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.

9.1

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,100
Average Mileage:
90,250 miles
Total Complaints:
40 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replacement of the cvt transmission (26 reports)
  2. not sure (10 reports)
  3. buy a new car (2 reports)
  4. replace transmission (2 reports)
2013 Nissan Sentra transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #40

Mar 312017

Sentra S

  • CVT transmission
  • 69,741 miles

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

I STILL HAVE THE CAR AND I AM PAYING FOR IT AND THE NISSAN IS WELL. THANKS I NEED HELP WITH THIS CAR. PLEASE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO I DON'T WANT TO DAMAGE MY CREDIT BUT I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.

- Gamal M., San Juan, Puerto Rico

problem #39

Nov 112021

Sentra SR 1.8L 4CYL CVT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

So it seems each transmission from Nissan is only good for about 90,000 miles. I had the first issue in my 2013 Nissan Sentra with the transmission failing. There was a recall if it failed within a certain time-frame, or 84,000 miles. I was told I was outside the warranty coverage since I was at (approx) 89,000 miles, and was initially told they would not cover it. I went on social media, and the Nissan website complaining, and eventually someone contacted me from Nissan, and said they would replace it at 90% off. This originally happened in 2017 and it was replaced under a "Goodwill Warranty".

Now, approximately 80,000 miles later, it went out again. I called my local dealership again (where it was replaced), and told its out of warranty. Even though, I'm under the 84,000 miles on the "new" transmission, they said it goes off the car mileage of the initial in-service date when I bought the car, not the mileage from the part. Which effectively meant, the day they put in the new transmission, I was immediately out of warranty on it, already. Awesome customer service!!!

So it seems they replaced mine with another defective one, and I was told it would not be replaced again. I will NEVER buy another Nissan, and will tell anyone who asks, to buy from any other company.

- Victor H., Mount Wolf, PA, US

problem #38

Nov 112021

Sentra SR 1.8L 4CYL CVT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

I had the first issue in my 2013 Nissan Sentra with the transmission failing. There was a recall if it failed within a certain time-frame, or 70,000-80,000 miles. I was told I was outside the warranty coverage, and was initially told they would not cover it. I went on social media, and the Nissan website complaining, and eventually someone contacted me from Nissan, and said they would replace it at 90% off. This originally happened in 2017 and it was replaced under a "Goodwill Warranty".

Now, approximately 80,000 miles later, it went out again. I called my local dealership again (where it was replaced), and told its out of warranty. So it seems they replaced mine with another defective one, and I was told it would not be replaced again. I would like to see if I can get any resolution on this issue.

- Victor H., Mount Wolf, PA, US

problem #37

Apr 042020

Sentra

  • CVT transmission
  • 90,456 miles

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

Hit 90000 and decided it was done driving. My car gave me my pink slip told me to get out he was quitting

- Melissa M., Auburn, GA, US

problem #36

Jun 012019

Sentra 986714a

  • Automatic transmission
  • 91,342 miles

I am from QATAR, I have a nissan sentra 2013 model. My car is running 147,000 km, and now I am facing a big problem, suddenly my car's accelerator is not working, then working again. So visited the Nissan dealer in QATAR, they are telling this is a gear problem. The gear changing charge is 26,000 Riyals, how can I pay this amount? This Sentra car is very bad manufacturing ....this is THE Nissan product so they should take care about this gear problem. Kindly try to stop this kind of manufacturing ,

kindly replace my gear

thanks

albert davi sv

Update from Jun 24, 2019: I am from QATAR, i have nissan sentra 2013 model , now my car is running 145000 km , now iam facing big problem , my car is suddenly accelerator is not working again working , so i visited nissan dealer in QATAR, they are telling this is the gear problem , they are asking gear changing charge is 26000 Riyals , this car is very very bad manufacturing, so NISSAN should take care about this gear problem , KINDLY RECALL NISSAN SENTRA 2013 GEAR PROBLEM CAR...

