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2012 nissan Versa powertrain problems

moderate 153 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500

Complaints
153
Recalls
0
Crashes
3
Avg fix
$2,500

What owners are reporting 5 most recent

powertrain · filed 12/26/2020

TRANSMISSION IS NOT CHANGING GEARS LIKE IT IS SUPPOSE TO AND STUTTERS AT STOP SIGNS AND STOP LIGHTS.

powertrain · filed 12/26/2018

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

powertrain · filed 12/21/2015

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 AN…

powertrain · filed 12/21/2015

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 …

powertrain · filed 12/17/2013

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 …

Common questions

How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 nissan Versa?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 153 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

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.

Other problem areas on this vehicle

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. 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.
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