CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013-2017 Nissan Sentra has an expensive CVT transmission failure defect that shows up plainly in our complaint data.

In late 2019, the CVT defect was subject to a class action settlement. However the settlement only covers transmission repairs up to 7 years after purchase or 84,000 miles (whichever occurs first).

Because many owners commonly drive 20,000 miles/year or more, Sentra owners experiencing CVT transmission problems may find they are not covered by this settlement due to the mileage limitation.

8.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,440
Average Mileage:
90,550 miles
Total Complaints:
37 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (31 reports)
  2. not sure (6 reports)
2013 Nissan Sentra transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #37

Apr 012024

Sentra

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission is going out. Not worth the estimated cost. Never buying a Nissan again. Never ever ever ever ever

- S T., Dallas, TX, US

problem #36

Oct 202023

Sentra S/SV/SR/SL 110

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,504 miles

My transmission has major failures, makes a super loud noise when I drive it, my RPMs tick/ shift when I try to go fast! I’ve gone to auto mechanics and they all said the same thing, my car need a whole new transmission, I’ve talked to the Nissan dealership and they suggested the same thing! Back in October of 2023 I got my car emissions done and my check engine light was on, shortly after that my car transmission started failing! I looked an article about how there was a transmission recall for Nissan back in 2020 and my mileage fall under the category of still being able to qualify for the recall! I only ever drive my car to my job and back witch is 10 to 15 minute drive, so I never am hard on my mileage or drive it for long distances and I never take it off roading because that’s not the kind of car it is, I only ever drive it on streets that have stop lights on them or if for whatever I’ll drive on the highway but that’s hardly ever! So my main concern is to see if my car 2013 Nissan Sentra can still qualify for that 2020 recall of Nissan transmissions

Thank you for allowing me to voice my concerns, and figuring out a solution!

- Addison Y., Highland, US

problem #35

Nov 102023

Sentra LS

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

I bought the 2013 Nissan Sentra new. Around 1,500 miles the car would sutter and shake at stop signs or red lights feeling it might shut down. Nissan couldn't find any problem. My first cvt transmission failure occurred around 60,000 miles at a cost of over $4,000. A more major problem I had fixed was a whole new fuel system and a whole new A/C system. Now just a few days ago my cvt transmission has gone out on me again! I know it will cost me another $4,000 to fix. I wish I had done more research before buying it and I wish I could report it to the lemon law or get some sort of settlement because now I have to go in debt for another vehicle.

- David M., Baytown, TX, US

problem #34

Aug 312023

Sentra SL 1.8L V4

  • CVT transmission
  • 116,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had to transmission replaced at 115,000 it went out after a couple of days, I got the car back yesterday after it was repaired. On my way to work this morning the check engine light came on luckily I was able to make it home. Is it even worth trying to fix?

- Salman U., Lake Dallas, TX, US

problem #33

Oct 212022

Sentra SR

  • CVT transmission
  • 150,000 miles

This is the 2nd time the CVT transmission has gone out. Nissan is a horrible company. They know their CVTs are bad and yet they continue to use them. I don't know how this company has not gone out of business yet.

- LmAo R., Hesperia, CA, US

problem #32

Aug 212022

Sentra SR

  • Automatic transmission
  • 179,881 miles

I bought this car at a used car dealership. It looked great! it was in good condition and did well on the test drive. The next day, I was driving it and all of a sudden it stalls and I'm pressing on the gas and the rpm's keep going up. Smoke starts coming out of the exhaust and I had to pull over. Didn't know what to do so I called my dad and he picked me up and drove my car to the house. Ever since that day, I've been having nothing but issues with it. I brought it to a Nissan dealership and they didn't detect any issues, I couldn't find a recall on it, and obviously sending it to the mechanic wouldn't do me much good but creating a hole in my pocket. I had to trade it in anyways because I was having other issues with the dealership I got it from, but that's a whole other story.

