Nissan Sentra harsh shifting problems

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Suspension · GA

My vehicle previously had the tie rod issue repaired under the original recall\. However, the same problem has now returned\. I am experiencing a sharp/clunking noise when turning left while the vehicle is moving, which is very concerning because this involves the vehicle’s steering and suspension\. I checked Nissan’s recall information online using my VIN, and it currently states that there are no open recalls\. However, I have only had this issue repaired **once**, under the original recall, and the same problem is happening again\. I am concerned that the original recall repair did not permanently correct the problem, or that the replacement component may have developed the same defect\. I do not believe that simply showing “no open recalls” should prevent Nissan from investigating a recurring safety\-related defect that was previously repaired under a recall\. I am requesting that Nissan: 1. Review my vehicle’s complete recall and repair history\. 2. Investigate why the same tie rod/steering problem has returned after the recall repair\. 3. Determine whether the replacement part or repair procedure is defective or insufficient\. 4. Provide a repair at no cost to me if this is related to the previously recalled defect\. 5. Explain what Nissan recommends to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive\. Because this issue involves the steering system, I consider it a serious safety concern\. I would appreciate having this matter escalated to Nissan’s Customer Relations/Safety department and receiving a written response regarding how Nissan intends to address the recurring problem\. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter\.

Filed May 26, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MI

While driving in rush hour traffic, I heard an intermittent vibration/noise that seemed to come and go and became louder when I stopped. As I put my car in park when I got home, I heard a loud clunk and the battery light came on. When I popped the hood, we saw metal shavings flying around. The dealer diagnosed the alternator and provided a quote for replacement. I am concerned the failure could have caused a loss of power while driving and caused an accident in heavy traffic. The vehicle and component are currently at the dealership. I have a video of the metal shavings that I can provide if needed, but I am unable to upload to the website.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Transmission · PA

Hard shifting and occasional uncertainty in gear selected.

Filed Oct 8, 2025 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · GA

The check engine light comes on with a malfunction symbol. The car has delay acceleration, jerks, hard shifts.

Filed Dec 18, 2023 · Suspension · 104,567 miles · OH

The contact's girlfriend owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while she was driving, there was an abnormal grinding sound. There was a vibration coming from the steering wheel. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the vibration was from the front lower control arm. The contact was informed that the ball joints were the cause of the abnormal clunking sound. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 104,567.

Filed Oct 20, 2023 · Steering · 64,037 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V581000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal clunking sound coming from the front passenger’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed and the contact was informed that there was play inside the steering column. The dealer performed a complementary alignment check. The dealer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,037. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Sep 28, 2023 · Suspension, Transmission · VA

Catastrophic failure today. Car was towed with special tow truck to dealer after hours. Will know more tomorrow. While driving Passenger right front tire: upper tie rod broke, lower control arm broke, trans-axel broke, smoke came out of hood. Right before this happened the car experienced a shimmy in the steering wheel and to keep car driving straight I had hold steering wheel at angle to the right (40mph). Next the anti-lock brakes engaged then disengaged. Four or so miles later I got a dashboard warning that had “malfunction” on almost every system (all amber lights). I pulled over at gas station immediately called dealer and was advised to bring in it ASAP. I put the car in reverse attempted to back out of parking spot, got 4 feet out and a horrible clanking/popping noise happened maybe 3 times and smoke came from engine compartment. I tried to put car back in gear to pull back into parking spot - but car would not move forward or backward. Got out and visual inspection showed front right tire had torn away from car and was hanging and car body was sitting imbedded into tire causing a dent in the panel. First tow truck driver said damage was so bad, they had to call a different kind of tow truck. Car then towed to dealer tonight after hours. Don’t know full extent of damage yet, tow truck driver thought transmission damaged when axel pulled away. What happened preceding this: I had just got off I-95 after a 7 hour drive from Myrtle Beach. Was 2-3 miles off freeway when this happed. Had it happed just a few minutes earlier, it would have happened on freeway at 70mph. There would likely have been multiple fatalities. Dealer replaced both left and right trans axels within last 2 months a week apart (car was making clunking sound). Tie rods inspected (told they were fine). Ten days ago clunking again (sounded like it was coming from engine compartment near center console.) took back to dealer they inspected it, changed oil and could not duplicate noise

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 Dec 9, 2022 · Transmission · FL

My car had warning light code p285a clutch pressure control selonoid valve b service bulletin stated that Nissan reprogram recall would fix this issue with car computer and cvt computer. But instead software causes major communication with car computer and 2013 cvt. It pull different code p17bo with cvt shrudder stating hard shifting dealer solution after paying 182.00 is new cvt that understand new programming was update 4300.00 on various internet owners forums same senario is played this could lead to accident since computer of and cvt cannot communicate correctly in shifting making money for Nissan at expenses of owners cause by recall remedy Nissan must put correct update for 2013 transmission and if they cannot do that they must replace all cvt damage by recall by placing wrong gm software

Filed Sep 6, 2022 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on an inclined surface, the transmission shifter was difficult to shift out of the park(P). The contact stated that there was a loud clunking sound when the gear shifter was shifted out of the park(P). In addition, while operating the vehicle, the transmission malfunctioned and the vehicle would not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The RPM would raise however, the vehicle would not respond. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who reprogrammed the transmission control module however, the failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.