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 2012 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was jerking while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the RPM was revving. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the transmission had failed. An unknown repair was completed; however, the failure recurred while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she had stopped driving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was unable to pull over and had to push the vehicle onto the shoulder and waited approximately 20 minutes before the vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with needing the torque converter replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V032000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, the vehicle started shifting gears inadvertently and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and restarted the vehicle after a short period of time. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission had failed, and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V032000 (Power Train) however, the Vin was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the Vin was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle began to decelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated the failure persisted and was getting worse. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V032000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving approximately 20-70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the transmission started slipping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact released the accelerator pedal and continued to drive; however, the failure reoccurred while driving. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly while depressing the accelerator pedal and had worsened. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving on the highway at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle hesitated then lost motive power and stalled. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle off the highway. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to replace. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; however, did not offer any further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle would shake then inadvertently shut off. Additionally, while driving the vehicle at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would jerk. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.
Vehicle is moving in forward direction always even if the gear shift is in Park or Reverse mode. It is scary. It put us lot of stress in terms of physical health, mental health and finance. We nearly met with an accident as vehicle was moving always in forward direction as soon as we moved the car from the parking lot. We towed the vehicle considering our and public safety. Contacted Nissan dealership and consumer affairs team. They went only by the books. Told that there is no recall. They did not seem to care about the safety. They asked me to go ahead and shell out for fixing. The same vehicle stopped in the middle of the road with heavy jerk/forward movement. We were lucky that we did not meet with an accident. We had to tow the vehicle in that case. I had to replace fuel pump at my own cost. …
The vehicle is a 2012 Nissan Versa driven only 81,000+ miles. I was driving the vehicle up a modest incline on Saturday, February 12, 2022. The car started to shudder and felt like it was losing power, as if it were running out of fuel. I pulled off when I turned the next corner and stopped. As I started out again, the check engine light came on, so I drove it to my mechanic. He has informed me that the malfunction code is a transmission failure code, and he is performing more diagnostics related to this code. In doing research, I now know that there is a fundamental failure with the CVT automatic transmissions for this model year of Nissan Versa, typically occurring at 75,000-85,000 miles. I am not eligible for Nissan's $278M settlement of a class action suit for this issue, because claims were only eligible for the first 84 months after purchase and the claim window is now closed. …
After having my transmission replaced with a used CVT transmission on Dec 2021, I went to leave the transmission shop only to have no power. When I gave my vehicle gas, there was no power it would not go forward or backwards. The code repeatedly coming up was P2101. My car was in the shop for 4 months with Williams Transmission in Park Hills, MO 63601. [phone]. Every time Willie would call & say it's fixed & I would go try driving g home, again same issue. Finally on March 23, 2022 I was called once again to come pick up my car after hack v another used CVT Transmission put in still the same code P2101 was coming up with the check engine light. It took me 40 mins to go home occasionally getting evcrlation to make it home, it should've took no more than 10 mins from his shop to my house.. I paid $3000 to have transmission replaced and still isn't running correctly. …
Related recalls
Power train › Manual transmission › Shift pattern indicator
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 versa vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission and manufactured from June 9, 2011, through January 13, 2012 for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the shifter knob or the shifter assembly as needed, free of charge. The safety recall began on mearh 5, 2012. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Transmission complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2012 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 163 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2012 Nissan Versa, 34% of the model year's 486 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2012 Nissan Versa transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 12V-032 (shift pattern indicator, Feb 1, 2012). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2012 Nissan Versa transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 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.