There the code of p1778 that keeps coming up on about a CVT and ifs affecting the drive and strain the transmission I dont understand the issue is recurring.and this happen while driving on the highway. You can feel the car hesitant
2008 Nissan Sentra cruise control problems
severe 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
4crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 10 cruise control complaints filed for the 2008 Nissan Sentra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 150,000+ mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2008 Sentra with these complaints shows a pattern of unintended acceleration, throttle control issues, and transmission hesitation that Nissan diagnostics have struggled to isolate and repair permanently. Steer clear unless you can verify the specific system has been diagnosed and confirmed fixed by an independent shop.
Owners of 2008 Sentras with cruise-control and related driveline issues report a troubling mix of accelerator and idle-control problems. The most serious claims involve sudden, unintended acceleration—sometimes at traffic lights, while parking, or during normal driving—that either does not respond to braking or requires the engine to be shut off to stop. One owner reported brakes locked while accelerating into a wall at 22,500 miles; another experienced high-speed acceleration from a complete stop at a traffic light that caused a collision with roadside structures. A third described the accelerator pedal feeling "stuck" while attempting to stop.
Secondary failures include engine idle stuck at 2,000 RPM (requiring computer reset at a dealer), loss of power and hesitation during highway driving (recurring from 60,000 to 90,000 miles with multiple transmission and fuel codes), and brake whistling noise dismissed by dealerships as dust or moisture. One owner reported slow acceleration and poor pickup just two days after purchase.
Notably, Nissan technicians have replaced fuel injectors and throttle bodies in attempted repairs, but owners state these fixes did not stop recurrence. One owner's complaint to Nissan and safety authorities went unresolved, with the manufacturer finding "no cause" for the unintended acceleration.
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended Acceleration / Stuck Accelerator
Engine revs excessively or vehicle accelerates without driver input, often while starting, stopping, or parking. Some owners report accelerator pedal feeling stuck or brakes failing to stop the vehicle despite being applied.
When: At various points: while starting, during parking (under 5 mph), at traffic lights, highway driving; mileage range 18,000–24,000+ miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden high-speed acceleration; Accelerator pedal feeling stuck; Vehicle will not decelerate despite brake pedal pressed to floor; Engine races and will not slow to idle; Abnormal RPM spike on startup with abnormal engine sound
Codes mentioned: P1778 (CVT transmission code), Transmission codes (4 different codes mentioned in one case), Fuel code
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel injector replaced (failure recurred); throttle body replaced (failure recurred); dealer reset computer parameters and idle learn procedure; turning off engine stopped the acceleration in two cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan engineer could find no cause in one case and denied problem; manufacturer was informed of at least one failure but no recall action documented in narratives
Hesitation / Power Loss / Transmission Strain
Vehicle loses power, hesitates, and feels like it will stall during highway driving. Owner reports feeling 'jumping' and loss of control. Issues began around 60,000 miles and continued through 90,000 miles.
When: Highway driving; starting around 60,000 miles, persistent through 90,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Car struggles after driving over an hour; Loss of power requiring cautious throttle control; Jumping sensation and feeling of lost control; Vehicle stalled during 15-minute drive; Hesitation while driving on highway
Codes mentioned: P1778 (CVT-related code), 4 different transmission codes (specific codes not provided), Fuel code
Idle Control Failure
Engine idle speed remains elevated (2,000 RPM) and will not drop to normal idle after coming to a stop. Vehicle will not disengage from high RPM state without engine shutdown.
When: At traffic light in 25 mph zone
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stuck at 2,000 RPM at idle; Engine does not return to normal idle speed; Requiring vehicle shutdown to stop engine race
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer reset computer parameters and reset idle learn procedure
Brake Noise / Brake Performance Concern
Low whistling noise from brakes during deceleration or turning. Dealer attributed to dust on pads or moisture but owner reported complaint multiple times during maintenance visits with no resolution.
When: Starting around 18,000 miles; complaint noted at 23,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low whistling noise while slowing down; Low whistling noise while turning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated could be dust on pads or moisture; no actual repair documented
Slow Acceleration / Poor Power Delivery
Vehicle drives very slowly and will not pick up speed shortly after purchase. No details on diagnostic findings provided.
When: 2 days after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle drives very slowly; Will not pick up speed
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2008 Nissan Sentra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2008 Nissan Sentra?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 57,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $600 for cruise control repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Nissan/Sentra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.