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ProblemsByVin Index / 2012-NISSAN-VERSA / COMPLAINTS
Full complaint record · NHTSA

2012 Nissan Versa owner complaints

485 complaints filed with NHTSA on this vehicle , including 5 reporting a crash, fire, injury, or fatality. Showing the 300 most recent — grouped by category for scanning.

airbags 5 complaints shown

149 total in this category · severe · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags cluster analysis →
12/29/2017 ODI #11057389.0

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Nissan versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v449000 (air bags). The part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The local dealer (Nissan of stockton, 3077 e. Hammer lane, stockton ca 95212) stated that parts would be available in the spring of 2018. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and referenced the information provided by the local dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

12/28/2017 ODI #11057212.0

Tl* takata recall. The contact owns a 2012 Nissan versa. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v449000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called jim bone Nissan (1275 santa rosa avenue, santa rosa, ca 95404; 707-545-7050) and was informed that the parts should be available around april of 2018. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

12/25/2017 60,000 mi Crash ODI #11056343.0

Takata recall . I was in a car acciendt on june 8, 2017 and my air bags did not work while I was in motion as I was being hit on the highway by another car and under my credit karma profile , its shows my car has five recall notices . How can this matter be resolved. I also have insurance papers to prove I filed a insuarce claim.

12/22/2017 ODI #11056052.0

Takata recall - I contacted the local dealer and they said that Nissan isn't providing a replacement airbag until at least march or april of 2018. My college student drives this car in florida where she goes to school it's humid in florida and the information I've read states humidity can cause the airbag to deploy. Waiting for a replacement for 3-4 months isn't sufficient.

12/18/2014 39,000 mi Crash ODI #10667191.0

My vehicle was stopped. Vehicle was then struck from the rear by a vehicle and then also was impacted in the front without air bags ever deploying. *tr

powertrain 5 complaints shown

153 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain cluster analysis →
12/26/2020 ODI #11385000.0

Transmission is not changing gears like it is suppose to and stutters at stop signs and stop lights.

12/26/2018 122,000 mi ODI #11163562.0

Transmission problem in the 2012 Nissan versa my transmission just went out I have heard of numerous transmission of the 2012 Nissan going out on other people re-programming does not work the transmission is bad programming only seems to make it worse I have changed at all and had it re-program and the transmission only gets worse I was driving and the transmission with clock and that was it

12/21/2015 78,987 mi ODI #10811519.0

I took the car for a recall on the transmission and two months latter the check engine light came on. The car when driving 60 MPH will just decreases in speed until it stops the engine is running. I took it to the dealer ship and was told the speed sensor inside the transmission was bad. To fix the problem the transmission must be replaced. The car has 78, 987 miles on it, I was looking on line and found many complaints about the CVT transmission used by Nissan. Most complaints said after the dealer repaired the recall on the transmission it failed. What is the process of filing a class action law suit against Nissan motor corporation?

12/21/2015 65,600 mi ODI #10811580.0

I had the 60,000 service done on this car at my local Nissan dealership on dec 14, 2015. Part of that service involved inspecting the continuously variable transmission fluid. Apparently it was ok. Six days later my daughter was driving it to new orleans and it stopped in the middle of the interstate. Luckily, nobody was close behind her and she was able to drift it to the side of the highway. We had it towed to a new orleans area dealer and are being told that the transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of $3900. We were also told that the car is out of warranty and Nissan would not help with the repair. This is a 4 year old car with 65,000 miles on it. A quick search of the internet shows several people also having transmission failures at about that same mileage. Several have had th

12/17/2013 70,000 mi ODI #10556406.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan versa. The contact was driving approximately 68 MPH when the vehicle suddenly began to erroneously accelerate and decelerate before stalling. The vehicle was diagnosed at the dealer but no repairs were performed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the CVT internal clutch was damaged. The manufacturer was notified but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 70,000.

cruise control 2 complaints shown

13 total in this category · critical · avg repair $600 · see cruise control cluster analysis →
12/28/2015 1 fatal ODI #10816609.0

Son involved in fatal car crash on 2/4/2015 in san bernardino,ca.vehicle was in motion on highway. See san bernardino sun news on 2/4/2015 on cajon blvd/hancock in san bernardino. Updated 05/06/16*lj ...updated 11/21/17 *bf *cn

12/17/2013 59,000 mi Crash ODI #10556369.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan versa. The contact stated that while entering a parking space, the vehicle began to independently increase acceleration. The contact depressed the brake pedal continuously but the vehicle would not decelerate. The contact crashed into a nearby tree, and suffered bruising and severe bodily pain. The contact also experienced breathing difficulties. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to the collision center. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 59,000. The VIN was unavailable.

engine 2 complaints shown

22 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $3,100 · see engine cluster analysis →
12/26/2014 71,000 mi ODI #10668378.0

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan versa. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 MPH, the engine rpms decreased and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was restarted and the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the transmission fluid mixed with the coolant in the transmission. As a result, the transmission and the radiator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.

