NISSAN: CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SET AND DTC P0605 IS STORED.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Nissan Sentra cruise control problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Among the 14 model years of Nissan Sentra in our records for cruise control problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering cruise control on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SERVICE INFORMATION The "Lock / Unlock request buttons" that are located on the outside door handles of vehicles with Intelligent Key can be disabled (or enabled) through either the "Comfort & Conv." settings of the Audio/Visual/Navigation system, orthrough the "Combination Meter settings" depending on the vehicle model, year and trim level. NOTE: In some instances this feature may be unintentionally disabled. Please verify the status of this feature before any further diagnostic is performed. Please see this bulletin for further details.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2013 Sentra has a track record of sudden acceleration loss and stalling that creates genuine safety hazards. Owners describe pressing the gas pedal fully and watching the vehicle crawl forward at 5–20 mph, or simply stall out mid-highway with no warning. One owner had the car flip three times after a loss-of-power event. Another nearly collided with oncoming traffic on the freeway when the car refused to move.
The problem hits at any mileage—770 miles, 18,000 miles, 138,000 miles—and recurs randomly. A mechanic narrowed it to transmission slip; Nissan disputed that call. An owner replaced the mass air flow sensor twice in four weeks, only to have the check engine light come back. One Sentra stalled every couple months with no diagnostics pointing to the cause. Dealerships frequently say they cannot duplicate the failure, leaving owners stuck.
The narratives mention CVT transmission recalls and computer updates, but these don't appear to be solving the core problem. Owners report that even after transmission replacement or software updates, the acceleration and stalling issues persist. The unpredictability of these failures—occurring at stops, during highway merges, and on curves—has led owners to describe the vehicle as unsafe in heavy traffic and rush-hour conditions.
Same Nissan Sentra cruise control reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of acceleration / acceleration lag
Vehicle suddenly loses ability to accelerate or accelerates only very slowly even with gas pedal fully depressed. Occurs at stops, during merging, on highways, and at random intervals. Some owners report needing to repeatedly press the pedal or turn the vehicle off and back on to restore power.
When: Various speeds and driving conditions; reported from ~770 miles to 141,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate above 5-20 MPH despite full throttle input; Significant delay between releasing and reapplying accelerator; RPMs stay flat or drop despite pressing gas pedal; Loss of power for extended periods (up to 10 minutes reported); Jerking and sputtering during acceleration attempts
Codes mentioned: P2859 (CVT transmission code), Brake switch code
Repairs/costs cited: One owner had transmission replaced once already; brake switch replacement attempted at dealership (failed to resolve); most narratives show either no repair or temporary fixes
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: CVT transmission recall mentioned; Nissan told at least one owner transmission was in proper working order despite specialist confirming transmission slip; dealerships unable to duplicate problem in some cases
Stalling during driving
Engine shuts off unexpectedly while vehicle is moving at various speeds, particularly on highways. After stalling, vehicle often will not accelerate normally and requires restart or multiple throttle applications to recover.
When: Throughout ownership; one owner reports occurring every couple of months; happens on highways and city streets
Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts off without warning while driving; Vehicle will not exceed 10-15 MPH after stalling; Requires tapping gas pedal twice to restart after stall; No warning lights appear before stall; warnings appear only after engine dies
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs successful; owners unable to get diagnosis from dealerships
Uncontrolled RPM spikes and hard shifting
Engine RPMs surge unexpectedly above normal during acceleration or while driving at steady speed. Transmission may shift harshly or erratically. RPMs may spike without corresponding speed increase, indicating transmission slip.
When: During acceleration and highway merging; reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: RPMs spike to 5+ during acceleration without speed increase; Sudden high RPM jumps while at steady throttle; Jerking between gears or hard transmission shifts; Mismatched RPM and speed readings (high RPM, slow acceleration)
Codes mentioned: P2859 (CVT)
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission specialist confirmed transmission slip; Nissan disputed this finding
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan claimed transmission was in proper working order despite specialist diagnosis of slip
Check engine light and mass air flow sensor failures
Check engine light repeatedly illuminates with mass air flow (MAF) sensor code. Replacing the sensor provides only temporary relief before code returns.
When: Throughout ownership; one owner replaced sensor twice in 4 weeks after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on repeatedly; Vehicle will not accelerate over 20 MPH when MAF sensor is failing; Rough idling; Jerking in Park; Decreased fuel efficiency
Codes mentioned: Mass air flow sensor code
Repairs/costs cited: Mass air flow sensor replaced twice by same owner within 4 weeks; repairs temporary
Throttle sensor wiring fraying
Wiring connected to the throttle sensor frays and causes unexpected stalling while driving. No warning before stall occurs, only after engine dies.
When: While driving
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls unexpectedly with no prior warning; Warning lights appear only after stall occurs
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had cruise control trouble with your 2013 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 2013 Nissan Sentra?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 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?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 40,000 and 86,500 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 86,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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/2013/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.