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:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,809 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2015 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #50

Jul 202022

Sentra

  • miles

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

My transmission has went out 3 or 4 times now. Nissan has replaced it and the same issue keeps occurring. I was driving in the middle of the intersection and my car just stopped. I had to have people help me push my car out of the way. Nobody would stop and almost hit me and the people helping. There were no warning lights that came on. My car jerked then my car would not increase speed. It would just rev really high then not move

- San Jacinto, CA, USA

problem #49

Jul 312023

Sentra

  • miles
1. Engine malfunction/Transmission: Yes, the car is available for inspection upon request. 2. While driving the car on the road the car begins to hesitate and wanted to stall in moving traffic. Had to pull over vehicle over until it was safe to try and preceded. This problem has continued and now feeling no longer safe to drive on the road. We have a small child, and our car is our main mode of transportation and right now we are without transportation because of this faulty situation with the transmission and we definitely want to make sure that we have a safe vehicle for our family and not to cause an incident with other drivers due to the car stalling. Currently the car sits in the driveway. 2015 Nissan Sentra 89,575 3. Yes, the problem has been reproduced by a Nissan Dealer here in our area. 4. Vehicle was towed to a Nissan Dealership 5. Vehicle has been inspected by mechanic at Nissan. 6. No warning lights came on and prior to this we had not experienced any symptoms from the engine. First noticed maybe around last week of July

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #48

Aug 142023

Sentra

  • miles
Transmission. Up and down idling when accelerating, high RPM but not accelerating in speed, jerking, whining sounds while driving, thumping into gears, bad burning smell, no type of warning lights

- Newark, DE, USA

problem #47

Jun 152023

Sentra

  • miles

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

CEL light came on while driving, took car to O'Reilley's who reported a P0101 sensor reading. Assistant manager said that that is a common sensor to fail, however, when I purchased my car at Carmax 2 years ago, they had replaced it.

- Darien, ID, USA

problem #46

May 272023

Sentra

  • miles
I recently encountered a distressing situation with my Nissan Sentra, where the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) unexpectedly failed, resulting in the need for my car to be towed. This unforeseen incident left me stranded and unable to operate my vehicle. The failure of the CVT transmission not only caused inconvenience but also posed safety concerns as the car became inoperable. Prompt action and attention to this matter are crucial to resolve the issue effectively and ensure the safe and reliable functioning of my Nissan Sentra.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA

problem #45

Apr 202020

Sentra

  • miles
We bought this vehicle brand new in 2016, and it seem to be a nice vehicle until it hit 30,000 miles. When we hit 30,000 miles in April 2020, the brake system failed, causing a passenger side collision, however, there were no injuries. Then in November 2020, the transmission went out. At that time we had to have the front brakes replaced as well. Then in May 2021 at 40,000 miles, we had to replace the front brakes again. In September 2021 at 50,000 miles, the front and rear brakes started grinding and needed replaced, which ended up having the ABS system, ABS module, brake lines, brake rotors, brake calipers, brake drums, and pads replaced. In February 2022 at 58,000 miles, while driving home, there was a loud bang from the front of the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered violently, had very little acceleration, and there was a large amount of white smoke coming from the back of the vehicle. Had the vehicle towed into the service shop, where they stated the engine block had thrown a rod through the engine. Had the engine replaced. Four days after the vehicle was returned, the front suspension collapsed on the tires. Had the front suspension replaced at 58,000 miles. August 2022, the transmission failed once again at 69,000 miles, and also had to replace the front brakes again. At 76,000 miles, in March 2023, had to once again replace front brake pads, rotors, and passenger caliper. No rear drums and pads need replaced. Vehicle ABS system is nonresponsive, ABS light is on once again, when, pressing the brake pedal, the vehicle does not stop just like when ABS system and module was replaced prior. Emergency brake does not work as well. I have contacted Nissan several times, to which I was told they would no longer service my vehicle. Now I am wondering what to do at this point.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #44

Aug 192022

Sentra

  • miles

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

Have driving issues.. 3 times lose power. Transmission issues. Mileage still low (66.000) Jumping while drivering.. vibration

- Philadephia , PA, USA

problem #43

Jul 132022

Sentra

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and slowing down for a traffic sign, the vehicle stalled. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle and placed the gear shifter in park(P) and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle stalled again. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and had been illuminated since owning the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that she had experienced failure of the brakes with a metal-on-metal sound while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure with the engine and the brakes. The contact had taken the vehicle to an unauthorized dealer who diagnosed that the gasoline cap and front and rear brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. The contact stated that the brakes were replaced; however, the engine stalling failure recurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The vehicle had been taken to an authorized dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

problem #42

May 092022

Sentra

  • miles
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 #41

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 #40

Feb 072022

Sentra

  • miles

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

My Nissan Sentra is constantly -€œjerking-€ and -€œstalling-€ when accelerating. It-€™s not coming to speed and completely stopping in traffic. The vehicle seems like it-€™s struggle to switch gears and giving problems with the transmission. This is a very dangerous issue that needs to be resolved.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #39

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 #38

Aug 082021

Sentra

  • 78,000 miles
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 #37

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 #36

Sep 062021

Sentra

  • miles
My check engine light keeps coming on and off and I fixed the so called problem already

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #35

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 #34

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 #33

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 #32

Jan 222021

Sentra

  • 90,000 miles
While I was driving on the highway my car started slowing and then all of a sudden not being able to accelerate. Then on the road, it would tremble and stutter. Not safe at all I could've been hit

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #31

Sep 182020

Sentra

  • 73,000 miles
Car engine is not accelerating and transmission seems to be stuck in a certain gear. Took it into Nissan last year and they replaced the valve body in the transmission. Now it appears it's having the same exact problem again. Very scary as I almost got into a few accidents. Also the engine is having the same low idle issues but nothing is as bad as the transmission issues. Very very very scary

- Redlands, CA, USA

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