- Albert D., Doha, doha, Qatar

problem #35

Mar 152019

Sentra V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 101,000 miles

This is the 3rd time my Nissan CVT transmission fail. I have never gotten 60000 miles out of the CVT transmission .MY CVT transmission averages 34000 miles. Nissan does not stand behind the product they refuse to repair at no cost. There is a voluntary recall at the National Highway administration but Nissan is not honor it.

- William C., Massapequa, NY, US

problem #34

Jan 132019

Sentra SL 4

  • CVT transmission
  • 66,000 miles

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

I have a 2013 Nissan Sentra 66K Miles. I was on my way home for a trip and my transmission went completely out. We had to rent a car dolly to tow it 77 Miles to Orr Nissan in Wichita, Ks. Now we are getting the run around from Nissan. I was told last week that I would have an answer on what was going to be done no later than today. I received a call just a bit ago and the gal did not know she talked to me last week. She told me that she would know something no later than Thursday.

When I mentioned that I talked to her last week she said "Oh I thought your name sounded familiar". She said that she was waiting on information on the car from the Dealership. When we called the Dealership they said Nissan had all the information that they needed. If they are on top of things why wouldn't she know she had talked to me?

I asked about a car rental and she said it was up to the dealership. I am getting a complete run around and what's even better I can't get a direct number to the gal that said she was in charge of all of this. Total Bullshit. Nissan's customer service sucks! You can stand behind your product better than this? I am embarrassed for them!

- Sherri S., Wichita, KS, US

problem #33

Nov 202018

Sentra SL 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 63,300 miles

I bought my 2013 Sentra new and have always taken it in for all the scheduled service. I don't drive it hard, but there has always been some issues with the CVT. It would seem to rev at the wrong times, and since about July or August of 2018 it was shuddering whenever I would accelerate from a stop or after slowing down. The problem would come and go, so I could never bring it to the service dept to diagnose.

Then after getting my 60,000 mile service done it jerked forward and "banged" when I put it into drive, and began making a terrible rattling noise in the passenger side front. That too went away before I could get it diagnosed. A month later, it happened again while pulling into my driveway, it jerked and banged and started rattling even worse. I drove it later that day, but noticed a significant loss of power and the RPM's were bouncing around. I was taking it to the dealership, only going about 20 MPH when I jerked forward and the rattling stopped but it still was driving badly. I pulled off the road and shut it down. When I started it again the noise was even worse and sounded like grinding when I put it into gear, then when accelerating - it didn't budge. I shut it down, tried again and this time it seemed like metal was being ground all together when I put it into drive and accelerated. Didn't move forward at all, and worried something was going to blow because of how terrible it sounded.

Had to call a tow truck, and the dealer said I needed a new transmission. I am so disappointed cause I love my car and I always take care of it, but I am doubting how much longer I will keep it. Can't afford to buy another car, but I am thankful at least my transmission is being replaced. Hopefully the new one won't give me any problems!

- Joanna A., Portland, OR, US

problem #32

Aug 292018

Sentra SD 4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I purchased a 2013 Nissan Sentra May 2017 From Koch 33 Ford Easton PA. on Augusts 29 2018. While driving to Massachusetts on route 84 the engine light came for the the first time the rmps began to bounce up and down, and the car would accelerate when not hitting the gas, and jerk, and slow down when I pushed on the gas pedal. I found myself moving the car to the side on a 70 mile highway, and having it towed to MA Curry Nissan where power train warranty denied coverage because according to the representative from power train I had gone over the maintenance work. I then had the car towed back to PA and here Power train warranty denied service because I am missing three maintenance. I'm still making payment faithfully and I have been without a car since August. Lemon law will not help because I don't have warranty, Nissan Consumers affair claims the same.This has been a ongoing issue with Nissan vehicles dating back as far as 2012- 2017 why am I left without a car making payments and still they have not issue a recall on this problem. I have not been able to work since, and have not been able to go to my medical appointments because of this situation.

