NissanVersa Sedan2012Overview/nissan/versa-sedan/2012/base/

2012 Nissan Versa Sedan

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Versa Sedan.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan operates as a passenger car with an engine requiring exactly 3.2 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, defining its core mechanical requirement. Yet that utilitarian baseline is overshadowed by a troubled reliability record comprising 485 owner complaints and 11 separate recalls. With airbags standing as the top complaint area, this model year marks a notably problematic point in the Versa's history, meaning researchers must weigh significant safety vulnerabilities when evaluating this specific iteration.

Model year202020192018201520142012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 51R · 410 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 51R · 410 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-55R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter16546ED000 alt 165461HK0A
Spark plug22401JD01B alt 224011HC1B
Battery24410ZW40C alt 24410ZW40A
Front wiper blades28890ZN90A alt 28890EM31A
Serpentine belt11720EL00A alt 117201KT0A
Thermostat212306N20A alt 21200ET01A
Cabin air filter27277EL00A alt 272771KK0C

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length169.3 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height60.6 in
Wheelbase102.4 in
Curb weight2723 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 58.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidNissan Matic-S
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.3
Automatic Transmission FluidNissan CVT fluid NS-2
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.3-7.8
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.3 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts80 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub183 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary ResistanceExcept 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary ResistanceExcept 0 Between terminals 1 and 3
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm
Ignition Timing13, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance5 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number51R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca
Standard BCI Group Number51r
Standard BCI Cranking Performance410 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberT4
Standard BCI Cranking Performance470 cca

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure ReliefRadiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-182 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance1.44-1.73 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.5 ohms

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.059 in
Drum Nominal Diameter7.992 in
Drum Maximum Machining8.051 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6014 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 6020 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., step 2: 6022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., step 2: 6022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
260 degrees.60 degrees
3Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
430 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
575 degrees.75 degrees
675 degrees.; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 10 mm and 40 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.15 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to bolt threads and seating surface.75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
2100 degrees.100 degrees
3Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
430 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
5100 degrees.100 degrees
6100 degrees.; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 45 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.15 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to bolt threads and seating surface.100 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
124 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6024 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6025 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan lead in one area — the air bags, 131 of 485 reports (27%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 18V-401 and 17V-144 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 40 of the reports describe a crash and 6 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
156
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
7
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
485
Owner complaints
40 involved a crash · 6 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 485 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags131
Power Train116
Unknown Or Other23
Engine15
Suspension13
Service Brakes13
Electrical System10
Power Train,Engine8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V401000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 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… Remedy: 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…

17V144000Air Bags:Side/WindowReported 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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 156 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Versa Sedan. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Versa Sedan take?

3.2 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Versa Sedan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.