Nissan Versa Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 603 of the 3,107 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2025 Nissan Versa (19.4%) name the transmission, 1.5× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2012, 2014 and 2013.
Transmission complaints
603
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2025 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
19.4%
of 3,107 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Nissan Versa transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 17 | 4.5% | 1 | — | 8 |
| 2009 | 20 | 4% | 1 | — | 10 |
| 2010 | 6 | 2.2% | 0 | — | 9 |
| 2011 | 8 | 3% | 0 | — | 8 |
| 2012WORST | 163 | 33.5% | 5 | 12V032000 | 30 |
| 2013WORST | 73 | 35.8% | 0 | — | 47 |
| 2014WORST | 134 | 39.6% | 2 | — | 47 |
| 2015 | 47 | 28% | 1 | — | 47 |
| 2016 | 20 | 24.7% | 0 | — | 38 |
| 2017 | 9 | 14.5% | 0 | — | 37 |
| 2018 | 10 | 17.5% | 0 | — | 17 |
| 2019 | 11 | 45.8% | 0 | — | 17 |
| 2020 | 16 | 25% | 0 | — | 21 |
| 2021 | 9 | 28.1% | 1 | — | 14 |
| 2022 | 7 | 35% | 0 | — | 5 |
| 2023 | 15 | 40.5% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2024 | 34 | 35.1% | 0 | — | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 30.8% | 0 | — | 0 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Nissan Versa transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 603 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Nissan Versa years to avoid for the transmission
2012 Nissan Versa
163 transmission complaints (33.5% of the year's 486). Most often described: transmission repaired or replaced. Covered by transmission recall 12V032000.
2014 Nissan Versa
134 transmission complaints (39.6% of the year's 338). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts.
2013 Nissan Versa
73 transmission complaints (35.8% of the year's 204). Most often described: transmission repaired or replaced.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Nissan Versa years to avoid.
Nissan Versa transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Nissan Versa model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 12V032000 · 2012-02-01 · 2012 models
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.…
Which transmission does the Nissan Versa use?
- Nissan CVT — 2012–2019
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Nissan Versa have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 163 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Versa, 33.5% of all 486 complaints for that year. The most common description is "transmission repaired or replaced" (41 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 12V032000. 5 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2014 Nissan Versa have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 134 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Nissan Versa, 39.6% of all 338 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (23 complaints). 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2013 Nissan Versa have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 73 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Nissan Versa, 35.8% of all 204 complaints for that year. The most common description is "transmission repaired or replaced" (17 complaints).
Which Nissan Versa years have the most transmission complaints?
2012 (163), 2014 (134) and 2013 (73), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Nissan Versa transmission problems?
In the 603 transmission complaints, owners most often describe transmission repaired or replaced (17.4%), jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (16.7%) and loss of power or limp mode (12.3%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Nissan Versa model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration