Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 13% | — |
| 2024 | 9 | 22% | 30,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% | 75,000 miles |
| 2022 | 6 | 7% | 36,000 miles |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% | 118,000 miles |
| 2020 | 10 | 5% | 41,000 miles |
| 2019 | 54 | 24% | 62,000 miles |
| 2018 | 46 | 25% | 80,000 miles |
| 2017 | 76 | 33% | 60,000 miles |
| 2016 | 127 | 47% | 87,000 miles |
| 2015 | 173 | 49% | 76,000 miles |
| 2014 | 182 | 48% | 82,000 miles |
| 2013 | 311 | 49% | 75,000 miles |
| 2012 | 68 | 38% | 71,000 miles |
| 2011 | 18 | 13% | 91,000 miles |
| 2010 | 18 | 13% | 80,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 20 | 12% | 70,000 miles |
| 2007 | 17 | 11% | 70,000 miles |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% | 175,000 miles |
| 2005 | 10 | 6% | 63,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% | 65,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% | 77,000 miles |
| 2002 | 20 | 7% | 28,000 miles |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% | 76,000 miles |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% | 46,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 7% | 73,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% | — |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The 2025 Nissan Sentra lost control in the steering wheel or driveshaft while driving down hill. The vehicle lost power lost steering and crashed. The vehicle stated "malfunction " when the crash occured. There was a leaking fluid coming from the front left underside of the vehicle after the crash when it became undrivable due to loss of power and loss of driveshaft control. I felt unsafe with the way the vehicle was shuddering and jerking every right turn I made in the vehicle days prior to it being in a crash.
I purchased this car around January 2025 & around August 2025 I started having battery issues. It's currently March 2026. I have to keep having the battery jumped at. When he battery wasn't jumping I had to get it sent to a nissan where they said nothing was wrong with the car so the next day the battery failed again.. and again each day . I have to keep calling AAA to come have the car jumped which I ended up just getting a portable battery jumper which works sometimes but other times I would have to call AAA of course, or if it doesn't start at all, I will have to get it told to nissan. Certain times the car would start up and then when you pull out the parking space it'll start shaking and then you're driving in the car will slowly turn off. You'll just be sitting there and that's the main time you'll have to get it towed to the dealership. …
The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, several warning lights and messages, including the "Check Engine" and "CVT Malfunction Service Now" were displayed on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that while at a stoplight, the vehicle either jerked or hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. In addition, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shut off while shifted into park(P) and pressing the START/STOP button. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions, where the contact was repeatedly informed that there was no failure found with the vehicle. On a recent visit, the contact was informed that there was a faulty, unknown sensor that needed to be replaced; however, the part needed for the repair needed to be ordered. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2024 Nissan Sentra. While the contact's daughter was driving approximately 10 - 15 MPH and turning to the right, the front driver's side wheel assembly, including the drive shaft, strut, shocks, and brake line detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was coasted to a stop, and the contact was immediately called. The driver had the vehicle towed to the dealer, but the vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the steering was difficult to maintain as the vehicle drifted and the steering wheel was stiff. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the front end needed to be aligned. The vehicle was repaired, but the same and additional failures reoccurred less than a year later. The contact stated that on several occasions at various speeds, the steering wheel began pulling and shaking, and she observed a loud noise emanating from under the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that both wheel bearings, the sway bar, and the front axle were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately six months later. …
We purchased the vehicle around December of 2021, around July of 2022 the vehicle started stalling while driving; at first it started at slow speeds driving in the neighborhood, then started happening about 4-5 times a week. Essentially, you could be driving at forward speeds of 10-50 mph, and the car would stall, intermittently a message would appear on the display with a warning sign and "Vehicle Stalled Stop Safely". However, with each stall the warning may or may not appear. Then this started occurring at highway speeds up to 75 mph, with same intermittent warning. At time of stall you lose all power, steering gets stiff, and pressing accelerator does nothing. The warning only appears after the stall, so at that point you have lost power to the engine. We took the vehicle into Reed Nissan for service, they stated diagnostics showed no errors, we cannot help. …
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her husband was driving from a complete stop and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving at various speeds, and the vehicle made an abnormal whining sound. The message "CVT Warning" was displayed. The contact stated that the transmission was previously replaced due to the failure; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was being diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.
My car has a recall for the left and/or right tie rod may be bent. A bent tie rod can break, causing a loss of steering control and increasing the risk of a crash. I brought the car in two days prior (July 3rd) to get fixed but the dealership wasn't allotted enough mechanics to be able to get to my car, (july 5th) I turned out of a hotel parking lot and my front left tie rod broke. The recall number for Nissan is PM985 and is supposed to be fixed by Nissan with no cost to me. At the moment it is under review and Nissan is trying to find any way to not fix it for free. I live in atlanta with no family and am a female, my car is my only means for transportation. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 21V461000. With 138,736 already affected, I am number 138,737.
Related recalls (2)
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The front left-side driveshaft may not be fully seated in the continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly, which can cause a transmission fluid leak and loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front left driveshaft, and if necessary, replace the driveshaft and CVT assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 12, 2026.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Sentra vehicles. The front left-side driveshaft may not be fully seated in the continuously variable transmission (CVT) assembly, or may have a loose or missing retaining clip, which can cause a transmission fluid leak and loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front left driveshaft, and if necessary, replace the driveshaft and CVT assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 26, 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Sentra years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2013 (311), 2014 (182), 2015 (173), 2016 (127) and 2017 (76) model years. Transmission complaints make up 49% of all complaints for the 2013.
Is there a recall for Nissan Sentra transmission problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 26V-410 (driveshaft, Jun 26, 2026); 24V-304 (driveshaft, Apr 29, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Sentra transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 26% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (57 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (15).
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.