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Nissan Versa won't shift problems

69 of the 3,330 owner complaints about the Nissan Versa describe stuck in gear or won't shift, most of them for the 2024 model year.

owner complaints
69
worst model year
2024
typical mileage
53,000
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

What owners say

Filed Jul 7, 2026 · Transmission · TX

When the vehicle was first purchased , the unit was test driven and liked it. vehicle was purchased new around end of XXXearly XXX, when they told us the vehicle was ready for pick up we went to pick it up and as soon as we drove it out of the lot the unit broke down the transmission would not go into gear the shop is calling it limb mode. so we called our sales rep [XXX] at the time and got us a rental while they looked for the problem. the sales man said it was a sensor, on the XXX it did the same thing ( went into limb mode) we where stranded we called nissan we took the car over the same day. on XXX they told us the could not replicate the issue, they also told us that the first time it was taken they did not do nothing to it as they could not replicate the problem as well. I expressed my concerns to the that out sales rep told us it was a sensor and was taken care of. The check engine does not come on the car will go into gear but will not advance will only go 5-10 miles. the rpms rev up but the car does not shift, no power, no acceleration. nissan said they are getting a specialist to look at it. but it is upsetting that it was not even fixed the first time . at this moment the loaned us a car untill they can figure whats wrong with it. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 14, 2026 · Engine · VA

Driving the vehicle, and it went into limp mode. Loss power and would not accelerate. Had to drive very low speeds to get home.

Filed Mar 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · PA

I purchased this car from Carvana on 02/25/26, 2022 Nissan Versa S Manual Transmission. On four occasions over the course of two separate days, while under way, I lost power and the car went into a limp mode. Twice I was able to pull off the road, twice I had to stop on the road. After coming to a complete stop I was able to place the car in first gear and continue on driving. This power loss puts me at risk to be rear ended by the following car. I took it to the Nissan Dealer on 03/17/26 expressing my concern. I was told that they could not find any code in the car that indicated the trouble I experienced, nor was there any illumination of the check engine light. Because of that I was told that my car could not be serviced.

Filed Dec 4, 2025 · Electrical · TX

First this is an AUTOMATIC. NOT A MANUAL. Nissan Versa S. 14000 miles. Bought used. The vehicle will drive then all the lights on the dash will turn on. The tachometer will then go to zero and will no longer move. The vehicle will then only go 20 mph (limp mode). I can move to a parking lot. I will then attempt to start it and it will not even turn over. After about 10 to 15 attempts, it will start. The engine light will remain on. The dealership (of course) cannot duplicate the problem but we do have it on video happening. They also said it needs to happen when they drive it. Last time I only get a few miles down the road from the service center when it happened. Had to be towed back. This problem has occurred at least 5 times. Sometimes its just the engine light that turns on. Other times its all lights. It has gone into limp mode at least 3 times during operation.

Filed Sep 22, 2025 · Transmission · OH

Need to put in complaint the CVT transmissions has been doing a lot of whining and jerky. Spoke to the dealership they stated had no idea what it was. Started to investigate and found out there were recalls in the 2012 to 2015 CVT transmissions on Nissans and there is pending investigation in the years 2020 to 2023 for the same thing. Was told by a car repair to put in complaint. Due to the fact my Nissan stopped and would not move in the middle of an intersection which almost caused a wreck. There were no warning lights it just wouldn't go into gear. This is a big safety issue. It was due to the CVT transmission issues same as the ones in the 2012 to 2015 investigations. It was inspected by a independent service center.

Filed Aug 11, 2025 · Engine · 3,800 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2025 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated the vehicle failed to exceed 45 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the vehicle lost motive power and the vehicle entered LIMP Mode. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the roadway. The vehicle independently reset. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 3,800.

Filed Aug 8, 2025 · Engine · AZ

Purchased brand new 2024 Nissan Versa January 2025. In April 2025 with only 1100 miles on the engine the CVT failed. Nissan replaced it with a rebuilt CVT. On [XXX] the second CVT failed and the car had to be towed in. This is a dangerous situation and I have told Nissan they need to buy back the car from me. I live in Phoenix which has many dangerous highways and if the engine failed on one of those highways it could cost me my life because when it fails it goes into what the tow truck drivers call limp mode and I can't go more than 5 to 10 miles an hour on a highway where people routinely Drive 80 miles an hour INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 9, 2025 · Acceleration · MD

The car is a manual transmission. I stalled the vehicle by accident and after turning the engine on again the vehicle experienced loss of power as if it was in some kind of limp mode. The cars now able to accelerate past 25-30 mph in any gear for the remainder of the trip home.

Filed Jun 19, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · MO

Limp mode when pushing in clutch to start car. Car will not go above 40mph randomly must turn car off and hope it resets.

Filed Apr 25, 2025 · Engine · PR

vehicle change to limp mode randomly. i need to stop turn all off wait 1 minute to restables the normal power on engine.

Related recalls

Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicatorReported February 1, 2012 · 36,608 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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,”theft protection.” 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.
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 12V032000 · Recall details

Questions about the Nissan Versa won't shift

Which Nissan Versa years have stuck in gear or won't shift problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2024 (30 complaints), 2012 (8 complaints) and 2022 (7 complaints).

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