- Grace B., Secaucus, NJ, US

problem #31

Dec 022019

Sentra SL

  • CVT transmission
  • 105,327 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission started slipping at higher speeds. Was unable to maintain highway speed without the engine overrevving. Diagnosed by Nissan dealer as transmission failure. Car had multiple recalls that i was never informed of. Applied to the car during the diagnosis. Transmission replacement would only be covered for 1 year and 20000KM and was $5900CAN. I opted for transmission specialist rebuild with much better warranty and lower cost.

- mcgeeno, Kingston, ON, Canada

problem #30

Jan 122020

Sentra S 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 62,137 miles

My Nissan Sentra has a CVT transmission recall on it. I'll inform you of the results after I visit the dealer. Check for yours using your VIN check yours https://nna.secure.force.com/support/ContactUsNissan?recallLookup

- Seraphin F., MONTREAL, QC, Canada

problem #29

Feb 132020

Sentra

  • CVT transmission
  • 93,000 miles

My car was towed to Nissan dealership where I keep it at for all service jobs. They called and said my transmission was gone and a new one, with labor, parts, and all else would cost me 3,665.00 out the door. But with no warranty or guarantee this would fix the problem. I live off fixed income there is no way I can afford to repair, pay Insurance, and car note. I love Nissan Sentras - those are the only cars I have ever driven and purchased. This is a great hurt to me now and knowing what I have learned about this is heartbreaking and now I am in a depressed situation without hope.

- Carrie W., Abbeville, US

problem #28

Jun 072020

Sentra 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 98,000 miles

Car bought used at dealership with 98000 miles. A week after purchase, the car starts to jerk and shudder when accelerating then tire pressure light illuminated filled tire with air light went off. After leaving from putting air in tires check engine light comes on. I take it to dealer they claimed they did transmission service after leaving dealership check engine light comes on again and car starts to lose acceleration 2 days later when driving down road car loses acceleration completely and will not move. Had pedal to the floor and car will not move. Engine code came up as dealer code p285A according to auto zone and pep boys. Got played for 4500 and sold a damn lemon, I think. I don’t know what to do - I’ve tried to talk to dealer asking for a replacement car for the same purchase price but dealer is a scammer.

- annieoakley, Fresno, US

problem #27

Feb 192019

Sentra SL 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

This is bs - Nissan needs to fix this. My Nissan now has 94,000 miles on it and it is not covered by the extended warranty but the transmission is junk. It should still be replaced for free.

- Josh S., Calumet, MI, US

problem #26

Jan 062020

Sentra SV 1.8L I4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,337 miles

My parents bought this Nissan as a first car for me, which I fell in love with. I had ideas to make it nicer until the day that it happened. I drove the car one day, and it started jump revving, had a hard time shifting, and it was grinding as well. I was worried about that problem, so I took it to the Nissan dealer to inspect the problem, which cost me $200+. Apparently, all that money went to, "there is no problems with your transmission." Good waste of my hard work money if you ask me.

So my stepfather ripped into it, and saw metal shavings while, an actual piece of metal in the filter. I went to the dealer to get a filter, and apparently, my car doesn't have a "transmission filter". So, after wasting more money and time, my parents and I decided to do the right thing, sell the piece of s***, and get it out of our life. The car was beautiful, but Nissan is ruining their cars, and I am glad to not have that Sentra, and I will never buy a Nissan again!

- Nelsi C., Dayton, MD, US

problem #25

Oct 012020

Sentra SE 3.2L

  • CVT transmission
  • 152,000 miles

Back again with the same cvt trans failure. Why isn’t this being recalled? Not my fault Nissan installed crappy cvt in these vehicles. Something needs to be done.

- brobin, Clarksville, US

problem #24

Nov 052017

Sentra SE 3.2L

  • CVT transmission
  • 60,125 miles

Back in 2017 I had to get my cvt changed due to it going out. It is now going out again. Crappy and they need to be recalled.

- brobin, Clarksville, US

problem #23

May 302021

Sentra SV 1.8L I4

  • CVT transmission
  • 92,200 miles

My wife and I bought a Sentra new in 2013 from Lynn Layton Nissan in Decatur, AL. At the time we did not know how terrible the CVT transmissions were in the in 2013 Sentra. Since then, Nissan extended the warranty on the CVT to 7 years or 84,000 miles.

