The Lemon Index2012 Nissan Versa.
The 2012 Nissan Versa is worse than average by owner complaints: 145 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 118, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 27 to 33 mpg combined. The best Nissan Versa year is 2019.
Worse than average. 1.2× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2019
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 486 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Versa year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 33K to 79K miles on the car (313 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 18K–79K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 48K–89K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 35K–71K miles
Recalls 11
- airbags 2022
Please see Nissan's recall report for the specific part numbers.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2018
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Show all 11 recalls
- suspension 2017
Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
- airbags 2017
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, temperatures, and temperature cycling.
- airbags 2017
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.
- airbags 2017
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
- suspension 2015
Road salt may corrode the front coil springs, possibly resulting in the coil springs fracturing.
- speed control 2015
The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal.
- airbags 2012
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 ALTIMA AND VERSA VEHICLES.
- transmission & drivetrain 2012
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 157 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been…
- Sentra, versa sedan, and versa note; cvt fluid leak service information service information…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
- ClosedInadvertent curtain and seat air bag2016–2017
- ClosedPedal operation interference2015
- ClosedFront coil spring fracture2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Nissan Versa 5 HB FWD | not rated | ★★★☆☆ | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1950–2400 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.6L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Transmission had to be replaced for $4,500 for a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty.
2012 Nissan Versa owner · NHTSA complaint 10704653
More owner reports
Concerned with my transmission slipping out of gear...and malfunction of air bags.
NHTSA complaint 10670007
Air bag light is constantly blinking...this means the airbag is non functional...this has been a recall item but my vehicle is not listed.... Means airbag is non functional..
NHTSA complaint 10745738
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Nissan Versa reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 118; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Versa year by this measure is 2019.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Versa problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (37%), airbags (19%) and speed control (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Versa have?
11 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Versa get?
27 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Nissan Versa safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Nissan Versa problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 33,000 and 79,500 miles. The middle report was at 60,100 miles, from 313 complaints.
Does the 2012 Nissan Versa have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 37% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Nissan Versa cost in fuel a year?
About $1950 to $2400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Nissan Versa have?
1.6L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Versa year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works