VehicleVerdict

2012 Nissan Versa transmission problems

The 2012 Nissan Versa has 162 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 24% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

162

Transmission complaints

24%

Share of year

4

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Versa transmission complaints by model year162 complaints2007: 13 complaints2008: 17 complaints2009: 20 complaints2010: 6 complaints2011: 8 complaints2012: 162 complaints2013: 73 complaints2014: 81 complaints2015: 47 complaints2016: 20 complaints2017: 9 complaints2018: 9 complaints2019: 11 complaints2020: 16 complaints2021: 9 complaints2022: 6 complaints2023: 15 complaints2024: 34 complaints2025: 1 complaints
Versa transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

12V032000TransmissionFebruary 1, 2012 · 36,608 units

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 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.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN IT ROLLED BACKWARDS AND CRASHED INTO A WALL AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 6, 2012 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2012 Nissan Versa have?

NHTSA has 162 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Versa transmission — 24% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2012 Nissan Versa transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 12V032000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.