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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,765 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Nissan Sentra drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 10 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #120

Aug 252018

Sentra

  • 114,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. While driving 60 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the speed fluctuated between 20 and 60 mph. The vehicle was taken to a dealer (passport Nissan, 5000 auth way, camp springs, md 20746, 301-423-8400) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.

- Arlington, VA, USA

problem #119

Aug 212018

Sentra

  • 77,000 miles
I purchased my 2013 Nissan Sentra new from the dealership in March 2013. My transmission was completely replaced within 1.5 years (28K miles) from purchase due to manufacturer defect. The problem is reoccurring about 3.5 years (77K miles). Symptoms are similar to most reporting I've seen online. Acceleration delays, car sputters, metal on metal sounds. My car came to a complete at an intersection with oncoming traffic coming from both directions. Given my first transmission was found to manufacturer defect my 2nd transmission which is identically failing needs to be addressed same which it is not.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #118

Aug 102018

Sentra

  • 68,500 miles
68000 miles and transmission is slipping and shudder when accelerating from stop. Also abruptly downshifts and jerks while going at cruising speeds. It is hard to control the vehicle when it shudders.

- Hayward, CA, USA

problem #117

Aug 082018

Sentra

  • 96,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle started to lose power and acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the power train failed and the transmission cap was missing. The vehicle was towed to the dealer (quirk Nissan, 600 southern artery, quincy, MA 02169) where it was awaiting diagnostic testing and repairs. The contact also stated that the transmission was replaced by the same dealer on March 7, 2014. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: 32406354. The approximate failure mileage was 96,000.

- Stoughton, MA, USA

problem #116

Sep 242013

Sentra

  • 10,000 miles
Cvt failure- transmission slips, jerks, and violently shudders like I am slamming my breaks. Car is scary to drive and someone will get hurt. Nissan unable to address the issue due to no trouble codes stored. Well they cleared the code that was stored when I first brought it in: Cvt clutch issue. High rpms and struggles to switch gears. Went down a ramp on the interstate and almost lost control the car shuddered so bad. Also jerks and sputters when pulling off from a red light or stop sign.

- Marrero, LA, USA

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problem #115

Aug 082018

Sentra

  • 100,000 miles
Transmission shakes and judders. Car bucks when slowing below 15 mph, clunks when switching gears, rpms are high and car seems stuck and cannot switch gears. It happens on regular streets and the highway and when accelerating from a stop. The worse is going down an exit ramp. Very unsafe especially on the interstate to have the car suddenly buck and lurch.

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #114

May 012018

Sentra

  • 55,000 miles

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

Bought this car, my first car on 04/20/2018. I have a short commute to work and the car seemed to fit my price range and didn't see many dire complaints on this specific model of car while researching before purchasing. Until I searched RPM spikes and transmission slips on google after my 60 day limited warranty ran out. Haven't even driven this car 800 miles and the car jerks violently on the roads, and at only 55,000 miles. It jerked from day one, but thought it was normal until it got worse. I'm just now regretting buying this vehicle, but there was nothing I could do I was in a pinch for a car I got bills to pay and a job I have to make it to. It seems like a lot of people have this issue and all agree the cvt should be a recall. I have to be honest I agree. I don't understand how you could sell someone this vehicle without letting them know the reputation this car has. I don't know how you could sell someone a used car to someone and know that persons car may stall, or jerk and cause a life threatening car crash. When it comes down to it, its not the money its the safety, the vehicle doesn't operate in a safe manner, it jerks, stalls, shakes when breaking all while not flashing any indicator lights saying there is something wrong when there clearly is something wrong.

- Burnsville, MN, USA

problem #113

Jul 242018

Sentra

  • 74,000 miles
The vehicle was in motion at 65 mph on the expressway in heavy traffic. It steadily began to decelerate, giving no warning, with no lights on the dash or noises. As I attempted to accelerate, the vehicle would not respond to accelerator pedal input, and I had traffic moving at a very high speed and was almost hit by another car attempting to get onto the very slim shoulder at low speed. The car had 74,000 miles on it at the time of the incident, and had excellent care taken of it, including its recommended maintenance. It was purchased brand new in December 2012, and I am the only owner. It was towed to the dealership, where I was told I was out of the 60,000 mile warranty. Initially quoted $4500 just to get the car back in working order, it took Nissan Consumer Affairs two weeks to arrive at a figure just short of $1100 to get my car running again. A transmission should not fail in a vehicle at all, let alone one that new, especially considering the level of care that it was given. This is a potentially very serious safety issue, as I almost had nowhere safe to pull over. If this had been the multi-lane highway I was on minutes before, I may have not been over to reach the shoulder and could have been hit or involved in a serious accident. Upon doing some research I found this issue has been encountered by a large number of Nissan owners with continuous variable transmissions and the company has done little or nothing about it, and have attempted to minimize the problem. By extending "financial assistance" down to $1100, in my view, they are admitting guilt as to this problem, as companies do not give money away. I feel cheated, and now do not feel safe driving the vehicle I had paid $21,000 not very long ago.

