2012 Nissan Versa: CVT failure

Filed Jul 1, 2025 · MI

I bought a used 2012 Nissan Versa from a third party at a very low mileage (46k miles), and it’s now at 54k, and the CVT is showing issues. Check engine light recently came on and I’ve always went to Nissan technicians and they said they’re surprised at 54k miles I’m even having this kind of an issue. However because of the age of vehicle and warranty expired in 2018 well after I purchased it, Nissan refuses to repair what they’ve seem to have poorly manufactured. I’m a student and cannot afford this kind of repair which was the sole purpose of purchasing a low mileage vehicle to begin with. The car is is in great condition, well taken care of, LOW mileage, but a broken down CVT? This is unacceptable.

Filed Mar 6, 2023 · Transmission · MA

2012 nissan versa commonly known for defective cvt transmissions I had taken it to costal nissan to get it looked at before for a jerking transmission and the dealership just adjust a brake light switch the problem came back and threw an engine code for input sensor after replacing all my bulbs the problem went away for a couple months but the past 2 months it started slipping jerking stuck in low gears high reving rpms I had the transmission fluid serviced or replaced and it worked good for about a week died in the middle of the road with no throttle response I've only driven this car 5k miles in 8 months of purchase vehicle is available for inspection at any time

Filed Aug 20, 2022 · NC

IN reference to the federal safety agency Recall 15V‑507 on this vehicle which included a CVT transmission reprogramming ,which I handled by taking vehicle to the dealer on 10/20/2015! The letter I received added this issue as if it were a COURTESY action of Nissan and made NO mention of the CVT transmission having MAJOR ISSUES! As MOST Car Owners, I assumed that this 2015 CVT reprogramming would resolve any PAST or FUTURE issues with it.! I was still concerned that my vehicle was only 3 years & already had 2 recall items! Sadly, I trusted the dealer & once these were handled , I felt good about driving the vehicle, thinking it should go to about 150,000 miles! I have NOW learned that so many of the CVT transmissions were totally failing and lawsuits were being filed because of it. Apparently in 2017, NISSAN admitted it and extended the warranty on CVT transmissions. If I ever received notice of this, I have no printed copy or memory of that! I lived 2 minutes from work in 2012 and retired a year after purchase. I primarily drive locally and short distances and have very low miles on this vehicle. NOW..My 6-week dilemma:*Check engine light came on 7/9/22, right after I got gas! Garage kept, only 52,000 miles on it, routinely serviced and in stellar condition, I am NOW being told that the CVT transmission needs TOTAL replacement. MY CAR however, did PASS NC inspection at a Nissan dealership (with Check Engine light STILL ON) 7/21/22, with them giving a 4200.00 estimate When I said I had no money, they sent me out the door and said they hope I don't break down! NISSAN of North America is going totally by VEHICLE'S AGE, even though I have found reference that the CVT warranty should be 10 years or 120,000! Since 7/9/21, I have been given totally conflicting information on current SAFETY of MY CAR and the best offer given by NISSAN is to reduce my repair cost to $2381.09 for a REBUILT transmission with ONE-YEAR warranty! MY main concern: IS MY CAR SAFE TO DRIVE? I am 64!

Filed Jul 16, 2022 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · MO

After having my transmission replaced with a used CVT transmission on Dec 2021, I went to leave the transmission shop only to have no power. When I gave my vehicle gas, there was no power it would not go forward or backwards. The code repeatedly coming up was P2101. My car was in the shop for 4 months with Williams Transmission in Park Hills, MO 63601. (573) 431-6570. Every time Willie would call & say it’s fixed & I would go try driving g home, again same issue. Finally on March 23, 2022 I was called once again to come pick up my car after hack v another used CVT Transmission put in still the same code P2101 was coming up with the check engine light. It took me 40 mins to go home occasionally getting evcrlation to make it home, it should’ve took no more than 10 mins from his shop to my house.. I paid $3000 to have transmission replaced and still isn’t running correctly. I lose excelaration on highway, county & city tosds. I never know when!! It’s a big issue & major safety issues & concerns

Filed Feb 21, 2022 · Transmission · DC

The vehicle is a 2012 Nissan Versa driven only 81,000+ miles. I was driving the vehicle up a modest incline on Saturday, February 12, 2022. The car started to shudder and felt like it was losing power, as if it were running out of fuel. I pulled off when I turned the next corner and stopped. As I started out again, the check engine light came on, so I drove it to my mechanic. He has informed me that the malfunction code is a transmission failure code, and he is performing more diagnostics related to this code. In doing research, I now know that there is a fundamental failure with the CVT automatic transmissions for this model year of Nissan Versa, typically occurring at 75,000-85,000 miles. I am not eligible for Nissan's $278M settlement of a class action suit for this issue, because claims were only eligible for the first 84 months after purchase and the claim window is now closed. Everything I have read suggests that this is a critical and dangerous problem, because this CVT transmission failure can even result in the car losing all power and coming to a complete stop in traffic. This is a fundamental and life-threatening issue for which I believe Nissan should provide a full recall for the affected vehicles.

