Hello. I have a manual 2014 Nissan Versa that exhibits an unusual noise only when launching from 1st gear. The best way I can describe the sound is like the springs that you find in staplers being depressed when I let the clutch out. I know, by word description, this probably sounds normal due to the mechanics of manual transmissions but this sounds like something that may potentially break in the future? In general, how are these transmissions holding up? I have always had confidence in Nissan quality but sometimes this transmission feels so delicate and fragile. Thanks in advance.

Welcome aboard!

Generally, they're a good car for the money, and we're not seeing a lot of issues. However, that sound is most definitely not normal - how many miles are on the car? (That'll dictate the next course of action)

Thanks, it has around 25k miles

I think that might be covered by dealership warranty. You could check with them to be certain. You could ask the technician to test drive your car and see if they notice and can identify the same sounds. The pedal itself has a spring that can sound like that when it's not lubricated, but that typically happens to an older car than yours. Does the sound come from your feet or from then engine passenger side area? Also, can you barely feel it in the pedal or it just feels smooth and normal, but sounds odd? You're slave cylinder or clutch disc could have issues. I'd say pull the tranny and look for yourself, but that's a bit complicated on a FWD car. You can do some trial diagnoses and take note of your findings. Like is the noise there if you hold the clutch in or when you let it out in first gear, what about neutral? What if you try to go from a stop but just skip first and try to go in second? Do you get more or less noise? What about downshifting from 2nd to 1st? Any noise? You could pop the hood and stand near the master cylinder on the drivers side and have someone move the clutch to see if the noise comes from there or from more like the transmission area near the passenger side. You could do that without the engine running I think.

Also, before you get too deep into it, just go out there with the car NOT running, and get down in the footwell. Push the clutch in with your hand and see if it makes the noise. That'll give you an idea of whether it's at the pedal or further down the chain.

Thank you both. I only hear the sound when letting out in first gear. There is no noise for all other combinations of gears, clutching in neutral by hand/foot to test, downshifting, etc. Maybe this is a load-bearing issue for just first gear? Yes, I hope I can get something covered by warranty if there is an issue.

Best of luck with the warranty stuff. It seems like some sort of pre-mature wear to me. Clutches are a wear item, like brake pads and windshield wipers, but they should last more miles I'd think. An inspection might at least be covered and hopefully they can pinpoint the issue and let you know if you'll be on the hook for the the cost or if a warranty will cover it. Please let us know what happens. I'm curious as I own a Versa as well.

Where is noise coming from? From your description it might be a spring in the clutch pedal, or a throw out bearing. DO you hear rattle while in gear? Mainly in higher gears under light throttle?