- Irma V., White Haven, US

problem #31

Dec 252018

Sentra SV

  • CVT transmission
  • 75,000 miles

This 2013 Nissan Sentra and its CVT have been garbage from the get-go. At 25,000 miles, the transmission died while my wife was driving. Just died on the road--she's lucky there wasn't an accident. So they replaced the transmission, and now, 50K miles later, this one is dying an ugly death. It was never a good transmission. The few seconds it takes between pushing the accelerator and actually accelerating is just not safe. And it has been growling and grinding when coasting downhill, like it's suffering trying to downshift (or whatever CVTs do). Then it started bucking and stalling when starting up at stop signs, and then, as we tried to drive to see family on Christmas day, the transmission completely crapped out: catching and slipping, grinding and stalling, revving and dying -- we were afraid to go further on the highway, so we turned around and barely got back home.

Then there's Nissan's very sleazy response. We brought it to the dealer, whose first reaction was to tell us it was $125 to look at it. Then they said nothing was wrong with it, which is an astonishing lie. Then Nissan corporate, whom we'd already contacted before the Christmas day mess, took a week to tell us that we'd have to pay for a "tear down" diagnosis (which might cost more than the car is worth) before they would even consider if they'd cover any of the cost of repair. So to be clear: A 5-year old car with 75,000 miles on it is on its 3rd transmission, and Nissan is taking no responsibility, even though they know that the CVT transmissions of this year are terrible. Nissan doesn't care, and they have no interest in making it right.

- jmironstring, Glenside, US

problem #30

Oct 242018

Sentra 1.8L S

  • CVT transmission
  • 30,000 miles

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

After only 30 K miles, I am told by Nissan that my transmission is game over, yep, 30k miles, believe it or not!! I had two symptoms in regard of the transmission failure. First, I was experiencing some shuddering/vibrations on the acceleration from a stop. But, it is important to note that the shuddering/vibration would only occur on a partial stop, I mean I would decelerate, reach very low speed and then accelerate, it was there on the acceleration that the shuddering/vibration would occur. It was intermittent at first then became more frequent.

Second, I had this 500-750 RPM needle jump when ''shifting'' from low to high gear (next-generation Xtronic CVT® with sub-planetary gear) combined with a sensation that I would roll on ice for 1-2 seconds.

Fortunately it has been covered by the guarantee.

I pay 2 visits at the dealership

1st visit : they made a road test, they said everything is normal - no error code. 2nd visit, : they admitted there was a problem, they kept the car for 2 days, did a bunch of test to come up with the conclusion : transmission over.

Luckily covered by guarantee.

It is absolutely unacceptable for a transmission to be replaced at 30 k miles.

- Cx D., Montreal, QC, Canada

problem #29

Sep 202018

Sentra LX 2.2L

  • CVT transmission
  • 70,125 miles

2 DIFFERENT CVT TRANSMISSIONS WERE A PROBLEM, HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH A 3RD. 2ND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHIN 45 DAYS OF BEING REPLACED

- Jared G., Knoxville, TN, US

problem #28

Oct 052018

Sentra LV 1.8L V4

  • CVT transmission
  • 94,000 miles

I had so many problems with this car from the beginning and every time I took it to the dealer they treated me and my wife like we were crazy. First it was insulation. It took them like 15 visits within the span of two years to finally acknowledge the problem and fix it. There was squeaking all over the center console where the transmission is and the dashboard. It was super loud and obnoxious. I had a good run after it was fixed. After it was out of warranty, it came back but it wasn't that loud and not often at all. Something I was able to put up with. Now, I have to pay for the CVT. I never had to fix a transmission in a car of mine. I only remember my dad fixing his transmission in one of his cars and the car had almost 200k miles. This car didn't even have 100k miles. I hate Nissan now and I do not wish to ever own one in my life. I had several Nissans before they became crap.

