YearToAvoid

2012 Nissan Versa Steering Problems

NHTSA lists 24 steering complaints for the 2012 Nissan Versa, 5% of its 486 total complaints for the year. These complaints are linked to 3 crashes and 1 injury, with a median failure mileage of 21,500 miles. No steering-related recalls are on file for this model year.

Steering complaints
24
5% of 486
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
21,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical steering symptoms owners report

  • Power steering assist cuts off suddenly, sometimes preceded by lurching or a momentary power loss, and is accompanied by a warning light.
  • Vehicle veers or pulls to one side even after repeated dealer alignments, forcing the driver to hold the wheel tightly to stay in the lane.
  • Steering feels loose or disconnected from the road, with the car drifting in different directions on uneven pavement despite a straight wheel.
  • Rack and pinion steering component reportedly snapped while driving after a low-speed curb bump, resulting in total loss of steering control.
  • Owners report noise coming from the steering wheel area during turns, sometimes alongside unrelated wheel-bearing or tie-rod issues found during inspection.

When 2012 Nissan Versa steering complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 3, 2012, latest Oct 19, 2020.

2012 Nissan Versa steering complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2012Mar 2013Mar 2014Apr 2015Jul 2016Sep 2017Nov 2018
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2012 to Oct 2020; peak Jul 2014 (3).

Steering recalls for the 2012 Nissan Versa

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Steering complaints by Versa model year

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

  1. 200722 (6%)
  2. 200823 (6%)
  3. 200928 (6%)
  4. 201011 (4%)
  5. 201121 (8%)
  6. 201224 (5%)
  7. 20138 (4%)
  8. 201410 (5%)
  9. 201520 (12%)
  10. 20167 (9%)
  11. 20173 (5%)
  12. 20182 (4%)
  13. 20192 (8%)
  14. 20201 (2%)
  15. 20214 (13%)
  16. 20220 (0%)
  17. 20230 (0%)
  18. 20241 (1%)
  19. 20251 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

How many steering complaints does the 2012 Nissan Versa have?
NHTSA lists 24 steering complaints for the 2012 Nissan Versa, which is 5% of the 486 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a steering recall for the 2012 Nissan Versa?
No. The data shows no related recalls filed for steering on the 2012 Nissan Versa.
At what mileage do steering problems typically show up on the 2012 Versa?
The median mileage at failure for steering complaints on the 2012 Versa is 21,500 miles.
Did the 2012 Versa's steering problems cause crashes?
NHTSA data links the steering complaints for the 2012 Versa to 3 crashes and 1 injury, with no fires reported in this component area.
How does the 2012 Versa compare to other Versa years for steering complaints?
The 2012 Versa had 24 steering complaints (5% share), lower in share than 2015's 12% and 2011's 8%, but the highest raw complaint count among all Versa model years listed.

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.