Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2015 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle decelerated to approximately 30 - 40 MPH. The vehicle was repaired however, while driving at speeds of 50 MPH or more, the vehicle would start to shake and hesitate while accelerating. The contact stated that over time the vehicle started failing to accelerate to speeds exceeding 50 MPH. On another occasion while driving up to a red light at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle started jerking while idling at the traffic light. The vehicle then failed to accelerate above 20 MPH and was shaking and losing motive power while driving. The contact pulled to the side of the road to have the vehicle towed. While parked and waiting to be towed, the "Check Engine" warning light illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH and slowing down for a traffic sign, the vehicle stalled. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle and placed the gear shifter in park(P) and restarted the vehicle however, the vehicle stalled again. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated and had been illuminated since owning the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that she had experienced failure of the brakes with a metal-on-metal sound while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the failure had become a recurring failure with the engine and the brakes. The contact had taken the vehicle to an unauthorized dealer who diagnosed that the gasoline cap and front and rear brake pads needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired. …
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 contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated that the engine revved up to high. While driving, the vehicle stopped suddenly, drove, and then stopped again. The contact continuously moved the gear shifter and the vehicle moved forward. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the transmission solenoids were defective. The contact called an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine warning light would illuminate on the instrument panel. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and had the air flow sensor replaced but soon after repair, the failure returned. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to another independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that on several occasions while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the failure might have been caused by an Oxygen sensor failure. The Oxygen sensor was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle in for the emissions test, the vehicle failed to pass the State emissions test. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the continuously variable transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 152,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was shaking and stalled. The engine warning indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the starter was replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle began jerking and lost motive power. The vehicle was steered into a parking lot and restarted. The vehicle was then towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000.
We bought this vehicle brand new in 2016, and it seem to be a nice vehicle until it hit 30,000 miles. When we hit 30,000 miles in April 2020, the brake system failed, causing a passenger side collision, however, there were no injuries. Then in November 2020, the transmission went out. At that time we had to have the front brakes replaced as well. Then in May 2021 at 40,000 miles, we had to replace the front brakes again. In September 2021 at 50,000 miles, the front and rear brakes started grinding and needed replaced, which ended up having the ABS system, ABS module, brake lines, brake rotors, brake calipers, brake drums, and pads replaced. In February 2022 at 58,000 miles, while driving home, there was a loud bang from the front of the vehicle, the vehicle shuddered violently, had very little acceleration, and there was a large amount of white smoke coming from the back of the vehicle. …
Engine complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2015 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2015 Nissan Sentra, 20% of the model year's 352 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2015 Nissan Sentra engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2015 Nissan Sentra, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2015 Nissan Sentra engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.