The continuously variable transmissions on nissans are unsafe. For a couple of weeks, our nissan versa would briefly lose power when we stepped on the gas pedal, but it only happened occasionally and temporarily. Then on july 15, it got much worse. We could barely drive the car because it would constantly lose power. The problem started when we started the car and continued as we were trying to drive the car a couple of blocks on the city streets. I am thankful that we were not on a highway when this happened because we would have caused a terrible accident. We learned later that it was the transmission and the car was trying to start in a high gear instead of a low gear. Our 2008 nissan versa is 6 weeks past the extended warranty on the continuously variable transmission. Despite the fact that we are below the mileage requirement of the warranty and despite the fact that the transmission has likely been giving us problems for years, nissan will not honor the warranty. I believe nissan should be ordering a recall on the CVT technology, especially for the older models. They know the technology is flawed and unsafe, that's why they created an extended warranty. But if you're just out of that warranty period, they won't help you out as a consumer. If they publicized the CVT problem and ordered a recall, they would prevent having unsafe cars on the road.
2008 Nissan Versa transmission problems
17 complaints (4% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 93,934.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 4%
- typical mileage
- 93,934
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission3
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Nissan Versa transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Nissan Versa transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2008 Nissan Versa owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
There were 3 recalls on my 2008 nissan versa. Two were for airbags and 1 was for front coils/springs. I was given a loaner vehicle until parts were available to perform the repairs. Nissan had me drive my vehicle in to get serviced, knowing that it was a hazard to my life. On the way to get my vehicle serviced one could hear a loud pop, the vehicle was no longer operational and was at then engulfed in flames.
I was informed in may 2016 of the airbag recall and nissan still does not have the part to repair it, they said jan 2017. And now the transmission has failed in the vehicle and nissan wants to charge 4600.00 to fix it. I have spoken to several mechanics and nissan has had a terrible failure rate with these to parts, also the front coil had to be replaced because of a recall. In the state of virginia you have to pass an inspection and that was due in may 2016 and the airbag parts are not in till 01/2019. I had to spend money out of my own pocket to have the car pass inspection in order for my daughter to drive it without getting a moving violation for failed inspection. Nissan said they would be glad to give me a discount only I purchased a new vehicle- that is unjust.
This car was brought into the shop with 120,807 miles and the complaint was it would not go. Many transmission codes found and transmission fluid very black in color. Had to replace the transmission do to the fact that no one will rebuild this CVT transmission. A good designed transmission should last longer than 121,000 miles with what they cost.
Manual transmission vehicle. Clutch pedal linkage broke from clutch throw rod under the dash. There is a plastic component that connects the pedal to the linkage and is only held by a ball/socket compression fit. After failure, clutch cannot be engaged and car will be completely inoperable.
Cvt transmission is making a metal rubbing noise when in drive and idling. Nissan dealer confirmed the transmission must be replaced and eventually the car will no longer accelerate due to CVT failure.
While sitting in the yard we heard a metal clang sound coming from one of the cars. We looked but could not tell which car it came from. Later when I started to drive the car on the highway the front passenger tire shredded. This was due to the front passenger side spring being broken. We later found the broken piece where the car was parked. The vehicle only had 48,684 mostly highway miles on it.
Tl- the contact owns a 2008 nissan versa. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH failed to accelerate. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis but was informed by the dealer that putting it on a computer would be a waste of time and advised her to place the vehicle in refuse. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis but no cause for failure was found and the transmission fluid was changed. The vehicle was repaired. Six months later the failure recurred. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 130,000. Dt
I had trouble shifting car into park. Dash indicator said it was in park . Then I could not remove the ignition key. I then wiggled the key it came out. As I was getting out of the car it started to roll down hill. Brought to my local service station and they had found the shifter to have a broken piece of plastic in it.
The car has begun to make a loud metal clunking sound at the top right suspension as well as what almost sounds like a grinding but not similar to that of the braking system. I was going around a curve at the time. The sound gets worse when going down a hill changing speeds, switching lanes, on pot holes or an uneven surface. I took it to a few different places and could not reproduce the problem at the time. While driving with a more experienced mechanic he was able to determine the sound to be isolated to the right strut and the left inner tie rod. He said that the struts are usually only replaced once in a cars lifetime so I am wondering why it needs to be replaced so soon. I am writing the complaint because I think this has been an issue all along. The car needs an abnormal amount of realignments and brake replacements. When I first received the car the rotors and brakes had to be replaced because somehow they had been installed backwards. The steering has always felt insecure as well as the feeling when pressing the gas and the brakes. The feeling I have now under the pedals when the sound of the strut malfunctioning engages I have felt all along but not this intensely. There may be an issue with the parts used as I have spoken to so many nissan owners who reported the same issue of steering and exhaust system issues on nissans.
Questions about the 2008 Nissan Versa transmission
Does the 2008 Nissan Versa have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the transmission of the 2008 Nissan Versa, 4% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Versa transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 93,934 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Nissan Versa transmission?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Nissan Versa have bad transmission?
The Nissan Versa model years with the most transmission complaints are 2012 (163 complaints), 2014 (82 complaints) and 2013 (73 complaints).
Other 2008 Nissan Versa problems
Airbags 171Suspension 70Fuel system 32Engine 28Electrical 25Steering 23Brakes 17Wheels 16Tires 12Body 10Driver assistance 5Visibility 5Acceleration 4Seat belts 3Seats 2
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