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…
2012 Nissan Versa engine problems
moderate 22 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
22
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 22 engine complaints filed for the 2012 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
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…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2012 Nissan Versa?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 22 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 52,293 and 69,670 miles, with the median around 64,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 52,293; a quarter make it past 69,670. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.