CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Nissan Sentra powertrain problems
moderate 45 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
45
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 45 powertrain complaints filed for the 2018 Nissan Sentra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Owners have filed 45 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.
Powertrain accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
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.
CVT Warranty Extension REVISION 1 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from May 23, 2023 has been revised to include the following: ⢠The voucher program has been updated and the program rules and dealer instructions have been added to the FAQ section of this dealer announcement.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT Warranty Extension In an effort to assure customer satisfaction, demonstrate our confidence in continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), and to address customer concerns including those expressed by customers in the class actions, Nissan will extend the warranty coverage on the CVT. The warranty extension includes the CVT assembly and internal CVT components, gaskets, and seals, CVT control valve body, torque converter, cooler kit (if applicable) and reprogramming of the Transmission Control Module (TCM), on the vehicles listed in this announcement. The warranty is being extended from its original duration of 60 months/60,000 miles to 84 months/84,000 miles (whichever occurs first). Co
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗CVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA âWRITEâ PROCEDURE 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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2018 Nissan Sentra describe a consistent pattern of CVT transmission failures across a wide mileage range, from 37,000 to 159,000 miles, though most cluster between 50,000 and 120,000 miles. Common symptoms include jerking, shuddering, hesitation during acceleration, RPM surging while speed stays constant, loss of power, inability to shift into drive, transmission slipping, and abrupt stalling—often without warning lights. Several owners report the vehicle will only move in reverse or becomes immobile entirely. Some failures occur catastrophically while driving at highway speeds, creating genuine safety hazards: one owner nearly got T-boned crossing a four-lane road, another almost collided on the interstate when the car lost all power mid-acceleration.
Owners cite diagnostic code P2859 and Service Bulletin NTB20-035A (covering 2018–2019 CVT judder), though Nissan reportedly denies coverage on individual 2018 models despite acknowledging the issue. Replacement transmission costs range from $4,000 to $6,500. A few owners report transmissions failing again 60,000–90,000 miles after replacement. Warranty expiration typically occurs at or before symptoms appear, leaving owners responsible for full repair costs. Owners mention that earlier Sentra model years (2017 and earlier) have recalls for CVT issues, but 2018 models do not, despite experiencing the same failures. Some dealership mechanics acknowledge the problem is known but still decline warranty coverage.
Same Nissan Sentra powertrain reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
CVT transmission failure with loss of power and acceleration hesitation
Complete or near-complete transmission failure resulting in inability to accelerate, maintain speed, or in some cases move forward at all. Vehicle may lose power suddenly while driving or fail to respond to throttle input.
When: Ranges from 37,000 to 159,000 miles; most common 50,000–120,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power; vehicle will not accelerate or reaches only 3–4 mph; Hesitation and delayed response to throttle; RPM surges with little or no forward motion; Transmission slipping; RPM revs while speed drops; Vehicle will only move in reverse; Inability to shift into drive; shifter stuck or unresponsive; Abrupt stalling while driving, sometimes at highway speeds
Codes mentioned: P2859, Check engine light (when illuminated; many owners report no light)
Repairs/costs cited: CVT transmission replacement, $4,000–$6,500. Some owners report re-failure 60,000–90,000 miles after replacement with new or rebuilt unit.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin NTB20-035A references 2018–2019 CVT judder diagnosis; Nissan denies coverage on individual 2018 models. Earlier model years (2017 and prior) have recalls for CVT issues. Some owners report Nissan offering to cover 30% of repair cost, rest owner responsibility.
CVT jerking, shuddering, and judder without loss of power
Transmission exhibits jerking, shuddering, or juddering sensations during acceleration, gear shifts, or steady-state driving. RPM fluctuates unnaturally while maintaining the same speed or attempting to accelerate. Does not immediately prevent vehicle movement but indicates transmission distress.
When: Begins as early as 9,000–30,000 miles; progresses over time
Symptoms owners cite: Jerking or shuddering sensation when shifting or accelerating; RPM fluctuation while maintaining constant speed, especially on inclines; RPM surging (up to redline) while vehicle speed increases slowly or not at all; Abnormal sound or loud pop when accelerating from stop; Transmission slipping; difficult engagement from park to drive; Hesitation before acceleration begins; High RPM and reduced speed simultaneously
Codes mentioned: P2859
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission flush attempted in some cases; ultimately requires full replacement. Owners report dealers initially dismissing symptoms as 'special transmission characteristics' or weather-related.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin NTB20-035A applies to 2018–2019; Nissan denies applying to individual vehicles despite bulletin existence.
Forward Collision Avoidance (radar sensor) malfunction and false braking events
Front radar sensor fails to detect objects correctly or produces false obstruction warnings. System may trigger automatic braking without cause, creating safety hazard. Sensor may go out of calibration post-repair or fail entirely.
When: Throughout ownership; some owners report malfunction warning appearing after initial detection warning subsides
Symptoms owners cite: Front radar not detected warning light illuminating repeatedly; Malfunction warning for forward collision avoidance system; Automatic braking engaged without obstacle present; Wheels locking up without driver input; False collision warnings while driving normally; System stops functioning; light turns on and off unpredictably
Repairs/costs cited: Radar sensor replacement quoted; no warranty on replacement part per dealer. Sensor calibration/programming performed at dealership post-repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No warranty coverage on radar sensor replacement. Nissan sent warranty extension letter at high mileage (115,000+), making vehicle ineligible.
Engine overheating and cooling system failure
Vehicle overheats during driving. Fluids boil over. Smoke reported from engine bay. Related to coolant fan module malfunction.
When: Mileage and frequency not clearly specified in narratives; occurred multiple times before finally requiring coolant fan module replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating during normal driving; Fluid boiling; smoking from under hood; Repeated overheating events
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant fan module replacement required.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refused warranty coverage for coolant fan module replacement.
Transmission gear shifter failure
Gear shifter becomes stuck or unresponsive; vehicle cannot be shifted out of park or into any gear, or cannot shift between drive and reverse as intended.
When: 71,000 miles (one case); timing unclear in others
Symptoms owners cite: Shifter fails to move from park into drive or other gears; Unable to shift gears while parked; Vehicle rolls even when shifter appears to be in park; Shifter unresponsive to driver input
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed in reported cases.
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
CVT failed at 65000 miles. Extended warranty replaced it. Vehicle was very dangerous to drive as it was jerking, shuddering, refusing to accelerate, and stalled twice.
Transmission over heats. Transmission has a loud noise and drags since 60,000 miles
Transmission Replacement - The transmission system requires replacement due to issues identified during inspection, including judder in the CVT and auxiliary gearbox. Replacing the transmission can help address these concerns and improve the smoothn
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to shift out of drive(D). The contact stated that he was able to manually push the vehicle out of the roadway with the assistance of bystanders. The vehicle was not drivable.…
My 2018 Nissan Sentra is currently in the shop at my local Nissan dealership because it needs a transmission replacement. The car lurched ahead causing me to run into my garage door causing damage. It also while driving loses power, the rpm meter will drop for a few seconds and you will see and feel it re engage a few seconds later. It does this frequently at various speeds.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Nissan Sentra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 45 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 18 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,800 and 107,000 miles, with the median around 80,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,800; a quarter make it past 107,000. 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/2018/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.