- Middletown, CT, USA

problem #112

Apr 302018

Sentra

  • 15,000 miles
Update since April - purchased car 10-22-15 inspection and said it was good. In 1-14-2016 car growling/city street. Again inspection and said it was good 6-14-16 car in, car growling in motion on street. Again tested - good stranded (purchased a jump start) 8-16 2016 stranded in driveway 10-17-17 - twice car went into sport mode, on highway (50/60mph) no one touched anything-hands on wheel! they had car for 12 days and said nothings wrong with the trans. Still happens..and worse. Trans blows up while driving car. It was awful, had we been going 50/60 we would have been dead.no warning lights- stopped dead and abruptly on city street. Had it towed in they finally admitted it was the trans from the start Oct 2015! had to have a re-furbished trans as there was nothing left of this one, (car towed in-would not go into any gear). 1-16-18 car in for loud rattle. They said it was from the transmission being replaced. Straightened the heat plate under the trans. Still rattles 3-15-18 while driving with the new trans. Car went into sport mode on city street, just like before the original trans exploded. 4-29-18 stranded in driveway after driving it 28 miles- the battery was discharging while driving- we've been stranded about 14X's. took car in -got a loaner. They said it must be an electrical problem and did a parasitic test. Nothing wrong 6-26-18 went into sport mode driving for about 40 seconds -pulled over- shut off motor. 7-26-18 shifted into high gear again on its own while driving. Our hands on the wheel, when driving. The car is acting like it did before the trans was replaced. Their Nissan corporate man said, it must be electrical why we are getting stranded and there is definitely something wrong with the new transmission they put in as it's doing the same thing as originally, before the car exploded and could have killed us.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #111

Jul 212018

Sentra

  • 82,000 miles
My 2013 Sentra it began to jerk and lose power while driving. The car revs up to 5000rpms went back down to between 3000 and 4000rpms. I drove to the nearest auto shop aamco. The mechanic said to see if it was under warranty. He said there were known problems with the cvt. We drove home and I called Nissan (8883880318) and spoke to a representative. He asked for the VIN and told me there was a "campaign" on this car. I asked him was a campaign and a recall the same thing, he said they were the same, different words.. he told me the cvt needed to be reprogrammed. He gave me a dealership. I called, made an appointment for 9:00am this morning. We took the car in, was told the car had been reprogrammed. We drove away from the dealership, got about one block and the car began to jerk and lose power like before. We turned around and went back to the dealership. I told the representative the car was still jerking and losing power. She said I would have to pay $99 for a diagnostic test. I did not pay for the test because the Nissan representative on the phone told me the repair would be at no charge. When we got home, I called Nissan, again. I was told I could not talk to the representative I talked to yesterday. This time, I was told there was no warranty left because I had 82,000 miles on the car. He told me the warranty stopped at 60,000 miles. I told him the representative I spoke to yesterday told me it was covered and I had looked online and Nissan had added to the warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles. He said that is not for my car and I could join a class action lawsuit. I told him I don't want to join a class action lawsuit, I need my car repaired. Please hold Nissan accountable to fix these unsafe cars, because, Nissan knows there is a wide spread problem with the cvt's. this is unfair.

- Lancaster, KY, USA

problem #110

Jul 172018

Sentra

  • 115,000 miles

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

I am requesting an investigation into Nissan cvt transmissions after suffering transmission failure at 70 miles an hour while on cruise control on an interstate in traffic. Rpms jumped up but was losing power and engine sounded horrible like metal on metal. Able to get off before passing exit and limped into nearby gas station. Towed to nearest Nissan dealer after breakdown and told a few days later that something broke internally in transmission and will now have to be replaced after 115000 miles for $4000. Car bought new in 2013. Research online shows an extreme amount of the same complaints about Nissan's cvt transmissions for years and Nissan is not addressing the issue. Nissan offered owners of previous models up to year 2010 to double power train warranty from 60,000 to 120,000 to address previous complaints but current owners are not offered this currently even though obvious problems remain with their transmissions. There has to be a fault with their transmissions. Could you please investigate as numerous people are in danger if failure occurs in traffic and are suffering financially from paying for repairs from this problem.

