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.

8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$750
Average Mileage:
64,550 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (4 reports)
  2. replace the shifter (2 reports)
2013 Nissan Sentra transmission problems

transmission problem

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2013 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments

problem #6

Nov 012019

Sentra FE+SV 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

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

Started out on my morning commute and could not put the car into gear. The shifter was stuck in park and no matter how much wiggling I did, the car would not get into gear. After a few minutes I tried again and it went into drive. This issue persisted for a couple of days and when I took the car into the shop I was told that I needed to replace the shifter assembly. It's a 2013 model Sentra with only 71,000 miles on the odometer. I have no car payments and the car is in good condition so this out of pocket expense may had been burdensome and unexpected, but given the low mileage on the car this should not have been needed to be replaced at this stage of the cars existence.

- Mark W., Austin, TX, US

problem #5

Jul 012018

Sentra SV 1.8L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I have to use a stick and poke it into that release hole in order to get the car out of Park. I now understand that this has been an on-going problem with Nissans for at least 15 years.

- johnzaker, Cedar City, US

problem #4

Apr 012018

Sentra SR 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 87,788 miles

Suddenly, the car was stuck in P... could not put it into gear, even after pressing the brake pedal. The mechanic diagnostic was the brake interlock switch, but is not available.

Relatively new car, and the first time I have this kind of problem with my car. Worried that my wife or son lost the stick we are using to unlock the shift and could not move the car.

Expecting somebody have a good solution for this problem ASAP.

- Carlos T., Bayamon, Puerto Rico

problem #3

Jul 012016

Sentra

  • CVT transmission
  • 62,000 miles

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

I cannot shift the car out of park, rendering the car completely useless.

- Lauren B., Mesa, AZ, US

problem #2

Mar 072016

Sentra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

The transmission was broken twice, was repaired with the extended warranty (no cost), but I almost die in the freeway because the car stopped (acceleration not working)

- Irma S., Houston, TX, US

problem #1

Dec 162015

Sentra SV

  • CVT transmission
  • 52,259 miles

shifter knob get stuck in park

I just bought this car 10 months ago and without warning my car would not come out of park. The shifter was stuck! I had an extended warranty but Nissan said it wouldn't be covered. I called nissan and they told me how to over ride this with my automatic transmission. When I got it to the service shop they said there wasn't any recall . I believe this is a maufacturer defect and they should pay for fixing it. I couldn't believe that Nissan it will not respond even with the extended warranty on this issue that obviously is manufacture defect and not a normal tear and wear. This was supposed to be a dependable vehicle! Not a happy consumer.

- Jose A., Orlando, FL, US

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