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:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
46,255 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2014 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Jul 242023

Sentra

  • miles

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

I've gone to the Nissan center in Antioch to have the transmission fixed due to a failure on the freeway. Cars Rpms went up and my foot was pressed down on the accelerator. The Center said they fixed it and I shouldn't have issues. 4 years later I'm starting to have the same issues.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #25

Mar 242023

Sentra

  • miles
Hello I was driving on the highway yesterday when my transmission failed. The car stopped accelerating and would not increase speed despite my foot being on the gas. I was hit several times before navigating to the median. If not for me being calm under pressure my life and the lives of other motorists were at risk. This is unacceptable.

- Katy, TX, USA

problem #24

Apr 042022

Sentra

  • miles
The car will not shift into third or accelerate over 2,000 rpms

- West Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #23

Jun 242022

Sentra

  • miles

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

When driving one day my car began to shift into higher and lower gears on its own. I began experiencing my car shifting and losing power randomly while driving. I brought my car to a nissan dealer and was informed that my car was one of many with a faulty CVT Transmission. My car is 6 months and 4,000 miles past the warranty so they cant help me, but im hoping you can help others before someone is killed by their defective car.

- Laconia, NH, USA

problem #22

Apr 102022

Sentra

  • miles
i was driving my 2014 nisaan sentra sv and when merging into traffic from the off ramp as i turned and accelerated in that second the car downshifted and accelerated enough to put me in danger due to the oncoming vehicles it then shook and i had the gas pedal depressed completely the vehicle then jerked real hard and would not go thankfully the vehicles that were oncoming seen me with just enough time to almost cause a huge car accident they slowed however you could hear brakes and see people behind the first vehicle swerving due to the sudden stop because of me i was honked at cussed at flipped off someone even threw a drink at my car and it could have been way worse the vehicle would not shift i had to get out in the middle of highway to push my car into a safe zone where i was in danger not to mention i lost my job for the simple fact it was my first day at my new career in johnstown at high country beverage since i purchassed this vehicle on July 3 2021 the dealership sold me a lemon vehicle that absolutely would not pass emissions in which i had to force dealership to re issue my temp tags 3 times due to the failed attemps and they would not give me my money back they had several attemps and chances to fix the issue in which they never did ive spent hundreds of dollars out of my pocket to figure it out and finally jan 2022 i was able to pass emissions, then shortly after in feb 2022 the car kept dying out and reading p0101 p0102 code mass air flow sensor and low circut current i spent 400 dollars to fix this issue theres more

- Greeley, CO, USA

problem #21

Nov 232021

Sentra

  • miles
While driving the car in the city, the car suddenly lost the ability to accelerate. I was stalled in the middle of an intersection to turn left. I was almost hit several times as the light cycles twice and I traffic wouldn't allow me to push the car. After five minutes, this seemed to rectify itself. However, the car started to shudder and a light grinding could be heard when driving. Then the inability to accelerate started again. I immediately took the vehicle to a repair facility. They inspected the car and said I needed to take the car to a dealer as they felt it was a transmission issue and that my car had a terrible reputation with CVT troubles. I took it to a Nissan dealer and when I described the issue they said it would be 3 weeks before I could be seen. I'm still waiting for the appointment date (Dec 20, 2021)

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #20

Jan 202021

Sentra

  • 50,000 miles

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

Transmission slipping, hesitating, and lunging. Some times causes sudden acceleration or deceleration, almost causing accidents. Car is also starting to make abnormal sounds from time to time, which started when the transmission issues started. Sometimes the car has even tried to lunge forward when brake is applied in a stopped position. This transmission was already changed once because original owner complained of lack of acceleration. The car only has 50K on it. Taking it to Nissan service center this weekend! but I can imagine what I'm going to hear.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #19

Jan 022021

Sentra

  • 95,000 miles
When I acelrate it shakes a little

- Santa Ana, CA, USA

problem #18

Nov 022020

Sentra

  • 98,000 miles
The car revs high and does not accelerate properly. Also makes rattling noses when going over 55 mph. Transmission is slipping. Attempted to merge onto highway and vehicle did not get up to speed almost causing a collision

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #17

Nov 092020

Sentra

  • 13,542 miles
My 2014 Nissan Sentra was starting to slip as I was driving, mind you my car has only 113 thousand plus miles on it. After taking it to the dealer after paying 140 dollars to have have the code read, I was told that I needed a new transmission, 31036-9am2A. They said it was a common issue that Nissan knows about and gave me the costumer service number to call, with a $3600 cost estimate. After leaving the dealer I called Nissan and they told me that due to the mileage there was nothing they could do. After hearing this I began to do some research and I found that this is indeed a common issue that has been going on with Nissan cvt transmissions. They have extended some warranties to 120 thousand miles or 5 years however I was told my car mileage excludes me from this warranty. What years are included in this warranty. Please help.

- Aberdeen, MD, USA

problem #16

Mar 012020

Sentra

  • 121,875 miles

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

While traveling at approx. 30 mph turning at the end of an exit ramp off the interstate highway, the vehicle suddenly slowed down as if it was shifted into first gear at a high rate of speed. I pulled off the road, turned it off and back on again but could only go 6 mph without jerking violently. After stopping, turning the car off and on again numerous times, was intermittently able to get the car to go faster than 6 mph only to have it suddenly slow down again, jerking within 1-2 minutes. It took one and a half hours to travel 16 miles back home. Not sure whats wrong...transmission, speed sensors or other" I've gone online and seen other similar complaints. Why hasn't Nissan been held accountable" Nissan needs to fix this lemon !

- Grand Rapids, OH, USA

problem #15

Feb 152020

Sentra

  • 107,895 miles
I got into my car after I have already took it to the Nissan dealer and got the 1 recall fixed and my check engine light has popped on again! since I have purchased this car which has been little than over 2 weeks it has had issue after issue. When driving the car sometimes it seems like it wants to cut off and while drive its like there is a turbo engine in it because it makes a loud noise when you are driving it and sometimes (most of the time) it almost seems hard to control the car while driving on the hwy.

- Racine, WI, USA

problem #14

Jan 262020

Sentra

  • 65,779 miles
Vehicle has been having transmission issues since 6 months after purchasing it in 2018. Car RPM jumps up and down when driving. Car shuts off when I'm park and left in idle sometimes, it takes a lot to turn left or right in the vehicle. Had transmission replaced in the beginning of 2019 thinking it will fix it, but the issue still occurs. I've taken it to mechanics and they all suggested to contact Nissan. I've spent almost 4,000-6,000 on repairs within the last two years. All related to the same issue

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #13

Dec 182019

Sentra

  • 99,000 miles
Cvt transmission is slipping causing delays to power while driving the vehicle, delays to engage when accelerating, vigorous shaking when idling as well as while driving.

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #12

Dec 292019

Sentra

  • 113,132 miles
I turned on my car in a parking structure and after a few seconds of driving my car begin jerking and suddenly turned off. The check engine light turned on. With a scan tool, I saw the I got codes for maf. I did some research and noticed that other cars are experiencing the same problem. I am upset because I continue having problems with my car. First I had the transmission prematurely go out and now I have a car that turns off when driving.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #11

Dec 262019

Sentra

  • 74,000 miles
On my way to work this morning December 2019 my car going at around 50 mph stop responding to the gas pedal and I had to quickly pull over in a strip mall so I would not be hit or cause an accident. I had to turn the car off and on again to get going, after that I slowly went to work. This had happened to me on a few occasions already. When I researched it I found out that a lot of people said this is a common occurrence with this year vehicle. This is dangerous.

- Cooper City, FL, USA

problem #10

Sep 202019

Sentra

  • 84,500 miles
I purchased a 2014 Nissan Sentra and within 6 months the transmission suddenly went out. It started acting funny on my way out of town to an appt. And within 2 hours exited the interstate and was unable to move off the ramp due to transmission going out. Press the gas pedal and nothing happened no raving or RPM movement nothing. Finally I shut her off for about 5 minutes restarted put her in drive and she jerked and lunged across intersection. She then threw the engine light on for transmission issues. Prior to stopping and lunging not so much as a light had come on. The car acted like it had gotten bad gas a time or two but otherwise no warning or anything prior.

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #9

Sep 042019

Sentra

  • miles
My car started with a lot of hesitation then it started to come to a complete stop and when it was time to pull from a red light it took time exhilarating to where I would only move a little bit and at a very slow speed. All of a sudden I couldn't get the car to move much at all without starting the car back up and getting just enough push to drive for 5 seconds I start out driving on a high way when it happened and made it to my sister house as I noticed it beginning to slow down and it became worst as I drove it to her house.

- Rochester, NY, USA

problem #8

Apr 292019

Sentra

  • 64,500 miles
While in motion my vehicle will start to accelerate and then slow down every so often. I could go to 20 mph and then my car will start to slow back down and I have to press the gas a couple of times to increase the acceleration back up. This happens anywhere on streets, highways, turning and in motion.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #7

Nov 222018

Sentra

  • 75,000 miles
Had my car on the highway Oct.13,2018 for a 2hr trip...1hr into trip and my car knocked off the cruise control and began jerking with rpms jumping up and down. On return trip it did the same thing, but no warning lights ever appeared on dash. When checked, no red flags and after a day or 2 around town rpms did not jump. Nov.22,2018(just a little over 1 month) I put my car on the highway for the same trip and within an hour the car knocked off the cruise control, began jerking and rpms were jumping up and down. On the return trip back, 1hr and a half into trip, my car lost all aceleration power..pedal to the floor and it continued to drop speed from 70mph to 45 before I turned on hazards and stopped on the shoulder. Then finally the check engine light pops on! but my daughter and I were now stranded on the side of the busy highway. My car hit 75K miles during this 2nd trip, so first time was under 75K. After spending over an hour helpless, the car jumped back into gear and allowed me to drive it the remaining 20 miles, but once exiting the highway I could not acelerate to merge into street traffic and was almost rear-ended. There has been no mention of any cvt issues when I take it in for routine maintenance. Now it's in need of repair badly! no other choice but to take it in to the Nissan dealer asap. I've been loyal to Nissan for many years having had a 1995 and 2002 Sentra for years...I haven't even had this 2014 for 2 yet, and if being stuck on the side of the highway with a young child or almost being rear-ended due to loss of power to engine doesn't scream 'we need a safety recall' what will??

- Olive Branch, MS, USA

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