YearToAvoid

2020 Nissan Versa Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 16 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2020 Nissan Versa, 25% of its 64 total complaints for the year. No related recall exists. Median mileage at failure is 25,000 miles.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
16
25% of 64
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
25,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the vehicle hesitating or failing to accelerate when shifted into drive or reverse, sometimes moving only very slowly.
  • Several describe the CVT shuddering or jerking during low-speed acceleration, with some noting the transmission felt like it was overheating.
  • Some report sudden RPM drops followed by unexpected surges in acceleration while driving around 35 MPH.
  • A few owners describe the transmission slipping or losing power gradually, eventually leading to full transmission failure.
  • One owner reported dashboard warning lights (ABS, Forward Collision Warning, Parking Collision Warning) appearing alongside a loss of acceleration.
  • One owner reported jerking and stalling from a stop with the transmission and malfunction indicator lights illuminated.

When 2020 Nissan Versa transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 22, 2020, latest Jun 24, 2026.

2020 Nissan Versa transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2020Oct 2021Jan 2023Feb 2025Jul 2025Nov 2025Feb 2026Jun 2026
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2020 to Jun 2026; peak Jan 2023 (2).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Nissan Versa

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Versa model year

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

  1. 200713 (4%)
  2. 200817 (4%)
  3. 200920 (4%)
  4. 20106 (2%)
  5. 20118 (3%)
  6. 2012163 (34%)
  7. 201373 (36%)
  8. 201482 (40%)
  9. 201547 (28%)
  10. 201620 (25%)
  11. 20179 (15%)
  12. 201810 (18%)
  13. 201911 (46%)
  14. 202016 (25%)
  15. 20219 (29%)
  16. 20227 (35%)
  17. 202315 (41%)
  18. 202434 (36%)
  19. 20254 (33%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems in the 2020 Nissan Versa?
NHTSA lists 16 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2020 Versa, which is 25% of the 64 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Nissan Versa transmission?
No. NHTSA shows no related recalls for the transmission & powertrain area on the 2020 Versa.
At what mileage do 2020 Versa transmission problems usually appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 25,000 miles for transmission & powertrain complaints on this model year.
Have transmission complaints caused crashes or injuries in the 2020 Versa?
NHTSA records zero crashes, zero fires, and zero injuries tied to the 16 transmission & powertrain complaints for the 2020 Versa.
How does the 2020 Versa compare to other Versa years for transmission complaints?
The 25% share of complaints tied to transmission & powertrain in 2020 is lower than 2019's 46% and 2023's 41%, but higher than 2017's 15%, according to NHTSA data.

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.