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.

4.6

definitely annoying
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
23,431 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2017 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #37

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 #36

Apr 282024

Sentra

  • miles
My 2017 Nissan Sentra S has a very serious problem whenever my RPM reach 3.5 to 4.It starts jerking and I can't accelerate anymore, in one occasion after the jerking stop I couldn't drive no more than 5 miles per hour.i have checked for any visible issues but none. No warning lights come on, I carry a scanner with me OBD2 but it doesn't have any codes. I have gone online to find a solution but I'm coming across hundreds of people with the same issue but no solution.i called the dealer and I was told that since the car is salvaged there is nothing they can do The car still jerking I just to keep it under or at 3rpm but I can never get on the freeway due to this issue

- Hawthorne , CA, USA

problem #35

May 172024

Sentra

  • 139,401 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the instrument panel was displayed properly; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was instructed by the mechanic to replace the key fob battery, but the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 139,401.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #34

Jan 122024

Sentra

  • 90,087 miles

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

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH coming off the highway and coming to a complete stop at a traffic light, the vehicle was shifted into park to adjust the clock. After shifting to drive and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate above 35 MPH. The contact stated that the check engine and traction control light warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. However, the contact stated that the fuel pump and accelerator pedal sensor were previously replaced, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,087.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #33

Mar 012023

Sentra

  • miles
The CVT seems to shudder uncontrollably when accelerating from zero and also when driving at 60mph on the interstate. The RPMs fluctuate erratically and spontaneously when traveling at 60mph or higher. Yes, the car can be inspected upon request-it does the shuddering every time it accelerates from zero. My safety and the passengers safety is at risk if the car were to stop functioning while driving on interstate. Yes, the problem has been reproduced by a local service center. No, the problem has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representative. Would like to have the car inspected by the above if it were at no cost to me since it's a Nissan CVT issue. No, warning lamps or messages are on the dash. Problems began to appear in 2021.

- Gretna, LA, USA

problem #32

Nov 092023

Sentra

  • miles
Steering wheel went unsteady. All warning lights went off. Speedometer failed. Unable to shut off the engine and unable to detect key while having the key in place. My safety and others are at risk each time this happens due to not been able to have control of the vehicle speed while having unsteady steering wheel and not knowing of the possibility of breaks failing while trying to drive to a safe place. This has happen about 5-8 times this year. Nissan replaced the IPDM and has continue to failed multiple times after. They have not been able to detect the cause. I have records of each time it has happen and one of those times was while driving on highway. My life and others have been at risk.

- Eagle, ID, USA

problem #31

Jan 102022

Sentra

  • miles

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

The car experienced sudden lack of power in the middle gears and was unable to accelerate. At the same time it displayed the sliding car icon indicating a brake issue. It came and went for a couple of weeks and then just would not pick up speed in the middle gears. The car is a 6 speed manual. The code thrown was for a manifold control valve failure. We could not get Nissan to schedule a repair so we took it to an independent who had to replace the entire manifold as no service parts were otherwise available. They could find no reason for the sliding car icon to have kept coming on. Even after the manifold replacement it continues to do so at random times. It causes concern over the brakes which is disconcerting at the least. The sudden loss of acceleration while the problem was going on also caused a few scary moments. Nissan was contacted and declined to reimburse us nor did they offer to check the car. This car has been serviced by the dealer exclusively except for the manifold replacement and the service schedule was adhered to. It is a 2017 model and now has under 45,000 miles. It had about 41,000 when the problem occurred. No reason for such an early failure. It is a relatively rare model so no information was available.

