2011 Nissan Sentra: CVT failure

Filed May 22, 2025 · Engine · VA

To Whom It May Concern, I’m writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment with Nissan over the CVT failure in my 2011 Nissan Sentra. There are no active recalls listed for my vehicle, yet I’m experiencing the same transmission failure thousands of others have reported—jerking, hesitation, loss of power, and check engine codes P1778 and P0776. I purchased this car 3–4 months ago as a single mother trying to rebuild my life. I chose this vehicle specifically because I thought it would be a dependable, affordable option to get back on my feet. Instead, I’m now stuck with a car that’s barely driveable, a dangerous transmission, and no support. It feels like punishment for trying to do things the right way. I understand warranties expire, but Nissan is a million-dollar company, and the CVT transmission issues are a known and ongoing defect. You should not continue to profit while customers are left stranded and burdened with thousands in repairs due to faulty engineering. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s harmful. This kind of failure makes life significantly harder for people who are already struggling. I’ve contacted Consumer Affairs. I was disconnected mid-call and haven’t received help opening a case. I now need reliable transportation to care for my child and maintain the progress I’ve worked so hard for. I’m requesting that Nissan review this case and offer some form of goodwill assistance or reimbursement. I should not have to choose between feeding my family and fixing a transmission that should have never failed this early. Please take responsibility. Do better for the people who trusted your brand.

Filed Jun 29, 2024 · WI

I am having issues with registering car due to failed emissions for the Mass Air Flow Sensor as well as the CVT light that comes on while driving. The CVT light pops on out of no where which makes the car shake and not want to move too well. To be driving on freeway and have this happen would be very dangerous if not fatal.

Filed Aug 31, 2018 · Transmission · 87,000 miles · OR

Cvt transmission whines and appears to be slipping when going uphill - the rpms increase but the car is not going faster. There seems to be an ongoing issue with nissan CVT transmissions. They extended the warranty to 10 years/120k miles for 2004-2010 cvts. Unfortunately, mine is a 2011.

Filed May 24, 2018 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · FL

There is transmission issue with this vehicle when driven in excess of 2 hours. It appears to overheat and will not drive in excess of 60 MPH until it cools down. This is a known issue and I did open a case with nissan who refuses to cover the repair. Nissan case # 31337703. Nissan doubled the powertrain warranty on models 2003 - 2010 as a result of this issue but is refusing the stand behind this one which was presumably made in 2010. Problem first noticed a year ago and 2 mechanics could not duplicate the issue as it has to be driven a long time to heat up. It is only on long trips that this happens. Nissan requested we take it to a dealer for diagnosis and after 6 hours (and $150 charge) they said it had the incorrect transmission fluid. I am the original owner of the vehicle and never changed or authorized anyone to change it so that is a false statement. I was chastised for not visiting a dealer in 5 years... My response was if it is not broke why fix it? This vehicle is now used for primarily long road trips to school and it is frustrating that nissan knows there are thousands of reported issues with the CVT transmission but will not accept responsibility for this one. I have reached out to nissan and escalated my appeal as high as the executive specialist who would not consider standing behind their product. Sent a few e-mails to management (customer experience) which have gone ignored. Will be disputing the credit card charge for 'diagnosis' as that was a 6 hour wait for them to do nothing more then look at the fluid and accuse us of changing it to an unsupported fluid. Given the known design and reliability issues with this part I simply request nissan to cover the cost of replacement to which they refuse, causing a severe safety issue when this car is driven. In city driving it works without any issues.

Filed Jan 8, 2018 · Transmission · 110,000 miles · FL

Nissan claims that their CVT transmission issues were fixed for the model year 2011 sentra but that is a lie. The transmission overheats and then the car goes into limp mode which is extremely dangerous in the highway because it looses almost all power. Nissan extended the warranty for model years 2006-2010 to 120,000 miles because they knew there were issues with the transmissions but they refuse to acknowledge the issues that still exist with the 2011 model. I live in florida which has a warm climate and the issue normally manifests itself after about an hour of driving in the highway. After careful research, it seems that people that live in mountainous area have the same issue. To make matters worse, when the issues with the transmission started around september 2015 while going on a 500 mile trip, we took the car to nissan of pompano beach upon our return and they told us we needed a new transmission. We didn't believe them at the time because we had just driven the car about 350 miles after the problem started and the transmission was still working. The issue seem to only manifest when the weather was really warm and the car was been driven for several miles. Therefore, we instructed them to change the transmission oil and went on our way wondering if that would fix the issue. Since then, the car has gone another 15k miles with the same transmission. Since we have been taking shorter trips with the car the issue had not manifested itself again until now so we took the car to nissan in miami and again they told us that the car needs a new transmission. Given all the problems they have been having with the CVT transmission, I believe nissan should either extend the warranty on 2011 models or at least make sure that dealerships try to install a transmission fluid cooler to see if the customers issue goes away.

Filed Sep 23, 2016 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · CO

The transmission would down shift to lower speed 60mph in high speed traffic, nearly causing an accident. This has happen about 3 times. If the outside temperature is 85 degrees or above the transmission fluid overheats causing a sensor to down shift transmission. Now the service engine soon light has turned on. Took vehicle to nissan dealership, was informed I would need to replace transmission. Read online complains about CVT transmission on nissan vehicles is a big problem.

Filed Aug 19, 2016 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · TN

2011 nissan sentra with 80,000 miles and the CVT transmission is making a high pitch noise when accelerating. It increases in RPM but doesn't increase power. Nissan is aware of the issue with these transmissions but refuse to do anything about it if the car is out of warranty. This could be very dangerous if trying to pass another vehicle with oncoming traffic. This and many other problems with the CVT transmission are all over the internet. They extended the warranty for earlier models but won't do anything for newer ones. When I called and opened a complaint with nissan consumer affairs they called the next day and told me there would be no assistance from nissan and as far as they were concerned the case was closed. I took the car to a nissan dealer and the vehicle tech said he thought it was the CVT going bad. He said they have a lot of problems with CVT's and his opinion was he wouldn't own one

Filed Jun 20, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 12,600 miles · AZ

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 nissan sentra. While driving 55 MPH on an incline, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the speed decreased to 25 MPH. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid overheated and needed the CVT cooler upgrade service kit and performance of CVT fluid flush. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 12,600.

Filed Apr 28, 2015 · Transmission · 113,000 miles · RI

I bought a 2011 nissan sentra brand new one owner just the other day I was driving. As I got of the highway I stopped at a light and once it turned green tried to gas it but it doesn't move. I tried to put it in l nothing, reverse nothing car revs but doesn't accelerate. Took it to a mechanic they said transmission is gone . Really disappointed 4 years and cars transmission went. Would not recommend to anyone 8th nissan in the family and I'm worried now because they are all CVT. After this never buying another nissan they knew about the problem. Extended the warranty on the 2007-2010 models but no recall. 2011 nissan sentra highway driven daily and nissan don't want to fix it. I financed the car for 5 years still owe $5000 and they want $5500 for new transmission. Very disappointed with the quality I got for 24000 car special edition sr model defiantly wouldn't recommend to anybody. Beware very common problem with this vehicle don't buy CVT transmission.