Filed Jul 2, 2020 · Transmission · 58,664 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan versa. The contact stated that the CVT warning light illuminated while driving. The vehicle was taken to reedman toll nissan of drexel hill, 5018 township line rd, drexel hill, pa 19026 to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired or replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the CVT transmission was replaced once before. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,664.

Filed Jun 21, 2020 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · NY

Transmission failed after only eight years with proper maintenance. I reversed out of my driveway and into the busy highway and when I put it in drive it would not move at all. I am very lucky that the oncoming traffic noticed I was having issues or I would certainly be dead. My mechanic said it is not worth it to replace the transmission because it will only fail again and again. I have been advised to get rid of the vehicle and purchase a new one, it seems nissan's CVT transmissions have had a lot of issues that are widely known. It is unfortunate that nissan is allowed to continue selling lemons. My very first car was a 1981 monte carlo and the transmission on that car never had to be replaced, I used that car until 2016 and the only reason I got rid of it was that the frame buckled if that car can go 35 years with no transmission problems, then there is absolutely no excuse for a 2012 transmission to fail in 8 years.

Filed Mar 3, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 89,700 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan versa. The contact stated that while driving 55-60 MPH, the RPM revved up and the vehicle stalled. The contact also stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal to the floorboard, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was later taken to lokey nissan located at (27758 us hwy 19n, clearwater, fl 33761) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 89,700. *bf

Filed Jan 29, 2020 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · PA

My CVT transmission went out just 5 months after purchasing the vehicle from the used car dealership, ebersole of lebanon. The vehicle has 94,000 miles on it currently. It is an automatic CVT transmission and tends to slip in and out of gear a lot. The vehicle has these problems when sitting, driving and accelerating as well.

Filed Dec 3, 2019 · Transmission · 77,500 miles · WA

While driving the car at almost any speed above 15mph the car has jerky shifting movements like it can't find the right gear. While travelling at a constant speed on the highway the rpms continue to fluctuate. Took it to the nissan dealership and they suggested "valve body" replacement. That cost an astounding $2100+ to fix. Got it back and the problem is worse than before. Checked online and tons of people are reporting problems with the CVT transmissions. There was even a recall for the previous model years. Nissan has not fixed the issue and car's transmission is junk. I'm out big money and they are likely to recommend more "fixes" for the issue. Look at all these complaints https://www.carcomplaints.com/nissan/versa/2012/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml

Filed Nov 4, 2019 · Transmission · 35,000 miles · FL

The CVT transmission slips and gives uneven acceleration under all circumstances. This is extremely dangerous when merging into traffic or turning into oncoming traffic. This is a known issue to nissan na & many lawsuits have been filed over the years. The first transmission was replaced at 20,000 miles & another was just replaced at 85,000 miles. Nissan knows that they are providing an inferior product, based on the # of lawsuits it has faced over the years concerning the CVT. Not only is the product unreliable, it is also dangerous to the driver, the vehicle's occupants and anyone else who may affected by an accident caused by CVT failure.

Filed Nov 19, 2018 · Fuel system · 103,000 miles · NE

For a 2012 nissan versa sedan automatic. The CVT transmission started out 6 months ago sometimes not shifting up to higher gears when I was driving. Very shortly after the transmission just wouldn't engage at all. I took it to the dealership and they told me I need a new transmission without even a diagnostics test and immediately tried to sell me a new car. After that I went to certified transmission and paid for them to test it and they also said I need a new transmission and that there has been several complaints about the CVT. I then went somewhere else and bought a different car and have only driven the nissan versa a handful of times since until I could get a new transmission. Now the transmission never shifts up while driving and today I was driving it to get a new transmission and it won't accelerate or engage the transmission at all, it has to be towed. The transmission will be replaced with a brand new one.