Nissan Sentra Transmission Problems: Fact Or Fiction?

Jan 27, 2021

In the market for a compact sedan with excellent fuel economy? If so, then the Nissan Sentra may be right for you. This five-passenger sedan has a lot to offer in a practical package—and the handling on this small sedan is impeccable. Before you spend your hard-earned money on a pre-owned Sentra, though, you may be wondering:

Are there any reported Nissan Sentra transmission problems?

Unfortunately, there have been some reports of recurring transmission issues on some models, including:

Transmission slipping and/or failing
Spiking RPMs while driving
Total CVT failure
Inability to drive (except in reverse)

Blue 2020 Nissan Sentra From Front Side

Take some time to familiarize yourself with the details of these common complaints below. We’ve outlined them for you, so you can get a better idea of some of the most notorious Nissan Sentra transmission problems to watch out for.

More About the Nissan Sentra Transmission

On most Nissan Sentra models made in 2015 or later, a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is standard. However, some earlier model years, including the 2015, received a six-speed manual transmission on the base trim.

The majority of the issues reported with the Nissan Sentra’s transmission seem to be related to the CVT, which is still relatively new technology in the automotive world.

Compared to a “traditional” automatic transmission, a CVT does not have a finite number of gears that it shifts through. Instead, the vehicle is constantly shifting and adjusting based on the vehicle’s speed and other driving conditions.

When running as it should, a CVT allows for more-or-less seamless shifting and a smoother ride, as well as improved fuel economy. This transmission is perhaps why vehicles like the 2018 Sentra are able to achieve an EPA-estimated 32 mpg combined!

Still, with more complex moving parts, Nissan’s CVT may not always operate flawlessly. This has especially proven to be the case on models like the 2015 though 2018 Nissan Sentras.

Common Nissan Sentra Transmission Problems

2015 Nissan Sentra: Transmission Slipping and/or Stalling

NHTSA Complaint IDs: 11354554, 11348943, 11343989

Numerous owners have complained about the 2015 Nissan Sentra’s CVT slipping or even stalling while driving. For example, one NHTSA report from September of 2020 mentions that the transmission slips and the vehicle “jerks” in cold weather.

In another NHTSA complaint from August of 2020, the owner of a 2015 Sentra reports that the CVT completely failed. In other instances, the same owner claims the vehicle has inadvertently shifted gears and nearly caused accidents.

This lines up with several other formal complaints on the NHTSA website, as well as reviews on Vehicle History. One reviewer, Darlene S., writes that her transmission was replaced under warranty but that the new one is experiencing the same issues.

2016 Nissan Sentra: Spiking RPMs

NHTSA Complaint IDs: 11321788, 11290083, 11350715

Multiple reports filed with the NHTSA also mention issues with the 2016 Sentra experiencing a sudden spike in RPMs while driving. One August 2020 complaint reports that the RPM will jump from 2 to 4.5, even with cruise control engaged.

Another 2016 Sentra owner reports a similar issue, claiming that while driving around 80 mph on the highway, the RPMs on the car will spike and the gas pedal will stop working for several seconds before returning to normal operation.

This owner also mentions that the car has been brought to the dealership and an independent mechanic, but nothing has been done because the technicians are unable to find any damage or problems with the CVT itself.

2017 Nissan Sentra: CVT Failure

NHTSA Complaint IDs: 11310119, 11342540

There have also been reports of the CVT on the 2017 Sentra failing completely and needing to be replaced.

In one February of 2020 report, the owner of a 2017 Sentra claims that the vehicle shifted into neutral at highway speeds and that the vehicle had to be pulled to the side of the road and restarted. Upon inspection, the transmission was found to need replacement.

Another NHTSA complaint filed in July of 2020 mentions issues with the car shifting at speeds of around 30 mph. After bringing the vehicle to a dealer, the owner was told that the transmission needed to be replaced, although the problem continued.

Unfortunately, this seems to be in-line with some Vehicle History reviews of the 2017 Sentra. One owner named Sean wrote in July of 2020 that the CVT failed. Another reviewer reports that the transmission on his Sentra went out after just 1.5 years.

