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Nissan

2012 Nissan VERSA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Nissan VERSA has 672 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.7x the segment average of 117. The most common issue is air bags problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: i was given this car as a rental. i am an extremely safe driver with a perfect driving record. within 7-8 minutes of driving this vehicle there was a crash! i drove in on the same busy street that the rental car was located and from the stop light the car switched into gear automatically and the . There are 11 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 8 fire reports filed.

8 fire reports 50 crash reports 35 injuries

672

Total Complaints

11

Recalls Issued

/5

Safety Stars

5.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

169 complaints
25%
  • I WAS GIVEN THIS CAR AS A RENTAL. I AM AN EXTREMELY SAFE DRIVER WITH A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD. WITHIN 7-8 MINUTES OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THERE WAS A CRASH! I DROVE IN ON THE SAME BUSY STREET THAT THE RENTAL CAR WAS LOCATED AND FROM THE STOP LIGHT THE CAR SWITCHED INTO GEAR AUTOMATICALLY AND THE
  • WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I STRUCK A DEER IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF CAR NO AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT . DAMAGE WAS HOOD, FENDERS, GRILL , BUMPER AND RADIATOR , AC, CONDENSER AND SLIGHT FRAME DAMAGE. *TR
  • TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO AVOID A VEHICLE WHO HAD CROSSED THE DOUBLE LINES ON THE ROAD. THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE WENT OFF THE ROAD CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AS A RESULT, HE CRASHED INTO A SIGN C
Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports💥 28 crashes

I WAS GIVEN THIS CAR AS A RENTAL. I AM AN EXTREMELY SAFE DRIVER WITH A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD. WITHIN 7-8 MINUTES OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THERE WAS A CRASH! I DROVE IN ON THE SAME BUSY STREET THAT THE RENTAL CAR WAS LOCATED AND FROM THE STOP LIGHT THE CAR SWITCHED INTO GEAR AUTOMATICALLY AND THE

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Nissan VERSA

Based on 431 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 59K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage
0-30K
106
30-60K
113
60-100K
159
100-150K
48
150-200K
2
200K+
3

AIR BAGS

Earlier than typicalmedian 44K mi · 57 reports
0-30K
20
30-60K
12
60-100K
15
100-150K
9
150-200K
1
200K+
0

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 35K mi · 26 reports
0-30K
11
30-60K
8
60-100K
4
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
1

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 35K mi · 26 reports
0-30K
9
30-60K
9
60-100K
6
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 28K mi · 19 reports
0-30K
10
30-60K
3
60-100K
4
100-150K
2
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SPEED CONTROL

Earlier than typicalmedian 52K mi · 18 reports
0-30K
6
30-60K
5
60-100K
6
100-150K
1
150-200K
0
200K+
0

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

Earlier than typicalmedian 51K mi · 5 reports
0-30K
2
30-60K
1
60-100K
2
100-150K
0
150-200K
0
200K+
0

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (11)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE15/06/2018

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, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Nissan is also recalling 2010-2011 Nissan Versa sedan vehicles and 2010-2012 Nissan Versa hatchback vehicles ever registered in the states of ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.

Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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 service at 1-800-867-7669.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Nissan VERSA

Live EIA prices
Per year
$1,600
Per month
$133
Per mile
13.3¢
MPG
30
City driving (worst-case MPG)
$2,001/yr
Highway driving (best-case MPG)
$1,298/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today
Current
$4.00
5-year low
$2.78
5-year high
$5.01
Since 2021
+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Nissan VERSA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.
Full coverage / year
$1,478
Full coverage / month
$123
Liability only / year
$611
vs US avg
-12%
How this estimate is calculated
US base full-coverage premium$1674
× state (US)1.00x
× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x
× theft risk1.00x
× safety rating1.00x
× vehicle age0.92x
= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan VERSA Service Intervals

Oil change
5K mi / 6 mo
Tire rotation
5K mi
Brake fluid
24 months
Transmission fluid
60K mi
Engine coolant
105K mi
Spark plugs
105K mi
Cabin air filter
15K mi
Engine air filter
30K mi
Differential (AWD/4WD)
60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)
3 yr / 36K mi
Powertrain
5 yr / 60K mi
Hybrid/EV battery
8 yr / 100K mi
Corrosion (rust perforation)
5 yr / unlimited mi
Roadside assistance
3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2012 VERSA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)
$500
TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)
$500
ENGINE(~50K mi)
$500
OTHER(~50K mi)
$500
SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)
$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 672 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

  • AIR BAGS: I WAS GIVEN THIS CAR AS A RENTAL. I AM AN EXTREMELY SAFE DRIVER WITH A PERFECT DRIVING RECORD. WITHIN 7-8 MINUTES OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE THERE WAS A CRASH! I DROVE IN ON THE SAME BUSY STREET THAT THE RENTAL CAR WAS LOCATED AND FROM THE STOP LIGHT THE CAR SWITCHED INTO GEAR AUTOMATICALLY AND THE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN VERSA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH APPROACHING A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WITH THE BRAKE ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITH FORCE IN REVERSE FOR A FEW SECONDS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED REPEATEDLY BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • ENGINE: THE NISSAN DEALERS SAY THAT THE CHANGE OF SPEED IN THIS CAR CANNOT BE FELT, AND SO DOES THE TV COMMERCIAL. IT ISN'T TRUE. IT IS A DANGER IN THE STREETS. EVERYTIME I GO TO THE EXPRESSWAY I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ISN'T A CAR ANY CLOSE TO BE ABLE TO ENTER BECAUSE WHEN YOU TRY TO SPEED A BIT, IT

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • OTHER: THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THERE IS HESITATION BETWEEN 20-30 MPH. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED AND WAS TOLD: SYSTEM: TRANSMISSION, PART NUMBER: 31036-3AA6B, DTC: P0740, DETAILED INFO: TORQUE CONVERTER

    Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500

  • RECALLS: Verify all 11 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
  • General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)

NHTSA Safety Rating

No NHTSA safety rating available

At a Glance

Complaints
672
Recalls
11
Fire reports
8
Crash reports
50
Injury reports
35
Segment avg
117

Check a Specific VIN

See recalls for YOUR 2012 Nissan VERSA