Nissan Versa shudder problems

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Engine, Suspension · 59,200 miles · NJ

The contact's daughter owns a 2014 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made abnormal sounds, failed to accelerate while turning, and shuddered abnormally. The RPM remained steady with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and it was determined that the wheel bearing and continuously variable transmission (CVT) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 59,200.

Filed Jun 3, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Vehicle: 2019 Nissan Versa SV VIN: [XXX] My vehicle experienced intermittent transmission problems including hesitation during acceleration, shuddering, rough deceleration, loss of the Drive ("D") indicator, unexpected rear-view camera activation, and entry into fail-safe (limp) mode. Diagnostic code P0705 (Transmission Range Sensor / PRNDL Input) was stored. A Nissan dealership determined that the cause was a faulty left rear tail lamp assembly. After repairing the tail lamp, all transmission-related symptoms disappeared. My concern is that a failure, corrosion, or poor connection in a rear tail lamp should not be capable of affecting transmission operation, gear recognition, or vehicle propulsion. In this case, a tail lamp electrical fault caused transmission fault codes, loss of proper gear indication, and reduced vehicle performance. This design appears to allow a rear lighting circuit to interfere with transmission control functions. Such a condition may result in hesitation, reduced power, fail-safe mode activation, or loss of propulsion while driving, creating a potential safety hazard when entering traffic, merging, crossing intersections, or responding to emergency situations. I have also located multiple reports from other Nissan Versa owners and Nissan technicians describing similar incidents involving tail lamp corrosion or electrical backfeeding that resulted in P0705 fault codes, transmission-related symptoms, incorrect gear indication, and drivability problems. [XXX] I believe the federal safety agency should investigate whether this electrical system design defect affects other Nissan Versa vehicles and poses a broader vehicle safety risk. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Airbags, Transmission · AL

0 The vehicle has a CVT transmission failure causing severe shuddering, jerking, and progressive loss of acceleration. Initially the vehicle would not exceed 20 mph, then worsened to 15 mph, then 10 mph, and now will not exceed 5 mph. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven for more than approximately 2 minutes. There are no warning lights or alerts prior to the failure. The vehicle has completely lost power while driving and has stopped in the middle of the road with no ability to accelerate or restart the vehicle, creating an extremely dangerous situation and risk of collision. This appears to be a known and common defect with the CVT transmission on this vehicle model and year. The condition has progressively worsened and makes the vehicle unsafe to operate.

Filed Jan 30, 2026 · Steering, Suspension · CA · crash

My 2021 Nissan Versa was struck at high speed while parked and required extensive repairs that exceeded the vehicle’s value. After the repairs, the transmission began acting erratically. The car shudders, hesitates, and feels unstable while driving. Acceleration is unpredictable and the vehicle does not feel safe or reliable. These issues were not present before the collision and have continued to worsen. I have children and do not feel it is safe to operate this vehicle, so it is currently parked.

Filed Jan 8, 2026 · Fuel system, Transmission · UT

Recently out 2020 Nissan Versa started "Shuddering" when accelerating at low speeds. I took it to the Nissan Dealership and they quoted me $7,000 saying the transmission had to be replaced. I conducted online reviews and found Nissan customers experience this same issue in concerning numbers. I found multiple Nissan Technical Bulletins about this very issue, with this vehicle. Not only is it concerning they are allowing the safety of our loved ones to be at risk, but then do not have the loyalty to the customers to fix the problem with a recall.

Filed Dec 20, 2025 · AZ

The vehicle has a CVT transmission failure causing severe shuddering, jerking, and progressive loss of acceleration. Initially the vehicle would not exceed 20 mph, then worsened to 15 mph, then 10 mph, and now will not exceed 5 mph. The issue consistently occurs after the vehicle has been driven for more than approximately 2 minutes. There are no warning lights or alerts prior to the failure. The vehicle has completely lost power while driving and has stopped in the middle of the road with no ability to accelerate or restart the vehicle, creating an extremely dangerous situation and risk of collision. This appears to be a known and common defect with the CVT transmission on this vehicle model and year. The condition has progressively worsened and makes the vehicle unsafe to operate.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Transmission · CA

I was driving on the express way in rush hour traffic, and my car started to judder and rpm were reving high.i tried to accelerate and the car just stop in mid traffic, I had to have the car towed home,and from home to the nissan dealership. They told me that my transmission had failed and needed to be replaced.i had no warning light or any other problem and I could have been hurt really bad if the car behind me hadn't stop and help me get out of the rush hour traffic.

Filed Feb 24, 2025 · Engine · TX

Shortly after I purchase this vehicle brand new I noticed that the car jerks, or shudders when I drive. I even thought that it may be due to the front and back brakes so I would turn them off. As time passed this continued to happen even worse than in the beginning. It turns out the transmission is not good, this has almost caused me to have accidents thank God it hasn't happened, yet. I am trying to get out of this vehicle as we speak I have two children and would hate for something to happen to them on the only car I own.

Filed Jun 9, 2023 · Transmission · FL

The car was having slow acceleration, horrid loud noises for awhile but no issues were found during checks but parts were replaced to try and troubleshoot but the sound and idle and running issues still persisted. The first sign of severe major issue was when the car was started it jolted forward while still in park in a first start up. Turned off the car and restarted it and it repeated the same action and then I put the car into reverse but it wouldn't reverse. Took the car to my local Firestone and they said it had an internal transmission problem and I should take it back to the dealership. Within the month I went to the dealership in person and explained the issue and they said there wasn't a recall or service call for my car. That I'd have to pay for repairs and my car wasn't under warranty since the extra service plan I purchased already ran out. While coming home from work my car started to shudder and jolt and wasn't accelerating properly. I stopped at a gas station to see if the car smelled odd and to refuel. It started up but repeated jolting shudder and less than a mile down the road the car suddenly slowed by itself and stopped accelerating. I had to hook slide to the side of the road. I put the car in park and accelerated the engine responded. So I turned off the car and restarted put it in drive after multiple tries I got it to finally accelerate. Less than half a mile down the road as the car was going downhill the car started to shutter jolt again before coming to a complete stop at a light. No matter how long I waited it would not drive but would only reverse at that point. I had to contact family to help me push the car to the roadside and called a tow. The car currently sits in the driveway will start up and reverse but when attempting to accelerate sometimes it might drive for a few minutes before refusing to accelerate. I have the 2010 Nissan Versa SL hatchback with the CVT Xtronic transmission.

Filed Apr 18, 2023 · Airbags, Transmission · 15,000 miles · NM

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that on various occasions, after driving from a stop signal, the vehicle shuddered. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was provided with TSB’s that applied to the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure recurred. The vehicle was then taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired, and the contact stated that she noticed the vehicle was returned with a flat tire and the instrument cluster was replaced without her knowledge. The contact also stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 15,000.