Total Complaints
672 filings
NISSAN VERSA · model year
672 NHTSA complaints, 65 crash reports, and 11 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2012NISSANVERSA carries 672 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 65 crashes, 11 fires, 41 injuries, and 1 fatality. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 3/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 VERSA is air bags with 165 filings, followed by power train (160) and unknown or other (51). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 11 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2012 VERSA, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
672 filings
Crashes Reported
65 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| AIR BAGS | 165 |
| POWER TRAIN | 160 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 51 |
| ENGINE | 50 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 32 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 30 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 29 |
| SUSPENSION | 26 |
| STEERING | 24 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 14 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 13 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 10 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 8 |
| WHEELS | 6 |
| SEAT BELTS | 5 |
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temper
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, N
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
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, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland,
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
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 vehicles have a center console trim panel tha
SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
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, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Ne
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Marian
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain air bag inflator replacement service parts that may have been installed as part of a theft or collision repair. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:SHIFT PATTERN INDICATOR
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 BETWE
My car keeps having sensors go out. Such as the tire pressure sensor and fuel compression sensor I think is what they called it anyways. They start to go up a hill. And my car loses all speed and slows way down my traction control. Don't turn on when it's supposed to. And needs to my cruise control, quit working when this went out. And my engines started sounding louder, which is weird because it's the one variable transmission. I love this car. I really. I'm tired of replacing sensors, though. Why do they keep going out? I kind of need those sensors to keep the carving good and the tire sensor lets me know if my tires are going flat or not. And I don't know now. I have to constantly be checking my tires with it. Pressure gauge also May I ask how to find out value? I found out the Carla. I'm buying this from has charged me 3 times more than it's claimed value that carmax says it's worth Which honestly I love this car so much? It really doesn't bother me that they did. But at the same t
My car keeps having sensors go out. Such as the tire pressure sensor and fuel compression sensor I think is what they called it anyways. They start to go up a hill. And my car loses all speed and slows way down my traction control. Don't turn on when it's supposed to. And needs to my cruise control, quit working when this went out. And my engines started sounding louder, which is weird because it's the one variable transmission. I love this car. I really. I'm tired of replacing sensors, though. Why do they keep going out? I kind of need those sensors to keep the carving good and the tire sensor lets me know if my tires are going flat or not. And I don't know now. I have to constantly be checking my tires with it. Pressure gauge also May I ask how to find out value? I found out the Carla. I'm buying this from has charged me 3 times more than it's claimed value that carmax says it's worth Which honestly I love this car so much? It really doesn't bother me that they did. But at the same t
My car keeps having sensors go out. Such as the tire pressure sensor and fuel compression sensor I think is what they called it anyways. They start to go up a hill. And my car loses all speed and slows way down my traction control. Don't turn on when it's supposed to. And needs to my cruise control, quit working when this went out. And my engines started sounding louder, which is weird because it's the one variable transmission. I love this car. I really. I'm tired of replacing sensors, though. Why do they keep going out? I kind of need those sensors to keep the carving good and the tire sensor lets me know if my tires are going flat or not. And I don't know now. I have to constantly be checking my tires with it. Pressure gauge also May I ask how to find out value? I found out the Carla. I'm buying this from has charged me 3 times more than it's claimed value that carmax says it's worth Which honestly I love this car so much? It really doesn't bother me that they did. But at the same t
The transmission failed on the highway making the car serging violently from high to low speeds and then to nothing
The transmission failed on the highway making the car serging violently from high to low speeds and then to nothing
The contact owns 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idling or while driving at various speeds, the driver's side floor was significantly hot, and the contact could feel the heat on her feet. The contact stated that the front driver's side floor carpet was burned, and the metal was visible. Additionally, the contact stated that the front brake pads were wearing prematurely and were replaced several times. The contact stated that while an oil change was being performed at Express Oil, the technician informed the contact that he had burned his hand due to the exhaust and manifold being significantly hot. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test and the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that she would be contacted later. The failure mileage was unknown.
I bought a used 2012 Nissan Versa from a third party at a very low mileage (46k miles), and itâs now at 54k, and the CVT is showing issues. Check engine light recently came on and Iâve always went to Nissan technicians and they said theyâre surprised at 54k miles Iâm 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 theyâve seem to have poorly manufactured. Iâm 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.
It wonât let me go over 30 without the rpmâs significantly increasing and transmission light is on
It wonât let me go over 30 without the rpmâs significantly increasing and transmission light is on
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the horn failed to function while needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact to reach out to the local dealer because the failure might be due to a possible air bag failure. The local dealer advised the contact to reach out to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the manufacturer related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign that was possibly associated with the VIN in the past. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Mileage: 136,000
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated that occasionally while driving at various speeds, the horn failed to function while needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who advised the contact to reach out to the local dealer because the failure might be due to a possible air bag failure. The local dealer advised the contact to reach out to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the manufacturer related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign that was possibly associated with the VIN in the past. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
Mileage: 136,000
11587629 does not explain the issue I Reported 2012 Nissan Versa SV made July 2011, purchased Sep. 2011. 2022 45000 miles check engine light. o2, crankshaft position codes. A pig tail connected up stream o2 to crankshaft pos. sensor. Pig tail wires not togather, only taped' These two sensors were not connected to main wire harness.. Nissan new harness and labor $1100.+ , for what they didn't make right when built. How many people have been charged for this repair? That was Nissan's fault.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway and restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with an unstated wiring harness. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 45,000.
Mileage: 45,000
Wheel hub came right out of the drum nothing broke my wheel just came off car..
Horn issues horn isn't working Car shuts off constantly Multiple misfire codes reading permanent Codes won't clear on code reader Air bag light keeps blinking
Horn issues horn isn't working Car shuts off constantly Multiple misfire codes reading permanent Codes won't clear on code reader Air bag light keeps blinking
Horn issues horn isn't working Car shuts off constantly Multiple misfire codes reading permanent Codes won't clear on code reader Air bag light keeps blinking
Upon purchasing my vehicle the frame bolt had rattled loose and the motor mounts were broke because of how hard the engine rattles.
Upon purchasing my vehicle the frame bolt had rattled loose and the motor mounts were broke because of how hard the engine rattles.
Upon purchasing my vehicle the frame bolt had rattled loose and the motor mounts were broke because of how hard the engine rattles.
Driver Airbag Inflator Rupture
Inner Tie Rod Failures
Side curtain air bags may deploy inadvertently
Reduced Power After Engine Stall
Loss of motive power due to broken crankshaft with no ability to restart.
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.