KnownCarProblems2012 Nissan Versa Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 486 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Versa, most often about the air bags (34% of complaints, typically around 44,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Versa model year since 2000 and has 10 recalls.
Most common 2012 Nissan Versa problems
Air bags
167 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 50 MPH, a deer ran into the road and the contact abruptly turned the steering wheel to avoid crashing into an animal. As a result, the contact crashed into a telephone pole instead and the air bags failed to deploy. The…
Air bag light is constantly blinking...this means the airbag is non functional...this has been a recall item but my vehicle is not listed.... Means airbag is non functional..
Transmission
163 complaints · 34%Half of these problems showed up before 70,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact was driving approximately 68 MPH when the vehicle suddenly began to erroneously accelerate and decelerate before stalling. The vehicle was diagnosed at the dealer but no repairs were performed. The contact was informed by the dealer that the CVT internal clutch was…
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle speed shifter failed to go into second and third gear. The contact also stated that the vehicle would shake when coming to a stop light and made a loud knocking noise when it was in reverse. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was…
Engine
56 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system.
Car suddenly stopped running while driving, causing me to almost get rear ended 3 times. Shop adv the fuel pump burnt the fuse out causing the the car to loose power and die. The 15 amp fuse was burnt out 2 times in 12 months or less the first time was city streets the second time was on the highway at 70 MPH. Bot…
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that she exited the vehicle with the engine operating and when she returned to the vehicle, the engine was powered off. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle but the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for inspection or…
Other or unspecified
51 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles.
Takata recall . I was in a car acciendt on june 8, 2017 and my air bags did not work while I was in motion as I was being hit on the highway by another car and under my credit karma profile , its shows my car has five recall notices . How can this matter be resolved. I also have insurance papers to prove I filed a…
The key will not come out of the ignition and it is stuck. Nothing happened to cause this, it just happened. Took it to Nissan and they couldn't get it out. They took it apart for diagnostics and said the entire shift lever assembly needs replaced and it is $865 estimated repair.
Electrical
34 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, horn, ignition.
Left turn signal dims or goes out completely when atmospheric moisture is present (rain/cold). Nissan dealership fixed as "bulb issue," but issue persists. Nissan appears unable to diagnose cause. Driver concerned of potential safety implications due to problematic signal.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While attempting to engage the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact also stated that the vehicle accelerated independently. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
Speed control
33 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 51,500 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
While driving on the free way RPM began to rev extremely high about 5000, car began to jerk and lost speed while I was pressing on the gas. I had to immediately cross several lanes of heavy traffic to pull to a shoulder. This is continuing to happen and it has happened while driving in the fog where a sudden loss of…
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving approximately 5 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal failed. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was driven to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician was unable to locate a…
Brakes
32 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 34,500 miles. Parts named most often: pedals and linkages.
I put my car into reverse and was unable to depress the brake pedal and had to put the car in park to get it to stop while nearly hitting another vehicle. The low lights also have to available settings but one doesn't work so it stays the same no matter which one you put it on. Also why would I have an oil leak at…
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. When pulling out of a parking space and attempting to apply the brakes, the vehicle failed to stop. The brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact had to place the vehicle in park in order to stop the vehicle from rolling. There were no warning indicators for the brake…
Suspension
28 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 57,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
While pulling into a parking space with my steering wheel turned sharply to the left I heard a loud metal thump in the right front wheel well. The next day at the service shop I was told that I had a broken right front spring that had compromised my strut. The whole repair ended up costing me $749. It is important to…
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. While driving various speeds, there was an abnormal popping noise emitting from the front passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 15v573000 (suspension); however, the repair failed to remedy the vehicle. The contact was concerned that the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Nissan Versa recalls
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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 passe
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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, m
Suspension: coil springs
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
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.
Full defect summary
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 fx4
Suspension: coil springs
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: accelerator 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: side/window
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Transmission: shift pattern indicator
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.
Full defect summary
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,âtheft protection.â 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Desiccated air bag inflator rupture
Summary
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 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 blomquist report at www.NHTSA.gov/sites/NHTSA.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substa
Inadvertent curtain and seat air bag
Summary
The office of defects investigations opened this preliminary evaluation to investigate complaints alleging an inadvertent deployment of side air bags on model year 2012 nissan versa vehicles.the three complaints indicate the driver or passenger curtain and seat mounted air bags deployed when the front door on the same (affected) side was shut.according to nissan, the defect identified involved the dissimilarity of the metals used in the side air bag sensor electrical connectors, gold versus tin materials.this combination may lead to fretting and oxidation on the connector pins of the satellite sensor and the harness which connects it to the airbag control unit (acu).fretting and oxidation in
Front coil spring fracture
Summary
In a letter dated september 10,2015, nissan north america,inc. (nissan) notified the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) of a safety defect that may result in coil spring fracture in approximately 218,019 model year (my) 2007 through 2012 nissan versa vehiclesproduced from may 8, 2006 through november12, 2012 and originally sold or ever registered in the following 22 states and 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, washington d.c., west virginia and wisconsin (NHTSA recall 15v-5
Pedal operation interference
Summary
On august 11, 2015, nissan north america, inc., submitted a defect information report (dir) describing a condition that may impede the driver's ability to transition quickly and smoothly from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal in certain model year (my) 2012 through 2015 nissan versa sedans and my 2014 through 2015 nissan versa note vehicles (NHTSA recall no. 15v-507).according to nissan's dir, in certain circumstances related to driver foot position and shoe type, the right edge of the driver?s shoe may catch the edge of the center console lower trim panel.nissan indicated that this condition could cause a slight delay in the smooth transition between the accelerator pedal and the bra
Pedal operation interference
Summary
On june 24, 2014, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe14-018 to investigate allegations that the tunnel carpet cover trim panel on model year (my) 2012 through 2014 nissan versa, versa sedan and versa note vehicles has, in certain situations, interfered with the driver's ability to promptly release the accelerator pedal and transition to the brake pedal. This may result in delayed brake application or brief incidents of unwanted acceleration.at the opening of pe14-018, odi had identified one complaint, voq 10597004, alleging that the driver's foot became caught by the subject trim panel to the extent that the driver decided that it was necessary to pull on their leg to get the
Srs warning light illumination
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened this investigation after receiving nissan early warning reports (ewr) concerning supplemental restraint system (SRS) light illumination on model year (my) 2012 nissan versa vehicles.information in the reports suggested that the SRS spiral cable harness from the spiral cassette to the driver?s air bag module became pinched within the steering wheel assembly during installation.the pinching condition was apparently causing a short to ground condition. As reported by nissan, the shorts were the result of isolated operator errors, specifically errors in the way the harness was routed in the steering wheel area.nissan advised that a production coun
Autoliv air bag propellant mixture
Summary
The summary for this investigation, labeled eq12-002 autoliv closing resume, can be found attached separately to this resume.this eq is closed.
Questions about the 2012 Nissan Versa
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Versa?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (167 complaints, typically around 44,500 miles); transmission (163 complaints, typically around 70,000 miles); engine (56 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Versa have?
- 10 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 15, 2018 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Nissan Versa?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Versa model year since 2000, with 486 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.