Air bag recalls and CVT failures
The 2012 Versa has about three times the model's average complaint rate. Takata air bag recalls and CVT failures lead the list.
Updated November 2026 · based on 486 owner complaints and 11 recalls
425 2.9x the Versa average
11 free to fix at a dealer
Every Versa year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2012 Versa
Top problems and what they cost
Takata air bag recall
Air bag inflators covered by recalls.
Fix: Free under recall
Air bags
CVT failure
Whining, slipping and CVT failure.
Fix: CVT $2,500 to $4,000
Transmission and drivetrain
Recalls
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
If the curtain and seat-mounted air bags inadvertently deploy, it can increase the risk of injury.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
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
A delay in the application of the brake pedal would lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle and increase the risk of a crash.
If a front coil spring fractures, it may contact the tire, possibly puncturing it, increasing the risk of a crash.
THE SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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 PEDE...
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2012 Nissan Versa
- Check the VIN for open air bag recalls.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2012 Versa has 11 recalls on record, listed below.
- Accelerate gently and listen for whine.A hum or whine that rises with speed often means worn wheel bearings or transmission and axle gears. Turning the radio off makes it easier to hear.Owners filed 48 complaints about CVT transmission problems on the 2012 Versa, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2012 Nissan Versa reliable?
Air bag recalls and CVT failures. The 2012 Versa has about three times the model's average complaint rate. Takata air bag recalls and CVT failures lead the list.
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Versa have?
11 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2012 Nissan Versa problems?
Takata air bag recall; CVT failure.
Crash rating shown for the 2012 Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.