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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2013 Nissan Sentra:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2013 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 13 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #60

Jul 272017

Sentra

  • 72,000 miles

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

My car had been "soft stalling" for a couple of weeks - it would keep running, but at just about any speed/driving condition, would either experience a struggle to accelerate/maintain speed (rpms up to 6,000 with no warning/reason), start to drop speed, or hesitate/kick back at me. I took it to my mechanic on wed, 7/28, and on thurs, 7/29, he told me that the transmission had failed completely, that it was cycling through gears, and dropping gears randomly. He said that he spoke with Nissan, and because I was out of warranty by miles (72K vs 60K), there was nothing they could do. They don't issue repair kits for their cvt transmission, and a re-manufactured cvt would be $3900, with parts and labor. I owed $6000 on that car, and was forced to junk it. Nissan should not be allowed to deny warranty claims on their cvt transmissions, as they're an acknowledged problem in other models.

- Lowell, MA, USA

problem #59

Jun 012017

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. While accelerating from a stop, the vehicle jerked without warning. In addition, the contacted observed that the rpms increased to 7 rpms as if the vehicle was trying to switch gears while driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to a dealer (battles Nissan, 60 macarthur blvd, bourne, MA, 02532) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 67,000.

- Hyannis, MA, USA

problem #58

Jul 202017

Sentra

  • 67,000 miles
The vehicle has one owner, used on daily route to work and a few short trips. 67,000 miles on the odometer. The transmission began to slip at highway speeds causing the engine to rev up and down 500 rpms to maintain speed. Problem ceased while in cruise control. Problem was intermittent. Within two days before getting it serviced, the condition worsened. The transmission began to slip at slow speeds, all conditions, with the fluctuating rpms at highway speeds being 1500 rpms. The diagnosis was a pressure malfunction in the transmission. It destroyed the inner workings of the transmission. Debris from the transmission was in the fluid, and the fluid was severely burned. The entire transmission must be replaced at a cost of $4200.

- Sun Prairie, WI, USA

problem #57

Jul 062017

Sentra

  • 49,000 miles

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

In very hot weather the car will shake when stopping or sitting at a traffic light and occasionally the engine will stop. The engine has also stopped while the car is moving. This only happens on very hot days.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #56

Jul 072017

Sentra

  • 30,031 miles
First had to replace fuel pump at 29,000 miles, then on a trip to key West, the car, starts to jerks and loses acceleration, couldn't accelerate do to the gas pedal unable to accelerate the vehicle, kept pressing until it started to accelerate again. Had to turn around and head home. This vehicle a little over 3 years old and 30,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #55

Feb 022017

Sentra

  • 78,600 miles
2013 Nissan Sentra transmission failed at 78,600 miles without any warning while we were traveling on a busy highway on the way home from a long road trip. While driving at an speed of approximately 70-75 mph in tn on the highway the vehicle began decelerate and the RPM's just kept revving up. It was just me (a female) and my two year old daughter in the vehicle. I attempted to the emergency shoulder with my hazards on trying to avoid being hit by a transfer truck and several vehicles. I shut the car off to see what was going on and was afraid of what just occurred. I started the engine back and it began driving fine for about 10 mins on the highway and then it decelerated again near the atlanta area and totally driving power. I was 3 hours from home and had to call for help. I immediately called the dealership the next morning and advised them of the issue and engine codes received from an auto store. I then contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs to notify them of the transmission failure and they advised to simply take it to the dealership for repair since it was outside of warranty. The dealership quoted us a price of $3600 before taxes and advised that they have several issues with cvt transmissions but that's just the nature of them. I have concerns that this is a potential safety hazard while driving on the highway after review and in depth research of the faulty transmission issues several Nissan owners have faced in the past few years. Additionally, the cost effectiveness of the issue is causing hardship on customers that rely on the brand and safety features Nissan is continuing to advertise. Nissans commitment: Dear Nissan Sentra owner: Nissan is committed to providing the highest levels of product safety, quality and customer satisfaction. (statement is null and void per this concerned customer)

- Hinesville, GA, USA

problem #54

Jul 282013

Sentra

  • 102,901 miles

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

My 2013 Nissan Sentra sl is over reving causing the car to stall while driving at normal speeds. This has happened a number of times, im having to pull off the highway and turn vehicle off for it to function correctly. This issue is on going every single day when I drive.

- Red Oak, TX, USA

problem #53

May 292017

Sentra

  • 34,000 miles
Transmission has to be replaced at 34,000 miles, just got the diagnosis done on it today. Couldn't accelerate in interstate traffic, rpms stuck. A few weeks later, was going downhill and car speeded up, again rpms stuck. This was on a country road

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #52

May 222017

Sentra

  • 77,000 miles
The transmission keeps slipping. The car has 77,000 miles on it and the dealer is stating the transmission needs to be replaced. Cost to replace the transmission is $4,800. Apparently this is an issue a lot of Nissan owners are having with defective cvt transmission and Nissan is not taking responsibility.

