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 ↗2014 Nissan Versa powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2014 Nissan Versa have filed 129 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 82,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
129
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Versa | 5 |
| 2011 Versa | 6 |
| 2012 Versa | 153 |
| 2013 Versa | 70 |
| 2014 Versa (this page) | 129 |
| 2015 Versa | 45 |
| 2016 Versa | 17 |
| 2017 Versa | 8 |
| 2018 Versa | 9 |
2crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 129 powertrain complaints filed for the 2014 Nissan Versa, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Powertrain accounts for 38% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 129 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
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 ↗ENHANCED DIAGNOSTIC LOGIC FOR CVT 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 ↗CVT OIL LEAK DIAGNOSIS USING FLUORESCENT DYE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Versa CVT transmission is a persistent liability. The most common failure pattern is sudden loss of power or acceleration response — engine runs but the transmission doesn't engage, leaving the vehicle stuck in traffic, on highways, or at intersections. Many owners report no warning lights before the stall. Transmission failure happens most often between 50,000 and 120,000 miles, with a cluster of failures right after the 60,000-mile warranty expires.
Before complete failure, owners typically experience hard shifting, shuddering, jerking sensations — especially at low speeds (10–45 mph) — and RPM flaring without power delivery (classic CVT chain slipping). Grinding and whirling noises are common; fluid inspections have found metal shavings. Some owners report shifter lock-up, particularly during 5th-to-4th downshifting.
A secondary electrical issue emerges: brake light wiring shorts cause #49 fuse failures, which kill power to the transmission control module and engine. This triggers stalling, often without codes showing up on a scanner. Nissan service acknowledged the wiring problem exists but fixes are temporary; water re-enters after rain and the cycle repeats.
Nissan dealers deny hard shifting is defective (claiming it's "normal"), refuse diagnosis when no codes appear, and cite the 60,000-mile warranty cutoff to reject claims. Recall reprogramming work sometimes makes the problem worse. Replacement transmissions cost $3,500–$6,500 and owners foot the bill out-of-pocket once warranty ends.
Same Nissan Versa powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Failure — Loss of Power/Acceleration
CVT transmission loses power or fails to accelerate when demanded, leaving the vehicle stranded or moving at dangerously low speeds (often under 15 mph). Engine may continue running but transmission does not engage or respond to pedal input. Occurs without warning lights on many occasions.
When: Typically 50,000–120,000 miles; some failures as early as 33,000–54,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: No acceleration response when pressing gas pedal to floor; Vehicle stuck at very low speed (10–15 mph) unable to exceed it; Transmission fails to engage or move car after restart; Engine revs but car does not move; Loss of power in traffic, on highways, or at intersections
Codes mentioned: PF17F0 (Judder), No codes present on scanner in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: Requires complete CVT transmission replacement. Costs reported: $3,500–$6,500 for parts and labor; many owners denied warranty coverage after 60,000 miles or out-of-warranty period. Some covered under warranty if caught early.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan service bulletins exist for CVT programming updates; recalls issued (campaign 15V507000 and others) but limited in scope. Many owners report Nissan refused warranty coverage, cited branded/salvage title as disqualifier, or offered no assistance out of warranty.
CVT Hard Shifting / Shuddering / Jerking
Transmission shifts harshly between gears with noticeable shuddering, jerking, or slamming feel. Occurs at low-to-medium speeds (10–45 mph) and during acceleration from complete stop. RPMs may spike without corresponding power delivery.
When: Can occur from very low mileage (9,500 miles reported); most common 37,000–70,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Hard, jerky shifts from gear to gear; Shuddering or vibration during acceleration; Vehicle shakes or jolts after complete stop before moving; Harsh downshifting (5th to 4th reported as particularly problematic); Pause or hesitation before car moves forward from stop
Codes mentioned: Check engine light may appear; often no codes or unable to replicate
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealers claim harsh shifts are 'normal' for 2014 Versa CVT (reported in complaints). Transmission fluid checks revealed shavings in pan (~$5,000 replacement). Reprogramming attempts (TCM updates) often ineffective.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Consumer Affairs stated hard downshifting from 5th to 4th is 'normal for the vehicle.' Multiple recalls for CVT programming (transmission control module updates) completed but did not resolve issues. Warranty disclaimers common.
