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:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,720 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.

2014 Nissan Sentra drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2014 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 8 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #27

May 272018

Sentra

  • 79,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Sentra. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle would not accelerate and started to jerk. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to passport Nissan of alexandria (150 S pickett St, alexandria, va 22304) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred numerous times after the repair. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that she would be responsible for the repairs. The failure mileage was 79,000.

- Ft. Washington, MD, USA

problem #26

May 052018

Sentra

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Sentra. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled. When the contact pulled over, turned off the engine, and restarted the vehicle, it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (mills Nissan, 3700 hwy 71 South, willmar, mn 56201) where it was diagnosed that the continuously variable transmission belt fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they were unable to assist. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- Montevideo, MN, USA

problem #25

Apr 232018

Sentra

  • 91,243 miles
Complete cvt transmission failure at 91,000 miles. Warranty expired so dealer wants $5,000. I've done all recommended cvt trasmission fluid exchanges but transmission failed.

- Merced, CA, USA

problem #24

May 152016

Sentra

  • 48,000 miles

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

With no event associated, my transmission began to shutter and rattle when I slowed to a near stop, then accelerated. I took it to the dealership when it was still under warranty and asked to have a technician take a ride with me to hear the noise and feel the rattle. The transmission rattled four times as we circled the block. His answer was "that is nothing, some times that happens when the road is wet." I told him that it happens wet or dry and he again dismissed it as "nothing to worry about." Well it is not 'nothing.' The shutter/rattle occurs when I slowdown into a turn, then accelerate. Or if I am on a straight-away and brake, then accelerate it will shutter. I have read many complaints that sound too similar to be a coincidence. My wife is affraid to drive the car and I am concerned for our safety.

- Downers Grove, IL, USA

problem #23

Feb 142018

Sentra

  • 24,200 miles
Transmission making a popping when you put into gear also reverse to drive.and when you slow down to stop and when you take of from a light or stop sign it make a popping sound..

- Losangeles, CA, USA

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problem #22

Jan 202018

Sentra

  • 61,000 miles
Vehicle jerks when in drive, and hesitates to move forward. Jerks when put in reverse and makes a loud noise like a jet engine when turned on. Pulsates and jerks while driving over 35mph

- Boynton Beach, FL, USA

problem #21

Jan 252018

Sentra

  • miles

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

Transmission failure while driving

- Waynesboro, PA, USA

problem #20

Dec 202017

Sentra

  • 76,000 miles
When I'm driving sometimes it's as though there is sluggish changing into gears.it's like it winds out too far as though it has transmission problems.this mainly happens when I'm getting up speed.nothing bad has happened yet.

- Denton, NC, USA

problem #19

Nov 112017

Sentra

  • 62,000 miles
Was on a 5-lane highway (speed limit: 50mph) and could not accelerate effectively. The car began to violently surge and the engine began intermittent reving. Luckily, traffic was light and I was able to navigate without causing an accident. Upon starting from a light, the engine lagged trying to accelerate like it had no power. Then it revved to redline without any acceleration. Acceleration control was now completely gone on a 40mph road. Thankfully, I made it to a two lane road out of traffic when it happened and coasted approximately a half mile home. Car was towed to the dealership with 62,000 miles on it. They advised the cvt not repairable and needed replacement as they found pieces of the drive belt and washers present in the transmission pan. They said the factory warranty was 5-years/60,000 miles and would not assist. Contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs. They declined to assist stating they would not help because it was out of warranty, preowned and they could not locate service records. The dealership now wants $3,800 to replace the cvt. This is a dangerous problem Nissan knows about and will not assist. It causes an immediate loss of acceleration control and near stationary traffic impedance.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #18

Sep 222017

Sentra

  • 39,724 miles
While driving in evening interstate traffic, the vehicle started revving up. RPM indicator would surge to anywhere between 2 and 6 and vehicle would suddenly accelerate. After attempting to slow vehicle down by braking, car hesitated and had very low power. It felt as if it would cut off. It did not cut off. Car was parked overnight and then towed to dealership. Dealership stated that the cvt valve needed replacing. When pressed, stated reasons for this component going out was unknown and they were unaware of any other issues related to this particular problem. Failure mileage 39724. After part replacement (under power-train warranty) car was driven approximately an hour on city roads before experiencing problems again. Problems, while driving, included RPM surging to 6, with rapid acceleration and then major decrease in power. At stoplight, car felt as if it had cut off. Gas pedal had to be depressed fully to the floor in order to move from stopped position (at stoplight). Vehicle's sudden acceleration and decrease in power is a safety hazard while both interstate and city driving. Rapid acceleration and loose of power could cause an accident. Vehicle will be taken to dealership in the morning and a second complaint will be filed once they have gotten back to me.

- Hartsville, SC, USA

problem #17

Aug 022017

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 34,472 miles

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

Hello! I am the owner of Nissan Sentra, I have to report a problem to you, my 2014 Sentra (VIN: [xxx]) has problems. Today (August 2,2017) 1:05 pm, when I drove out from the school parking lot, the gear shift rod is drive, but the car is back, and all the dashboard lights are lit up. I confirmed that in the drive once again, the car is still backwards. My classmate [xxx] had seen all, he suggested me turn off the engine, and re-start, the car return to normal. I am so worried about that if the problem in the driving, may cause a terrible car crash, I am scare, I have no dare to drive this car, I hope you can investigate clearly. Thank you! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Rowland Heights, CA, USA

problem #16

May 032017

Sentra

  • 70,000 miles
When a transmission on this car (Nissan Sentra ) broke down on me it locks up where you can no longer move. It happened to me on a freeway and almost caused a major and if not a deadly accident on the freeway the car will then shake and it doesn't allow you to move out of the way.

