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 2013 Nissan Versa owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission warning light illuminated, and the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replaced. The sensor was replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the transmission specialist where it was diagnosed that an unknown sensor needed to be replace. The unknown sensor and battery were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact then stated that her son had to jump start the vehicle multiple times before the vehicle started. The contact stated that she notified the mechanic at the transmission specialist where it was determined to be an electrical failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering and the transmission slipped out of gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the residence where an independent mechanic diagnosed that the turbine input sensor circuit B, pressure control solenoids including solenoid B had failed. The output, input, transmission, and primary speed sensors were replaced. Additionally, the CVT transmission fluid was flushed and refilled; however, the failure persisted. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact to bring the vehicle to their location for diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the check engine warning light was no longer illuminated. The mechanic performed an oil change. Several weeks later, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power while driving. The contact coasted to the side of the roadway to shut off and restart the vehicle before driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the CVT needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the warranty had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and shudder upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact would be forced to restart the vehicle to resume normal driving. The contact initially took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact then called the dealer where they acknowledged that they were aware of failures with a similar vehicle; however, there were no recalls on the vehicle. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle seized. The contact stated an unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle started jerking. The contact stated shortly after starting to drive, the jerking stopped and the contact continued driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that he continued to experience the failure intermittently. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 125,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while her son was driving, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000.
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart on the third attempt; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission (CVT) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was not available.
My Transmission was replaced in 2016 at 60K miles. 3 years after the car was bought brand new. As of today the car has 114K miles. September 9, 2022 my transmission completely shut down on me. Also the check engine like came on. I have had the car only a year and the problem just came about. Im worried and concerned that the transmission should have not got out this quick for me. And also concerned as to why the original owner had the same transmission problem as me and had to replace after 3 years! I got in my car Sep 9 , 2022 and drove about 20 minutes and the car started jerking forward and the RPMs were going crazy moving so fast. I turned around to head back home, i got on the bridge and was driving about 50/55mph. The car started decreasing in speed all the way to 0. Turned the car off and tried to continue to make my way back home. …
my car is 7 years old but has only 57,000 miles on it. i had an older car so used that most of the time and saved this car. i have had endless problems with this car with its electrical system, the headlights go out all of the time and now the undercarriage is costing me alot of repair costs. dont know if i am being ripped off because i am a female senior citizen or the car is really fallingj apart at 57,000 miles. i paid well over $600 for repairs on exhaust system. now they tell me i owe almost $2,000 for repairs on something called abushing and a control arm and if i dont fix it the car will fall apart into two pieces. i have no way to get under the car for this kind of thing. i can so easily be ripped off. i need help. does the govt ever give any help to people. i need help b adly becuase i am so vulnerable tocrooked dealerships wanting to make money in this bad economy. …
the undercarriage of my car seems to be falling into pieces. the car has only 57,000 miles on it. it has sat in my driveway for 7 years because i had another nissan, my sentra, which i had for l5 years and it never had undercarriage issues. and i never had all these issues with my sentra that i am having with this versa now that i am free to drive it since i got rid of my sentra after l5 years. the dealer says power control arms pressure forceing grees to be released. and heat shield, repair heat shield ripped off bolts and causing rattling under vehicle. i just paid a $600 bill to that same dealer for that same areas of work not that long ago. why is my nissan falling apart. i had a sentra i had for l5 years and never had trouble with the undercarriage like this. i cant afford these big repair bills. …
Transmission complaints in other Versa years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2013 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2013 Nissan Versa, 36% of the model year's 204 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission › internal › cvt (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2013 Nissan Versa transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2013 Nissan Versa, though it has 1 recall 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 2013 Nissan Versa transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
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.