Is cvt transmission jerking, slipping, or failure a known issue with the 2012 Nissan Versa?

59 NHTSA complaints have been filed about cvt transmission jerking, slipping, or failure on the 2012 Nissan Versa (2017-12 → 2026-01). Reported component: POWER TRAIN. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11693228): "The transmission failed on the highway making the car serging violently from high to low speeds and then to nothing" Source: NHTSA.

2012 Nissan Versa Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

Q: Is front coil spring fracture a known issue with the 2012 Nissan Versa?

4 NHTSA complaints have been filed about front coil spring fracture on the 2012 Nissan Versa (2018-06 → 2019-07). Reported component: SUSPENSION. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11231286): "BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 1 WEEK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM.(RECALL #15V573000) THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN 2017 (RECALL # 17V637000)" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is takata airbag recall parts and repair delay a known issue with the 2012 Nissan Versa?

71 NHTSA complaints have been filed about takata airbag recall parts and repair delay on the 2012 Nissan Versa (2017-10 → 2025-01). Reported component: AIR BAGS. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11463640): "The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number 17V449000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted" Source: NHTSA.

Q: Is airbag warning light and non-deployment in crash a known issue with the 2012 Nissan Versa?

13 NHTSA complaints have been filed about airbag warning light and non-deployment in crash on the 2012 Nissan Versa (2018-01 → 2024-03). Reported component: AIR BAGS. From an owner report (NHTSA ODI #11045926): "TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ARM, SHOULDER, AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION" Source: NHTSA.

The 2012 Nissan Versa carries 11 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering inflator module and side/window. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “CVT transmission jerking, slipping, or failure.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

Save this car as:

11 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #18V401000 · Jun 15, 2018

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2011-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Campaign #17V144000 · Jun 3, 2017

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa vehicles. Degradation of the side impact sensor connector pins may cause the curtain and seat-mounted air bags to deploy unexpectedly if the door is slammed.

Risk: If the curtain and seat-mounted air bags inadvertently deploy, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a new jumper harness, and replace the side impact satellite sensors, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #17V449000 · Jul 17, 2017

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the subject inflator with a new one manufactured by a different supplier, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #17V028000 · Oct 1, 2017

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45 and 2009 Nissan Versa sedans and hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, or "Zone B". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2005-2008 Infiniti FX35 and FX45, 2006-2010 Infiniti M35 and M45, and 2007-2008 Nissan Versa vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts become available. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Campaign #17V637000 · Nov 10, 2017

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

Risk: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began December 6, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. This campaign expands recall 15V573.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #18V044000 · Oct 1, 2018

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Versa Hatchback, and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Nissan is also recalling certain 2009 Versa Hatchback and Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C." In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Campaign #15V507000 · Dec 8, 2015

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles manufactured June 9, 2011, to March 11, 2015, and 2014-2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to March 11, 2015. The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal.

Risk: A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the console trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

Campaign #15V573000 · Sep 14, 2015

Issue: Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.

Risk: If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began on February 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Campaign #12V055000 · Feb 14, 2012

Issue: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALTIMA AND VERSA VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY BE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS THAT CONTAIN AN INCORRECT PROPELLANT MIXTURE FOR THE INITIATOR COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.

Risk: THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ONE OR BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG MODULES, AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 615-725-1000.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR

Campaign #12V032000 · Jan 2, 2012

Issue: 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. 114,THEFT PROTECTION. DUE TO INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SHIFTER ROD AND THE SHIFT KNOB, THE VEHICLES MAY BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Risk: THE OPERATOR CAN INADVERTENTLY SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH OR INJURY TO A NEARBY PEDESTRIAN.

Fix: 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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #22E066000 · Sep 8, 2022

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan and Versa Hatchback vehicles. Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers. These replacement inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2012 Nissan Versa.

1 active NHTSA investigation

Source: NHTSA

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021
From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…
View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

CVT transmission jerking, slipping, or failure

POWER TRAIN

59 NHTSA complaints · 2017-12 → 2026-01

“The transmission failed on the highway making the car serging violently from high to low speeds and then to nothing”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11693228

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11518694

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11460892

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front coil spring fracture

SUSPENSION

4 NHTSA complaints · 2018-06 → 2019-07

“BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS SNAPPED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 1 WEEK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM.(RECALL #15V573000) THIS RECALL WAS EXPANDED IN 2017 (RECALL # 17V637000)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11231286

“NHTSA RECALL 17V-637 - HAS ALREADY BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THIS CAR IN THE SNOW IN WILKES-BARRE, PA AND MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD (APPROX 15 MPH), FELT A JOLT ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT WHEEL, THEN THE STEERING BECAME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11152839

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE MADE AN ABNORMAL THUMPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JEFF WYLER KINGS NISSAN (401 MILFORD PKWY "A", MILFORD, OH 45150) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL SPRINGS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11100412

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Takata airbag recall parts and repair delay

AIR BAGS

71 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2025-01

“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number 17V449000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The local dealer and manufacturer were not contacted”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11463640

“THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING MY AIRBAGS #B2TP-3VL AND NISSAN REFUSES TO PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER VEHICLE. MY RECALL NOTICE SAYS THAT THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER VEHICLE. ITALKED TO THE DEALER AND TO THE NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE AND NOBODY WILL HELP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11372788

“TAMARA RECALL. I CALLED DON WILLIAMSON NISSAN HERE IN JACKSONVILLE NC 28540.THE GUYS SAID THERE IS A RECALL BUT I WILL HAVE TO WAIT TILL I GET A SECOND NOTICE NEXT YEAR IN APRIL 2018 TO SEE WHEN IT WILL BE ABLE TO BE FIXED. BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11041028

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light and non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2018-01 → 2024-03

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ARM, SHOULDER, AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11045926

“THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG WERE REPLACED BUT THE AIRBAG LIGHT STILL IS BLINKING WHICH COULD CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO EXPLODE.THIS LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING FOR OVER 6 YEARS... SHOULD BE UNDER WARRANTY AND FIXED.. THIS APPARENTLY IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE STEERING WHEEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11081931

“THE FRONT AIRBAG IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. BECAUSE OF THE STEERING I ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT, MY WHEEL DIDN'T WANT TO TURN. THE BRAKES ALWAYS MAKE NOISE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11365167

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

165 crashes 1990–2024

How the 165 occupant deaths break down

119

driver deaths

passenger deaths

165

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2012 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

complaints mentioning a crash

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2012 Nissan Versa reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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