12/23/2014 17,000 mi ODI #10667834.0

Brought the car in august 2011. At every service I would report of knocking noise as if the car was in need of oil. I was repeatedly told that there is/was nothing wrong with the car. Again in december 2013, mileage was 17,000 I complained (very loudly) about the noise.... One of the tech's took it for a hard test drive and blow up the engine. They said my engine was gone and they needed to replace it which they did do. The only thing I have to ask should the warranty start over? I copied and pasted this but added my own stuff to it! You cannot detect a bad engine bearing with a computer sensor.... You have to use your brain....... Something that has gone with the times:( *tr

electrical 2 complaints shown

26 total in this category · severe · avg repair $850 · see electrical cluster analysis →
12/22/2012 12,000 mi ODI #10489544.0

I rented a 2012 versa hatchback this week. Upon driving the vehicle I discovered that the turn signal indicators were not working. I reported this to the rental agency and was told that this model does not have indicators. I drove the car for 3 days and found that it had no turn or high beam indicators. These are basic safety devices to inform the driver of the these functions. These cars should not be allowed on us roadways. According to what I read in a document published by the u. S. DOT these are required, so I wonder how these vehicles are allowed in the u.s. The document is publication number tp-108-13. Please advise about this. *tr

12/14/2018 84,678 mi ODI #11161327.0

Takata recall Nissan versa 2012 come with alot of electrical issues door locks wont open causing the doors not to open if this occurs when you have kids inside car can even cause death if you dont have anyone to provide immediate attention when it do this the car would turn on starts to shake and turns off and it can last doing this for an hour and also doors have a black door sealing band that comes off since I bought my car of it occurs with children it can stangle them ver y dangerous the electric issue can cause a car accodent of ot turn off highway or street it would do it when driving as well it may come from the fuse box under the front hood that its so hard and dangerouse to check

steering 1 complaint shown

24 total in this category · severe · avg repair $700 · see steering cluster analysis →
12/31/2015 50,000 mi ODI #10817204.0

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.

brakes 1 complaint shown

18 total in this category · severe · avg repair $450 · see brakes cluster analysis →
12/28/2015 23,000 mi Fire ODI #10816646.0

Brake pedal to floor no response on steep hill almost killed. Resorted to emergency brake. 180 half turn into opposite lane. Nearly hit wall but avoided going over cliff at end of hill.. Happened three times pumped to get brake pressure subsetquently using low gear to get to a safe location. Brake fluid of dollar rent a car was in between full and minimum. Car has 23000 miles approximate. Incident resembles no other vehichile experience I have had. Master cylinders did not provide proper pressure. Used light braking and was on mountainous terrain. Recommend investigation. Deaths will ensue if not dealt with this obvious defect. Vehichle was in motion at 60kph downhill steep with sharp turns. Nissa vesa was sold as tiida liberia, costa rica dollar rental car fleet).

other 1 complaint shown

12/21/2018 ODI #11162994.0

I took it in for repair,to the Nissan co. But now the horn does not work, do I take it back or who is to fix the horn, it was working at first,

lighting 1 complaint shown

5 total in this category · moderate · avg repair $250 · see lighting cluster analysis →
12/21/2017 47,000 mi ODI #11055943.0

Moisture gets into the sealed taillight assemblies causing a short which then causes the computer to shift the transmission since it thinks you have applied the brakes. This will obviously cause the taillights to fail and may cause transmission issues resulting in accidents.

Showing 300 of 485 total complaints. The full federal record is available at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Nissan/Versa#complaints.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaint database. Last synced 2026-06-14. Complaints are owner-submitted and unverified — the existence of a complaint is not proof of a defect, but a pattern of complaints around the same component is a signal worth weighing. Verify any specific filing at nhtsa.gov.
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