- Pasadena, TX, USA

problem #15

Apr 252017

Sentra

  • miles
Transmission was replaced under warranty. New transmission has a continuous issue with a trans axle leak that is "repaired" at every dealer oil change. Vehicle now out of warranty. Trans axle leak remains which makes it unsafe to drive.

- Pala, CA, USA

problem #14

Dec 292016

Sentra

  • 76,000 miles
About a week ago, my car started making noises when idling, which I thought little of because my car only has around 76,000 miles on it and is well taken care of. Over the next few days, the noise became a full-on rattle (like an amplified version of bike gears grinding). When driving, the car will lurch forward and will jerk even harder when turning. Within the first few minutes of driving each time I use the car, it has no power and feels as if it wants to "pull back" and hinder me from moving forward. I've taken the car to two mechanics and have had the transmission looked over. Both mechanics believe that the transmission is the underlying problem. After researching cvc transmissions on other 2014 Sentra, I've discovered that many other owners have had the same issue with even less mileage than my own car. Many of these Sentra drivers felt unsafe driving their vehicles. I too, feel that continuing to drive my car is a hazard to me and other drivers as the faltering and jerking of the engine are unpredictable which could cause a potential wreck. Nissan Sentra transmissions from 2003-2010 have been recalled to the best of my knowledge, but not for the succeeding years of the same model.

- Cleveland, GA, USA

problem #13

Nov 042016

Sentra

  • 41,500 miles
First issue happened couple months after I bought it on 12/27/2014 purchased new only 18 miles on it on 5/10/15 I took it in for maintenance because the driver side tire was making a wierd clicking noise when I would stop or turn. Second issue now is the transmission jerking as if slipping running out of gas my car is still in new.condition is barely 2 years old it should not have had all these issues my car was in motion wgen it began to stall on an intersection it was very dark and dangerous on rheir multipoint inspection they stated my fluid levels were good but my transmission fluid was not.it turned out to be empty

- Perris, CA, USA

problem #12

Dec 082016

Sentra

  • 82,000 miles
The transmission had a catastrophic transmission failure after 25 months of ownership and 82,000 miles. Car is undriveable. My tow truck driver said he sees this all the time with Nissan's cvt transmission failures. Nissan declined to provide assistance with the cost of repairs because my car was 22,000 miles past the limited powertrain warranty, and because this year Sentra is not part of any current transmission recall. It is my hope to call attention to a product that might need to be recalled, as it is my understanding this is a common issue with these vehicles. Consumers who buy Nissan Sentra are often budget-minded, and a repair that exceeds $4,000 is not expected at 2 years of ownership, nor should it be.

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #11

Oct 012016

Sentra

  • miles
I am part of a B17 Sentra (2013-2015) owners page. The amount of people who need replacement cvt is outrageous. Examples include one needing replacement at 9K miles, and a second at 24K miles. Another example is one owner needed one at 28K miles and another at 52K miles. The failure percentage is out of control and Nissan does nothing to rectify it past the short warranty. These issues should not be this prevalent in such new cars.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #10

Jun 302016

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 46,000 miles
Vehicle constantly jerks when driving, stalls and slow to accelerate; transmission replaced with negative results. Problem continues to exist.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #9

Oct 072016

Sentra

  • 74,945 miles
Mt vehicle since I bought it with only 3 miles has when coming to a stop start to shake vigorously brought it to the attention when I had my ac compressor replaced at only 50,000 miles, mind you I do drive my vehicle alot 125 miles a day and its all highway but I also maintain it regularly// the vehicle going at 65 miles per hour the other day started to hesitate and rpms started to jump higher and lose power on a main highway during the afternoon in san antonio where traffic is bad I had my little girl and that loss of acceleration and jump /clunk almost caused me to get rear ended by a 18 wheeler which honked at me and scared my little girl// after research on this make and model I have found that there has been numerous complaints in the same regard same issue risking life and safety due to a fault that Nissan knows about due to recall they set for 03 - 10 years and models using the cvt transmission now my vehicle is a 2014 and after research see that many consumers are put in the same dangerous situation and have complained only for it to fall on deaf ears. I am now scared to drive a vehilce that I still owe on due to having my 4 year old in with

- Edinburg, TX, USA

problem #8

Oct 032016

Sentra

  • 38,000 miles
My transmission has gone out twice since I purchased this vehicle in June 2015. In October 2015, my car wouldn't accelerate. I took it to the local Nissan dealership in which they told me that it was electrical wiring from my tail lights to my brake. 3 months later, my car has the same symptoms. I take it to the local dealership again and they tell me that it's the transmission and eventually, after several weeks of conversing back and forth, they finally agree to replace the transmission after my car won't shift out of first gear on my way home from school, around 10 pm, on the bypass going about 35mph all by myself. It took approximately a month for the car to start being symptomatic, yet again. I take it back and drop it off for about 3 days. They can't find the source of the problem without a service engine light on so they tell me there's nothing to do and they send it back to me. This happens a few times within a couple of months. Several weeks go by with the car still being symptomatic and not shifting gears correctly. The car keeps jumping and won't drive correctly so I finally take it back to Nissan, after calling about the problem and them telling me that nothing can be done until they see a service engine light on the car for it to throw a code. Today, October 3, 2016, I take it back to columbus Nissan and about halfway there, it won't shift. It then wont accelerate once I off of the bypass so I had to literally roll into the parking lot of the Nissan dealership. They then tell me they can't do anything really because the service light isn't on and the service men are at lunch. Tiffany, an employee of columbus Nissan, offers me a ride back to my apartment and to leave me car there for them to look at it after lunch. They later call me and tell me it's my transmission out yet again. They're waiting to hear back from the Nissan usa business.

- Columbus, MS, USA

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