CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Nissan Sentra powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Nissan Sentra have filed 168 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 78,000 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
168
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Sentra | 16 |
| 2012 Sentra | 64 |
| 2013 Sentra | 305 |
| 2014 Sentra | 179 |
| 2015 Sentra (this page) | 168 |
| 2016 Sentra | 125 |
| 2017 Sentra | 74 |
| 2018 Sentra | 45 |
| 2019 Sentra | 52 |
3crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 168 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Nissan Sentra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Powertrain accounts for 48% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 168 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ENHANCED DIAGNOSTIC LOGIC FOR CVT This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT OIL LEAK DIAGNOSIS USING FLUORESCENT DYE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe the 2015 Sentra's CVT transmission failing across a wide mileage range, from under 10,000 miles to 150,000-plus. The most common complaint is sudden loss of power and acceleration, with owners reporting the engine revving to 3,700–5,000+ RPM while the vehicle crawls or stops completely. On highway inclines and during normal acceleration, the transmission locks into a limp mode, limiting speed to 30–50 mph despite full throttle input. Many owners report the transmission jerks violently during 1st-to-2nd gear transitions, creating a dashboard-rattling shudder especially dangerous in traffic.
Stalling without warning occurs across ownership periods. Owners describe pulling onto highways or into intersections only to have the vehicle quit entirely, with some nearly struck by semi-trucks. No check engine light appears in many cases until the transmission fully fails. Even after replacement—some owners report three transmissions in three years—the new unit exhibits the same power loss and hesitation within months.
Dealerships initially misdiagnose these as mass air flow sensor, oxygen sensor, throttle body, or solenoid failures, costing owners hundreds in unnecessary repairs before the transmission issue emerges. A recall (AT19-011) expired in 2022; some owners fell outside warranty by a few thousand miles and were denied coverage. Nissan has offered no blanket solution, though some owners report 50/50 cost-splits after legal involvement. The transmission design forbids fluid changes, limiting maintenance options, and replacement units carry only 12-month/12,000-mile warranty.
Same Nissan Sentra powertrain reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Loss of Power / Limp Mode
Transmission loses ability to accelerate or maintain speed, often accompanied by high RPM without corresponding vehicle speed increase. Vehicle may limp at 30–40 mph or fail to accelerate above certain thresholds despite throttle input. Occurs on highways, inclines, and during normal acceleration.
When: Across mileage range from 7,500 to 171,000 miles; often worsens in first few months of ownership or after warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Engine revs but vehicle fails to accelerate or accelerates very slowly; RPM spikes to 3700–5000+ without corresponding speed increase; Vehicle suddenly loses power mid-drive or on inclines; Vehicle limited to 30–50 mph despite normal throttle pressure; Check engine light may illuminate, often with code P17F3 (Auxiliary Gear Box Ratio error); Vehicle enters limp mode with no warning in some cases
Codes mentioned: P17F3, P2859, P0746, P0101
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement quoted at $4,000–$6,640. Some owners report repeated replacement (three transmissions in less than three years in one case). Dealerships unable to reproduce symptoms without codes; TCM updates sometimes performed but did not resolve underlying issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall AT19-011 / NTB19-075 issued for 2013–2017 model year CVTs but expired in 2022. Some owners within extended warranty (7 years / 84,000 miles) denied coverage due to mileage overages. Nissan extended warranty to 10 years / 120,000 miles for some earlier model years but did not extend to 2015 Sentra per owners' reports. Class action lawsuits filed; federal judge found transmission faulty. Nissan has offered 50/50 cost-split in some cases.
CVT Transmission Jerking, Shuddering, and Judder During Gear Transitions
Transmission produces harsh, rattling jerking or shuddering sensation, especially during 1st-to-2nd gear transitions or low-speed acceleration. Can cause vehicle to feel unsafe in traffic and intersections. Dashboard may rattle from intensity of shudder.
When: Appears early in ownership (some reported within weeks to months); worsens with transmission warm-up during longer drives
Symptoms owners cite: Strong judder or shudder from 1st to 2nd gear ratio, especially noticeable in traffic; Jerking or harsh downshift sensation during acceleration; Vehicle hesitates or jerks when accelerating from stops; Transmission slips or judders during uphill acceleration; Rough or delayed gear transitions
Codes mentioned: P17F3
Repairs/costs cited: Some owners report TCM (Transmission Control Module) updates; Altima and Rogue of same model year received TSB and TCM update to address early shudder, but Sentra did not receive same update per owner reports. Transmission fluid never changed per Nissan design (sealed system), limiting maintenance options.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: TSB issued for other Nissan CVT models (Altima, Rogue) but not extended to Sentra. TCM updates offered but did not fully resolve shuddering in most reported cases.
CVT Transmission Surging and RPM Oscillation
Engine RPM bounces up and down erratically, especially at highway speeds (65–80 mph) even with steady throttle and brake input. Vehicle surges and loses power intermittently, creating unpredictable acceleration.
When: Occurs at 42,000+ miles; symptoms often worse after transmission warm-up and on prolonged highway trips
Symptoms owners cite: RPM oscillates between 2000–6000+ RPM with steady pedal pressure; Engine RPM bounces and surges at highway speeds; Power surges and loss of power without driver input; Vehicle unstable on inclines despite constant throttle; Symptoms worsen in cold weather and at higher speeds
Codes mentioned: None in some cases; TCM reprogramming performed
Repairs/costs cited: ECM reprogramming (4 hours) and TCM updates attempted; dealerships reported no problem found despite confirmed symptoms. Multiple visits to dealership with same symptoms reported but no codes pulled.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: ECM reprogramming and TCM updates offered. Warranty extension promised by some dealerships but later denied or limited. Some owners cited breach of bumper-to-bumper powertrain warranty when issues not addressed during warranty period.