- Du Quoin, IL, USA

problem #109

Apr 022018

Sentra

  • 80,000 miles
Cvt transmission failed at 80,000 miles. $3,700 estimate to replace. Car won't accelerate and could cause accident if driven on highway.

- Jackson, OH, USA

problem #108

Jul 092018

Sentra

  • 102,011 miles
Hello, I am a owner of a Nissan Sentra sr 2013 and it has 102,000 miles on it and the transmission (cvt) has failed and my wife was stranded on the side of a highway and temp. Of 100+ for 2 hours because there where enough tow trucks in the area to come pick her and the vehicle up. This is very upsetting, we have owned other Nissan's in the past and they had double the mileage on them and there transmission had very failed. There are so many complaints here and on the web with regards to this transmission (cvt) and even lawsuits. Please ntsb review these's complaints and the vehicle because it's only a matter of time that someone could be hut because there transmission failed in the middle of the road and they could get to a safe area.

- Hercules, CA, USA

problem #107

Jul 012016

Sentra

  • 69,808 miles
With only 69800 miles 2013, transmission has failed to operate. Wont accelarate in ocassions, and the car wont move forward this can cause a crash.

- Juncos, PR, USA

problem #106

Jun 052018

Sentra

  • 112,000 miles
Our 2013 Nissan Sentra with 112K miles, the transmission has started to shutter when shifting on city streets, gets stuck in second gear when pulling onto highways on ramps, and slips when at highway speeds with and without cruise control. This vehicle saved my wife's life while being our only transportation. She has survived 5 cancers but now we don't have reliable transportation. I can't get the vehicle to the dealer to have the two recalls performed on the airbags and anti-lock brake system.

- Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

problem #105

Jul 012018

Sentra

  • 78,000 miles
While driving this afternoon on the highway in charleston, SC. My vehicle without any prior warning began revving erratically gong high then low. During which time my the vehicle loss acceleration while still revving. Im in the fast lane!! so, as I proceed to move over towards the shoulder im losing power, trying to accelerate so I can move and it just revs. As, I make it almost towards the right lane I lose all acceleration!! all of it!! at this point im scared as all get out. I dont have the power to move, yet all these cars are zooming by me. My flashers are on, but I am in the last lane of traffic. I put the car in park, then back and drive and it starts to accelerate when I hit the gas. Just enough for me to pull it off of the road. This is a very serious issue!! I have 78,000 miles on it, it has been dealer serviced since I purchased the vehicle. No check engine lights, no warnings. Hell, I litterally just had it at Nissan of charleston last week 6/22/18 and had a diagnostic run on the vehicle. Nothing. These guys are gong to kill someone, I've just read too many reports of the same things happening to other people with the same model year. Please do something about this before someone gets killed out there.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #104

Jun 212018

Sentra

  • 65,600 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Alan webb Nissan (3608 ne auto mall dr, vancouver, Washington 98662, (360) 892-9004) diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 319-401-85. The failure mileage was 65,600.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #103

Jun 212018

Sentra

  • 150,220 miles
While driving the car will suddenly stop accelerating, causing you to have to let off and press down again on the accelerator. This occurs during driving and after turns.

- Olympia, WA, USA

problem #102

Jun 022018

Sentra

  • miles
My car has a defective transmission and after further research, I found out that Nissan North America was aware of the defect of the cvt transmissions and hit it from customers. I got a quote from my dealership for $4,300.17 for a new transmission. I had to come out of pocket to fix it becaise I need my car for work.

- Clermont, FL, USA

problem #101

Apr 292018

Sentra

  • 87,900 miles
My 2013 Nissan Sentra began having problems with acceleration as well as shuddering hesitating, down shifting above 50mph.,whining sound followed by the check engine light. Carried the vehicle to the dealer ship to be checked out. I was told the transmission was failing. I would need a new one. I have enclosed the invoices as well as my different steps to try to resolve this as a warranty issue.

- Mccalla, AL, USA

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