2013 Nissan Sentra: complete transmission failure

Filed Oct 15, 2025 · Transmission · 36 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that similar model year vehicles were recalled for the transmission failure; however, the VIN was not included in a powertrain recall. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that the vehicle had been parked in the backyard for over a year and was no longer driven due to safety concerns. The failure mileage was not provided.

Filed Jun 25, 2025 · Transmission · AR

The CVT transmission has a serious problem it does this jerking movement and could lead to an accident or serious bodily injury to occupants in the vehicle I am filing a complaint regarding the CVT transmission failure in my 2013 Nissan Sentra (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle began showing symptoms such as jerking, hesitation, and loss of power while driving. These are serious safety concerns, especially when merging or accelerating. After researching the issue, I discovered this is a well-documented and widespread defect in Nissan CVT-equipped vehicles from this generation. Many other owners have experienced premature transmission failure, and Nissan has issued extended warranties in the past on certain models. However, despite clear signs of defective transmission design, my vehicle has not been covered under any warranty or recall. I believe this defect poses a serious safety hazard and should be addressed by Nissan through a recall or formal investigation. Transmission failure while driving could easily lead to a crash. I urge the federal safety agency to open an investigation and compel Nissan to take accountability for this widespread transmission failure. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 21, 2024 · FL

2013 Nissan Sentra that I bought brand new in 2014 with only about 15 miles on it. December 2024 In the middle of traffic the vehicle would not accelerate forward, even when almost flooring the gas pedal. This would only Rev up the engine as if I was in park. I was able to drive in reverse to a park in a lot next to where the vehicle stalled. There were not any warning lights at anytime prior to the incident. The mechanic did take a look at it and believed it was a transmission issue. The first time this happened was about 2018 with the same type of scenario. The transmission was replaced $4000+ later by Nissan but when they gave the car back the AC did not work and I had to replace the compressor. They denied any wrong doing at the Nissan dealership but it was fine before I dropped it off except the transmission.

Filed Jul 11, 2024 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · KS

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that several years ago an unknown recall notification was received; however, the dealer failed to complete the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2023 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and the vehicle would not properly accelerate from a stationary position while driving up an incline. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced but the failure persisted. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jun 27, 2023 · Transmission · NJ

The transmission gave issues a few years ago and I got it fixed by Nissan. They confirmed that they put in a new transmission. It’s been only 20,000 miles and the transmission gave out. The car reverses but will not drive. They quoted me $7000 to fix it again.

Filed Jun 14, 2023 · Transmission · VA

I own a 2013 Nissan Sentra SR with only 69,000 miles. The vehicle has been meticulously maintained with all recommended services being performed. The vehicle has had the factory/dealer recommended CVT reprogramming as well as CVT fluid exchange and coolant flush services. On May 25, 2023, my daughter was driving home from work when without warning the vehicle went into limp mode on the freeway causing it to decelerate rapidly, swerve and almost cause an accident. The vehicle would not accelerate over 40 mph and was taken to the dealership. There were no warning lights on the dash and no performance issues prior to the incident. The dealer ran diagnostics & code P17FO came up for a faulty CVT Transmission. The transmission was replaced at a cost of $6186.00. This is a Nissan CVT that has been dealer serviced following all preventive maintenance recommended by Nissan and the Dealership. Two days after the new CVT was installed, the exact same thing occurred, with the car again going into limp mode on a hill of a two-lane road with heavy traffic. The car this time was almost rear ended and would not accelerate above 15 mph. The vehicle is now at the dealership awaiting "transmission number three." Nissan Corporate was notified, and a case number was issued, 48966982. The arbitrator essentially washed their hands of the CVT issue and advised they would not take any action other than acknowledging the very long CVT failure history and that the issue was mine to resolve through my dealer. I filed a previous the federal safety agency complaint documenting the initial CVT failure, 11524137. The CVT failures is an issue Nissan has known about for twenty years, been sued for, yet continues to refuse to accept any responsibility for a flawed component known for failures, thus screwing countless Nissan consumers out of thousands in out of pocket expenses. Nissan should accept responsibility and recall all of these transmissions or be forced to reimburse consumers who have had to replace one.

Filed Dec 17, 2022 · Steering, Transmission · TX

I purchased my vehicle in July of 2017 from Ron Craft Chevrolet; the transmission became inoperable and failed in Nov2019; I had my vehicle shake and immediately the power stop on the highway, almost causing an accident. Due to pandemic; OEM parts were on hold due to processing. In September of 2021 and after a thorough review of the vehicle the purchased of the OEM directly from Nissan was validated and installed by an authorized Nissan dealer. Now been only 13months the OEM Transmission installation. There was once again a transmission failure on the highway going 60; with my children and partner. the vehicle shake and the vehicle immediately pulled back causing a powerful pull and immediately lost power and control over the steering; Almost Causing an accident on the Houston toll highway.

Filed Jul 17, 2022 · Transmission · AZ

I bought the car in May 2019. The dealership I bought it from said they worked with a Nissan dealership and replaced the transmission just before I purchased the car. Shortly after I got the car I noticed problems. I had my mechanic tell me it was the transmission slipping. In August I took it back to where I bought it and they sent it back to the Nissan dealership to check. The Nissan dealership said there was nothing wrong with it. They said it showed no codes. It continued to be a problem. I eventually took it to another mechanic and a transmission shop. Both confirmed a transition problem. I then took it to a different Nissan dealership. Lamb Nissan. They looked at it and said the program that will show error codes was not up to date and the original Nissan dealership should have updated and it was not updated. They said there is a problem but the program needed to be updated for them to know more. They updated it and I have been driving it with continued problems. I will be taking it back to Lamb Nissan in a couple weeks to have them check it out again. The problems have been after stopping at a stop sign on an incline, when I accelerate it gives a rurring sound as if it is going fast, but it barely moves. Then it will finally kick in and drive a normal speed. It also jerks. Especially when I take my foot off the brake. I have occasionally smelled a burning smell. Not sure if it is related. Answering the questions: 1) transmission - I can arrange for it to be available for inspection. 2) my safety is in question because I don’t know the exact problem and when/if it will just shut down and possibly cause an accident. 3) the problem has been confirmed by 4 places as described above. 4) it has not been inspected other than above as far as I know. 5) no warning lights have come on.

Filed May 27, 2022 · MD

My 2013 Nissan Sentra transmission had to be replaced. I wanted to report this problem because Nissan in my experience have had transmission problems with some of their vehicles causing consumers to pay out of pocket for expensive repairs. My daughter has a 2015 Nissan Maxima whose transmission blew also. Also, I received a notice that my 2018 Nissan Pathfinder may have future transmission problems. Fortunately I traded this vehicle for a Toyota so I wouldn’t have this problem in the future. This is very concerning that all of these cars have the same transmission problem. Is there anything that could be done for Nissan owners?

Filed May 24, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · NC

I purchased this car in 2018 with 30k miles. In 2020 I had to replace the transmission. Now 2022 and I have to replace the transmission again. The car is decelerating and sputtering at times. But it’s not covered? How does a car have three transmissions within such a short time under 120k miles?

Filed Feb 14, 2022 · Transmission · KY

Purchased the vehicle used in February 2018. For the first 3 years, no issues and serviced as on schedule. Driven less than 5000 miles per year. December of 2021, the vehicle randomly started to lose acceleration when trying to turn, posing a definite hazard. Taken for service and advised the entire transmission needs to be replaced. Though a used vehicle, I have seen several reports of the CVT transmissions failing and think this a recall issue.