CVT Transmission Stalling and Complete Loss of Drive
Vehicle stalls completely or fails to move forward or backward from a stop, with transmission not responding to gear selection. No warning lights in many cases. Vehicle may be stuck in park or unable to shift into drive/reverse.
When: Mileage range 33,000 to 150,000+ miles; reported at 40,000, 62,000, 86,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls suddenly during normal driving or stop-and-go traffic; Transmission fails to respond to gear shift commands (stuck in park, won't move from park); Vehicle loses all motive power mid-drive; restart required; No response to throttle after stall; engine revs but vehicle doesn't move; Shift from park to drive requires multiple attempts or gear release button; No warning lights illuminated prior to stall in many cases
Codes mentioned: No codes in many cases; TCM module failure suspected
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission replacement necessary in all reported stall cases. Costs ranged $4,500–$6,640. In one case, three transmissions failed at 33k, 86k, and 148k miles. Dealerships report having replaced over 1,000 of these transmissions.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall for stalling. Extended warranty (7 years / 84,000 miles) some owners mentioned but frequently expired or denied due to mileage. Out-of-warranty replacements quoted at full cost with 12-month/12k-mile warranty on replacement unit.
Delayed Acceleration / Transmission Hesitation
1–2 second delay when accelerating from a stop or slow speed, as if transmission is not engaging smoothly. Vehicle hesitates before responding to throttle input.
When: Reported in newer replacements (25,000 miles on replacement transmission) and on transmissions with 114,000 total miles
Symptoms owners cite: 1–2 second delay from throttle input to acceleration response; Vehicle hesitates when accelerating from stops; Acceleration feels sluggish or delayed at random intervals; Hesitation occurs at low speeds and may compound over time
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement transmissions also exhibit delays, suggesting design issue rather than wear-related failure.
Secondary Sensor/Control Failures Complicating Diagnosis
Dealerships and independent shops attribute symptoms to mass air flow sensor, oxygen sensor, throttle body, or solenoid failures when transmission is the actual root cause. Multiple parts replaced without resolving transmission-related symptoms. Check engine codes (P0101, P0346) may be triggered by transmission control issues rather than stated component.
When: Throughout vehicle ownership; appears as earliest symptoms and recurs
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on and off randomly; Codes may change from one diagnostic to the next (fuel system, sensor codes, transmission codes); Multiple parts replaced (MAF sensor, O2 sensor, throttle body, solenoid) without resolving power loss; Dealership may diagnose unrelated components while transmission issue persists
Codes mentioned: P0101, P0346, C1130, P2859, P0746
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report replacing MAF sensor, oxygen sensors, throttle body, and pressure solenoids without resolution. Costs for each misdiagnosed repair ranged $500–$1,500+. Dealerships unable to confirm transmission fault without code reader showing transmission-specific code.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships performed ECU reprogramming, TCM updates, and throttle body cleaning/relearning to address symptoms initially misdiagnosed as sensor failures. Some owners contacted Nissan headquarters after multiple failed repairs; limited goodwill gestures reported (50/50 cost-split in at least one case).
Synthesized from 168 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 12 most recent
Transmission clutch Car stop movement in mist of traffic no warning or check engine light. Went in to Nissan Montgomery AL charged a cost of $267 not sure what that was supposed to do vehicle worsened. Went back to be told it was transmission clutch. I’m left stranded in Montgomery AL until it can be repaired and thinking I payed $267 for nothing I explained to the Serviceman what it was doing
When I started the car it sounded like the engine was clicking. I turned it off thinking it may have been from the cold. After restarting the car, the sound did not start again. About 10 minutes into my drive, it started to feel like the the car was shaking each time I braked. About 5 minutes later, it felt like the car was fighting me to accelerate. After I stopped at a red light, it would not…
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Nissan sentra. The contact's mother was driving 70 MPH, when the transmission failed and the vehicle stalled. The contact's mother was able to move the vehicle to side of the roadway and restart the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the residence in low gear. The vehicle was taken to grossman Nissan service and parts department (295 middlesex ave, old saybrook, ct…
2015 Nissan Sentra with only 83000 CVT transmission failed
I'm driving my car on the freeway and it's stalls. I barely made it to the shoulder. I waited a few minutes and drove again. Went a few miles, and again, it stalled. I made it to a safe place. Had my car towed to a mechanic. They said it was the CVT transmission.
While pulling out in an intersection, my car would not accelerate as normal and I was almost hit by incoming traffic. When accelerating from stop, the vehicle moves slowly and hesitates. Once over a certain speed the car will function properly. The CVT is an issue in models 2013-2015 Nissan Altima also, but the manufacturer issued an extension for the powertrain warranty. The same should be done…
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: 10058388 (Transmission…
The component which has failed is the CVT Transmission. It can be available and has been inspected upon request. The safety is for myself, my son, and other drivers on the roads because the transmission could cause hesitation as it did previoiusly without warning while in operation causing a possible collision. The problem has been confirmed by the manufacturer. The component has been…
This is ourt second Nissan sentra our first one had the transmission replaced a little over 80,000 miles and now this one does the same thing it has a whine to it that is progressively getting louder and the transmission sometimes feels like it slips all of this happens on any street road speed
When you first take off in the sentra it hesitates and bogs down while you're going down the road the rpms stay at three to four and it starts jerking And it has lost power and as losing power
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 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 powertrain problem on the 2015 Nissan Sentra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 168 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 98 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 57,000 and 99,999 miles, with the median around 78,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 57,000; a quarter make it past 99,999. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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/2015/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.