On May 30th, the transmission started to fail and left my wife stranded on the highway, with only 92,200 miles. The Sentra was taken to the shop and they determined that the CVT had completely failed and needed to be replaced. Error code: P2859 Clutch "A" Pressure Disengagement Performance.

We were told by Lynn Layton Nissan that there wasn't really anything we could do warranty wise because the extended warranty expired in January and she is over the mileage limit. This is completely unacceptable, Nissan knows these CVT transmissions are terrible and should recall or fix these when issues arise. This is going to cost us about $3,000 to replace the whole CVT.

One thing is for sure, we will never buy a Nissan again!

- Gary R., Athens, AL, US

problem #22

May 072018

Sentra

  • CVT transmission
  • 86,000 miles

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE EVER BUY A NISSAN!!! I bought this car at 32k miles in 2015. It had one previous owner. In 2018, without any warning, my car stopped in the middle of a busy road. It didn't shut off, it just started shifting gears on its own.

It was SCARY. AS. SH*T. Nissan refused to cover a dime since I was 4k miles outside of my warranty. The replacement completely drained any little savings I had and maxed out my credit cards for the remaining balance.

I would rather take the city bus than ever buy another Nissan. At least the city bus is a reliable mode of transportation.

- Sarah M., Tampa, US

problem #21

Jun 262020

Sentra LX V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 85,500 miles

First time was in San Marcos on I-10 Freeway while on the way to work while in the middle lane the RPM shot up then back down and the car slowed down real fast to about 20 to 25 mph and with no break lights showing almost got rear ended, luckily was able to pull off with out an accident, and after a couple of minutes started and drove normal. After a couple of week coming home due to the coronavirus and again on the freeway it happened again. Towed it to GUNN NISSAN in San Antonio TX and filed a complaint with NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS and they did nothing, so the dealership charged me $1100 to fix it, so i payed even tho NISSAN should take responsibility for the repairs. 6 Days after it was so called fixed and again on the freeway RPM shot up the car slowed to 20 to 25 PMH and almost rear end because no break lights came on. Returned it to the same dealership and now they say it needs a new transmission $4000. Mileage the first about 82,000, and the last time 85,500 NISSAN new extended warranty 7 years or 84,000 miles and in California 10 years or 120,000 miles why only California.

- orrick, Adkins, US

problem #20

Oct 282019

Sentra SV 4cy

  • CVT transmission
  • 88,638 miles

I have purchase five Nissans in my life and they all lasted until I was ready to trade cars. We bought this 2013 brand new and it only travels around thirty five miles daily. That's to and from work. We have rarely driven it to Memphis which is one hundred miles away. At the time of the transmission going out , this Nissan Sentra had 88.688 miles on it. It cost us $3638.00 to have a new transmission installed. I recently lost my job and it really hurt handing that money over to a mechanic to fix what is clearly a defect in the cvt transmission of Nissan cars. Needless to say, if this isn't taken care of by Nissan, this family will never own another Nissan.

- Harold P., Holcomb, US

problem #19

Aug 102018

Sentra SL 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 90,000 miles

CVT Transmission failed and had to have it replaced since it was out of warranty. Warranty was for 60,000 miles and I had 90,000. Just received a lawsuit settlement postcard and was told Nissan extended the warranty to 84,000 miles.

Won't help me but may help others within the mileage category.

The website to go to is www.SentraVersaCVTSettlement.com

Hope this helps I will never buy another Nissan again. I just purchased a 2019 Toyota Highlander which was rated number one in Consumer Reports. Wish I would have done better research on the Nissan before I bought it.

- Keith W., Oak Creek, US

problem #18

Jun 102017

Sentra S

  • CVT transmission
  • 53,000 miles

A transmission shouldn't go out on a 4 year old car with 50something thousand miles on it!!!!!! RIDICULOUS!!

- Sheena S., Baytown, US

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