CVT Transmission Slipping / Gear Slippage
Transmission slips gears, meaning driver presses accelerator but gears do not hold and engine over-revs without corresponding vehicle acceleration. Gears may slip in and out unpredictably.
When: Reported at 50,000–130,000 miles; one case at 20 mph during city driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine RPMs increase but vehicle does not accelerate proportionally; Slipping sensation while driving at maintained speeds; Gears slip out and must re-engage; Engine revving without power delivery (sounds like CVT chains slipping); Intermittent loss of drive after stop
Codes mentioned: Check engine light may or may not appear
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement required in most cases. Fluid change ineffective. One shop found no transmission fluid inside CVT (83,700 miles).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific manufacturer response documented in narratives; recalls did not address slipping specifically.
Engine Stalling — Sudden Loss of Power / Stalling in Motion
Engine shuts off while vehicle is in drive without warning or prior symptoms. May occur at stop light, during acceleration, or while maintaining highway speed. No warning lights precede failure in many cases. Vehicle becomes uncontrollable hazard in traffic.
When: Can occur at any mileage from 9,500 miles onward; common above 60,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly shuts off while driving (60 mph, 40 mph, city speeds reported); No warning lights or indicators before stall; Vehicle rolls to side of road or becomes stuck in traffic; Stalling at red lights or stop signs; Stalling during turns or after acceleration attempts; Repeated stalling pattern (sometimes 5+ times before moving)
Codes mentioned: No codes in most cases; check engine light may appear after incident
Repairs/costs cited: Often related to brake light wiring short (water ingress reported), blown #49 fuse affecting CVT/TCM power, or transmission control module failure. Wiring harness replacement did not permanently fix issue in one case (fuse blown again after rain). Dealers unable to diagnose in many cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan run-around reported: customers told to contact dealer, dealer told to contact Nissan. No recall specifically addressing stalling. TSB for wiring harness exists but ineffective long-term.
Shifter Lock-Up / Shift Linkage Jam
Shift lever physically locks or becomes stuck, preventing gear changes. Owner must coast to side of road and manually manipulate shifter in all directions until it unsticks. Occurs randomly during downshifting (particularly 5th to 4th).
When: Reported shortly after purchase (new 2014 Versa Note); appears to be design issue present from early mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter locks up and cannot move to desired gear; Requires coasting to side of road; Manual manipulation of shifter in multiple directions needed to free it; Sometimes pops loose while car coasting; Primarily occurs during downshift from 5th to 4th gear
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented in narratives; Nissan dealers denied problem exists, claiming all 2014 Versas shift like that. Owner with 70 years manual transmission experience contradicted this.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Consumer Affairs stated hard downshifting and shift difficulty is 'normal for the vehicle.' Dealers refused to repair.
Brake Light / Electrical Fault Causing Transmission Dysfunction
Brake light wiring harness malfunction or tail lamp motherboard failure sends erroneous signal to transmission control module, telling transmission vehicle should be in reverse. This causes transmission to stall, stutter, or fail to accelerate. Issue repeats intermittently; worse in wet conditions.
When: Can recur multiple times over vehicle ownership; water ingress into wiring is trigger.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stalls or stutters during acceleration; Car stalls or loss of power, particularly after braking; Brake lights malfunction or fail to illuminate; No error codes or check engine light; Cruise control disengages unexpectedly; Issues worse during or after rain
Codes mentioned: #49 fuse (CVT/TCM power) blows repeatedly
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan service performed wiring harness replacement, but water re-entered in subsequent rain event, blowing fuse again and causing stalling. Brake light bulb replacement sometimes temporarily restores function.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall for tail lamp motherboard issue. One owner was told in service that newer 2014 Versa tail lamps have been fixed, but original assemblies remain defective.
Grinding Noise / Transmission Noise
Grinding, whirling, clunking, or other mechanical noise emanates from transmission/engine area during acceleration, shifting, or reverse engagement. Shavings found in transmission fluid catch pan on inspection.
When: Present from early ownership (reported at 9 miles off lot) to higher mileage (70,000+ miles).
Symptoms owners cite: Loud grinding or whirling noise during acceleration; Clunking sound when shifting into reverse or drive; Noise present even when dealers cannot replicate other issues; Shavings visible in transmission fluid
Repairs/costs cited: Shavings in transmission fluid are indicator of internal wear. Requires transmission replacement. One case cited pulley breakage, scattering shrapnel into transmission.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers claim noises are 'normal' for 2014 Versa CVT. No recall for noise issues.