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #30

Aug 312023

Sentra

  • miles
The CVT has failed in my car causing multiple issues with jerking, shaking, stuttering. When i was making a left turn, my car hesitated and almost caused an accident because I didnt have the power to pull out when I should have. Now the repair is being quoted over $5k because they are saying I need an all new transmission. No warning lamps, messages have been indicated on my dash

- Westminster, MD, USA

problem #29

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 #28

Dec 012022

Sentra

  • miles
The car refuses to shift from park to drive or even reverse. Mechanic can-??t figure out why. And I never got the recall information for the car that had a lawsuit against it.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #27

Dec 012022

Sentra

  • miles

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

Transmission stalled out when I was on the Rt 30 bypass. I was traveling at 55 miles per hour in rush hour and the car suddenly would not go forward. Causing sudden traffic issues. This is a known problem with 2017 sentras. Exton Nissan sold me this vehicle knowing it's unsafe. I've trying to get in touch with them for a month about this. I'm seeking for them to buy back this unsafe and dangerous car

- Coatesville, PA, USA

problem #26

Oct 022022

Sentra

  • miles
My car just randomly dies. The engine was knocking and I only could reverse. I had to leave car and it don-??t move at all and might get towed

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #25

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 #24

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 #23

Feb 172022

Sentra

  • miles
As I was driving across the railroad tracks, my car just stop. There was no warning or indication that there was a problem, it just stopped and all the lights shut down as well. No brake, head or emergency lights worked.

- Evergreen , AL, USA

problem #22

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 #21

Jan 012021

Sentra

  • miles
Rpm-??s spike up to high levels just to get up to 45/50. I have to let off gas & almost stall out to press gas to try & catch it into higher gear. This happens most the time, but not all. 45/50 but won-??t go past 55/60mph, let alone 70-80 on I90/I94. & if it-??s really bad then I have to be almost gas to the floor just to maintain any speed once up to 40/45++. Especially higher speeds. & other times O/D kicks in at random times random speeds & then I have to park or EMERGENCY park because reduction of speed won-??t stay up, or will not even get to 55/60-?? I bought this car New March 2017. Maybe 10-20 miles. We had extended warranty. I told them multiple times about the recall & the studdering since a year of owning in 2018. They said they didn-??t find anything or that they did the repair. Then during covid we didn-??t have funds to have maintenance but about 6 months ago I told them to fix everything do all recalls, do the issues we thought & they agreed & then never did it. Now we aren-??t in warranty. We put in 2g of repairs up keep, thought it was low price. But then said ok add in auto start & do the other fluffy stuff. Well-?? have 9-10 grand left & they wanted to buy it & get us into another 450 car loan. We refused. & repeatedly asked why the recalls & repairs seem to have never been done. & Nissan in crystal lake IL where we have been doing business with for years now claim that the only recall is for the break lights-??. & that it-??s my fault for doing 60 thousand miles before coming in-?? during covid-?? when this has been an issue. Nissan dealership bought, Nissan loan, Nissan warranty. & a solid 6 years at least just to be in a money pit because -??no one knows what-??s wrong-??, it-??s the not repairing while I was in warranty telling them the same things. Now I-??m not in warranty and they want me to come in to buy a new Nissan from them again, & roll in the remaining balance -??? I don-??t feel safe with Nissan, let alone hulling my 2 children at/under 4-?? plus I use that car to work

- Genoa City, WI, USA

problem #20

Sep 092021

Sentra

  • miles
Getting a sulfur (egg smell) through vents when air conditioner is on. Not sure if something a fautly with fuel system? Car is only 4 years old with 40+ thousand miles on it.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #19

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 #18

Feb 142021

Sentra

  • 104,000 miles
I was driving on several occasions and the car would just slow down out of nowhere on the highway. I couldn't get the car past 80 or it would shake. If I stopped the car or even slowed down, (anywhere, street or highway) the car wouldn't move at all. I would be pushing the pedal on the floor for 10 minutes just to get it to 5mph. If I would go up a small incline, the car would roll back and barely stop ( almost resulting in several potentially fatal collisions). At times my reverse wouldn't even work if I couldn't press the gas and if it did work then I couldn't drive froward. It would take me almost 30 minutes to get home from work and my job is exactly 10 minutes in a straight line from my house (on the street. No highway). If that gives any perspective. Once the car was parked it was fine. All the problems occurred while the car was in motion.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

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