10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,336 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #20

Nov 062022

Sentra

  • miles
While traveling down the interstate doing the normal speed limit, I was forced to pull over to the emergency lane so cars can pass me. My car lost power to the engine without notice. No check system engine lights were not activated during this time. Car and Trucks were having to swerve over in other lanes to keep from rear ending me and causing a major wreck. This happen several weeks ago again with no lights lighting up on dash. I was able to pull over for a few minutes and restart the car and it was back to normal. I looked things up online and took my car into a repair shop to let me know the problem, They stated that they have seen this issue with Nissan vehicles. It is the CVT transmission issue. The loss of power comes from the CVT fluid getting too hot and reduces power to save the CVT transmission, I have a 2012 Nissan Sentra that was Manufactured 6/2012.

- Gaston, SC, USA

problem #19

Jun 182022

Sentra 4-cyl

  • miles
While driving on the freeway pulling approximately 70 miles per hour, my car will begin to shake violently, continuously decelerate and my RPMs drop significantly. I am unable to go over 55 miles per hour when this happens. This has happened to me a total of four times now within the last 2 months. I had my car take this one auto repair shop in which my spark plugs were changed out a brand new air intake hose was put in my coils were changed out and everything. Today while driving on the freeway, going 72 mph my car decelerated and would not go above 55. This is a major safety issue considering I drive on the freeway a lot. I just paid $970 to have my car fixed and can't continue to pay to have the car fixed along with still paying a car note and insurance on this car. Well researching transmission issues I came across this page when filing a complaint. I looked to see if there was a recalls on my car and noticed that there is not. My VIN number is [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pontiac, MI, USA

problem #18

Jan 012022

Sentra

  • miles
When driving at 70 or above mph for a long distances, speed automatically declines to 60 mph and will not increase. When trying to accelerate, nothing happens. After a few miles, my vehicle then starts to accelerate on its own. The problem is extremely unsafe and frightening, especially with express highway traveling. Ive traveled out of state and the past 6 months when I've moticed this now frequent problem. I informed my mechanic who said it could be my transmission or possibly fuel pump, which are not his areas. He advised talk to NISSAN and stated Nissan is known for faultly transmission s on Sentras. Mines is a 2012 with only 126k of mileage. Was was there no recalls on this" I will now see what Dealer has to say. What can be done to hold Nissan responsible" I 've screenshot an article regarding many complaints on this. Now my transmission seems to have my engine feeling like it is not in drive gear. I am making an appointment w/ NISSAN ASAP.Please respond.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #17

Sep 012019

Sentra

  • 8,900 miles
It looses power and then it turns off, , and this happens on highway, really dangerous, then I had to turn off the key switch and and turn a break back on it turns on and then it keeps going slow but it keeps going, eventually goes back to normal

- Liberty, NY, USA

problem #16

Jul 042019

Sentra

  • 95,000 miles
When driving on the highway in my 2012 Nissan Sentra it sometimes deaccelerates gradually to the point where you can't go past 60 mph and when trying to accelerate it is sluggish

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #15

Jul 272019

Sentra

  • 55 miles
On my way home visiting my son, I was on the freeway driving 75 mph, when I began to experience acceleration loss in my 2012 Nissan Sentra sl. My cvt transmission was overworking and you can clearly hear the transmission trying to change gears, my car dropped from 75 mph to under 50 mph on a busy freeway, the RPM's were running high while the car had zero power, my foot was completely pressed down to assist the car to accelerate and it would not. I managed to move my car over to the far right lane to try and recover my vehicles speed. This is an absolute hazard to those experiencing this same problem, it's a safety hazard for anyone traveling long distances, on a busy highway during, with children in your vehicle when your car drops to limp mode out of nowhere. My brother in law who just retired from the marine Corp after 20 years of service took the vehicle to be serviced due to the recall on this model for the transmission failure just a year ago and is still showing signs of the same cvt transmission failure even after it was taken to Nissan for repairs.

- Santan Valley, AZ, USA

problem #14

Apr 072018

Sentra

  • 107,000 miles
When going highway speeds the acceleration drops and will not come back with the peddle to the floor, was almost rear ended. At a stoplight when taking off the car would not accelerate. This has happened several times. Researched and found the issue is the cvt transmission. Nissan has extended warranty to 10 yr 1200000 mile on this transmission. I called to schedule and was told my VIN is not covered. Why?

- Gilbert, AZ, USA

problem #13

Apr 272018

Sentra

  • 103,000 miles
"cvt transmission issues" 2012 Nissan Sentra sr 2.0L with 103,000 miles on the vehicle and maintained adequately since getting the vehicle in 2013. For the last six months, I have been experiencing my vehicle loss of acceleration on only being able to go 10 mph max when my vehicle goes into limp mode. This happens to me on the interstate 64 westbound from richmond, va to harrisburg, va going uphill where I was going 70 - 75 mph when the vehicle loss acceleration and my speed dropped dramatically almost causing a wreck. This is due to being in the left lane and having nowhere I could pull off the interstate readily available. To me, this is a significant safety concern as this is happening now after being driven for 30 minutes to an hour. Took the vehicle to midas where I had them run a diagnostic test on the car to see if there are any codes on the car since there is "no check engine light on." The technician drove the car for 30 minutes and experienced the same issue I've been experiencing. The vehicle went into limp mode, and he had to wait an hour before the car would accelerate again. The technician came back with the following: 'tech found that the cvt transmission is having internal problems-vehicle us not safe to drive. Tech found code P1722 est vehicle speed signal, P0744 at TR sw function, P1778 step motor. Also, vehicle needs front struts and rear shocks - no control of steering wheel. It appears Nissan has had problems with the cvt transmission from their 2007 - 2010 Sentra and issued an extended ten year - 120,000 miles warranty. Nissan needs to extend the warranty to every year that Nissan has used the cvt transmission as they are unreliable and eventually will cause a fatal accident on the highways with their transmission going into limp mode. Please look into this matter for all Nissan Sentra 2011, 2012, etc. This is a problem.

- Warrenton, VA, USA

problem #12

Apr 082018

Sentra

  • 90,415 miles
I have had my 2012 Sentra for 1 month 1/2 and twice on long distance trips the car had slowed down. Going 80 slowed to 50 and the gas pedal was to the floor. Both times I've had to safely pull off three freeway and sit on the side of the freeway for a 1/2 hour. This is very disappointing otherwise the car is good

- Ramona, CA, USA

problem #11

Aug 052017

Sentra

  • 90,000 miles
After a 1.5-2 hour drive on the highway, my car would not accelerate beyond 60 mph. It drove fine after getting home and getting some rest. No lights came on this first. Similar event happened a couple weeks later - much shorter drive approx. 20 minutes, slower speeds, but main inclines. All lights (check engine, oil, emergency brake, battery) came on and the car would no accelerate at all. I pulled over and turned the car off then back on again and it was completely fine.

- Medway, MA, USA

problem #10

May 052017

Sentra

  • 110,000 miles
I have owned this car for 2 years. Every year, as it starts to warm up in the spring, the same problem recurs. I have had it to several repair shops, only to be told that it cannot be fixed. As I am driving on the freeway, it will suddenly start to decelerate, and I must pull off the road and let the car sit, turned off, for 20-40 minutes. Last week, the check engine light came on, and when I took it back to the dealer, they want $3000 to fix the car. This has been a problem since the first summer after I bought it.

- Pocatello, ID, USA

problem #9

Apr 142017

Sentra

  • 84,000 miles
After driving for 3+hours, the car begins to deaccelerate and you cannot go any faster while on the highway; very unsafe. Quoted over $3.5K to fix transmission. Car should last longer than 80K miles! scared to drive it now. At one point, Nissan covered the transmission for 10 years or 100,000 miles--should definitely go back to this as the cvt is not safe! contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs to no avail...

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #8

Jul 052016

Sentra

  • miles
Takata recall. The issue I'm having with my Nissan Sentra 2012 is an ongoing issue for awhile now. Traveling up to nv from ca, when I reached a certain hill of a slight altitude decrease my speed automatically from going 80mph to 50mph on the hwy. Even pushing the pedal to the metal, doesn't do any impact at all. Had to pull over and wait 30mins for car to rest and then it went back to normal. Even with doing a oil change and transmission flush, problem still occurs. Contacting the dealership didn't help because my warranty just recently went out with nothing they could do. Talk about my luck! please help, I take very good care of my vehicle and this is the outcome I get?

- Victorville, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 212016

Sentra

  • 95,000 miles
Vehicle refused to accelerate during prolonged uphill drive in 95F+ weather. Vehicle speed was reduced to below 50 mph and no amount of accelerator depressing increased speed or acceleration. Vehicle had to be pulled over for 10 minutes before it would accelerate normally again. No notice of engine overheat or malfunction was registered on the the dash. No indicators visible.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #6

