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:
2 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,915 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.

2017 Nissan Sentra electrical problems

electrical problem

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2017 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Jun 282024

Sentra

  • miles

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

I took my car into the dealership for a recall repair and the following day, I started having situations where the I push the pedal down and the car would not initially move but then would "catch" and begin driving again. What is happening now however is that while I am driving, the car appears to shut off (headlights turn off and all of the lights come on the dash) and then all of the lights on the dash go off, headlights turn back on, and then the car "restarts" and continues to drive.

- Placitas, NM, USA

problem #29

Nov 222023

Sentra

  • miles
The manufacturer installed anti-theft measures that became broken. Nissan-??s -??immobilizer-?? system can not tell the difference between false theft and real theft. I read many people were locked out of their vehicles because the only way to unlock the anti theft system is by paying Nissan. Now I-??m unable to drive my car sometimes because it may locked me or my battery dies due to the lightning blinking for hours.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #28

Aug 092023

Sentra

  • miles
CONCERN: This is the second time the engine does not shut off. All warning lights go off, unsteady steering wheel and odometer/odograph failed. This is not just a malfunction issue it is a severe safety concern. Back in January of 2023 it happen for the first time and was told Control Unit IPDM, Engine Room needed to be replaced and it was. But once again while driving the steering wheel went unsteady, all warning lights went off, odometer/odograph failed while on the road. This is an extremely safety concern. I bought the car brand new and as of now it has not been in any car accidents.

- Eagle, ID, USA

problem #27

Jun 272023

Sentra

  • miles

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

My brake light switch has gone off twice since I purchased the car it failed and I had to have it replaced twice and then I just looked at my VIN number about recalls and noticed there is a recall for my vehicle but they have not been able to remedy the situation and I'm still paying 2 years on this vehicle

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #26

Oct 102022

Sentra

  • miles
found out by someone else about recall on my car about the stop switch and transmission on car then took it to petro nissan and they told me they voided my recall and fixed it but it was never fixed because the situation has started on my car and with the transmssion started messing up with battery being drained with stop switch problem and my airbag light blinking off and on with me surfing the internet i found to where theres a recall on electrical ignition.air bags and with the brake light switch i need this solved asap please and will need a loaner are rental as its being fixed please again because every dealer i have been to and had check it refused to fix it without charging me alot of money

- Seminary, MS, USA

problem #25

Dec 312022

Sentra

  • miles
on acceleration to 60 mph or more noted moments of jerky/hesitation as if shifting gears- evaluation by dealership x2- they noted the same thing....could not fix the problem was told to bring back once engine light comes on or sensor code is generated in their computer system which checks the transmission. Awareness that this is a transmission problem. a month later car fails to increase speed to 50mph going up a small incline...driving over a mountainous pass.....then as got to a straightaway it had to shift down to 20-30 mph due to weather conditions and traffic- then the RPM keep wavering would not be steady at this lower mph....then within 10 miles of this....intown at stop lights RPM would acelerate at complete stop and then it didn't want to move- was able to get up to 10 mph yet could not get through the intersection without the traffic light turning red before I could make it through happen multiple times...once it did this I had to drive with my hazard lights on to warn other drivers......such a safety hazard... let it sit for 2 days then. I was able to drive it 25 miles with the RPM constantly wavering between 1.5 and 3 with the cruise set at 60mph....check engine light came.....towed 100 miles. Now at the car dealer/manufacturer for replacement of the CVT Transmission....this could have been avoided if 1 month earlier the CVT could have been replaced....5 year old car with less than 100k......it is an automatic car

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #24

Dec 192022

Sentra

  • miles

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

I had turned my car on after work and i had a light turn on my dashboard marking -??PS-?? indicating there was an issue with the power steering. I turned off my car and turned it back on the light went away so i began driving home. As I was driving the same light turned on and the car shut off but was still going, I was unable to accelerate but i was able to brake. The steering wheel was locked and unable to be moved. Thankfully the roads were clear otherwise it would have been a terrible accident.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #23

Aug 162022

Sentra

  • miles
My vehicle is a part of the 21v-135 recall and Nissan hasn't be able to repair the problem. I called the toll free number for Nissan because the local dealers were unable to repair the issue, adhering to the notice I received, and they weren't helpful. The next step on the notice was to come here and submit a complaint. I would just like to get my vehicle repaired.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #22

Mar 152022

Sentra

  • 41,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as needed. There were no warning lights illuminated. An unknown alarm engaged. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 41,000

