Nissan Versa 2012–2019 problems by year and mileage
2nd generation (N17)
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,289 complaints, 870 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
- 201260kmedian
- 201352kmedian
- 201456kmedian
- 201546kmedian
- 201634kmedian
- 201727k†median
- 2018—too few
- 2019—too few
The 2012 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 60,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 486
- Recalls naming this year
- 10
Most reported on the 2012
- Airbag system167 reports · median 44,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline163 reports · median 70,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise51 reports · median 60,000 mi
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Suspension — front · Air bags — side/window
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2013 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 52,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 204
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2013
- Transmission and driveline73 reports · median 86,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise33 reports
- Brakes32 reports
Recall areas Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2014 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 56,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 207
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2014
- Transmission and driveline82 reports · median 81,000 mi
- Engine37 reports · median 59,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise32 reports
Recall areas Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2015 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 46,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 168
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2015
- Transmission and driveline47 reports · median 64,000 mi
- Engine26 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise26 reports
Recall areas Vehicle speed control — accelerator pedal
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2016 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 34,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 81
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2016
- Airbag system21 reports
- Transmission and driveline20 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise16 reports
The 2017 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- 27,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 62
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2017
- Airbag system15 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise12 reports
- Electrical system11 reports
Recall areas Electrical system — ignition · Air bags — frontal · Air bags — side/window
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 57
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2018
- Electrical system17 reports
- Airbag system15 reports
- Engine14 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system · Electrical system — ignition
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2019 Nissan Versa
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 24
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2019
- Transmission and driveline11 reports
- Electrical system7 reports
- Engine3 reports
Recall areas Back over prevention — sensing system
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2012; earliest: the 2017, and the 2012 is 5 years older (part of the gap is age). 2 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2012–2019 Nissan Versa reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 51,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 106,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 870
- Recalls
- 15
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline32.2% of complaints · median 72,000 mi
- Airbag system22.6% of complaints · median 36,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise14.4% of complaints · median 56,000 mi
Owners filed 1,289 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012–2019 Nissan Versa; the transmission and driveline leads with 32.2% of them, and half of the 870 that record an odometer reading came by 51,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
No single peak: the middle half runs 18,000 to 79,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2012–2019 Nissan Versa last?
On the 2012–2019 Nissan Versa, half of the 870 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 51,000 miles and 90% by 106,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
17 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 3 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Versa reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Nissan Versa 2012–2019 · 870 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 161 complaints
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 3 complaints (0.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,000
- 25%
- 18,000
- Median
- 51,000
- 75%
- 79,000
- 90%
- 106,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 161 | 18.5% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 61 | 7.0% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 57 | 6.6% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 81 | 9.3% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 60 | 6.9% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 81 | 9.3% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 72 | 8.3% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 84 | 9.7% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 64 | 7.4% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 33 | 3.8% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 37 | 4.3% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 27 | 3.1% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 16 | 1.8% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 14 | 1.6% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 3 | 0.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Versa problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Nissan Versa 2012–2019
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Brakes133 reportsmedian 22,000middle half 7,000–49,000
- Airbag system291 reportsmedian 36,000middle half 9,000–61,000
- Throttle and speed control119 reportsmedian 48,000middle half 13,000–80,000
- Electrical system123 reportsmedian 54,000middle half 24,000–80,000
- Problems owners could not categorise186 reportsmedian 56,000middle half 27,000–80,000
- Engine174 reportsmedian 57,000middle half 25,000–78,000
- Transmission and driveline415 reportsmedian 72,000middle half 48,000–93,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 415 | 32.2% | 72,000 | 48,000–93,000 |
| Airbag system | 291 | 22.6% | 36,000 | 9,000–61,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 186 | 14.4% | 56,000 | 27,000–80,000 |
| Engine | 174 | 13.5% | 57,000 | 25,000–78,000 |
| Brakes | 133 | 10.3% | 22,000 | 7,000–49,000 |
| Electrical system | 123 | 9.5% | 54,000 | 24,000–80,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 119 | 9.2% | 48,000 | 13,000–80,000 |
| Steering | 76 | 5.9% | 36,000 | 8,500–60,000 |
| Body structure | 68 | 5.3% | 24,000 | 4,000–37,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 56 | 4.3% | 45,000 | 15,000–75,000 |
Known problems with the 2012–2019 Versa
Transmission 2012–2017
Jatco JF015E (CVT7) failure — shuddering, juddering, hesitation, delayed engagement, overheating and outright failure, frequently just past the 60-month/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. The metal belt and pulleys wear prematurely, and the resulting shavings contaminate the valve body and stepper motor; DTC P0746 (pressure control solenoid performance) is the signature code. A class action over the 2012-2017 Versa CVT settled in late 2019, and in May 2020 Nissan launched a quality action extending CVT coverage to 84 months/84,000 miles for the 2012-2017 Versa sedan and 2014-2017 Versa Note.
Before you buy a 2012–2019 Versa: the 3-minute check
Generated from 870 mileage-tagged complaints, 15 recall campaigns, 1 documented problem area.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 15 campaigns cover this generation.
- Check transmission on 2012–2017 cars. What it looks like: Known problems.
- Years differ here: from 24 to 486 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Versa problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi58% below | At 90k mi83% below | At 120k mi94% below | At 150k mi98% below | At 200k mi100% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 48,000–93,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Airbag system | 9,000–61,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 27,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 25,000–78,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 7,000–49,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 24,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 13,000–80,000 | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Nissan Versa 2012–2019 · 870 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 58% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 83% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 94% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 100% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2012–2019 Nissan Versa recalls (15)
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around the airbag system (8), the electrical system (2), the suspension (2) (why one area can repeat).
