Nissan Sentra sudden acceleration problems

Filed Aug 17, 2026 · Acceleration · 59,000 miles · TX · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH and making a right turn, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration and the steering wheel turned independently. The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle crashed into an apartment complex wall. The air bags deployed. The contact sustained injuries to her right arm, left elbow, knee, shoulder, and back and burns on the right arm from the air bag deployment. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance to receive medical attention. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The insurance company had not yet deemed the vehicle a total loss. The contact stated that the failure had previously occurred in May 2024, and the dealer had performed an unknown repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Apr 1, 2026 · Acceleration, Engine · 171,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled while in traffic. There was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the vehicle. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The transmission was shifted into reverse(R), but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was shifted into drive(D), and the vehicle lunged forward and then started moving slowly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there was a loose bearing inside the transmission. While completing a road test, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact was offered a partial refund and warranty. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

Filed Jan 23, 2026 · Transmission · VA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The transmission failed to operate properly. The component is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle jerks when shifting gears and upshifts on its own, causing unpredictable changes in speed and loss of smooth acceleration. This creates a risk of sudden acceleration or hesitation, especially in traffic, increasing the potential for a collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, the problem has not yet been formally confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? No, the vehicle and transmission have not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Prior to the failure, the vehicle began jerking during gear shifts. The transmission does not properly shift gears in relation to engine upshifting and will upshift by itself. These symptoms appeared before the failure and have continued since.

Filed Apr 19, 2024 · Acceleration · IL

The CVT can cause the car to shake, judder, stall during sudden acceleration, or completely lose power. My car jurked and stop completely while at a turning signal in the middle of the street . This was cause by the recall on their cvt. I’ve called a Nissan dealer and they said they can’t fix the recall problem for free because my car is over 80,000 miles. No it hasn’t been inspected . Yes my car has been jurking for the last past month . I’ve been called Nissan about it but they said i had to pay $210 for diagnostic even tho the problem was the transmission recall . The car will not drive foward or backwards . It’ll start up but that’s just about it. Now I have no transportation to go to work or doctors appointments.

Filed Jan 12, 2024 · Transmission · OK

While driving my car on the turnpike in [XXX] , my Sentra began surging with RPMs jumping higher then lower. Decelerating with heavy traffic around and behind me. Exited at the first opportunity. Car began to lunge forward and decelerate again. Car began making grinding noises. Able to slowly get car to my house before it stopped driving all together. Difficulty placing car into drive. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Dec 20, 2023 · Engine · NC

I was driving down the road and all of a sudden the car started to sputter and I couldn't accelerate. Whenever I came to a stop it jerked after a minute of the RPM just revving, it finally shifted and lunged forward. I think the transmission went bad. Made it home parked it and I've been too concerned to drive it since.

Filed Aug 4, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · OH

I have a sentra 2016 that has been from day 1 and brand new has had a shake, judder, stall during sudden acceleration or stop and go stop and go with being jolted forward, usually on the highway. I am always terrified to drive it anywhere. I can't believe there is no recall on this. They need to offer a new transmission for the owners.

Filed Oct 14, 2021 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. The contact had to depress the brake pedal aggressively and the vehicle would lurch forward. The failure was intermittent. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to identify the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated the failure recurred at various speeds. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Filed Sep 10, 2021 · Transmission · UT

I was stopped at an intersection. When the light turned green, I pressed the gas pedal, and the car started forward, but it would lunge forward and stop repeatedly, all the way through the intersection until I pulled over and turned the car off. The "slip indicator" light was on when this was happening. The light was not on previously and did not come back on when I restarted the car. I believe the jerking motion was due to the CVT transmission or the Vehicle Dynamic Control system not operating properly,. This was dangerous because I didn't have control of how the car was accelerating. If this had occurred at a faster speed, someone could have easily crashed into me. The problem has only happened once, and has not been inspected by anyone other than me.

Filed Jul 27, 2021 · Acceleration · 123,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30-35 mph, the vehicle revved up and accelerated without warning. The contact downshifted to slow the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 123,000.