2015 Nissan Sentra: CVT failure

Filed Aug 6, 2026 · Transmission · AZ

I am writing to report a life-threatening, sudden-onset mechanical defect in my vehicle’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). While driving in heavy traffic, my son experienced a complete and sudden loss of motive power without any warning or dashboard lights. The vehicle abruptly stopped accelerating in a live lane, nearly causing a catastrophic rear-end collision. At just 70,000 miles, far below the expected lifespan of a major powertrain component, a certified technician at B&K Transmission confirmed a total internal CVT failure, requiring a $6,000 replacement. Nissan Customer Care refused any goodwill assistance, citing that the vehicle is beyond its warranty and the temporary extensions granted by previous class-action settlements. However, the expiration of a settlement window does not eliminate an ongoing safety crisis. A transmission failure at 70,000 miles is a systemic defect, not standard wear and tear. Thousands of these defective vehicles remain on public roads, putting unsuspecting drivers at risk of sudden, lethal highway failures. I urge the federal safety agency to immediately open an investigation into Nissan CVT failures and issue a mandatory safety recall. Automakers must not escape accountability for severe roadway hazards simply because a warranty has lapsed.

Filed Feb 9, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · OH

Complete transmission failure and need replacement the car is less than 10 years old Nissan has had major issues with the CVT system and transmission…transmission lose power on the highway

Filed Mar 3, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · TX

The car had problems with failing to start and failing to accelerate while driving. Check engine light came on and OBD scanner indicated it was the CVT. The car was inspected and repaired in March 2023. In 2025 (the same problem of check engine indicating the CVT) is occurring. CVT sensor was replaced; however, two weeks later the check engine light is back on indicating CVT issues and is now also overheating.

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Transmission · TN

Vehicle began making a whining noise when starting with car in park, accelerating or decelerating. Didn’t seem to drive like normal. I Immediately took car to my usual mechanic and was notified it was the CVT transmission and it would need to be replaced. I was made aware of the recall by my mechanic. I contacted Nissan and was told they would not cover it. I’ve kept regular maintenance on my car and it only has 131,000 miles. .

Filed Dec 20, 2024 · Transmission · PA

When I started the car it sounded like the engine was clicking. I turned it off thinking it may have been from the cold. After restarting the car, the sound did not start again. About 10 minutes into my drive, it started to feel like the the car was shaking each time I braked. About 5 minutes later, it felt like the car was fighting me to accelerate. After I stopped at a red light, it would not accelerate past 20 mph and started dropping as I pulled to the side of the road. It would not accelerate but I could hear the engine revving. No service engine light came on, or any other light. I turned off the car and called AAA to have my car towed to the dealership I purchased the car (Piazza Nissan). They did a diagnosis on the car which gave the diagnostic of P2859 and P0746. Upon searching these codes, a recall for Nissan Sentra with manufacture dates of 2013-2017 came up stating CVT judder and transmission issues. I called the dealer to ask about this recall, since they told me I need a new transmission with the cost of $6640.87. I was told the recall (Classification #AT19-011, NTB #NTB19-075 [XXX] ) for this expired in 2022. When asked why I never received a notice about this recall, I was informed they are sent by VIN. When I checked my VIN, no active recalls came up. Clearly, my car is experiencing the same issues as this recall and my vehicle (2015 Nissan Sentra) was manufactured in that time frame. I was lucky I was able to move my vehicle to the side of the road safely without causing as accident. I am deeply annoyed that I was not made aware of this issue that clearly effected my vehicle and could have caused a serious accident had I not been able to pull to the side of the road and thankfully the car behind was not close to me. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 8, 2024 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. In addition, the vehicle jerked, and the contact noticed an abnormally loud sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed CVT failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact referenced an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included in the recall repair. The dealer advised the contact to contact the federal safety agency Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Filed Nov 5, 2024 · Acceleration, Transmission · AL

This particular vehicle exhibits a very strong, almost dash rattling judder when moving from the 1st to 2nd gearing ratio. This is especially dangerous in traffic and intersections where the vehicle is known to be in 1st or 2nd gear ratio, as Nissan likes to ratio out their CVT in software through the TCM to produce what feels like shifting from gear-to-gear as in a normal automatic transaxle. What makes this situation extremely bad is that when entering an on-ramp to the interstate (I-20 for example) it will intermittently judder from 1st to 2nd and then no power. After the judder it takes another few seconds for the TCM to figure out what happened and engage maybe more valve body pressure? I'm not sure completely, but it's extremely unsafe to drive. The Altima/Rogue with the same transaxle and model year run was issued a TSB and subsequently a TCM update was issued to rectify the early shudder, but the Sentra did not receive that update. The TCM output data shows that when this shudder is happening that there is a loss in hydraulic pressure somewhere in the unit. As Nissan says you never are supposed to change the fluid, this creates a very serious issue not only with the transmission, but warranty as well. The safety risk to others is high on this one because this could cause major rear-end conditions and city driving collisions as the car is supposed to be accelerating but can't because the transaxle was slipping and not gaining speed with the rest of the vehicles as expected.

Filed Aug 27, 2024 · Transmission · MA

Common problem is the CVT transmission issues of it slipping or grinding. Was told there’s a recall from Nissan on 2013 to 2017 Sentra of CVT transmissions.

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Airbags, Seats · OK · crash

1. Front passenger side seat fails to activate the air bag once a passenger has occupied the seat, and buckled up. The airbag "off" indication light remains illuminated at all times, and if it isn't being activated, may cause bodily harm, injury, or death to any passenger of the vehicle in the unfortunate event of a collision. Vehicle was requested to be checked out at Lorenzo Nissan in Ft. Lauderdale, FL in November 2023, but was refused. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG, FRONT PASSENGER AIRBAG INDICATION LIGHT ••••••••••••••••••••••• 2. 2015 Sentra CVT transmission slips, shakes and stalls. On numerous occurrence this has caused near tragic collisions with multiple vehicles. One such instance forced the vehicle into 'limp mode' in a high speed area of a busy freeway and nearly caused numerous vehicles to collide into the stalled Sentra at rates of speed over 70 MPH. Furthermore, the 2015 Sentra has an issue shifting from park, and will not move out of park, even with the brake applied, unless the gear release button is applied. Vehicle was requested to be examined by Lorenzo Nissan in November 2023, but the dealership refused to inspect any possible safety or equipment issues without the promise of purchasing a new Nissan from their dealership. POWERTRAIN, CVT TRANSMISSION, AUTOMATIC GEAR-SHIFT INDICATION, LIMP MODE, NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED

Filed Dec 13, 2023 · Transmission · TX

2015 Nissan Sentra with only 83000 CVT transmission failed

Filed Dec 12, 2023 · Transmission · FL

While pulling out in an intersection, my car would not accelerate as normal and I was almost hit by incoming traffic. When accelerating from stop, the vehicle moves slowly and hesitates. Once over a certain speed the car will function properly. The CVT is an issue in models 2013-2015 Nissan Altima also, but the manufacturer issued an extension for the powertrain warranty. The same should be done for the Sentra. It's a safety concern, because the CVT can go out at any time putting the driver at risk.

Filed Oct 29, 2023 · Transmission · FL

CVT is failing leaving the car unable to start and runs rough. Will not shift. Been towed several times.