral, then all the electrical went out, no power steering, but the engine was still going, electrical came back on and then the car died as I was going about 20 mph and it quit all together on me shut down. Had to push it to a parking stall and call a tow to the dealer, once at the dealer they hooked it up to the computer and 3 errors for fuel system and 1 error for transmission came up. I'm just thankful that it didn't cause an accident when this has happened. I have it documented that it has been at the dealer now 3 times for this same issue.

- Oak Creek, WI, USA

problem #5

Apr 022013

Versa

  • miles
The car is swaying from left to right. Especially on the highway. There seems to be alot of play in the steering wheel. And the handling appears to be very loose. This is very danger and could cause alot of accidents.

- Boston , MA, USA

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