2018 Nissan Sentra: Car Will Only Drive in Reverse

NHTSA Complaint IDs: 11302489, 11318508

While this doesn’t seem to be a very widespread problem, it’s worth noting that there are two NHTSA complaints related to the 2018 Nissan Sentra running only in reverse.

One owner reported in March of 2020 that this happened at a traffic light and that because the vehicle is no longer under warranty, the repair will cost $4,000.

Another 2017 Sentra owner reported in January of 2020 that the vehicle will only operate in reverse, even though the car has just 46,000 miles on it and has been properly maintained.

Owner Reviews

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Brenda E on January 30, 2023

CVT Transmission failure 2017-Nissan Sentra

I have history of 30+ years driving various car types from vans to sports cars etc. Never had transmission problems. Purchased a used Nissan Sentra 2017 4 door in Oct 2018 with 38 k miles on it- no problems until Nov 2022 at 97 k. While driving in town noted at stop signs/lights noticed a mild shifting from stop to accelerations, then increased on highways/freeways noted shifting and hesitation on acceleration to higher speed took in twice in November then in Dec- first service person states its the transmission yet their company refused to work on Nissan transmission due to the problems with CVTs and that they have history of problems with these since 2012/2013, they referred me to the dealership for service. I then took it to Nissan dealer they said they would not work on the transmission unless the engine light or a computer generated code was noted- neither were present. They reset it on the computer to see if this would help, it did not. Drove it another 24 days, and on the stormiest weekend Dec 31 in the Bay Area, on the inclines over the Pacheco Pass it hesitated and resisted to go higher than 50-55 mph, it struggle on the lower elevations to go beyond 40 mph, then in traffic it slowed to 10-20 mph this caused the RMP wavering rapidly from 1-3 rpms. Finally in town it would not pick up speed to go through the traffic light intersections. I had to drive with my hazard lights on until I could reach a safe place, once stop It would not start up and still not check engine light came on. It sat for 2 days, then it started up- I could drive it another 15 miles steady at 60 mph with the RPM wavering rapidly again from 1-3 then the check engine light came on. At this time, I had it towed to the dealear ship....not under warranty due to being 1 month and 13,000 over the limit of my 84 K warranty period. This was my first Nissan vehicle...Will I purchase again only if its an older model without an CV Transmission and be sure to get a warranty up to 100k or more. These CV transmission should not be in use

William S. on September 7, 2021

CVT Transmission issues

Yep my 2015 Sentra SR has little less then 96,000 ml on it. When I bought it originally it had 11,000. Ran like a top! At about 55,000 it started shuttering when it would shift up from 2,3,4 then at about 65,000 it started slipping bad. And over reving. I commute a lot of highway miles. So I believe that’s help save my original tranny so far. But periodically and sometimes frequently slip and rev. I found a full synthetic blend of transmission additive which really helped with the slipping and reving. Called Barr’s leak “CVT Fix” put one bottle in thetransmission port where the plug is. And drive it about first 50-100 miles should do the trick if not drain all trans fluid. From pan put new fluid in and another bottle of CVT FIX. Mine has all but stopped the continued reving and slipping.When it does (Which is rare) I make sure the fluid is topped off and add another bottle. Then it’s good as new! Hope this helps.

Sara C on May 2, 2022

2019 Transmission Issues-Nissan Consumer Affairs not helpful

I purchased my 2019 nissan sentra and almost immediately had issues. Called consumer affairs in Aug 2021 and was told to bring it to dealership. Did twice and since they only plug it into a computer and didn't listen to what I was saying, they keep saying nothing is wrong. After driving car for 25 mins on highways 70-80mph the RPM's will start to jump even though I am not accelerating. I then no longer can accelerate and have to drive significantly slower. It happens in warmer months so didn't happen this winter as much and now I am back at square one taking it to another dealership for a second review since that was all consumer affairs could recommend I do. They won't do anything else to escalate when I first called. I have a video of it an everything. Extremely disappointed and have owned Nissan's for 10+ years.