- Opelousas, LA, USA

problem #21

Nov 052021

Sentra

  • 63,000 miles
The contact owned a 2017 Nissan Sentra S. The contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the steering wheel seized and the RPM's increased. The brake pedal was depressed however the contact crashed into a curb and then a fire hydrant causing the vehicle to flip. There was smoke and a burning odor present. The contact was unable to exit the vehicle. A police report was filed and the fire department was present. The contact sustained leg injuries from cracking the front windshield in order to exit the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where it was deemed a total loss. The contact stated that he received an unknown recall notice and felt that it was related to the failure experienced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. No further information was available. The failure mileage was 63,000.

- Bell Gardens, CA, USA

problem #20

Feb 222021

Sentra

  • miles

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

i got thiz note couple weeks late you guys dinr warn me its was defective i crashed for this recal reason the lights war having problems when iwas driving and of and on and the emgine started to rev and the saftey to turn steering wheel locked and i crashed veichle turn of while that happen then slamed into side walk and firehidrant frip me over i lost my car becausebof thiz now tjat i got this recal youguys destroid my confort now i panic and lost my car

- Bell Gardens, CA, USA

problem #19

Jan 292022

Sentra

  • miles
On January 29th 2022, we drove the car on the interstate at about 65-70 mph for over two hours when suddenly, the vehicle completely shut off. We were able to navigate safely into the shoulder while the power steering, dashboard, and engine were all completely off. No lights or other errors appeared. We took the car to an auto zone where they checked and cleaned the battery from corrosion. Assuming we were fine, we embarked on the three hour journey home on the same highway the next day. We drove the car for about 45 minutes short distances with no errors. As we got ready to return home, we got on the highway again. About 30 minutes into the drive going the same speed, the car shut down again. No warnings or errors like the last time. We took the car to a Nissan dealership in Monroeville, PA. They held the car for a week doing inspections and say that there are no errors. I'm wary of the safety of the vehicle and nervous to drive a car that unexpectedly shuts down on the highway

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #18

Nov 022021

Sentra

  • miles
On several occasions rear brake lights fail to function and car will not start.no warning it just happens on occasion. We understand there is a recall on matter however have not received a recall. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter

- Derry, NH, USA

problem #17

Oct 272021

Sentra

  • miles
Car caught on fire due to electrical issues

- Jamestown , NC, USA

problem #16

Sep 042021

Sentra

  • miles
About 6 months ago I had the brake light switch repaired because my car wouldn-??t start due to the brake lights not coming on. So yesterday I-??m almost was rear ended due to m break lights not coming on, and then got stranded at midnight, by myself, out of town. Finally I put both of my feet on the break and pushed as hard as I could and it started. Called Nissan in Tracy, CA they stated there-??s no fix and to have it towed there if it won-??t start. Well what if someone slams into me? They also did not offer to change the switch like the safety recall states they should. This dealership has now put my safety and my children-??s safety at risk.

- Tracy, CA, USA

problem #15

May 022019

Sentra

  • miles
When trying to accelerate to high speed on freeway, transmission acts up. RPM goes up and down like crazy. Significant lag in acceleration while in motion trying to advance higher speeds. 80 MPH or higher vehicle shakes.

- El Centro, CA, USA

problem #14

Apr 282021

Sentra

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owned a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that upon parking his vehicle, his work building was evacuated due to fire. Upon exiting the vehicle, the contact discovered that his vehicle had caught on fire. The fire department was called to the scene and the fire was extinguished. A fire and police report were both filed; no injuries were reported at the scene. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they determined that the fire was caused by an electrical defect. The contact called an unknown Nissan dealer where they referred him to the independent dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #13

Aug 262020

Sentra

  • 56,601 miles
Push to start not working intermittently. Key fob has been reprogrammed and battery replaced. Can take up to two hours for push to start to work and car to start. All lights come on and radio start. Does not start car. Battery and key fob both working properly. Brakes also working properly. This is a problem that has been reported to Nissan many times from reports and forums found online and has not been corrected by the company. Car is in parked position and off.

- Scottsville, KY, USA

problem #12

Jul 152020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
When I step on the brake to start the car it doesn't start. Like the switch or sensor is communicating to the engine for it to start. It has been happening since I got the car a little over a year ago.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

problem #11

May 232020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
All light working except tail lights.

- Winnsboro, SC, USA

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