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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
48,421 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.

2015 Nissan Versa drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2015 Nissan Versa Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #25

Mar 252015

Versa

  • miles

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

Cvt transmission, whines shutters sometimes you have to either let off of the gas or give it more gas for it to change gears when driving on the road. I have had it to the dealership and since there is no light on the dash and no codes Nissan will not fix it I have had it to the shop multiple times

- Elizabethtown, KY, USA

problem #24

Nov 012018

Versa

  • 88,000 miles
Vehicle stalls and jerks when trying to accelerate at any speed. No indicator or warning lights present.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #23

Aug 072019

Versa

  • 68,435 miles
Bought this car 5 days ago and transmission feels like its not engaging right took it back to the dealer and he sent me to his mechanic and he said it was fine however its still grinding at times hesitate S when accelerated so much so ive almost bren rear ended too many times to count it only had 68000 miles it should not be going oyt and I just got

- Hesperia, CA, USA

problem #22

Mar 292019

Versa

  • 75,000 miles

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

3 years after purchase, the car has stalled on a cross state trip. Lost the purchase of the trip and time. Vehicle check engine light turned on and vehicle cuts off. Started up, vehicle lurches forward and stops again. Called a tow-truck-- hauled into a Nissan dealership, who informs that the transmission needs replacing. Cvt transmission is installed on vehicle. Why" dealership has informed that warranty does not cover this vehicle.?"

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #21

Apr 012019

Versa

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled intermittently. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Gwinnett place Nissan (2555 pleasant hill rd, duluth, ga 30096, (877) 567-8412) diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was not available.

- Auburn, GA, USA

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problem #20

Feb 042019

Versa

  • 60,000 miles
I purchased a used 2015 Nissan Versa from drivetime back on 04/20/18 with 46,732 miles on it. I have had it for almost 8 months and it now has close to 60,000 miles. I started having problems with driving here in the last couple months with the car shutting down, transmission jerking & transmission slipping. I took it to a repair shop who advised me that the transmission needs to be replaced. They quoted me between $2000 to $4000 depending if I buy a used or new transmission. I checked online and see that this is well know problem with Nissan vehicles, with their cvt transmission. It shows that they extended the warranty out to 10 years and 120,000 on some of the their vehicles with the cvt transmission. However, I just called my local Nissan dealership and they advised me that my vehicle is not covered under this extended warranty. I would like to file a complaint and advise that this is a safety issue. For the car to shut down in the midle of the highway while im driving it, could result in me being involved in a serious accident or being killed. Please let me know what remedies I have going forward with this issue. Thank you.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #19

Jan 042019

Versa

  • miles

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

When I first purchase the Nissan Versa 2015 in Sept. 2015, the car was used it had 15,000 miles on it. I test drove it a little bit when I tried to drive it off I noticed the transmission was acting up before I got off the stockton dealership. I brought it back and they test drove it. They said yes there is something wrong and replace it. Now, I am thinking back, the dealership knew the transmission was not working correctly. Before I purchased the car. The dealership convinced me to get the extended warranty. I am thinking why is a brand new car with 15,000 miles on it.. so, it took about a month to replace the transmission and it drove ok. Then in 2017, I noticed a small slipping noise, like a small drumroll every now and then. Then finally I took the car to oakland dealership in 2017 around 88,000 miles. They couldn't locate the transmission problem or noise. In a few days, I pick up the car and as soon as I drove it I hear the slipping drumroll sound. I took it back and the dealership said we tested and the transmission was fine. I was discouraged with the results, now it Jan 2019, many months later, and transmission slipping and expired warranty. The transmission slipping, more frequent loud drumroll noise and shaking while trying to accelerate the car. I looked it up on google and I noticed that Nissan doubled the extended warranty on their transmission. Today, I went to the oakland dealership and they said my Nissan Versa is not under that extended warranty. How can this be? there are hundreds of complaints and failures about the Nissan transmission. Nissan and dealership knew about the transmission failure in the Versa. Right now, I feel the car is unsafe to drive on the street because the transmission will fail an any given time and driving condition. Please recall all Nissan Versa and have the company fix this recurring transmission issue.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #18

Nov 032018

Versa

  • 45,000 miles
On both city streets and highways. Accelerator will stick and or clutch is not properly engaging as specific vehicle has a manual transmission. Causing the vehicles RPM to go up higher then recommended.

- Poncha Springs, CO, USA

problem #17

Nov 202018

Versa

  • 64,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. While driving various speeds, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle bucked and shuddered. The vehicle was taken to reed Nissan (3776 w. colonial dr, orlando, fl) where it was diagnosed that an engine sensor was faulty. The sensor was replaced, but the bucking continued. Also, the vehicle would not accelerate above 30 mph. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

- St. Cloud, FL, USA

problem #16

Nov 172018

Versa

  • 65,000 miles
I bought this Versa brand new at the dealership. After a year from the purchase date the dealer went out of business and was bought out. The first year I had it I came in often with transmission problems, but was told it was nothing and to give it more gas when it acted like it was having troubles. Everytime I went for an oil change, even my first oil change, they would come back with 600 dollars worth of filters or the brake fluid needed to be changed. I quit going there for my car, because of the constant pressure to spend money on issues I wasnt having. They never wanted to look at the transmission or anything. Now after 65K the transmission has been replaced, my running taillights do not work, some unknown electrical issue, and the car just turns off on it's own with no warning. Before the tranny went out I was driving 70 mph down the interstate and the car shut off with no warning nearly causing an accident with a semi, the dealer does not want to fix that problem bc it can not replicated. That's their answer to any problem that's not expensive or quick. If it can not be replicated then your lying as I have been told. I was also told that all Versa's sold would need a new tranny after 40K. Now Nissan North America nor the dealer wants to pay for their mistakes. I need help getting this resolved soon.

