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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2012 Nissan Versa Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
163about this part
Share
34%of 486 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 163 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Nissan Versa, 34% of the 486 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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”

NHTSA complaint #11163562, filed 2018-12, 122,000 miles

“Hesitation going up any incline. Just started when it hit 60000. Warranty only for 50000. Looks like Nissan built it to just get by then over 50000 you are out big time. My big issue is I had to trade car with my daughter who drove this. Almost had 2 accidents in a week because of heavy traffic. Stay away from this for safety issues. Accident waiting to happen.”

NHTSA complaint #10851156, filed 2016-03, 62,000 miles

“Upon pulling out of driveway onto busy highway RPM needle goes crazy when speed reaches 30 kph and when pressing on accelerator power is loss. Scared to drive car and I am a home health nurse so have no choice. A semi slammed on brakes to keep from hitting me from behind and was able to pull off road cause I was going down a hill.”

NHTSA complaint #10785466, filed 2015-10, 121,000 miles

“My 2012 Versa, won't shift gears, stalls and even with the gas all the way down, it won't accelerate. Took it to Nissan rossen in milwaukee, wi. For a diagnostic, result: transmission failure, cost to replace it $4,200.00. I see a lot of complaints for the same issue. Also if there is a recall for that why my VIN number is not included? Nissan should be liable for that issue and repair the affected cars. Note : my transmission went off at 53000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #11324729, filed 2020-05, 53,000 miles

“My transmission started to make clunk noises as I would decelerate and the car would jolt while doing that. I took the car too a Nissan dealer and they confirmed there was an issue with my transmission. They also said my transmission fluid was completely black. After a few hours, Nissan finally approved a new transmission after they refused to the first time.”

NHTSA complaint #10637136, filed 2014-09, 34,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025433%
20243435%
20231541%
2022735%
2021928%
20201625%
20191146%
20181018%
2017915%
20162025%
20154728%
20148240%
20137336%
201216334%
201183%
201062%
2009204%
2008174%
2007134%

Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Versa

Air bags
167 complaintsOther or unknown
51 complaintsEngine
50 complaintsElectrical system
34 complaintsVehicle speed control
33 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsBody and structure
18 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsElectronic stability control
10 complaintsExterior lighting
10 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Nissan Versa

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology