CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2013-2017 Nissan Sentra has an expensive CVT transmission failure defect that shows up plainly in our complaint data from the earlier model years in this same 7th generation Sentra.

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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
45,963 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.

2015 Nissan Sentra drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2015 Nissan Sentra:

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

2015 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 3 of 8)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #107

May 092022

Sentra

  • miles

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

My Vehicles stalled on me on multiple occasions one in particular I was with my family including my two year old daughter. when the car began to violently jerk on the NJ turnpike, total ambarassment ensued and ultimately I had to drive that way for about an hour or so. I had a Mechanic from Nissan come to my home and the diagnosis was the tranny was done. Rip to my baby at 115k miles so sad.

- Queens Village, NY, USA

problem #106

Aug 012022

Sentra

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while at a complete stop, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure worsened and the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle was diagnosed with transmission failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #105

Jun 032022

Sentra

  • miles
While at a stop sign, the CVT transmission seamed to fail. The car started to shake when I tried to accelerate and then would not move at all while I was stuck in the middle of an intersection. I almost got sandwiched between 2 cars.

- Hermon, NY, USA

problem #104

May 102022

Sentra

  • miles

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

While driving, the vehicle-??s rpm-??s will bounce up and down. When accelerating the vehicle will stutter, transmission slip, or not go when gas pedal is all the way down. This has left me in the middle of intersections when the light is turning red, it-??s has had me on one lane roads being unable to move. The vehicle can be in motion and just stop risking an accident. I have had the codes checked due to check engine light being on. Check engine light has not been accurate with readings. From one day to the next the codes will change. After the transmission went out it finally read codes related to the transmission. After making the suggested fixes it still functions the same. Prior to getting code related to the transmission the vehicle indicated that there was something wrong with the fuel system. I have had a certified mechanic look at my vehicle confirming the above. The codes read on multiple occasions and fixing what was suggested has not made any difference.

- Racine , WI, USA

problem #103

Jan 282022

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
The transmission quit working in rush our traffic in St. Louis, Missouri. The incident nearly caused a severe accident, if it hadn't been for two alert drivers during rush hour. After sitting for approximate sixty minutes waiting for a tow truck. Just before the the tow truck arrive another tow driver was going to pick up another vehicle "he stop to help." The tow driver was going to tow the vehicle. He was testing to see what the problem. As he started the vehicle he put it in drive and nothing happen. After a few minutes it jump in gear. The vehicle was driven home with loosing power, surging, and RPM going up without acceleration. This happen in late November. The car continued to jerk, stall, and loose power over long trips. The car was taken to the dealership but they could do nothing until they put a device on it to read codes. This was completed December 20, 2021, I was notified to drive the vehicle for several days up to a week and bring it back to them. The vehicle was picked up and drove per dealership instruction. The car was returned after Christmas. The tech perform a TCM update. They tested and drove the vehicle with myself in the car. The manager concluded the car had transmission problems that pointed to the transmission but it would not reveal a code. Until they get a code or approval from Nissan there was nothing they could. On about January 28, 2022, I was instructed to pick up the car. Also, I was instructed the car was unsafe to drive. It was bitter cold (12 degree) fifteen minutes into the drive home the service manger call (note after hours). The vehicle stalled/loss power and a multiple of problems. Approximately twenty miles away the vehicle caused an accident in which I suffer frostbite and damaged to my left hip. With the assistant of the State Trooper I was safe until the tow truck from D and K arrived. The vehicle was towed back to the dealership and remain until present date, [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 5

- Poplar Bluff, MO, USA

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

problem #102

Feb 112022

Sentra

  • miles
I bought this car with the understanding that it was in drivable condition with no major problems bought in 2017 now in 2022 there is a problem with the CVT transmission which I have just learned had been in several class action suits I took it to the dealership who only took it for a drive and said they heard a weird noise. Then I was informed it needed the transmission replace at a cost of over $4000 which I don-??t have they told me my warranty was expired and the extended warranty given by Nissan was no good either they offered to give me $1000 to buy my car I still owe $9000 on it and then proceeded to try and sell me another car. They didn-??t care about me nor my problem. I never got any information about any class action lawsuit. I feel that they were deceptive and hid the truth from me about this defective transmission. I want a replacement with no cost to me. I would not have bought this model if I was told about this major defect.

- Roxboro, NC, USA

problem #101

Jul 012021

Sentra

  • miles

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

After getting my transmission serviced, my car started jerking often and lagging on speed from 0-35. Once hitting 40 mph, it would create a loud rev up and a rough kick back. It has stalled out and started up numerous times while sitting in freeway traffic and traffic light controlled intersections to the point that I had to move it and park somewhere safe for 10 mins for it to restart then stall out again a few mins later down the road.

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #100

Feb 012022

Sentra

  • miles
The transmission in my vehicle is not working and I see there has been a known issue on models from 2013-2017. I would like this repaired, please.

- Brunswick, GA, USA

problem #99

Oct 252021

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
DESCRIPTION OF INCIDENT, BILLS PAID, WORK COMPLETED AND INFORMATION IS ATTACHED TO THIS DOCUMENT. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Estero, FL, USA

problem #98

Nov 222021

Sentra

  • miles
The component which has failed is the CVT Transmission. It can be available and has been inspected upon request. The safety is for myself, my son, and other drivers on the roads because the transmission could cause hesitation as it did previoiusly without warning while in operation causing a possible collision. The problem has been confirmed by the manufacturer. The component has been inspected by the delaer on behalf of the manufacturer. There were no warning lamps this time because the dealer stated the code found during the diagnostic check indicates the transmission is not communicating with the vehicle computer so that the warning lamp would indicate there is a problem. The transmission was replaced February 2021. However, after only being driven 21, 263 miles this transmission is malfunctioning and is defective.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #97

Aug 082021

Sentra

  • 78,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had the air flow sensor replaced but soon after repair, the failure returned. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to another independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

- Timonium, MD, USA

problem #96

Oct 072021

Sentra

  • miles
Transmission malfunction. The car will reduced speed putting me on risk of getting hit in the back and someone colliding with me due the reduction of speed and the slowness of the car to start to gain speed. There was some jerking as gas pedal was pressed down and will slow down and then gain speed before it completely slow down to the point it will not go beyond 40 miles per hour. The car was inspected by the Nissan dealership where the car was bought and transmission is failing internally according to their findings. The vehicle has only been inspected by the dealership. There were no warning/message prior to this problem.

- Park City, UT, USA

problem #95

Sep 252021

Sentra

  • miles
On Saturday, 25 SEP 2021, my wife and I departed San Clemente, CA, at 3:30 AM enroute to Idaho Falls, ID. We were driving my son and daughter-in-law-??s 2015 Nissan Sentra with approximately 62,000 miles on the odometer. The car contained my wife and me along with 2 suitcases. At approximately 5:00 AM we approached the Cajun Pass, heading north on I15 North, going 70mph with the cruise control engaged. The crest of Cajun pass is approximately 3800 ft and the base of the pass is approximately 1100 ft, thus a rise of 2700 feet in a relatively short distance. As the 2015 Nissan Sentra began to ascend the Cajun Pass, the engine RPMs raised to 3700 RPM, but then the cruise control disengaged and the car lost power. I merged to the right into the Truck Lane and could only go 30-35 mph. Additionally, the engine RPMs would oscillate between 3700-3900, even though my foot maintained a steady pressure on the gas pedal. After we reached the top of Cajun Pass, I15 North actually descends and the2015 Nissan Sentra could then again be driven at 70-75 mph. For the remainder of trip on I15 North from Cajun Pass to Idaho Falls, there are approximately 10 steep grades where Trucking Lanes are provided. In each and every of those cases, the 2015 Nissan Sentra exhibited the exact symptoms it exhibited on Cajun Pass -?" the car lost power, could only be driven at 30-35 mph, and the engine RPMs oscillated between 3700-3900 RPM, even though the speed was constant and the gas pedal was depressed with the same pressure. There are literally dozens of additional hills between Cajun Pass and Idaho Falls on I15 North where the grade was not steep enough to warrant a Truck Lane, but there is still a considerable hill. In each and every one of those hills, the 2015 Nissan Sentra was only able to achieve a speed of 50-55 mph, even though the posted speed limit is generally 75 or 80mph. The car was unsafe to drive because most cars on I15 North are going 80-85 mph, which is 30-35 mph faster

