The Sentra is a great little commuter right up until it starts acting like it forgot how to accelerate. If yours shakes from a stop, drones at high RPM, or feels like it's slipping on the highway, you're dealing with the single most common Sentra complaint there is. The good news is that Nissan has a defined path for it, and some years still have extra coverage.
Which Sentras this applies to
Nissan has used a CVT (continuously variable transmission) in the automatic Sentra for years, and the complaints follow it around:
| Model years | What happened | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-2017 Sentra | Falk class action settlement (final hearing March 2020) | CVT coverage extended to 84 months/84,000 miles; past repair reimbursement window has closed |
| 2018-2019 Sentra (B17) | Martinez class action settlement (final approval reported May 2023); Nissan bulletin NTB20-035 for CVT judder | Same 84/84 extension; check by VIN at a dealer |
| 2020 and newer Sentra (B18) | No settlement; owner complaints of stalling and CVT replacement show up at NHTSA | Standard 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty applies |
On CarComplaints, transmission is by far the biggest problem category for the 2013 and 2014 Sentra. For the 2013 model, "revving and jerking," "transmission failure" and "CVT transmission failure" lead the list, and the CVT failure reports average about 89,750 miles.
What the shudder actually feels like
Nissan's own bulletin for the 2018-2019 Sentra (NTB20-035, May 2020) lists the symptoms dealers should look for:
- Judder: a shake, shudder, single or multiple bumps, or vibration while accelerating
- Hesitation when you press the gas
- Lack of power
- RPM flare, where the engine revs up but the car doesn't pick up speed to match
CarComplaints owners of the 2013 Sentra also list whining from worn bearings, the car not shifting, and the shifter locking up. On newer 2020 Sentras, a couple of NHTSA complaints describe the car stalling or refusing to move, with one ending in a dealer-installed replacement CVT.
What Nissan tells dealers to do
For the 2018-2019 Sentra with the 2.0L engine, NTB20-035 lays out a clear process. It's worth knowing so you can tell whether a shop is following it:
| Step | What the dealer checks |
|---|---|
| 1 | Reads CVT codes such as P0746, P0846, P17F0 to P17F4 and P2857 to P285A, and reprograms the transmission computer if an update exists |
| 2 | Drops the CVT pan and looks for broken parts or heavy debris (if found, the CVT gets replaced) |
| 3 | Pulls the control valve and checks the belt with a borescope for slipping |
| 4 | Checks whether the pulse rotor is loose |
| 5 | Replaces only the valve body, or the belt and pulley set plus valve body and oil pump, or the whole CVT, depending on what it finds |
Easy things to try first
- Read the codes. A cheap OBD-II scanner shows whether the CVT has stored faults. Codes like P17F0 or P0746 point to a real hardware problem, not your imagination.
- Ask for a software update. On covered years, reprogramming is step one, and it's free under warranty.
- Check fluid service history. CVT fluid wears out. If your Sentra has never had its CVT fluid changed, ask a shop about it. It won't fix a damaged belt, but old fluid doesn't help.
- Note when it happens. Cold or warm? 20 to 40 mph? Light throttle? Write it down. A tech who can reproduce the shudder is far more likely to fix it.
What it can cost
| Situation | Who does it | What you'll likely pay |
|---|---|---|
| 2013-2019 Sentra under 84 months/84,000 miles | Nissan dealer | Usually $0 for covered CVT parts and reprogramming (confirm by VIN) |
| CVT fluid change, 2020-2024 Sentra | Independent shop | $247 to $321 (RepairPal) |
| CVT fluid change, 2013-2019 Sentra | Independent shop | $186 to $231 (RepairPal) |
| CVT replacement out of warranty, 2013 Sentra | Dealer or transmission shop | About $3,590 typical reported cost (CarComplaints owner reports) |
| Used or rebuilt CVT | Independent shop | Get written quotes, and ask about the warranty on the unit |
What to ask the shop before paying
- "Is my VIN still covered by the CVT warranty extension?"
- "Which codes are stored, and has the latest transmission software been installed?"
- "Are you replacing just the valve body, the belt and pulleys, or the whole CVT, and why?"
- "Is the replacement CVT new, remanufactured or used, and what warranty comes with it?"
- "If I paid for a covered repair before, can I still get reimbursed?"
Is it worth fixing?
If you're inside the 84/84 window, absolutely. Get it to a Nissan dealer and let them work through the bulletin. If you're out of coverage with a high-mileage 2013-2015 Sentra, a $3,000-plus CVT can be close to what the car is worth, so compare a used-unit repair against selling it as-is. For a 2020 or newer Sentra still under the 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, document every symptom and push the dealer for a fix now.
More Sentra help is on the Nissan Sentra repair page. AC not blowing cold either? See our Sentra AC guide. Prices checked October 14, 2026.
