NISSAN: CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SET AND DTC P0605 IS STORED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Nissan Versa cruise control problems
critical Owners of the 2012 Nissan Versa have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 Versa | 8 |
| 2010 Versa | 3 |
| 2012 Versa (this page) | 13 |
| 2013 Versa | 15 |
| 2014 Versa | 13 |
| 2015 Versa | 8 |
2crashes
1injury
1fatality
When does it fail?
Of the 13 cruise control complaints filed for the 2012 Nissan Versa, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Among the 9 model years of Nissan Versa in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 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 cruise control 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.
SERVICE INFORMATION The "Lock / Unlock request buttons" that are located on the outside door handles of vehicles with Intelligent Key can be disabled (or enabled) through either the "Comfort & Conv." settings of the Audio/Visual/Navigation system, orthrough the "Combination Meter settings" depending on the vehicle model, year and trim level. NOTE: In some instances this feature may be unintentionally disabled. Please verify the status of this feature before any further diagnostic is performed. Please see this bulletin 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 of 2012 Nissan Versas in this cluster describe drastic drivability faults. Several report unintended acceleration—the vehicle surges on its own, or brakes fail to slow it when depressed. One owner crashed into a tree at parking-lot speed after braking failed; another's foot became caught on sharp plastic behind the accelerator pedal at highway speed, lodging the pedal and forcing uncontrolled acceleration. A third vehicle lurched forward unprompted at a traffic light.
Separately, multiple owners report power loss and hesitation. The engine struggles climbing hills, vehicle won't exceed 45 mph, or the CVT transmission starts in high gear and delays response to throttle input in stop-and-go traffic—sometimes long enough to provoke horns from behind. One owner paid $1,800 at an independent shop for a repair; another was told to trade in the car.
A few owners cite Check Engine light flashing concurrent with transmission shudder and drivability collapse above 20 mph. One notes traction control cuts power unexpectedly, with suspected speed-sensor failure and brake inadequacy. Nissan dealers consistently failed to diagnose or replicate most faults. A recall remedy (Campaign 15V507000, brake and speed control) was applied in one case but failed to cure the problem. One fatal crash is documented.
Same Nissan Versa cruise control reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration / loss of throttle response
Vehicle accelerates on its own or fails to decelerate when brakes are applied; accelerator pedal becomes unresponsive to driver input. Owners report engine surging, vehicle lurching forward at traffic lights, and inability to slow down. Check Engine light often illuminates during events.
When: 12,916 to 95,000 miles; occurs during various driving conditions including parking, highway travel, and traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates uncontrollably independent of pedal input; Brake pedal depressed but vehicle will not decelerate; Accelerator pedal fails to respond when depressed; Vehicle lurches forward without warning at traffic light; Check Engine light illuminates or flashes during acceleration events; Vehicle hesitates or surges when accelerating
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis inconclusive at dealer level; one case cited fuel pump replacement needed (not completed); accelerator pedal mechanical obstruction noted in one case but dealer could not duplicate; no successful repairs documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 15V507000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle Speed Control) attempted on one vehicle but remedy failed
Accelerator pedal mechanical interference
Driver's foot or sole becomes caught on sharp plastic or panel behind accelerator pedal, lodging the pedal in depressed position and causing uncontrolled acceleration. Occurs on multiple units and may depend on footwear.
When: 12,916 miles; reported as occurring at highway speeds (60–70 mph) and during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Sole of shoe catches on sharp plastic panel behind accelerator; Accelerator pedal lodges under plastic trim; Uncontrolled acceleration when foot cannot disengage pedal; Defect hidden behind upholstery and not immediately visible
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer visit; dealer unable to duplicate failure and offered no repair
Power loss and hesitation during acceleration
Vehicle loses power, especially when climbing hills or in stop-and-go traffic. Transmission hesitates before responding to throttle input. CVT transmission starts in high gear, delaying acceleration response. Owner reports vehicle will not exceed 45 mph and feels like it may stall.
When: 35,000 to 75,000 miles; observed in hill climbing and stop-and-go urban traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle hesitates to accelerate or delays response to throttle; Loss of power when climbing hills; Vehicle limited to 45 mph or below; CVT transmission starts in high gear; Traction control light illuminates; Vehicle feels like it may stall or give up
Repairs/costs cited: CVT adjustment attempted multiple times without resolution; one owner paid $1,800 at independent mechanic; no systematic repair identified
Brake system failure and traction control malfunction
Brakes do not work properly or fail to engage; traction control activates inappropriately, cutting engine power during normal driving. Owner reports speed sensors malfunctioning. Loss of braking capability creates collision risk.
When: Mileage not specified; occurs during traffic and highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes do not work properly when attempting to stop; Traction control light comes on unexpectedly; Vehicle loses power when traction control activates; Acceleration fails when traction control engages
Repairs/costs cited: Speed sensors cited as malfunction source; no repairs documented
Transmission jerking, flashing Check Engine light, and low-speed drivability
Transmission jerks and shudders; Check Engine light flashes; vehicle feels unstable above 20 mph, similar to fuel starvation. Owner forced to repeatedly pull over and restart vehicle. Multiple systems appear affected simultaneously.
When: Mileage not specified; chronic condition from early vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine light flashes; Transmission jerks and shudders; Vehicle unstable above 20 mph; Feels like fuel starvation or imminent engine failure; Requires frequent restarts to recover drivability
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed; owner notes multiple people report same issue on 2012 Versa
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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
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…
Had cruise control trouble with your 2012 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 cruise control problem on the 2012 Nissan Versa?
It's a serious issue. 13 complaints have been filed, including 2 reports involving a crash and 1 fatality(ies). We've classified it as critical based on NHTSA's reported outcomes.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 55,274 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/2012/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.