CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Nissan Versa powertrain problems
severe 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 11 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Versa, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗IF YOU CONFIRM: Customers concern of a "clicking" noise coming from either left or right front/rear CV-type axles during take-off/acceleration. ACTION: Apply Molykote M77 grease (P/N 44003-7S000) to the hub bearing surfaces. NOTE: * Do not remove the axle from the hub or transmission for this bulletin * Refer to the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for model specific torque specifications. - For 2007-2013 Versa and 2013 LEAF vehicles, see the Service Procedure torque specifications on page 4. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the driver is resting their left foot on the brake pedal while accelerating. Advise the customer not to rest their foot on the brake while accelerating. * Use CONSULT-III plus in Engine Data Monitor to check operation of the brake lamp circuit signal. Monitor the brake switch during the incident; it should be "OFF". Please see this bulletn for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a cluster of powertrain failures centered on the CVT transmission. The most common complaint is sudden loss of upshift capability or complete transmission failure while driving—the vehicle stops responding to throttle, stalls mid-motion, or refuses to shift into gear. One owner had the transmission seize while stopped at a busy intersection; another's vehicle lost reverse on a mountain road and required a restart. A few describe the transmission as "sluggish" before failing entirely. Nissan has acknowledged these problems and extended the CVT warranty to 10 years/120k miles under its CVT Customer Satisfaction Program, but owners report denials even within that window.
One complaint describes sudden uncontrolled acceleration in reverse from a dead stop—the car shot backward 45–50 feet at speed without throttle input, collided with two objects, and was totaled. Post-inspection found no defects. Another owner's clutch cable disconnected when its plastic pedal connector chipped off. A TCM fault code P746 triggered one transmission control module failure requiring replacement. One report mentions speedometer failure and engine stall during highway driving, recurring after service.
Dealers and Nissan often cannot reproduce intermittent issues and have initially questioned owner driving habits, making diagnosis difficult when the vehicle operates normally during inspection.
Same Nissan Versa powertrain reports on nearby years: 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission unable to upshift or loss of drive
CVT transmission fails to upshift to highway speeds or suddenly loses ability to move while vehicle is in drive. Vehicle becomes immobile or sluggish and requires restart in neutral or park to restore function. Multiple owners report the transmission stalls while in motion, creating serious traffic hazards.
When: Intermittent; occurs under varying conditions. One owner reported ~30K miles; another reported 2.5 years of ownership before onset; one at 2 years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Unable to upshift to highway speeds; Vehicle stops moving while in drive; High RPMs but no acceleration response; Transmission stalls while in motion; Sluggish response when shifting into drive; Vehicle requires restart in neutral to restore function; Delayed engagement when shifting into reverse
Codes mentioned: P746
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported TCM (Transmission Control Module) replacement. Transmission replacement cost cited as over $3000. Nissan dealer fluid check performed but found adequate fluid levels on at least one vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan extended CVT warranty to 10 years/120k miles for 2007-2010 model years and established a CVT Customer Satisfaction Program. However, owners report warranty denials even within extended coverage terms. No federal safety recall issued despite reported dangerous failure modes.
Sudden uncontrolled acceleration and reverse engagement
Vehicle shot backward 45-50 feet at high speed from a dead stop after driver shifted into reverse and began lifting foot off brake without touching accelerator. Vehicle then shot forward and collided with stationary objects. Post-incident inspection found no mechanical problems. Airbags did not deploy. Incident totaled the vehicle.
When: Vehicle at dead stop in driveway; attempted normal reverse maneuver
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden uncontrolled backward motion without throttle input; Vehicle remained in reverse gear despite violent motion; Sudden uncontrolled forward motion after backward motion ceased; Loss of complete control over transmission engagement; Engine racing sound noted by multiple witnesses
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled. Post-incident dealer inspection found no mechanical defects.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan inspection concluded no problems found; case closed without witness interviews or further investigation.
Clutch cable/pedal assembly failure
Plastic cap connector on clutch pedal assembly chips and disconnects from the metal post, severing the clutch cable attachment. Owner was fortunate failure occurred at standstill during gear selection rather than while driving.
When: Failure timing not specified; occurred during attempt to shift from neutral to first gear
Symptoms owners cite: Plastic cap chips and disconnects from clutch pedal metal post; Clutch cable becomes detached from pedal assembly
Repairs/costs cited: Plastic cap replacement required; specific repair cost not cited.
Transmission control module failure
TCM malfunction causes transmission to lose reverse capability and become sluggish in drive, occurring while driving in mountains. After restart, vehicle operates normally again.
When: 2.5 years of ownership before first incident
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle would not move in reverse; Sluggish response in drive; Temporary loss of function followed by normal operation
Codes mentioned: P746
Repairs/costs cited: TCM replacement performed by dealer.
Speedometer failure with engine stall
Speedometer drops to zero and engine stops during highway driving. Occurred twice despite service after first incident.
When: During highway driving; occurred on two separate occasions
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer drops to zero; Engine stalls while driving
Repairs/costs cited: Serviced after first incident but problem recurred.
Transmission stuck in first gear
Vehicle parked without issue; upon return, transmission would not shift out of first gear despite all fluid levels checking normal.
When: After parking for a meeting; vehicle parked without reported issues beforehand
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stuck in first gear; Unable to shift out of first gear
Repairs/costs cited: All fluids checked normal; specific repair not described.
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Car was at a dead stop in my driveway. I went to back out of my driveway...and as always I started the car with my foot on the brake...put the car in reverse...began to lift my foot off the brake to coast back again as usual...without ever touching the gas pedal. The car shot back like a bullet...traveled about 45 to 50 feet and slammed into the driver side door of a parked panel truck. The car…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2007 Nissan Versa?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2007 Nissan Versa?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 64,003 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Nissan/Versa.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.