- Wentzville, MO, USA

problem #51

Apr 302017

Sentra

  • 106,033 miles
While driving 50-60 mph, the car slipped into neutral and would not accelerate. I was able to get to the side of the road safely however, it required me to put it in park and then shift back to drive in order to go. The dealer indicated its a cvt issue, which may be suffering from a 'cvt belt slip condition, ' which is the failure of the chain drive to transfer power through the transmission and accelerate the vehicle.the dealer replaced the transmission (under warranty) and the problem is still occurring. The dealer now has the car to discuss with Nissan the next steps.

- Wesley Chapel, FL, USA

problem #50

Apr 212017

Sentra

  • 96,090 miles

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

Intermittant engine misfire, car will shut engine off while driving or ramp up RPM causing car to jerk forward. My daughter was driving 45 mph giing around curve when engine shut off, she coast to side of road. Restarted and engine started misfiring. Check engine flashed and then went steady. Diagnostics showed P02 cyc 2 misfire. Cyc 2 coil replaced and now two weeks later the car is misfiring, jerking engine was on, drove to Nissan dealer they run diagnostic and it came back with no codes in history.

- Hampton, GA, USA

problem #49

Apr 032017

Sentra

  • 45 miles
Takata recall. The transmission has gone out on me three times since December 30, 2016. The most recent as of 04/03/2017. I almost got killed each time on the freeway. I would be going 65 mph in the middle of the freeway and it would drop to 45mph and eventually could not function. Nissan just replaces the transmission but they keep breaking. Therefore they keep failing at fixing the problem within my vehicle and put my life on the line. It is considered a lemon and they agreed which is why they gave me the option for them to buy the vehicle back from me or exchange it. I chose for them to give me my refund. I want a recall on this vehicle and others like it because they risked my life more than once and that should not happen to anyone. They're are families in these vehicles and they're lives should not be at stake like this. I researched that I am not the only one who has suffered with this situation with the same make as my car. I have invoices that I can provide if needed. Please take action on this. Thank you.

- Salida, CA, USA

problem #48

Feb 242017

Sentra

  • 82,915 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle accelerated and decelerated. The contact also stated that the vehicle jerked without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed and changed the oil and filter. The failure recurred and the vehicle was taken to a dealer. The mechanic diagnosed and replaced the brake sensor and flushed the transmission, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 82,915.

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #47

Feb 152017

Sentra

  • miles
The Nissan Sentra accelerate and decelerate at any giving moment on the city street in motion, at a stop sign highway turning it shakes and jerks when ever in motion the brakes lock up the vehicle rev and the RPM meter surge unexpectedly and without warning none of the warning lights work the vehicle is very dangerous took the car to the Nissan dealer a couple of times they said I needed an oil change got the oil change still didn't help took the car back up there they looked at the car again and said it needed a transmission and I said how no warning lights are on the guy said they want come on until the transmission is gone and the shift lever wont shift in gear without putting an object in the little square hole next to the lever

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #46

Apr 022017

Sentra

  • 90,000 miles
Been driving the car and notice I was hearing a bad roaring noise soon I heard a loud pop in the back of the car and went to look at the drum on passenger side the adjusters screw had completely broke in peace 94K miles been doing this noise on and off and transmission has tendency to feel like it starts to really hesitate badly.

- Winchester, KY, USA

problem #45

Mar 272017

Sentra

  • 75,000 miles
A few times when stopped at the top of a hill, upon proceeding to accelerate into a turn, my car would jerk forward like I was being rear-ended. The second issue with the vehicle, while accelerating, it would randomly start to shake violently. It was hard to pin-point at exactly what speed this occurred, but I'd guess around 40 mph. When I would release the gas pedal the shuddering would stop. Although the car has a cvt transmission, sometimes it would feel like the car would shift gears and the car would rumble slightly. I'd say this occurred around 40 mph as well. I took the car to the dealership and learned the transmission needed to be replaced. The car only has 75,000 miles on it. In doing some initial research, I've learned the pathfinders made in 2013 also had similar issues with the transmission.

- New Windsor, NY, USA

problem #44

Jan 152016

Sentra

  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. While driving various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. The failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer for the acceleration failure and routine maintenance. The contact was informed of an air bag warning indicator recall. The dealer repaired the vehicle per the recall, but the remedy failed. The contact mentioned that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated after the recall repair. The contact was unable to provide the recall information. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 33,000.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #43

Mar 112017

Sentra

  • 60,000 miles
When idling in drive, reverse, or low, the vehicle stalls with the rpms dropping below 630. No check engine light, no fault codes are found on obdii scanners. Transmission is late to engage when accelerating. Right before stalling, car will lunge forward and shake. Happens when the engine is warm and cold.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #42

Feb 152017

Sentra

  • 63,000 miles
Earlier last month began having transmission issues, brought the vehicle to dealership with just over the 60K warranty mark. Dealer had the cvt fluid changed, which helped for the next day until the issues returned. Now I am getting no response from Nissan usa and the dealer cannot find the issues because the engine is throwing no codes. Almost 2 car accidents. Someone needs to do something about this before a person gets into an accident from cvt.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #41

Feb 102017

Sentra

  • 42,000 miles
Car will not come from park to drive.car is locked into park.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

Not what you are looking for?