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.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,700
Average Mileage:
83,000 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission (4 reports)
  2. not sure (3 reports)
2013 Nissan Sentra transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments

problem #7

Nov 102021

Sentra S 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

Got the car second hand from my aunt in 2021. It had about 79k. Obviously no one told her tranny had to be serviced fluid filter change at 30k. In 30 years I've never seen such a thing. So when driving to work, the car was fine. I drove for a couple months. Obviously the milage was past transmission service requirement. Car went into limp mode and I nearly got hit several times could not accelerate. Researched vehicle discovered tranny fluid change requirements. Tranny smelled burnt.

I dropped fluid on CVT oil pan. Black pancake batter. Plop!!! It's supposed to be clear green. Changed fluid and filters, internal also. Parts and fluid are not cheap. 3 times!! I end up getting 2 valve bodies (OEM) and reprogrammed car drives but cannot accelerate.

Through research I believe it's the belt tranny oil pump plus bearings. Such a beautiful car inside and out. Runs good. 124k miles. But can barely get out of its own way after nearly 2000$ later. Used trannys are 2800$. New 4500$. Parts outrageous and fluid, too. An inferior product and on top of that cant sell the P.O.S. What a piece of junk.

How can they still sell these same transmissions? How is Nissan still in business with no recalls? I'm at the point of medication on this damn car. A money pit. A bad product. I need a transmission and they need to square it up.

Help!!

- Melinda S., Ashville, US

problem #6

Sep 022019

Sentra LX 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 107,700 miles

Nissan should recall all the CVT transmissions. In this car, the transmission lacks pressure to change gear.

- Habtom A., Hagerstown, US

problem #5

May 122016

Sentra L

  • CVT transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I got a Nissan Sentra 2013 in May of 2016. After 4 months of having it I reported it in they took my car in for repair got the car back and with in 2 weeks I started to notice the transmission was failing again. They had me come to bring the car in no repairs were made to it remind u it was under warranty still the car started to make wired sounds again like stalling and jerking taking off slow.

Then I took it back and complain about it again and they kept my car for a week and they put another transmission in the car and then I picked up my car and now I drive it and it drove raggedy and worse and now a month past by and still complaining about my transmission and now I call the head office of Nissan and they told me they were going to charge me $700 for a new transmission and than I called the Pedder Nissan where I got my car and they kept my car and call the head office of Nissan and asked if they were going to charge me $700 for the new transmission and they told them they didn't say that so they went through goodwill about the transmission.

They said they couldn't do it but they kept my car for a whole two months and didn't do anything about it they kept my car in the field for the whole two months rats was eating my stuff in the trunk and then they said there's nothing they can do but why I'm going through this I'm still under warranty before the two months I complain more than 6 times why I was under warranty they were giving me the run around kept lying about everything they lie about the new transmission and it kept driving raggedy every time I had a witness they move to another job are they quit I think they are getting fired I don't know I need help i'm paying 14000 for this car and it's not right to do people like this Especially when they have a family to take care of

- Charlie N., Hemet, CA, US

problem #4

Apr 022018

Sentra SV 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 18,900 miles

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

2013 Sentra with CVT. Delays in shifting and at times shuddering. Condition is dangerous especially when attempting to merge onto a highway. Does not occur all the time and there is no rhyme or reason when condition occurs. Nissan should recall this CVT transmission. The car has 18900 miles.

- Chandidas P., Commack, US

problem #3

Aug 012017

Sentra SV 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 83,117 miles

I purchased my vehicle in 2013 brand new off the lot. I just paid it off about 3 months ago. Now, all of a sudden when it hit the 83000 mile mark the transmission starts giving me trouble. My car will not go to the next gear sometimes while driving. I have to stop, place it in park, and then back in drive to continue on. It also acts like it does not want to pull or take off when I come to a complete stop. Again, I have to place it in park, then in drive to reset transmission. I go to get this checked out and I am disclosed a price of about $3700 to fix it. I am so pissed off at this moment. I have not had this car 5 years, the warranty is gone. In order to ride around in my fairly new vehicle, I have to pay that additional cash. I don't like these new transmissions. This is just another way to get money. I have always spoken highly of Nissan and majority of my vehicles are from them. This situation here has dampened my opinion about them. I currently have a 1995 Nissan, over 200k miles that I have never had this issue with or any for that matter that was due to malfunctioning, still driving. After this, I will have to think twice about purchasing another, especially with this new components that are not hitting on nothing. It seems like this is a major issue, I see that there are several complaints about this issue. It should be a recall. They know there are problems with these transmissions. I am just frustrated and out done.

- Teressa S., Winston Salem, NC, US

problem #2

Jan 282017

Sentra SV 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 148,000 miles

took the vehicle to the dealer for a recall on the front passenger seatbelt light also knowing that there was another problem. The car had been acting funny, not starting in first gear but second, shimming, and just plain not going, I had to stomp on the gas pedal to get the car to move, and we knew that the transmission was going out with no check engine light on it was going to be hard for the dealer to detect all the problems with the car : ( with little to say when we went back to retrieve my 2013 Sentra Jimmy the service guy told us that it was time to part ways with the car. I owe 8600 on the car and the tranny would cost a total of 4200 for them to fix. This is my second Nissan Sentra my 2006 has 332,000 miles and still going strong. Its sad that Nissan has gone so bad.... I don not recommend Nissan to anyone stay away from the ones with the CVT transmission.

- dsumicz, LeHigh Acres, FL, US

problem #1

Dec 172016

Sentra

  • CVT transmission
  • 33,000 miles

don't apply any gear een reverse. it was previously reprogram

This is my 3rd Nissan and result a non dependable vehicle. Right now I am thinking in change it but not for other Nissan.

- Jorge R T., Corozal, Puerto Rico

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