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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,765 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.

2013 Nissan Sentra drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 4 of 15)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #240

Sep 182020

Sentra

  • 95,345 miles

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

Transmission started failing, out of Nissan's class action settlement extension to 84,000 miles as my car had 95,000 miles on it. I bought this car brand new and maintained it for my daughter to drive and was hoping it would last her through college. I drove it last Friday, traded it in on Sunday as cost to repair exceeded the value of the car. Was not informed of recall which is odd as only owner of car but regardless the vehicle not safe due to known issues of cvt drivetrain. Car would jump, hesitate, no power then it would catch and lunge when gas applied. Going downhill seemed to cause loss of power and would actually slow car down causing me to have to accelerate to go downhill and thus pull off road to stop and let the car seem to rest prior to interstate driving. Thankful weather not bad when this happened or that my daughter not in a wreck because of this known issue. Will boycott Nissan products rest of my life. Spoke with Nissan rep who informed me nothing can be done by Nissan to help me. I helped myself and bought a Honda.

- Corydon, IN, USA

problem #239

Sep 172020

Sentra

  • 30,000 miles
When the car is stopped and in "park" (the engine may be running or off and you go to start it up), the car will not come out of "park". this happens randomly. To get the car out of "park", per the owner's manual, there is an inset half-circle (8mm) plastic piece labeled "shift lock" next to the shifter that has to be pried off with an appropriately sized tool and then an appropriately sized tool has to be inserted into the slot and pressed down while the shifter is simultaneously moved out of "park" (note: You need to use both hands to accomplish this plus obtain the necessary tools). This happens when the car is stopped and in "park" - while waiting to pick someone up, stopping to drop someone off, in a traffic jam; at a safety check on a highway, parked in a lot, parked in a garage, etc. This problem of the shifter stuck in "park" only happens when the car is not in motion and the transmission has been placed in the "park" position - the engine can be either on or off and you go to start the car.

- Monroe, NC, USA

problem #238

Aug 112020

Sentra

  • 71,889 miles
Transmission has judder, loss of power no matter if on a straightway or climbing a hill which creates a safety issue. This is now a constant issue.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #237

Sep 012020

Sentra

  • miles

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

Car has 103000 miles. Bought used and after had Nissan service campaigns completed and stating car in good shape. Then car began high revvving before shifting, occasional shudder when shifting to drive or reverse, then enters low mode with no acceleration. Took to Nissan dealer and they said needs new transmission. Contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs and filed a complaint. They denied the claim only stating car is out of warranty, no offer to at least share the cost. This clearly should be a full transmission recall. Do not buy a car with a cvt!

- Winterville, NC, USA

problem #236

Aug 042020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 112,807 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she heard an abnormal tapping noise coming from the engine. No warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the cvt transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer had yet to be notified of the failure. The manufacturer had been notified via letter however, the contact had yet to receive a response from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 112,807.

- Danbury, CT, USA

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problem #235

Jun 012020

Sentra

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently decelerated and on several occasions the vehicle stalled without warning. Additionally, while driving the brakes activated independently stopping the vehicle abruptly. The vehicle was taken to rairdon's Nissan of auburn located at 713 35th St ne, auburn, wa 98002, who diagnosed that the cvt transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Enumclaw, WA, USA

problem #234

Jul 212020

Sentra

  • 93,000 miles

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

My transmission has just stopped working I lost power and was not able to drive and I had to pull off the road and restarted my car and drove home. I brought it to the transmission shop and was told my cvt has to be replaced at $4,700 and there is a class action lawsuit that covers to 84,000 miles but my car is now at 94,000 but I think my transmission should be fixed for free

- Laurium, MI, USA

problem #233

Aug 062020

Sentra

  • 65,000 miles
Sometimes the shift knob will lock and will not move from the park position. I was in the parking lot and the shift was stuck for about 10 minutes then all of a sudden one could put it into 'drive'.

- Downey, CA, USA

problem #232

Jun 162020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Vehicle suddenly just died as wife was making a left on to busy highway found out class action lawsuit just expired in April this thing should have been recalled for putting lives in danger !! dealership still allowed to sell even though they will not fix issue since call action law suit expired do not buy !!!

- Northglenn, CO, USA

problem #231

Jul 022020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 85,620 miles
First time was in san marcos on I-10 freeway while on the way to work while in the middle lane the RPM shot up then back down and the car slowed down real fast to about 20 to 25 mph and with no break lights showing almost got rear ended, luckily was able to pull off with out an accident, and after a couple of minutes started and drove normal. After a couple of week coming home due to the coronavirus and again on the freeway it happened again. Towed it to gunn Nissan in san antonio tx and filed a complaint with Nissan Consumer Affairs and they did nothing, so the dealership charged me $1100 to fix it, so I payed even tho Nissan should take responsibility for the repairs. 6 days after it was so called fixed and again on the freeway RPM shot up the car slowed to 20 to 25 pmh and almost rear end because no break lights came on. Returned it to the same dealership and now they say it needs a new transmission $4000. Mileage the first about 82,000, and the last time 85,500 Nissan new extended warranty 7 years or 84,000 miles and in California 10 years or 120,000 miles why only California. The issue with Nissan cvt transmissions are very serious and could have costed my stepdaughter her live. I payed to have it repaired and 6 days later they want me to pay for a new transmission.

- Adkins, TX, USA

problem #230

Jul 092020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 74,850 miles

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

The car accelerates slower. On eco mode, the car gets stuck on a gear; sometimes it will get stuck on the second or third gear. For example, today it revved up to 5000 RPM as I was merging onto the freeway and I had to pull over because it was stuck on gear 3.

- Firebaugh, CA, USA

problem #229

Jun 172020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
My transmission failed while I was driving down a main road. I brought it to the dealer twice before. The first time they told me I had to keep driving it until it got worse. The second time they said nothing was wrong with it. I brought it to a transmission expert 5 days later who took pictures as proof that it was failing. The next day is when it broke down. Nissan is producing cars with faulty transmissions and then making their customers pay for it. This cvt transmission needs to be recalled. People's lives are in danger.

- Glenside, PA, USA

problem #228

May 202020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
We are dealing with transmission failure after only having the car for 4 years. RPM rums up when gas is pressed, leaking oil, car won't stay cool. In motion, both on city street and highway.

- Portales, NM, USA

problem #227

Jun 192020

Sentra

  • 99,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that after moving off from a stop, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 mph. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was towed to modern Nissan of concord (967 concord parkway South, concord, nc 28027, (704) 788-2110) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.

- Albemarle, NC, USA

problem #226

Apr 142016

Sentra

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a owns 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on several occasions, the accelerator pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously taken to exton Nissan (200 w Lincoln hwy, exton, pa 19341) and repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Landcaspter, PA, USA

problem #225

May 262020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 10 miles
I was driving on the freeway when my car stopped running I got really scared because I did not know what was going on I had my smaller siblings with me that day and thought the worst when the towing truck picked my car up and I took it to the mechanic they told me it was the transmission and that these Nissan 2013 Sentra were known to have this problems and that I was not the first in this past months.

- Mission, TX, USA

problem #224

May 042020

Sentra

  • 100,400 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle received an unknown recall related to the transmission control module reprogramming, however the vehicle experienced a transmission failure. The contact stated while driving 30 to 45 mph, the RPM revved up to 7,000 however, the vehicle failed to exceed 45 mph. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to rusty wallace Nissan located at 4515 clinton hwy, knoxville, tn 37912, where the vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 100,400.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #223

Apr 132020

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 88,464 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to abc Nissan service (1300 E camelback rd, phoenix, AZ 85014) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission was defective, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,464.

- Overgaard, AZ, USA

problem #222

Apr 102013

Sentra

  • 90,370 miles
I bought my 2013 Nissan Sentra sr from towne auto brokers 03/2013 I test drove it and it had no shifting problems at that time. 2 weeks later while I'm driving it the Sentra started jerking and idling erratically, the RPM tachometer red lined 3 times without the gas pedal being depressed!! while redlining the Sentra's transmission shudder with the erratic jerking all the while decelerating before catching 3rd gear at 4,000 RPM. I was in rush hour traffic 3 miles from home so I decided to try and making it home. While stopped at the stop light the Sentra idled normal, then at the green light when I depressed the gas pedal nothing happened( no power at all and the RPM didn't rise) I was literally stuck in the middle of an intersection not able to move my Nissan Sentra under its own power!!! I'm afraid that this is a transmission issue that the manufacturer was well aware of before installation in Nissan Sentra and all other models with this cvt transmission. I believe the Nissan corporation should recall all cvt transmission due to mechanical failure resulting in lack of power.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #221

Mar 182020

Sentra

  • 114,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway on cruise control going 70mph when the car started slowing down to the point where I had to pull over. I turned the car off and when I turned it back on it was not accelerating. I had to tow the car to the dealership where they told me I needed a new cvt transmission. My car only has 114,000 miles. The transmission should still be working fine. The car has not been in any accidents/car wrecks.

- Sunnyside, WA, USA

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