Model year guide

2012 Nissan Versa

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Nissan Versa is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 692 on record.

2012 Nissan Versa — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Nissan Versa at a glance

Safety recalls11
Owner complaints486
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined30 mpg
Typical price$7,586

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Nissan Versa recalls 11

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #18V401000 · 15/06/2018

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…

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.

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #17V144000 · 06/03/2017

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.

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #17V449000 · 17/07/2017

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Versa Sedan and 2007-2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles. The affected vehicles have a driver frontal air bag inflator that may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to moderate absolute humidity, temperatures, and temperature cycling.

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #17V028000 · 10/01/2017

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Nissan Versa hatchbacks originally sold, or ever registered, in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A". Additionally, if not included in "Zone A" above, Nissan is recalling certain 2009…

Fix: 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. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs NHTSA Campaign #17V637000 · 11/10/2017

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2012 Versa Hatchback vehicles that were sold or ever registered in the District of Columbia, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Road salt may corrode the fr…

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #18V044000 · 10/01/2018

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Versa Hatchback, and 2009-2011 Versa Sedan vehicles ever registered in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Nissan is recalling certain 2009-2010 Ver…

Fix: 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.

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal NHTSA Campaign #15V507000 · 12/08/2015

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. The affected vehicles have a center console trim panel that may catch the driver's shoe and delay the transition from the accelerator pedal to the brake pedal.

Fix: 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.

Suspension:front:springs:coil Springs NHTSA Campaign #15V573000 · 14/09/2015

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, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virgini…

Fix: 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.

Air Bags:side/window NHTSA Campaign #12V055000 · 14/02/2012

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 COMPONENT USED, RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT OUTPUT OF COMPRESSED GAS.

Fix: 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 CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 615-725-1000.

Power Train:manual Transmission:shift Pattern Indicator NHTSA Campaign #12V032000 · 01/02/2012

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114,”THEFT PROTECTION.” DUE TO INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE SHIFTER ROD AND THE SHIFT KNOB, THE VEHICLES MAY BE SHIFTED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAK…

Fix: 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 NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module NHTSA Campaign #22E066000 · 09/08/2022

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. The parts include certain passenger-side air bag inflators designed to fit Infiniti 2002-2003 QX4, 2006-2010 M35 and M45; Nissan 2001-2003 Maxima, 2002-2006 Sentra, and both driver and passenger-side inflators designed to fit 2007-2012 Versa Sedan a…

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Nissan Versa common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 486 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2012 Nissan Versa safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Nissan Versa 4 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Nissan Versa MPG & running costs

Combined30 mpg
City27 mpg
Highway33 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,090

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Nissan Versa worth?

Low
$5,100
Typical price
$7,586
High
$9,600

From 690 comparable 2012 Nissan Versa listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Nissan Versa costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$10,450
Depreciation (5 yrs)$4,000
Total$14,450
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($7,586) with the same model 5 model-years older ($3,578), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Nissan Versa trims & engines on record

Trims
1.8 S · 1.6 S
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl 122 hp · 1.6L 4-cyl 109 hp

2012 Nissan Versa vehicles on record

Other Nissan Versa model years

2012 Nissan Versa — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Nissan Versa have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 safety recalls for the 2012 Nissan Versa. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

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

Based on 486 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, power train, electrical system.

What is the 2012 Nissan Versa safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Nissan Versa an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 3★, side 4★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Versa get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Versa at about 30 mpg combined (27 city / 33 highway).

How much is a 2012 Nissan Versa worth?

Comparable 2012 Nissan Versa listings run roughly $5,100–$9,600, typically around $7,586 (from 690 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.