May 122016

Sentra

  • 55 miles
On may the 12th 2016 I was in the Nissan with my mother and sister on our way to hemet California from our home in lancaster. On highway 138 I began to hear a weird noise coming from the engine. I also noticed that I was not going as fast as I should have been up a hill. I pulled over, turned the car off and looked under the hood. I checked the oil, water, and it all looked fine. I went back in the car and continued my route. I got on the 10 freeway and everything was good. No traffic and I'm driving 55 miles an hour. I push the gas pedal to go faster and nothing happened. That is when I saw that the check engine light was on. The car had started to slow down. I pushed the gas pedal a few more times and when nothing happened I started to panic. I get over to get off of the freeway and now my speed is about 40mph. Cars are merging on the freeway behind me going at least 60. I was so afraid they were going to hit me. I safely got off of the freeway at North university St in redlands ca. I stopped the car on lytle St. I turned off the engine and opened the hood and it was hot and smoking. I sat there for 30 minutes with my family calling drivetime and aeverex the warrenty provider. I was so scared and confused. Aeverex told me that they work with pep boys and I may be covered on getting it fixed. With one pep boys being just 7 minutes away. I started the car and drove there with the check engine light still on. I didn't not leave my key with pep boys on that day because I was confused on the way aeverex worked. Pep boys of redlands received my key on 5/14/2016 and I got a call later that day from steve who helped me saying that the car needs a new transmission. I would like to know how drivetime completely missed that this car needed a new transmission. I only had it for 6 days!!!!!

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #5

Jan 042016

Sentra

  • 62,200 miles
Takata recall: I was driving on the highway when the "check engine" service light came on, and my car immediately went from 60pmh to 20mph in a matter of minutes. I took it to the dealership that same day (3 weeks ago). After a diagnostic was tested, the throttle pedal position sensor needs to be replaced, and is on backorder. When I asked what that meant, they informed me that the part is not available. The dealership reached out to corporate (after having my car for 2 weeks) and come to find out there are 300 other cases dealing with this same part.

- Columbia, SC, USA

problem #4

Aug 262015

Sentra

  • 62,000 miles
I have had my car for just over 2 years. I bought it used for business trips mostly. I drove it for the first time on a long distance business trip and 3 hours into trip it stopped accelerating over 70 miles an hour. This continueed the entire way to my final destination. No lights came on, no sounds or smells either. Once I was in town driving on normal roads it was fine again. Then I drove it back home, same thing happened but more extreme. I took it to the Nissan dealership in boulder Colorado. In doing so I found out that all Nissan had a warrenty recall to put in a cvt cooler part. A feature that all Nissan need to insure the possibilty of long distance travel without the transmission over heating and not accelerating properly. The dealership then informed me that it would have been covered if I had brought it in before it was over 60,000 miles. Now that it is howevr, it is my responsibility to pay over $800 for a part my car should have come with. I called Nissan noth America to find resalution, they closed the case and will not help me. I find this extremely unexceptable and dangerous. As a single 31 yr old woman, I could have been stranded in corn fields in the middle of Kansas in the dark had my transmission failed unexpectedly. I purchased this car at 40,000 miles two yrs ago, it should have had that part put in before it left the lot. I will not accept this and am hoping to find some support in getting Nissan to cover parts and labor for this issue. Please let me know your thoughts and how I should proceed from here. Thank you.

- Boulder, CO, USA

problem #3

May 292015

Sentra

  • 54,000 miles
The vehicle drifts both directions while driving, when braking it seriously pulls right. I have only had the car 6 weeks and haven't hit anything yet but if there are narrow lanes with parked cars I may not be so lucky. There are other problems the heat shields that cover the exhaust come loose and the air sensors in the tires leak so you need to put air in the tires weekly.

- Attleboro, MA, USA

problem #2

Mar 242014

Sentra 4-cyl

  • 31,796 miles
Was driving on freeway, accelerating toward 70 mph. Accelerator dropped away from under my foot, tachometer "pegged" 5000 RPM. Quick scan of instrument panel showed car was now in neutral, not drive. My hands were both on the steering wheel; I didn't touch the gearshift lever. The car shifted on its own. This started a series of problems with the transmission that continue to escalate; transmission will override braking (caused 2 accidents 2 weeks apart); on a 500-mile (1-way) business trip in July, car went into fail-safe mode 3 times - loss of power, accelerator non-functional. Car taken off the road by Nissan Corp, but no repairs done; after 49 days out of service, car was released to me, continues to exhibit transmission problems. Now the steering is extremely hard to operate, as if there's no power steering in the car. When transmission overrides brakes, it feels like the car is being pushed, then chokes down (nose of car dips), then is catapulted in the same direction (D or R); in this sequence, brakes fully applied will not stop the car. Nissan's only response is to self-protect against a lawsuit; no concern for the welfare of someone driving a car in this condition!

- San Leandro, CA, USA

problem #1

Jun 282013

Sentra

  • 13,300 miles
At about 1130 pm on my way home from work, approaching a intersection, I depressed the brake pedal and car seemed to increase speed and went through intersection through lawn and striking another car, total lose of control, no brakes, a real scary feeling.

- Coopersburg, PA, USA