YearToAvoid

2012 Nissan Versa Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 42 brake complaints for the 2012 Nissan Versa, 9% of its 486 total complaints that year, with 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 7 injuries. Median mileage at failure was 49,500. No related recalls are listed for this brake issue.

Brakes complaints
42
9% of 486
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
7
Median mileage
49,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the brake pedal sinking to the floor with no response, especially on hills or during braking at moderate speed.
  • Several complaints describe a noticeable delay between pressing the brake pedal and the vehicle actually slowing down, leading to rear-end collisions.
  • Some drivers report the brake pedal pumping was needed to regain any brake pressure after an initial failure.
  • One owner reported the vehicle lurching or accelerating unexpectedly when shifting into reverse or gear, followed by brake failure and a crash into a fixed object.
  • A grinding noise from the brakes when the pedal was depressed was reported alongside separate hesitation and idle problems.

When 2012 Nissan Versa brake complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 29, 2012, latest Jun 6, 2023.

2012 Nissan Versa brakes complaints: complaints filed per month3Mar 2012Nov 2013Mar 2015Oct 2015Sep 2016Jul 2017Jul 2018Apr 2023
42 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2012 to Jun 2023; peak Nov 2017 (3).

Brakes recalls for the 2012 Nissan Versa

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Versa model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200717 (5%)
  2. 200822 (6%)
  3. 200913 (3%)
  4. 20108 (3%)
  5. 20116 (2%)
  6. 201242 (9%)
  7. 201335 (17%)
  8. 201433 (16%)
  9. 201529 (17%)
  10. 20169 (11%)
  11. 20179 (15%)
  12. 20186 (11%)
  13. 20196 (25%)
  14. 20206 (9%)
  15. 20212 (6%)
  16. 20221 (5%)
  17. 20230 (0%)
  18. 20242 (2%)
  19. 20251 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA lists 42 brake complaints for the 2012 Versa, which is 9% of the 486 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Nissan Versa brakes?
No related recalls are listed for this brake issue in the available data.
At what mileage do brake problems typically show up on the 2012 Versa?
The median mileage at failure among reported brake complaints was 49,500 miles.
Did the brake problems cause any crashes or injuries?
Yes, NHTSA data tied to this brake issue on the 2012 Versa shows 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 7 injuries.
How does the 2012 Versa's brake complaint share compare to other years?
The 2012 model year's 9% brake complaint share is lower than 2013 (17%), 2014 (16%), 2015 (17%), and 2019 (25%), but higher than 2010 (3%) and 2011 (2%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.