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.

4.1

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
28,519 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.

2017 Nissan Versa drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2017 Nissan Versa Owner Comments

problem #9

Jan 012023

Versa

  • 77,645 miles

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

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the transmission downshifted, and the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the roadway. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic, where the transmission was flushed; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was then towed to a transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle after the vehicle had been serviced at an independent mechanic, ten months later, the vehicle made an abnormally loud clunking sound. The mechanic informed the contact that the failure might be related to the transmission. The vehicle was towed to a certified transmission specialist, where it was diagnosed that there were metal shards inside the transmission. The mechanic determined that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,645.

- Grand Junction, CO, USA

problem #8

Dec 012022

Versa 4-cyl

  • miles
Transmission failed 2x within 6 months extended warranty was 5k miles past 130k max mileage coverage 2nd transmission went out going 20 mph and revved up to 25mph and transmission failed. 1st time it went out I was in Cleveland on a busy road making a turn and transmission went out. Cars were beeping behind me. Issue is unknown as to why transmission keeps going out but is a safety issue. 2nd transmission was used with only 30-40k miles on it.

- Ada, OH, USA

problem #7

Sep 262022

Versa

  • 107,799 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic retrieved fault code: P0705 indicating the Engine Control Module (ECM) or Transmission Control Module (TCM) failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 107,799.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #6

Jul 012022

Versa

  • miles

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

The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate and vibrate upon depression of the accelerator pedal with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially taken to a relative who was an independent mechanic; he informed her daughter that the issue was related to the transmission and to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle; she was also provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Downey, CA, USA

problem #5

Oct 292021

Versa

  • miles
On Oct 29, 2021 at 4:30pm I got into my car and had no gears. The car went into drive but the car would not shift into gear. The drivetran would not engage for any gear even if shifted to the gear. The car shifted gears and drove without issue this morning.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

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problem #4

Jul 162018

Versa

  • 32,225 miles
With the seat belt on passenger side light pops on stating not connect, my transmission is slipping it also jumped in drive while sitting in park, an there were a recall on the springs were not fixed. This vehicle is the only one that I have

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #3

Dec 012018

Versa

  • 22,000 miles

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

At 5:30, 1 Dec 2018, driving 45 mph nothing unusual when my car just stopped moving! I had my foot flat to the ground on the gas and it was no where! I had to through my hazards on because I was on a county road and nearly got hit! I pulled over into a neighborhood and drove some more to see if it was a freak thing but it happened about 8 more times (really quickly like the engine died for 10 seconds, came back, died again; I was just jolting forward when it came back on!) it was totally and completely unsafe to drive so I had to have it towed to my Nissan dealership! it sounds exactly like what happened to the guy in charlottesville, where I am close and I would bet money it's the exact same issue they found in his car but Nissan needs to do something! I was just there 3 weeks ago for my inspection!

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #2

Nov 292018

Versa

  • 8,500 miles
Results of complaint # 11154861 2017 Versa sv shuts down while driving problem: "when it is cold outside the engine stalls or lose power during acceleration. Today 11/29/2018 it was 28 degrees. I warmed the car up for a few minutes because of the stalling problem. I was driving on the street for two miles when I came to a stop sign. I put on the brakes and the car shut down. The car was still in drive. There was no check engine light or warning prior to, during, or after the time the car shut down. I had to turn the ignition to the off position. Then put the car in park. Then crank the car back up to drive out the way of the cars behind me. I drove the car to the nearest Nissan dealership. They check the car. There were no codes in the computer. The dealership is going to keep the car overnight and test drive it in the morning when it is cold. I am very disappointed. I just purchased the car two months ago with 5000 miles. Today it only has 8000 miles on it and it is stalling and shutting off when I drive it. Complaint results: Today, 11/30/2018 I called the Nissan dealership to get a status on my car. They said the transmission unit failed. They are ordering me a new transmission. NHTSA please make this problem known to the public so other Nissan owners don't have to go through the problems I am going through. Thank you.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

problem #1

Nov 292018

Versa

  • 8,500 miles
When it is cold outside the engine stalls or lose power during acceleration. Today 11/29/2018 it was 28 degrees. I warmed the car up for a few minutes because of the stalling problem. I was driving on the street for two miles when I came to a stop sign. I put on the brakes and the car just shut down. The car was still in drive. There was no check engine light or warning prior to, during, or after the time the car shut down. I had to turn the ignition to the off position. Put the car in park. Then cranked the car back up to drive out the way of the cars behind me. I drove the car to the nearest Nissan dealership. They check the car. There were no codes in the computer. The dealership is going to keep the car overnight and test drive it in the morning when it is cold. I am very disappointed. I just purchased the car two months ago with 5000 miles. Today it only has 8000 miles on it and it is stalling and shutting off when I drive it.

- Mechanicsville, VA, USA

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