- Roberto B., Lake Hiawatha, US

problem #27

Aug 152018

Sentra

  • CVT transmission
  • 48,000 miles

2013 NISSAN Sentra bought used from a used car dealer, it had 29000 miles on it. it currently has 52000 miles. It started jerking and then loses power. Then finally it just stopped moving, engine would not even rev. Had to have it towed to dealership, now waiting to here from them it is still under the powertrain warranty. Nissan new they had a problem with this trans.

- Scott J., Henry, US

problem #26

May 012018

Sentra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

I bought the car used at CARMAX in Ontario CA with 41,000 miles. When it reached 93,000 miles there was no warning light, just quit. I went to the dealer. They indicated that there were metal fragments that had exploded inside the TRANSMISSION. I've only driven the 53,000 miles. I didn't buy extended warranty. They give me a number to NORTH AMERICAN NISSAN CONSUMERS AFFAIRS and game me a case number. I have called this damn number every day since my transmission went out. Please help me.

- dale duffey, Grand Terrance, US

problem #25

Sep 292018

Sentra LX 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,000 miles

I bought the Nissan Sentra from a used car dealership. It drive just fine but then I started to notice it would jerk sometimes. Nissan told me it was not under warranty and there is no recall. The Nissan consumer affairs representative says they are looking into goodwill assistance. If I don’t receive goodwill assistance I surely will never purchase another Nissan. This is very unsafe, thankfully I took a background home or would have been in a major accident.

- Mll L., Barstow, US

problem #24

Sep 142018

Sentra SR 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 85,000 miles

We bought this car to help someone out who was moving to the NYC area and longer needed a car. It has worked well with gas mileage 37 city and up to 43 on the highway. Now however at 85,000 miles, the car stalls immediately when taken out of park and shifted into any gear. No check engine lights, and no codes when I checked with my OBDII code reader.

I had the car brought to my trusted repair garage, they did their diagnostics and said it was a transmission issue. The had it brought to a Nissan dealership where they removed the transmission pan and said they found dark burnt smelling transmission fluid and metal chips. They recommend a new transmission for $3900 + tax.

I called Nissan USA and the guy I talked to offered no help since the car was over the warranty on mileage, even though it is inside the calendar warranty. Now that I have read more about these transmissions I see how many people had had to replace them, sometimes more than once. Nissan extended the warranty to 10yr/120K for up to model year 2010, so they must have been worried about their reputation at some point. Not extending the warranty to newer cars only means they are not feeling enough pain yet. Unless someone car get a class action lawsuit going, the only thing we can do is complain and complain a lot.

- carelations, Glastonbury, US

problem #23

Jun 222018

Sentra SV 2.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,668 miles

I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO FIX THE RECALL AND A HORN ON MY CAR. NOW THEY COME BACK AND TELL ME THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED, THAT I HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAVE PAID THEM $600 OR MORE $ AND NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY OVER $4000 AND MY CAR ISN'T 5 YRS OLD.

- Felicia M., Rayville, US

problem #22

Jun 082018

Sentra SR V4

  • CVT transmission
  • 66,000 miles

Bought car with 55,000 miles, only had for 7 months and transmission went. Not a good thing.

- Marie A., Hicksville, US

problem #21

Jun 192018

Sentra SV

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,500 miles

No throttle response. Engine will not rev when accelerator is pressed all the way down. Customer switched off the vehicle and on. Engine responded to throttle for few seconds. Customer stopped the vehicle and placed in parking and applied accelerator. Engine did not rev. It happened when customer was driving on freeway. It’s scary and dangerous if car stops responding in middle of freeway when cars are at great speed. All maintenance was done timely and no warnings before the event happened. No lights or sensors were triggered. This is a very serious problem where people could be killed. This needs attention and a better solution. The car mileage is around 86,000 miles and a car shouldn’t have transmission failure in such short time with regular maintenance and no accident history. Please consider this complaint.

- Kartik V., Canton, US

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