Problems · by component

2012 Nissan Versa engine problems

50 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Versa cite engine, 10% of all 486 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
50
10% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“My car keeps having sensors go out. Such as the tire pressure sensor and fuel compression sensor I think is what they called it anyways. They start to go up a hill. And my car loses all speed and slows way down my traction control. Don't turn on when it's supposed to. And needs to my cruise control, quit working when this went out. And my engines started sounding louder, which is weird because it's the one variable transmission. I love this car. I really. I'm tired of replacing sensors, though. Why do they keep going out? I kind of need those sensors to keep the carving good and the tire sensor lets me know if my tires are going flat or not. And I don't know now. I have to constantly be checking my tires with it. Pressure gauge also May I ask how to find out value? I found out the Carla. I'm buying this from has charged me 3 times more than it's claimed value that carmax says it's worth Which honestly I love this car so much? It really doesn't bother me that they did. But at the same time, I'm having to spend all this money getting it fixed. Because things keep going out. Online it says that it's only worth maybe 6000 I'm paying almost 15000 plus I've paid out…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2026Unknown or other, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11714475
“I carry my family with me and in traffic the traction control light would come on and the car would loose power and not accelerate almost causing accidents I was told it was the speed sensors malfunctioning and the brakes would not work properly when trying to stop”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 6, 2023Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, EngineODI 11525740
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Versa. The contact stated while reversing into a parking spot, the vehicle began to hesitate and jerk before the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the check engine and brake warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle restarted. The contact stated she had experienced the failure six times. The contact called and notified the Used Car dealer where she purchased the vehicle of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2023Power train, EngineODI 11505130
“NISSAN VERSA 2012 HAS A ENGINE PROBLEM WITH THE MASS AIR SENSOR AND ALSO THE ELECTRICAL PROBELM.MY CAR SHUT OFF ON THE ROAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING.I SENT TO THE MECHANIST BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE EXACT PROBLEM.I ALSO SENT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAIN IT. I ONE TIME ALMOST GOT A ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2021Electrical system, Air bags, EngineCrash reportedODI 11395606
“ON NOVEMBER 12, 2020 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON LEAVING FROM MY JOB SO I MADE AN APPOINTMENT ON NOVEMBER 14,2020 TO GET THE CAR SERVICE. I WENT TO THE NISSAN CAR DEALERSHIP SPOKE WITH THE SALESMAN IN REFERENCE TO MY VEHICLE AND THE PERSON STATED I HAVE WATER IMMERSED IN MY TAIL LIGHT IS WHY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS COMING ON AND IF I DON'T GET THE PROBLEM FIX THE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON. I ASKED IF I GET THE PROBLEM FIX WILL IT HAPPEN AGAIN THE ANSWER WAS YES DO TO THE MODEL AND MAKE ON MY VEHICLE I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 27, 2020Exterior lighting, EngineODI 11376763
“P0846 FLUID PRESSURE SENSOR - REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION CONTROL VALVE BODY/ REPLACE COMPLETE TRANSMISSION. I GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WHICH SHOWED P0846 CODE IN MID 2018. HOWEVER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DISAPPEARED AFTER A WHILE. THE LIGHT REAPPEARED NOW IN 2020 SHOWING THE SAME FAULTY CODE. I WENT TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT OUT AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IN NISSANS 2012 VERSA AND THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE WARRANTY HAS ALSO EXPIRED AS THE VEHICLE IS ABOVE 84000 MILES. ( I GOT THIS LIGHT AT 79K MILES WITH THE SAME CODE AND IT HAD DISAPPEARED.) I HAD PHOTOGRAPHED IT WITH DATES AND TIME SHOWING . NISSAN TOLD ME THAT THEY WILL NOT HELP IN ANY WAY AND THAT I WILL NEED TO COVER THE COMPLETE COST. VEHICLE WORKS PRETTY OKAY I DON'T FEEL ANY ISSUES IN IT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 29, 2020Power train, EngineODI 11326547

Showing 6 of 50 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.