Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Nissan Versa Note owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Versa Note. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently decelerated and was jerking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The mechanic replaced the transmission; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,102. The VIN was unavailable.
I was in my car sleeping with the ignition off when I woke up there was flames on the driver side of the hood. You can see where the fire started on the ground wire by the battery circuit box. My safety was at risk because I could have not been able to make it out of my car if didn't wake up in time and could have been severely injured or even dead.
Transmission: When lowering the speed for a speed reduction or full stop the there is a tremor seconds before a full stop. The electrical system is good. No light flickers and when starting starts good. But certain inclines, upwards, with a 3 passengers or little weight the strength power of acceleration the vehicle moves slower. It takes up to 10 seconds for a "grip" of power for torque to accelerate. I was told 2016, from the Nissan Dealer where I purchased the vehicle that it compressed air for such acceleration. I live in the flat area in Puerto Rico. The cities and secondary roads have their incline and their hills but yesterday going on a "On Ramp" to catch the highway the power of take-off had more acceleration than movement and this vehicle has less than 40000 (39565). …
My VERSA has been shutting off, shuddering and leaping while driving for over a year. It would always start after stopping and I could go on my way. Today the engine stopped and I was able to restart, but when I put it in gear the engine stopped. I did this several time and every time the engine would stop. I had it towed to my mechanic and he told me my transmission is going out. I looked for a recall notice and did not find one. I did find several class action law suites for this same issue and Nissan has settled all of them. There is another company in town that has 21 Versa's and all of his are having this same issue and must be replaced. It costs over $5,000 to fix and is very unsafe. The issue I had today was stop and go traffic on the freeway.
The contact's brother rented a 2015 Nissan Versa Note through Turo. The contact stated that while her brother was driving at approximately 15 MPH in a tunnel, the transmission was slipping, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard, and the vehicle unexpectedly rolled backwards while on an incline. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The renter contacted the company, which stated that it was normal for the engine light to be illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
Only have 81000 miles on my versa took to shop and did diagnose on it said I need a new transmission I don't even drive that much and quoted $8000 to replace it I called a transmission shop and they told me those cars are known to have bad transmission Nissan needs to step up and admit the transmission or faulty
Transmission failure at 88,000. No prior issue. Rpm went from 2 to 3, a jerk then Just stopped moving. Brought to shop. Needs a new cvt transmission. Can't be looked at because I am buying a new car tomorrow and trading this one. I was on the interstate when this suddenly happened
Purchased the car in August 2019 at 125,000 miles. By October 2019, the CVT transmission went out and will cost $4,400 to replace by Nissan. My 18yo niece was driving when the car failed to accelerate and it could've been detrimental or fatal for her. I looked it up and found there's an open class action lawsuit against Nissan for knowingly installing defective transmissions in their versas. How could they do this? Are they waiting to see how many people are killed or injured while driving defective cars? It's not right. The worst thing is that Nissan's response to the suit is extending the warranty to 84,000 miles, which doesn't help me and many others in the same situation, instead of recalling and fixing the issue, which is what should be done! Why punish people for mileage when the transmission was destined to fail from the beginning? This car is only 4 years old. …
While driving my 2015 Nissan Versa Note I noticed it started skipping/slipping when I proceed from a stop. Within a couple of days the transmission started making a loud clunking, chattering and scraping noise. Had vehicle towed to Nissan of elk grove, miguel determined the problem was "transmission failure". Miguel contacted Nissan corporate a new transmission was approved! But they failed to extend the powetrain warranty. Per miguel warranty stays the same at 60,000 and but "I can buy warranty coverage!". Nissan is aware of major transmission problems and extending warranties for others to 120,000 and want my warranty extended to 120,000!!!! Transmission could of went out on me anytime and caused serious injuries not to myself but to my family and/or strangers on the road!!!! And yet Nissan failed to notified consumers about this issue!!!!!
The transmissions are faulty. My original one broke at around 60K miles as I bought the car at 50K miles used. Then the refurbished one that was sent to replace it had shrapnel inside of it. The third one was put in my vehicle as a brand new transmission and broke within a month, the belt that is submerged in fluid was burned up. Then the fourth one was put in and within a year I am now getting this replaced again due to the same issue and this one was straight from Nissan brand new. On to transmission number 5.....
Transmission complaints in other Versa Note years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Nissan Versa Note?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2015 Nissan Versa Note, 24% of the model year's 86 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Nissan Versa Note transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2015 Nissan Versa Note, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Nissan Versa Note transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.