2015 Nissan Sentra Transmission Continuously Variable Transmission
Nissan Sentra Transmission Problems: Fact Or Fiction?
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)
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
Write a Review
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.
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
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.
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.
Source: https://www.vehiclehistory.com/articles/nissan-sentra-transmission-problems-fact-or-fiction
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