Transmission Control Module (TCM) / Computer Failure
Transmission control module software or hardware fails, causing erratic transmission behavior, loss of communication between engine and transmission, or transmission disengagement. May occur independently or following TCM reprogramming recall work.
When: Can occur at any mileage; some failures occur immediately after or shortly after recall work.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission behaves erratically after TCM reprogramming recall; Vehicle will not exceed 10 mph (in one case, immediately after recall); Cruise control disengages unexpectedly; No acceleration response despite engine running; Transmission shifts improperly or randomly selects gears
Codes mentioned: No transmission codes in many cases
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had transmission limited to 10 mph after recall work; dealership towed vehicle back at owner's expense. Another had transmission reprogrammed in Jan 2018, issue returned immediately. TCM replacement sometimes necessary.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued multiple recalls for CVT software updates/TCM reprogramming (e.g., 08/12/2015 recall). However, reprogramming often did not resolve issues and sometimes created new ones. Owner notification was poor (one owner never received recall notice despite having same address for years).
Transmission Failure Post-Warranty at 60,000–70,000 Miles
CVT transmission fails shortly after Nissan's 60,000-mile/5-year warranty expires, placing full repair cost burden on owner. Pattern suggests design flaw timed to fall outside warranty coverage.
When: Warranty expires at 60,000 miles; failures frequently reported at 65,000–80,000 miles (within 5,000–20,000 miles post-warranty).
Symptoms owners cite: All transmission failure symptoms occur post-warranty; Owner finds transmission failures are widespread across model year
Repairs/costs cited: Owners forced to pay $3,500–$6,500 for transmission replacement. Multiple owners expressed belief Nissan designed transmission to fail after warranty period.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan denied warranty coverage once 60,000 miles exceeded. Cited branded title as disqualifier in one case (even though damage was cosmetic to bumper only, not drivetrain). Offered no good-faith assistance.
Synthesized from 129 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 9 most recent
Vehicles needs jump start every time and the vehicle stop. Need transsmission repaid
Nissan versa note 2014 49000 miles on 12/31/2018, transmission is failing, car doesn't accelerate correctly, I went to Nissan a month after warrenty expired and they could not help me. Car is in motion when transmission slips. Highway and residential driving.
My 2014 Nissan versa s will not exceed 23 miles per hour. It happened first on 12/26/15 and I had it towed to a Nissan dealership. They called several hours later saying the car was fine and was unable to find a problem. Today it happened again 12/28/15 I was leaving a from a doctor appointment and once again the vehicle would not go faster than 23mph. I drove the vehicle about 3 miles into…
Car started acting up about two weeks ago had the car for a year and a half now when I drive it accelerates very slowly and when I brake it makes this rumbling noise when the car is turned on as well there is a clicking sound that is very loud when I accelerate also and turn on the engine had the car checked twice by two different mechanical places and they test drove on both occasions and they…
Intermittant shudder, vibration when accelerating. Vehicle has 45,000 miles on it; this started probably at about 37,000 miles, within the last year. Bought it new fall 2013. Have mentioned it to krenzen motors in duluth, mn. They have test driven it but have not felt the shudder. Have told them about the problem at least twice when I've had the car in for oil changes. They told me the…
When accelerating from a stop my car will shutter and almost stall. This is especially unnerving when turning left. This happens almost every time. Another issue I've had, is my car starts moving while at a stop light and my foot is fully on the brake.
I was driving on a 2 lane highway at 55 MPH and came to a four-way stop. I stopped completely and waited for crossing traffic, then pushed on the accelerator. The engine was still running but the transmission would not engage. I was able to ease the car to the side of the road, turned it off and allowed it to cool for about five minutes, then restarted it. This time, the gears engaged, but the…
The CVT failed and the engine began making a droning sound. The vehicle was undrivable once the failed transmission was detected.
Problems accelerating, losing power, sputtering stalling out, jerking when shifting gears, loud clank when putting in drive.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2014 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 2014 Nissan Versa?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 129 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?
Across the 82 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 65,000 and 103,000 miles, with the median around 82,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 65,000; a quarter make it past 103,000. 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 $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/2014/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.