MYRModel Year Report

2012 Nissan Versa

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2012 Nissan Versa
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Versa Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2012 highlighted. 2007: 354 complaints 2007 2008: 381 complaints 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 267 complaints 2010 2011: 268 complaints 2012: 485 complaints 2012 2013: 204 complaints 2013 2014: 205 complaints 2015: 168 complaints 2016: 79 complaints 2016 2017: 62 complaints 2018: 54 complaints 2019: 24 complaints 2019 2020: 63 complaints 2021: 31 complaints 2022: 18 complaints 2022 2023: 37 complaints 2024: 93 complaints 2025: 11 complaints 2025
2012: 485 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
2007354
2008381
2009502
2010267
2011268
2012485
2013204
2014205
2015168
201679
201762
201854
201924
202063
202131
202218
202337
202493
202511

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 34%

34% of complaints: air bags — 165 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL . I WAS IN A CAR ACCIENDT ON JUNE 8, 2017 AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT WORK WHILE I WAS IN MOTION AS I WAS BEING HIT ON THE HIGHWAY BY ANOTHER CAR AND UNDER MY CREDIT KARMA PROFILE , ITS SHOWS MY CAR HAS FIVE RECALL NOTICES .

NHTSA ODI report, 20171225

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 NISSAN VERSA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF HIS VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171114

TAKATA RECALL I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND ENDED UP HAVING PLASTIC PIECES FROM MY AIRBAG SHOT INTO MY RIGHT HAND. THIS ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON A CITY STREET WHERE I REAR ENDED A MOTORCYCLE. *BF UPDATED 8/24/18*JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20171107

POWER TRAIN 33%

33% of complaints: power train — 160 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120709

ENGINE 10%

10% of complaints: engine — 50 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Upon purchasing my vehicle the frame bolt had rattled loose and the motor mounts were broke because of how hard the engine rattles.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240129

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7%

7% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 32 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20111004

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2012 — complaint volume: 485
I 20120214 — EQ (closed 20120508)

Autoliv Air Bag Propellant Mixture

R 20120305 — power train

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 REQUIREME

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 NISSA

Campaign 12V032000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120312 — air bags

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 COMPONE

Remedy: 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 CUSTOM

Campaign 12V055000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20120815 — PE (closed 20130122)

SRS Warning Light Illumination

I 20140624 — PE (closed 20150427)

Pedal Operation Interference

I 20150401 — EA (closed 20150901)

Pedal Operation Interference

I 20150513 — PE (closed 20151002)

Front Coil Spring Fracture

R 20150914 — service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V507000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160202 — suspension

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,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V573000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20160928 — PE (closed 20170320)

Inadvertent Curtain and Seat Air Bag

R 20170608 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc.

Remedy: 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 become available.

Campaign 17V028000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171128 — air bags

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.

Remedy: 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 customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 17V144000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20171206 — suspension

Nissan North America, Inc.

Remedy: 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 campaign expands recall 15V573.

Campaign 17V637000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180309 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles.

Remedy: 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 Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 17V449000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180309 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc.

Remedy: 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 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 18V044000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20180705 — air bags

Nissan North America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 18V401000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20220923 — air bags

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.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inflators as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 14, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Campaign 22E066000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2012 Nissan Versa — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (165 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (160 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (50 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 12V032000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V055000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V507000 (service brakes, hydraulic, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V573000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V028000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V144000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V637000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 17V449000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V044000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V401000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22E066000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2021 ▲ 2023 ▲ 2018

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2008 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2012 Nissan Versa reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Nissan Versa is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Versa?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Versa have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.