Brittany on October 26, 2021

2018 Nissan Sentra

I bought my car at 32,000 miles pre owned, in less than a year of me having the car: The battery was corroded, sensors failed, and my fuel pump failed and needed to be replaced. My Nissan is now only 3 yrs old and only at 78,000 miles and I am having the jerking issues. It doesn't respond or accelerate when I'm on the highway, the RPMs go up but the car will not shift gears and accelerate. When I come to a stop it hesitates before accelerating, and will jerk when going. I have brought it into the dealership twice now for this current issue and there are no codes. It is unfortunatly out of the extended warrenty and are fighting to get it covered by Nissan under the 100,000 garrenty.

Rickey Mooneyhan on October 6, 2023

2015 Nissan Sentra sv 1.8

Cut slipping rpm’s-jumping up and down they give you no information about this car if you are trying to work on it yourself they won’t give you dimensions of o rings mounting bolts and even if you don’t take it to there shop they want you to buy there parts they have no information. There cut problems have been continuous and nothing changes my girlfriend spent 20,000 dollars on a 2015 Nissan piece of s**t. They say they will honor their system if your car has a failing cat but they just get you in there to get more more more money.

C Mickens on May 4, 2023

2016 Nissan Sentra SV

On several occasions while driving in ECO mode my Nissan has struggled to shift gears and pick up speed. My RPMs have gone up to 5 and my speed won't go above 35MPH ( which was even a struggle to get there) As you can imagine not a good situation when other vehicles are around. Finally I had to pull off of the road, turn my vehicle off and restart it. When I left it in standard mode it seems to work OK, just don't drive in ECO mode.

Gena D on August 29, 2021

2016 S Sentra

I bought my car used at 28,000 kilometers. Luckily I purchased an extended warranty; 140,000 kilometers. At 90,000 kilometers it started to hesitate and jerk on the Highway. I brought it into a Nissan dealership and they said the entire transmission needs replacement. I was stunned.

Yolanda g on March 12, 2022

Transmission problems

I came to a stop went to pull of hesitated to go it’s unexplainable like it’s struggling to go in gear only happen when I stop and take off it makes a noise like it’s struggling to change gears happens every once in awhile while driving

Retta on January 11, 2023

Transmission problems

It’s wont go once I come to a complete stop then when I try to go and don’t move then take off I had my car since July 2018 first owner it have 91000 miles on it and just now starting to act up I don’t know how to fix it

John E on June 2, 2021

Transmission just stopped

I have a 2018 Nissan Sentra Sv . I slowed down to take a right hand turn. When i hit the accelerator coming out of the turn i heard and felt a clunk amd lost the drive part of my transmission. It will only go in to reverse.

Brian on April 22, 2023

Bad transmission

My son bought a 2015 nissan sentra the transmission has been replaced three times. After the first time he bought car shield but there's something seriously wrong with those transmissions. The cars not worth the hassle.

JC Ceballos on February 21, 2023

Nissa Serta

Just yesterday 2/19/2023 80,000 miles transmission gave out, funny I have a older honda and its at 250000 miles and she runs like a beauty. Never will i be buying a Nissan Serta or any Nissan for that matter

Krissy on December 29, 2022

Terrible

I purchased my 2018 Nissan Sentra due to having a prior older model. I drive my car for a living. My transmission completely gave out. Of course, it's no longer under warranty.

Tonya Hatley on December 20, 2023

2014 Nissan Sentra. 120k miles and the transmission is junk

Car has a shudder you can feel it when you take off. Took to dealership they said I had to have a new transmission. No help at all wants 5400.00 to replace it

Barakzai on October 31, 2022

Nissan is the worst brand

The worst brand the worst cars all Nissan please never buy it I financed a Sentra, now I have depression because of this f*****g car.

Ted O on June 2, 2021

Transmission problems

2018 Nissan Sentra SV Transmission shutters fron 30 to 40mph and when making turns.

Danielle S

Danielle S. is a writer with more than 10 years of experience covering the automotive industry. She lives in Indiana ("The Crossroads of America") but enjoys road-tripping around the country whenever she gets the chance.