Sep 2019 · 2018–2019 · Back Over PreventionThe lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti…
What can happen. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners…
Aug 2018 · 2017–2018 · Electrical SystemIf the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key…
What can happen. If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may…
Jun 2018 · 2012 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2011-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, free of charge. The recall began July 5, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer…
Jan 2018 · 2012 · Air BagsAn inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico…
What can happen. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at…
Oct 2017 · 2012 · SuspensionIf a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan…
What can happen. If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began December 6, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261. This…
Jul 2017 · 2012 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the subject inflator with a new one manufactured by a different supplier, free of charge. The recall began on March 9, 2018. Owners may contact…
Apr 2017 · 2017 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash, if the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Versa, and Versa Note vehicles. The ring plate that secures the air bag cushion to the passenger frontal air bag assembly may fail, possibly causing the air bag to deploy improperly in the event of…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, if the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended, it can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Mar 2017 · 2012 · Air BagsIf the curtain and seat-mounted air bags inadvertently deploy, it can increase the risk of injury.
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa vehicles. Degradation of the side impact sensor connector pins may cause the curtain and seat-mounted air bags to deploy unexpectedly if the door is slammed.
What can happen. If the curtain and seat-mounted air bags inadvertently deploy, it can increase the risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a new jumper harness, and replace the side impact satellite sensors, free of charge. The recall began November 28, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan…
Jan 2017 · 2012 · Air BagsAn inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the…
What can happen. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began on June 8, 2017. Owners will receive a second notice when remedy parts…
Oct 2016 · 2017 · Air BagsIn the event of a crash necessitating side curtain air bag deployment, if the side curtain air bags do not…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2017 Versa vehicles manufactured August 1, 2016, to August 16, 2016. A seam in the fabric section of the side curtain air bags may tear during side curtain air bag deployment, potentially…
What can happen. In the event of a crash necessitating side curtain air bag deployment, if the side curtain air bags do not deploy as intended there would be an increased risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right side curtain air bags, free of charge. The recall began on December 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at…
Sep 2015 · 2012 · SuspensionIf a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Nissan (Nissan North America, Inc.) is recalling certain model year 2007-2012 Nissan Versa vehicles manufactured May 8, 2006, to November 12, 2012, that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana…
What can happen. If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front coil springs, free of charge. The recall began on February 2, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Aug 2015 · 2012–2015 · Vehicle Speed ControlA delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles manufactured June 9, 2011, to March 11, 2015, and 2014-2015 Nissan Versa Note vehicles manufactured April 23, 2013, to March 11, 2015. The affected…
What can happen. A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the console trim panel, free of charge. The recall began on September 14, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Jul 2015 · 2014 · Electrical SystemIf the engine start/stop button gets stuck in the housing, road vibrations may cause the engine to shut off…
The defect. Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Versa Sedan vehicles manufactured July 16, 2013, to January 29, 2014, 2013-2014 Cube vehicles manufactured July 3, 2013, to October 21, 2013, and 2013-2014 Juke vehicles manufactured…
What can happen. If the engine start/stop button gets stuck in the housing, road vibrations may cause the engine to shut off unexpectedly while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will modify the start/stop switch housing, free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2015. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Feb 2012 · 2012 · Air BagsThe side curtain air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 altima and Versa vehicles. These vehicles may be equipped with side curtain air bags that contain an incorrect propellant mixture for the initiator component used, resulting in insufficient output of compressed gas.
What can happen. The side curtain air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace one or both side curtain air bag modules, as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on march 12, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan…
Feb 2012 · 2012 · Power TrainThe operator can inadvertently shift the vehicle into gear without the brake pedal being depressed…
The defect. 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,289 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 140 (10.9%)
- Fires
- 10
- Injury reports
- 90
- Fatality reports
- 6
Versa problems by model year
The 2012 drew the most complaints of this generation, 486, most of them about the airbag system, and the 2019 the fewest, 24. A typical year drew about 124.
That makes the 2012 stand out at roughly 3.9 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 486 | 313 | 60,000 | Airbag system (167) | 10 |
| 2013 | 204 | 155 | 52,000 | Transmission and driveline (73) | 1 |
| 2014 | 207 | 158 | 56,000 | Transmission and driveline (82) | 2 |
| 2015 | 168 | 123 | 46,000 | Transmission and driveline (47) | 1 |
| 2016 | 81 | 50 | 34,000 | Airbag system (21) | 0 |
| 2017 | 62 | 34 | 27,000† | Airbag system (15) | 3 |
| 2018 | 57 | 26 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (17) | 2 |
| 2019 | 24 | 11 | under 30 reports | Transmission and driveline (11) | 1 |
What Versa owners reported
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Nissan Versa. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 98,488. It was discovered from a Carfax Report that mileage in 2015 was 96,458, and in the same year in September that the mileage…
2014 · 98,000 miles · Electrical system
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…
2014 · 59,000 miles · Engine
Odometer Fraud: The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that the vehicle jolted while driving. The contact stated that the check engine warning light had been tampered with. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was…
2019 · 172,000 miles · Electrical system
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2019 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that after driving and parking the vehicle at the residence, an independent mechanic discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 174,485, with the instrument panel…
2019 · 174,000 miles · Electrical system
Built from 870 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Versa generations
- Versa 2007–2011 1,063 reports with mileage, most about the airbag system