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:
28,621 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.

2016 Nissan Sentra engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #38

Feb 182024

Sentra

  • miles

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

When driving on interstate or any road of 45 mph or more the transmission" Engine" Goes up in speed on cruise and tachometer goes up and down and it sounds weird

- Brazil, IN, USA

problem #37

Jun 072023

Sentra

  • miles
The CVT Transmission has a bad shudder while driving and shifting into gears. It jerks when trying to accelerate and is extremely slow trying to accelerate the vehicle. The safety of me and other vehicles were in danger because the vehicle failed to accelerate when going up an incline or just driving down an even lane road with no inclines or hills. The vehicle has been inspected by a certified auto repair shop and after inspection, I was told that the CVT Transmission needs to be replaced. The first instance of trouble happened on June 7th, 2023 while I was driving to work. The check engine light came on and the accelerator was hesitant. The car could barely maintain a safe speed. I was travelling on the highway when this occurred.

- Delaware, OH, USA

problem #36

Nov 082022

Sentra

  • miles
My Nissan Sentra 2016 lost power for the first time back in 2020 while driving and i was unable to accelerate properly. I was so concerned because i was driving while the incidents happened. The car was taken to the Nissan dealership for inspection and they said that the transmission was the problem. No repairs were performed. On November 2022 the car suddenly lost power for the second time and i was unable to properly accelerate while driving it on the highway. No warning lamps showed before it failed. They appear after the car losses power.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #35

Dec 012016

Sentra

  • miles

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

I have a sentra 2016 that has been from day 1 and brand new has had a shake, judder, stall during sudden acceleration or stop and go stop and go with being jolted forward, usually on the highway. I am always terrified to drive it anywhere. I can't believe there is no recall on this. They need to offer a new transmission for the owners.

- Canton, OH, USA

problem #34

Jan 052022

Sentra

  • miles
It's been 6 months the car started to skeet transmission gear. When driving in highway at 65 to 70 mph the clock of idle start going from 1 up to 4 up and down. I took it to a auto repair and the mechanic stated is the transmission. I've done a research and other people have the same issue. I want to prevent a crash if the transmission goes down and car stop abruptly.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #33

Mar 112022

Sentra

  • 27,321 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated the vehicle overheated and stalled. The oil, engine, and battery warning lights were illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 27,321. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #32

Feb 062022

Sentra

  • miles

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

Vehicle Stalls randomly. Numerous times on numerous dates.

- Arleta, CA, USA

problem #31

Jun 082021

Sentra

  • miles
The car would not start.Yes it was inspected at the car repair shop.I have had to jump start the car many times

- Springfield , VA, USA

problem #30

Oct 242021

Sentra

  • miles
As my vehicle was exiting a major highway, the vehicle began to shake and putter. I was able to put my vehicle in park within 1 minute of this puttering. Once in park, the vehicle began to shake more rapidly and louder. I assumed something terrible was going to happen and shut the car off. After an hour and a half, I started the vehicle back up and not to my surprise experienced the puttering and shaking once again. I put the vehicle in drive and began to slowly step on the gas while turning into the road and the car shut completely off and slid back toward the curb with the engine light on and battery. I had to call AAA to have me towed home and on their arrival, they were able to back the vehicle up and forward as long as he pushed down full throttle. The AAA representative suggested through his knowledge of mechanics that it seems there is an issue with either the spark plugs or the fuel pump/filter combo. After changing the spark plugs and still having this issue tonight....we are leaning towards the pump as the issue. There were no lights or warnings prior to the shaking that began as stated in this entry.

- South Amboy, NJ, USA

problem #29

Jun 072016

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 10 miles
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT BLANK AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STARTED AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO FIVE STAR NISSAN OF WARNER ROBINS (839 WARREN DR, WARNER ROBINS, GA 31088) WHERE THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN DEALER POSSESSION FOR TWO WEEKS. THE CONTACT THEN STATED THAT UPON RETURN OF THE VEHICLE, THE POWER STEERING INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED, WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE STEERING WHEEL WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10. Consumer stated the following needs to be replaced wiring harness, steering wheel, door handles which are coming off, rear wheel hun, cabin air filter, lube oil and filter service, ABS actuator, front tire wear, key error light, at times vehicle will not start, seat belt light stays on, door rattles on driver's side, transmission replacement, air flow sensor lost calibration, and paint is flaking on rear bumpers.

- Warner Robbins, GA, USA

problem #28

Apr 102021

Sentra

  • 59,000 miles

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

Vehicle rpms increase during highway speeds- dealership determined it was a known cvt

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #27

Apr 202021

Sentra

  • 113,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

- Inglewood, CA, USA

problem #26

Nov 012020

Sentra

  • 80,000 miles
I want to be reimburse for having to pay to have my transmission replaced. I got my car with 30 something miles on it, bought it off the lot, because I wanted a good car that wouldn't need repairs or break down on me. Come to find out, Nissan had a known transmission issue on their cars and was paying for some repairs but because mine was a few miles over the "cut off" number of miles, mine was not covered. I had to pay 3 thousand + dollars to have it fixed, which I didn't have. I needed to get a loan to pay for the repairs on a garbage car that you all knew had transmission issues and agreed to pay for some transmissions but because mine was a few miles over your allowed miles, you did not pay when your the multi million dollar company who made these cars incorrectly!! you can afford to pay for my repairs if you paid for everyone else's transmissions!! I'm a single mother of 6 kids who does not have 3 thousand + dollars laying around for a car that I thought was a good car!!! please reimburse me especially during these hard times with no money during covid -19. Don't forget your the millionaires with dumb poor people like myself trying to get ahead by buying a car off the lot, thinking they won't have any car issues!!

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #25

Jan 152021

Sentra

  • miles
The engine light popped on and then the car wouldn't accelerate the odometer didn't pass 0mph you have to repeatedly restart the car to even get the car to 20 mph. When going up a hill the car wouldn't go fast enough so I started to roll back. Got the car scanned and the things that popped up was P0744, P285A, P0715

- Fort Polk, LA, USA

problem #24

Jan 152021

Sentra

  • 92,000 miles
My car has 92,000 miles. As of 3 days it's been acting up I went to a mechanic and they said I needed to replace my transmission. That it wasn't sending enough signal to the engine to have my car run. When I step on the gas it goes around 10mph but 2 days ago it completely stopped. And I got a letter on the mail a while back that it had a recall

- Pittsburg, CA, USA

problem #23

Dec 202020

Sentra

  • 105,693 miles
While in motion the car jerks and slips gears while driving it has loss of power when accelerating I feel unsafe while driving my car.

- Haskell, OK, USA

problem #22

Dec 092020

Sentra

  • miles
77,000 miles and no other issues. Go will go into gear but wont go.

- Richmond, TX, USA

problem #21

Dec 062020

Sentra

  • 60,000 miles
Engine refuses to start. Also engine stalls when driven. Car in motion.

- Pelham Manor, NY, USA

problem #20

Jun 012020

Sentra

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Another independent mechanic was contacted and the contact was quoted a cost of $800 to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

- Mashpee, MA, USA

problem #19

Mar 022019

Sentra

  • 32,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 75 mph or with the cruise control set for 75 mph, the rpms revved up. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the engine had overheated. The contact took the vehicle to greenway brunswick Nissan located at (231 chapel crossing road, brunswick, ga 31525, (912)289-8701) who diagnosed that the heater core and the heater core box needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the heater core was replaced 3 times and the heater box, along with the heater core, was replaced 2 times. The failure continued. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 32,000.

- Brunswick, GA, USA

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