2017 Nissan Sentra: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Mar 16, 2026 · Transmission · FL

My 2017 Nissan Sentra is experiencing CVT transmission problems. The vehicle hesitates when accelerating, slips between gears, and sometimes loses power while driving. This creates a dangerous situation when entering traffic or driving at highway speeds. I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs, but they stated there was nothing they could do because the vehicle is slightly over the 84,000-mile extended CVT warranty. Many owners are reporting the same CVT transmission failures with this model. This issue creates a safety risk because the vehicle struggles to accelerate properly and may unexpectedly lose power while driving. I believe this CVT transmission defect should be investigated for a potential recall.

Filed Jun 14, 2025 · Engine · VA

While driving home from work. Transmission started hesitating and not pulling up a hill. I was almost hit on the interstate due to the malfunction of the transmission. Now vehicle is parked and I can no longer drive it.

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · PA

The continuously variable transmission (CVT) in my vehicle failed prematurely, leading to significant safety concerns. The car experienced severe jerking, hesitation, and loss of power while driving, especially at highway speeds. Eventually, the transmission stopped functioning properly, making it unsafe to drive. There were no warning lights, messages, or dashboard indicators to alert me of any issues before the failure. A dealership confirmed that the transmission fluid was burnt, contaminated with metal shavings, and the internal components had failed. However, due to the vehicle’s design, the CVT fluid is sealed and inaccessible to consumers for routine checks or maintenance, meaning the issue was undetectable until complete failure occurred. This defect poses a serious risk, as many drivers have reported sudden power loss, delayed acceleration, and unexpected breakdowns in traffic. Nissan has had a history of CVT failures in previous models, leading to warranty extensions, but similar issues persist in newer models without proper acknowledgment. If left unaddressed, this could lead to more drivers experiencing dangerous situations on the road.

Filed Sep 11, 2023 · Engine, Transmission · MD

The CVT has failed in my car causing multiple issues with jerking, shaking, stuttering. When i was making a left turn, my car hesitated and almost caused an accident because I didnt have the power to pull out when I should have. Now the repair is being quoted over $5k because they are saying I need an all new transmission. No warning lamps, messages have been indicated on my dash

Filed Jun 27, 2023 · Lights, Transmission · 105,000 miles · AR

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle jerked, shuddered, and hesitated to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle jerked and shuddered while coming to a complete stop. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing hard shifts while driving in the lower gears. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed due to the brake light switch failure. The contacted stated that the brake light switch was previously replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Jan 10, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

on acceleration to 60 mph or more noted moments of jerky/hesitation as if shifting gears- evaluation by dealership x2- they noted the same thing....could not fix the problem was told to bring back once engine light comes on or sensor code is generated in their computer system which checks the transmission. Awareness that this is a transmission problem. a month later car fails to increase speed to 50mph going up a small incline...driving over a mountainous pass.....then as got to a straightaway it had to shift down to 20-30 mph due to weather conditions and traffic- then the RPM keep wavering would not be steady at this lower mph....then within 10 miles of this....intown at stop lights RPM would acelerate at complete stop and then it didn't want to move- was able to get up to 10 mph yet could not get through the intersection without the traffic light turning red before I could make it through happen multiple times...once it did this I had to drive with my hazard lights on to warn other drivers......such a safety hazard... let it sit for 2 days then. I was able to drive it 25 miles with the RPM constantly wavering between 1.5 and 3 with the cruise set at 60mph....check engine light came .....towed 100 miles. Now at the car dealer/manufacturer for replacement of the CVT Transmission ....this could have been avoided if 1 month earlier the CVT could have been replaced....5 year old car with less than 100k......it is an automatic car

Filed Aug 4, 2022 · Transmission · SC

My Nissan has always hesitated to go a person at CarMax told my ex oh it's a Nissan thing well I was like Ive never heard of that it's getting worse and I still owe alit if payments not going to continue paying on a car that has issues like this it's cut off on me in the middle of switching lanes 3 times already just knw someone will be getting sued if something happens to me in this car it has 77,000 Miles I need my car fixed or traded in and get something I want I dnt want a car that's quit on me already

Filed Jun 21, 2022 · Transmission · 101,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and jerked abnormally while driving. The contact stated that while the vehicle was started the vehicle failed to move as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact determined that the transmission was faulty. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer and diagnosed with transmission failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Jul 12, 2021 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The vehicle had yet to be serviced or diagnosed for the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

Filed Jul 31, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 60,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 nissan sentra. The contact stated that when the vehicle shifted from 2nd to 3rd gear at approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle hesitated. The contact then stated that while driving at highway speeds while accelerating, the RPM revved up to 5,000 RPM and the vehicle failed to shift gears as designed. The vehicle was taken to nissan 24 (1016 belmont st, brockton, ma 02301, (508) 588-9520) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that approximately 80% of the transmission was replaced however, the failure recurred intermittently. Additionally, the vehicle sputtered while driving 25 MPH. The battery became drained and the vehicle had to be jump started. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer and the battery was replaced. The contact stated that additional unknown repairs were performed however, the failure recurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the same dealer and the contact was informed that the engine wiring harness needed to be replaced. The repair was still pending. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure and a case was filed. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Aug 23, 2019 · Transmission · 64,810 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2017 nissan sentra. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and jerked harshly. The contact stated that the vehicle felt as if it would lose power, but it did not. The vehicle was driven to coggin nissan jacksonville (0600 atlantic blvd, jacksonville, fl 32246, (904) 302-8231) where it was diagnosed that a new transmission was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 64,810.

Filed Apr 24, 2018 · Acceleration · 8,000 miles · TX

When accelerating, it nose dives at around 30 to 45 MPH, depending on how hard one is accelerating. I believe this is caused by a shift sensor because it acts like it lets go of the gear and after a second or two it engages into the next gear. This happens every time one wants to go over 50 MPH. Also, when coming a complete stand still stop and then star to accelerate, it hesitates a bit and it makes a bumping movement, like the transmission didn't downshifted into 1st gear automatically, and does it so after one presses on the accelerator, thus causing it to downshift to 1st from 3rd and I believe this is why I feel the bumping movement and slight hesitation to accelerate immediately. It doesn't do it all the time and I have not studied it to pinpoint why or when it will do this, but I can tell right before it is going to do it because it is in 3rd gear and when I release the brake, the car won't move forward as quickly as it would if it was in 1st gear.