- San Clemente, CA, USA

problem #94

Sep 192021

Sentra

  • miles
The 2015 Nissan Sentra SV has issues with stalling during driving, not accelerating over a certain MPR but RPM continues to get higher, and the car seeming to jerk when in drive. The transmission seems to slip. There are no indicators for check engine that has came on prior to these events taking place. Very unsafe driving on the highway when these situations occur. Has had multiple diagnostics done and nothing has been solved.

- Clinton, MD, USA

problem #93

Aug 162021

Sentra

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would shudder after accelerating and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who performed a transmission flush and replaced the fluid filters. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and diagnosed as transmission failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall related to the failure and to take the vehicle in for diagnosis. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall related to the failure and referred the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

- Mission, TX, USA

problem #92

Mar 102021

Sentra

  • miles
I initially owned a 2014 Nissan Sentra, which was a lemon, Nissan repurchased a 2015.. The transmission went into the car, and car slips gears when driving. I feel complicated unsafe in this vehicle. Please advise.

- New Britain , CT, USA

problem #91

Apr 212021

Sentra

  • 110,000 miles
Cvt transmission problems. Vehicle was jerking, would change shifts, didn't want to go over 20 and then couldn't get it to run. Car turned off on its own at a light. This happened on the freeway putting in danger since dropped speed and had hard time going up bridges. Then it did it in city limits. Stop signs and at lights.

- Rosenberg, TX, USA

problem #90

Feb 102021

Sentra

  • 82,000 miles
At 80,000 mile mark car would sputter on highway when accelerating, RPM flaring, engine would rev up on highway when accelerating. Car would also judder. Seems clearly a cvt issue.

- Brewster, NY, USA

problem #89

Feb 262021

Sentra

  • 86,439 miles
The car had been running ok but then out of nowhere the car just stopped and the engine light came on. It could not be driven due to the cvt transmission failing. Had to pay $225 to get it towed to my house at 1:00 am then another $150 to get it towed to the dealer to get a diagnosis for Nissan. They told me that the vehicle was given an extended warranty for 7 years/ 84,000 miles. I am still within the 7 year timeframe but I have 86,439 miles on my car. One original owner before me. Clean car fax report and the car was driven mostly highway miles. I have had it a little over a year and a half and barely put 10,000 miles on it. This car stopped while my 17 year old daughter was driving on a busy highway. She is very lucky that nothing bad happened to her. I have done research and Nissan has nothing but problems with these cvt transmissions and eventually something bad is going to happen to someone because of this. I feel that they are responsible for the cost of this repair as they knowingly are selling these vehicles with transmissions and they have caused more problems for more people. I have an open case with Nissan but I don't know if they will take responsibility for this or not.

- Freedom, PA, USA

problem #88

Feb 072021

Sentra

  • miles
Vehicle in motion on highway about 65-70 mph RPM starts going up and down speed starts to decrease as I press to accelerate vehicle starts decreasing speed not wanting to go over 65 mph and RPM continues to fluctuate back and forth from 3rpm to 2 RPM like it wants to go faster but can't. this has been going on for a week. This morning 2/18/21 stationed waiting on light to change when I pull off the vehicle jerks when proceeding to pull of from stationed position. This happens even in the cruise position.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?