- Granite Falls, NC, USA

problem #15

Oct 272018

Versa

  • 31,297 miles

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

Sitting at a red light, accelerated when it turned green and car would not move. Finally did move enough to pull into a parking lot. Had car towed over 150 miles back to austin, Texas and dropped off at lamb's tire & automotive on w. slaughter lane. Transmission needed to be replaced. Brand new would have been about $6500. Rebuilt about 1/2 that amount. Did not fix. Had it towed back to our house where it still sits in the driveway.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #14

Nov 012018

Versa

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. After starting the vehicle and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not drive forward. The vehicle was towed to crown Nissan (3900 w. wendover ave, greensboro, nc) where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Highpoint, NC, USA

problem #13

Sep 252018

Versa

  • 76,122 miles
On September 25,2018 my 2015 Nissan Versa transmission went out. In March 2018 I took it in the dealership to get it check for a loud strange noise when I was hitting the gas pedal. They told me that it was the transmission at 56,000 miles. So I continue to drive the car. The car had started jerking and making real loud noise. When I put it in reverse the car would cut off. At 76,122 the transmission went out.

- Jackson, MS, USA

problem #12

May 242018

Versa

  • 62,000 miles
Vehicle is 3 years young had to replace headlight, starter, when air condition in use it emits moldy odor.

- Green Brook, NJ, USA

problem #11

Apr 252018

Versa

  • 55,000 miles
Takata recall hello, I have a Nissan Versa 2015 model and have 55000 miles on its meter. I am having alot of problem with my car. I can feel all the gears changing while drive wether its on city or highway ( kind of feel like a sudden jerk in body). My engine oil is going bad at 3-4000 miles ( putting sythetic oil with gurantee 10-15000 mile). And if engine oil goes bad my car's pickup go less. It cant run over 15-20 mph. Happened with me twice, once in February 2018 when I had to tow my car and again happend on 25th April 2018 and I had to drive with emergency parking lights on to service center. My cars oil replacement sticker still shows 2000 miles more to run. And some mechanic said oil is all bad.after that I put an obd device in my car. And got some problem codes. Attaching image. Right now my car is in Nissan service center. And they didnt told me anything from last 3 days, that whats going on.

- Berkeley, CA, USA

problem #10

Dec 022016

Versa

  • 24,711 miles
Our Nissan Versa has had to have its transmission replaced at 24,711 miles. While driving to work, the car completely died while I was driving in traffic. The transmission was replaced at the Nissan dealership. Now at 33, xxx miles it sounds like it is going bad again. When we purchased the vehicle from the Nissan dealership, it was a certified used vehicle with 87 miles on it. The electrical in the car is also having problems. Our stereo display does not always work and the usb and charge ports are also not up to standard.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #9

Apr 042018

Versa

  • 63,000 miles
Transmission failure/ transmission pressure fluctuates/internal grinding/transmission grinds and bangs going into gear. All happens when in motion.

- Magnolia, DE, USA

problem #8

Feb 022018

Versa

  • 79,000 miles
My 2015 Nissan Versa transmission has gone out and it only has 79K miles I purchased it brand new in Oct of 2015. I am just checking to see if the transmission was installed in 2014 since those transmissions were recalled on the 2014 Versas were used in the 2015 Versas. The transmission should not have failed with that mileage. I am sure Nissan is aware of this issue with customers, as I have found several complaints from Nissan Versa owners. We need a recall on these vehicles consumers simply cannot pay thousands of dollars to have them replaced this is a manufacturers defect and Nissan should be made to pay for the total repairs to replace these transmissions on all the 2015 Versas, maybe you could look into this. My car is at the dealership waiting to be inspected as they are two weeks behind and now I have to rent a vehicle to get to work. Please take this complaint into serious consideration.

- Groves, TX, USA

problem #7

Oct 062017

Versa

  • 115,000 miles
At 90,000 miles the transmission started acting up. It would act like it was slipping when you take off from a dead stop. As time went by, at 114,000 miles the check engine light came on. At the same time the transmission got worse. Not only it was slipping at take off, but jerking at 20 and 40 mph. Whe I took it to the dealer, they told me I needed a new transmission. The dealer when I checked the check engine light also said it should have been serviced every 36,000 miles. She I when in for oil changes nothing was said prior.

- Buckeye, AZ, USA

problem #6

Aug 042017

Versa 4-cyl

  • 21,330 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 35 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact smelled a fuel odor and heard a loud knocking noise when the vehicle was placed in drive. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (autonation Nissan in las vegas, Nevada). The contact was informed that the manufacturer advised vehicle owners to switch to a higher grade of fuel when such failure was experienced. Another technician at the same dealer was unable to duplicate the failure, but reprogrammed the computer system. The contact stated that while driving home, the vehicle felt like it was in neutral. The vehicle was turned off and restarted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that nothing could be done to assist if the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 21,330. Updated 11/02/17

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

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