Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Nissan Versa
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Nissan Versa has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns and 486 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #22E066000 Replacement Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V401000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #18V044000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V637000 Front Coil Springs may Corrode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V449000 Driver Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V144000 Side Air Bags may Deploy Unexpectedly NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #17V028000 Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V573000 Front Coil Springs may Corrode NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15V507000 Lower Trim Panel may Impede Pedal Operation NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V055000 CURTAIN AIR BAG INFLATOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V032000 SHIFTER/FMVSS 114 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Air Bags 167 complaints
- Power Train 163 complaints
- Unknown or Other 51 complaints
- Engine 50 complaints
- Electrical System 34 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 33 complaints
Of the 486 complaints on file, 40 report a crash and 6 a fire; across all 486 complaints, owners report 31 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$10,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Nissan Versa shows a below-average reliability with significant complaints about air bags and powertrain. Its 11 recall campaigns and substantial owner complaints indicate problems particularly in these areas. However, other components have limited reports, making it challenging to provide a comprehensive evaluation. This suggests varied reliability depending on the component, with concerns mostly around safety features and drivetrain.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air bags | Unknown | $300–$1,200 | very common |
| Transmission | 70,000–100,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | very common |
| Coil springs | 60,000–90,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad and rotor checks
- Transmission fluid service
- Coolant system flush
- Tire rotations and balancing
- Spark plug replacement
- Belt inspections and replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Delayed gear engagement
- Unresponsive steering
- Unexpected airbag light
- Grinding noise when braking
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Nissan Versa at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.