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.

4.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,300 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.

2016 Nissan Versa electrical problems

electrical problem

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2016 Nissan Versa Owner Comments

problem #6

Apr 252023

Versa

  • miles

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

A while ago my airbag light began flashing, we reset it a few times and it would come back after a week or two sometimes longer, either a flashing or solid light, it felt almost random. No codes came up when we had it ran, and then we took it to the dealership for inspection. It is the back of my driver seat, the airbag for the driver side back seat. I don-??t know what the qualified number of complaints is, but please at least look into this. The most complaints this car has is something to do with the airbags. I-??ve also had a similar ac/belt problem that was mentioned by the guy from Texas. He said the ac compressor caused a belt failure, mine was the other way around, my belt was squeaking for a while, had it replaced- month later my ac compressor gave out due to the belt operating at full capacity for the first time in a long time. It is available for further inspection. An airbag is plainly a safety risk, not to mention the part is -??on extreme back order-??, which leads me to believe that this a bigger problem then what is being reported here. The problem was confirmed by the dealership It has only been inspected by the Nissan dealership As also stated above, there were warning lights about its failure. It-??s late, I apologize but I-??m not proof reading this. Please look into it, please, it-??s a very expensive repair that I won-??t be able to afford for a long time, and I-??m concerned about my back passengers..

- Flowery Branch , GA, USA

problem #5

Nov 222019

Versa

  • 79,000 miles
When I drive in the winter time and apply the brakes on a slippery road the car doesn't want to stop no matter how many times I try to use the brakes. Instead, the brakes pop and click until my car slows down on its own. I ended up sliding literally in the middle of the street at a busy intersection. Other drivers were aware my car was having trouble stopping and allowed me to proceed. That happened in the 1st time in December 2017. The following year I had my brakes check and the service station claimed the couldn't find any thing wrong with them. I had my brakes serviced before the winter of 2018. My brakes still do the exact same thing all winter long on the slippery streets. Also I'm having trouble trying to turn the key in the ignition because it's locked. When I finally managed to get the car up and running a little while later it wants to stall. This just happened the last 2 days. I'm going to get that serviced asap. That day was November 23, 2019. This vehicle has several issues and it's only 3 yrs old. That's not a good sign.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #4

Jul 012018

Versa

  • 37,800 miles
My vechicle starte to cut out on me after 37000 miles. I was driving from jury duty in the afternoon in traffic and it just stalled out on me. The engine cut off. I was able to crank it again and moved over to the side of the highway. I waited 45 minutes. I did not turn the air condition on. It cranked and I went home. A week later it did the same thing but it would not crank again. I had to get it towed to a mechanic shop. He said it was the compressor. He replaced the compressor and I picked it up again and in a few days later it cut off on me and my family again. We took it back to the same mechanic and he said it was something wrong with the electrical box. He replaced it and it was running again.however in 2 days it turned off while driving again.this is a relatively new vehicle. It only has 38K miles on it. Now it will not drive. I am stuck with a car note and no car to drive.

- Grand Prairie, TX, USA

problem #3

Nov 302015

Versa

  • 23,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 10 mph, the contact smelled an abnormal burning odor. The contact noticed smoke coming from the phone while it was being charged in the vehicle. The phone was melted. The contact purchased a new phone and portable charger, but the failure recurred. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #2

Feb 222017

Versa

  • miles
Everything time I stop and park the car to do a short errand and then after getting back in the car, I put the key in the ignition and it won't turn. I have to wiggled the key in the steering wheel for at least five (5) minutes or more. It is happening more frequent and often. I am very concerned.

- San Juan Capistrano, CA, USA

problem #1

Dec 012016

Versa

  • miles
Bought the 2016 vehicle October 15, 2015. Right away noticed a problem with the automatic gear shift not moving smoothly from gear to gear. The brakes groaning/whining and the emergency brake loosening. Car drifting/pulling right on highways and left on streets. Rattling from under car carriage. Popping and squeaking on right front passenger door. The A/C straining and not cooling car cabin as it should and the A/C interior switch not engaging or staying engaged when pushed. Thumping/clicking sound heard when braking. After numerous complaints made the dealership verified all of my complaints but not in a timely manner. First complaint was acknowledged on October 28, 2015 but claimed there wasn't any abnormalities found. On December 8, 2015, March 16, 2016, April 22, 2016, August 17, 2016 and August 23, 2016 repairs were repeatedly made consisting of replacing gear shift knob, entire gear shift assembly, sanding rotors, replacing brake pads, replacing entire brake assembly and tightening emergency brake. But as to date problems still exist. On February 9, 2016 repair to the suspension and steering. On April 5, 2016 repair to lower rear exhaust shield remounted. On May 31, 2016 door check straps re-secured. On June 23, 2016 faulty bmc switch replaced but problem with A/C still not resolved and a second problem has arisen. A/C turns on when defroster is engaged. On September 23, 2016 problem with both front inner cv joints and axles acknowledged but part on back order. Repairs made on October 27, 2016 in another state. Problem not resolved. Sound still heard when driving over speed bumps, cracks or slight bumps on streets or highways.

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

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