SERVICE INFORMATION FOR FUEL GAUGE INACCURATE WITH DTCS STORED IN ECM SERVICE INFORMATION If a fuel level sensor has been diagnosed as sending an incorrect level signal, and one or more of the following DTCs are stored in the ECM, do not replace the entire âFuel Level Sensor Unit, Fuel Filter and Fuel Pump Assemblyâ (fuel pump assembly). The fuel level sensor can be replaced separately. ï· P0460 (FUEL LEV SEN SLOSH) ï· P0461 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR) ï· P0462 (FUEL LEVL SEN/CIRC) ï· P0463 (FUEL LEVL SEN/CIRC) NOTE: Warranty claims referring to fuel level issues that result in the replacement of the entire fuel pump assembly will be charged back.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2017 Nissan Sentra engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2017 Nissan Sentra have filed 15 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Sentra | 36 |
| 2014 Sentra | 25 |
| 2015 Sentra | 17 |
| 2016 Sentra | 11 |
| 2017 Sentra (this page) | 15 |
| 2018 Sentra | 9 |
| 2019 Sentra | 3 |
| 2020 Sentra | 4 |
| 2021 Sentra | 3 |
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
TELEMATICS SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING 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
The 2017 Sentra cluster shows a pattern of transmission and drivability issues. CVT transmission failure dominates the complaints—one owner experienced it twice in one year, with repair costs hitting $4,500 the first time and $7,000 the second. Owners describe transmission shuddering, jerking, loss of acceleration, and complete power loss while driving. One owner was told by Nissan in April 2024 there were no transmission issues, only to be quoted $7,000 for replacement weeks later. Multiple owners cite knowledge of Nissan CVT recalls for 2013–2018 models, and dealers have acknowledged the problem, but coverage is inconsistent.
Engine stalling—both failure-to-start and unexpected shutdown—appears in several reports. One owner faced multiple start attempts with delays up to an hour; another's car stalled at a traffic light. Dealers and independent mechanics could not diagnose or replicate the failures.
Loss of acceleration is a third concern: RPM climbs but vehicle speed barely responds, even on the highway. One owner had fuel pump and accelerator pedal sensor replaced without resolving the issue.
Secondary issues include rough idle surging in cold weather, AC odor causing drowsiness, and a fuel leak. Warranty coverage and recalls are inconsistently applied across the user base.
Same Nissan Sentra engine reports on nearby years: 2014 · 2015 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
CVT Transmission Failure
Complete or near-complete transmission breakdown requiring replacement or major overhaul. Multiple owners reported transmission shuddering, jerking, loss of acceleration, and total loss of power while driving. One owner experienced transmission failure twice within one year.
When: Ranging from low mileage (3,400 miles) to high mileage (90,087 miles). Multiple owners reported failures within 1-3 years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shuddering or jerking while driving; Loss of acceleration or inability to accelerate above 35 MPH; Vehicle stalling or stopping while driving; Hesitation when accelerating uphill; Transmission slipping or skipping gears; No warning light prior to failure in some cases
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Traction control light
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs ranged from $4,500 to over $7,000 for transmission replacement. Nissan dealers initially offered band-aid repairs and refused warranty coverage in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan acknowledged CVT transmission recalls for 2013-2018 model years but did not address defects for all owners. Manufacturer opened investigation on at least one complaint. Extended warranty programs or recalls were referenced but not universally applied.
Engine Stalling (No-Start and Unexpected Shutdown)
Engine fails to start or unexpectedly stalls while parked or during operation. Owners reported the vehicle would not start on button press, requiring multiple attempts or waiting extended periods. Some cases involved stalling at traffic lights or while driving.
When: Occurred at low mileage (3,400 miles) and higher mileage (139,401 miles). Intermittent failures with no clear pattern reported.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start on first attempt; Multiple start attempts required; delays from several minutes to over an hour; Instrument panel displays normally but engine does not crank; Stalling while parked or at traffic lights; Stalling while driving on highway
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump and accelerator pedal sensor were replaced on at least one vehicle without resolving the issue. Key fob battery replacement did not resolve the problem in another case. Dealers and independent mechanics could not diagnose or replicate the failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failures and referred owner to NHTSA. No recall or TSB mentioned.
Loss of Power During Acceleration
Engine lacks power to accelerate normally. RPM increases but vehicle speed does not follow proportionally, or acceleration is severely limited. Owners described the vehicle as barely moving despite pressing the accelerator.
When: Occurred at approximately 90,087 miles in one case. One owner experienced this on the highway; timing not specified in other cases.
Symptoms owners cite: RPM increases but speedometer does not respond proportionally; Vehicle moves very slowly even with accelerator pressed to the floor; Loss of power on highway causing safety risk; Check engine light and traction control light illuminated in one case
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Traction control light
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump and accelerator pedal sensor were replaced in one case without resolving the issue.
Rough Idle and Engine Surging
Engine idle speed is unstable or surge intermittently. One turbo engine owner reported rough running in neutral during cold weather.
When: Occurs below approximately 55 degrees Fahrenheit in one case. Frequency described as intermittent.
Symptoms owners cite: Idle surges every now and then; Rough running sensation in neutral during cold weather
Air Conditioning System Odor
AC system emits abnormal fumes that caused owner to nearly fall asleep while driving.
When: At approximately 17,836 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal odor when air conditioner activated; Fumes causing drowsiness
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer contacted but failure could not be replicated. Manufacturer notified.
Fuel Leak
Gasoline leakage reported. No additional details provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Leaking gasoline
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted but did not offer assistance.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Car just lost power in highway. Car starts but will barely move as pushing down on gas.
Had engine trouble with your 2017 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 engine problem on the 2017 Nissan Sentra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 15 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 15 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 53,287 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2017/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.