Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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. …
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. …
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 that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission was slipping. The warranty company was contacted, and the contact was informed to take the vehicle to a designated independent mechanic. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed transmission. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The repair was covered under warranty. The failure reoccurred. The warranty company was contacted, and the contact was informed to take the vehicle back to the designated independent mechanic. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH and the vehicle started coasting. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to safely stop the vehicle. The contact placed the vehicle in park (P) and turned the vehicle off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle failed to shift into drive(D) or reverse(R). The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the TCM module on the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 149,946.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle would shudder after accelerating and stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who performed a transmission flush and replaced the fluid filters. However, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the independent mechanic and diagnosed as transmission failure. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall related to the failure and to take the vehicle in for diagnosis. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall related to the failure and referred the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
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 NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact and his daughter exited the vehicle while the transmission was in drive(D) and pushed the vehicle to the side of the road. The contact then shifted the transmission from park(P) to drive(D) but the vehicle failed to move immediately. Eventually, the contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The contact related the failure to the transmission; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 176,635.
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 while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated and started overheating. The overheat warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to pull over on the side of the road and waited for the vehicle to cool down and was able to drive the vehicle home once the vehicle had cooled down. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 90,000. The VIN was not available.
Transmission complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2015 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 173 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2015 Nissan Sentra, 49% of the model year's 352 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.