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.
2018 Nissan Sentra powertrain problems
moderate 44 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
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. Th…
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.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 44 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?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.
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