At approximately 135,000 miles my automatic transmission began "slipping" or lurching while accelerating. I took the car to a Nissan dealership, as well as 2 local mechanics, and all 3 sources have told me that my transmission is having identical symptoms to the recalled Versa models that previously had transmission issues. I'm now forced to replace the transmission before it hopefully goes out completely (the CVT). The problem has been diagnosed and reproduced by 3 separate auto mechanic shops, including one Nissan dealership in Colerain, Ohio. There have been absolutely no warning lights, messages, or signals from the car. When I accelerate from a stop, the car lurches at about 20-25 MPH. When I'm driving on the highway at a steady, high speed, I don't have the issue.
Nissan Versa transmission failure problems
130 of the 3,330 owner complaints about the Nissan Versa describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2012 model year.
- owner complaints
- 130
- worst model year
- 2012
- typical repair cost reported
- $4,000
- typical mileage
- 78,189
By model year
Often reported together
CVT failure 47Stalling 21Jerking 18Check engine light 15Slipping 12Hesitation 10Shudder 9Loss of power 6
Trouble codes mentioned
P0846 1P0486 1
What owners say
Electrical issues the entirety of owning this car. Now the car has a dead transmission at 88k miles. The car has caused me to almost be t-boned in a intersection twice due to unexpected loss of acceleration and power. Before trans went down it would stall, hesitate, and now it is completely dead and wont move and i have to put a new transmission in my car. Completely unsafe, i could have lost my life or at very least been severely injured.
My 2020 Nissan versa kept hesitating when being put in reverse the engine light kept coming on every few months I kept being told it was other issues until the transmission went out. I got it checked on multiple occasions because of the way it was hesitating and seemed like it was heating up.
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.
Cvt Transmission failed While driving transmission popped and no forward drive leaving us in traffic unable to move in forward. Had to get out and push the car to the side of the road. No warning lights no warning signs. Just immediate loss of forward drive. Engine revs up but no movement. Dangerously leaving us in harms way. Haven't had the vehicle inspected by nissan yet but will be doing so in the next day or so. Vehicle is and will be Available for inspection or assessment at any time.
Transmission failure 2 Times. First time experienced jerking and some smoke coming out and second time same jerking and smoke along with electrical system failure. Nissan paid 40% the first time to help and I paid 60% even though I did not agree with that I did it. 2nd time they refuse to pay anything because of warranty even though it only took 40, 000 miles and transmission went out gain. Obvious that the transmissions are trash. The constant jerking and smoking in engine and electrical failure not to mention I was in a hit and run and ran into a tree and brake system did not work and the air bag did not come out after running into a tree. Please people run from Nissan fast. I'm thankful for my life.
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.
My skid mark symbol comes on, does not go off until 2or 3 days later. My Nissan will not accelerate over 20 miles per hour. I have had mu vehicle checked several times at the Grainger Nissan dealership several times within the past 4 years after they installed a new transmission. They found and corrected other issues, but not what causes the traction lights to come on and decrease speed causing me to have to use flashers and bike lanes where ever available until I get home. Independent mechanics have checked, knocked off traction light. It only comes on again. I have another mechanic at Precision Tune to check it out tomorrow. The last date of this occurrence was 12/ 08/2025
The transmission failed on the highway making the car serging violently from high to low speeds and then to nothing
The contact owns a 2020 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 check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the Chevrolet dealer where the vehicle was purchased, and the vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was advised to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Related recalls
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator
- 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 transmission failure
Which Nissan Versa years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2012 (43 complaints), 2013 (19 complaints) and 2014 (19 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix complete transmission failure on the Nissan Versa?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,000 (median of 23 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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