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 2017 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while at a complete stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle rolled forward unintendedly. The contact stated that upon releasing the brake pedal and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle responded after shifting into park(P) and then shifting back into drive(D) several times; however, the vehicle would not exceed 5-10 MPH. The contact stated that upon shifting into park and shifting back into drive several times, the vehicle accelerated as needed. Additionally, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist who diagnosed that the transmission range sensor switch and the transmission control module (TCM) had failed. …
The contact's wife owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the RPM was raised; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact's wife stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact's wife was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence and later drove the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH on another occasion, there was an abnormally strong odor of burning rubber in the cabin. There was no warning light illuminated. …
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 NHTSA 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.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 70 mph, while depressing on accelerator pedal the vehicle failed to exceed 70 mph. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated on July 22, 2021, while making a left turn, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to roll into a nearby parking lot. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving the vehicle he could tell the vehicle gears were slipping, on a different occasion the vehicle downshifted on its own suddenly almost causing a crash. The contact stated there were times where the vehicle would downshift suddenly and would slow all the way down causing the vehicle to come to a stop, having to shift into neutral then back into drive, and the contact stated he could hear very loud grinding noise from the gears. The vehicle was towed to a residence, and the dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 129,600.
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the RPMs increased but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact coasted to the side of the road and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to Auto ER with Giaco, where a mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly started skipping. The contact stated that after coming to a stop and remaining idle the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact restarted the vehicle and drove the vehicle to a certified mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
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.
Transmission complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 76 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2017 Nissan Sentra, 33% of the model year's 231 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2017 Nissan Sentra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2017 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 2017 Nissan Sentra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries 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.