2017 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 230 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2017 reports, 29 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 21 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMar 3, 2021
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.
Campaign 21V135000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignitionAug 22, 2018
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Campaign 18V551000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsApr 13, 2017
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2015-2017 LEAF and 2014, 2016 and 2017 Sentra vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error within the air bag inflators, the passenger frontal air bag may not properly deploy in the event of a crash.
In the event of a crash, if the front passenger air bag doesn't deploy properly, it can increase the risk of injury to passengers.
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began June 7, 2017. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 17V253000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
230 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, May 17, 2025
I have called nissan usa and the nissan in newburgh to schedule an appointment for lamp switch recall and have not recieved any calls or communication back. At this point im scared that the lamp switch is affecting my transmission and I'm just getting the runaround from nissan so they don't have to take care of it. My car has episodes where is now doesn't start and I need to get a jump. My car also shifts out of gear while driving which is incredibly dangerous especially since I take the highway to work. Please let me know how to proceed
Electrical system, May 5, 2025
Intermittent ignition switch failure. Presents as little to no power. Vehicle will not crank over. Minimal lights come on dash board, no digital readout, dim lights inside vehicle. Eventually car starts with no problem after several tries. I have excluded battery, alternator, grounding issues, wiring issues, fuses. This is similar to a recall issued for other Nissan Sentras made in the same year.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 28, 2025
I was driving on the highway and saw that my RPM was fluctuating a lot even though on cruise control, it was losing its power. It started slowing down and even though cruise control was off, I was indeed in drive and not neutral. when I fully pressed the gas it did absolutely nothing. I was close to home 10 minutes so I had to just put emergency lights on and keep going but at the stop signs and lights sometimes it would stop completely and get stuck at 0 even though i was pressing the gas pedal all the way. Once I was going - it let me go, seemed like it allowed it. Then but never past 25 But anytime I slowed it almost shut off or did shut off. This is a safety issue since I am not able to drive the speed limit. I risk getting rear ended. There were no warning messages on my dash when this happened. I took the car to a mechanic, who stated I needed a new transmission. I bought a transmission and the mechanic replaced it. It was fine for a couple days then started having the same problem. I took it to Nissan to get it diagnosed and they stated that it was due to the transmission. Nissan stated the recall expired so they could not help me
Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2025
I recently purchased this certified pre owned car at garden state Honda in Clifton NJ, and in less than 4 months the transmission gave up. I called them and i was told its not within warranty. I find this unprofessional. Obviously this transmission had been defective and they still sold it without fixing it. The car is sitting at the shop coz the cost to fix is enormous and my son is having a hard time to go to work and school. Please help me how to go about this legally.
Power train, Feb 27, 2025
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 20 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the RPMs increased but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact coasted to the side of the road and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to Auto ER with Giaco, where a mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Power train, Engine, Feb 13, 2025
The continuously variable transmission (CVT) in my vehicle failed prematurely, leading to significant safety concerns. The car experienced severe jerking, hesitation, and loss of power while driving, especially at highway speeds. Eventually, the transmission stopped functioning properly, making it unsafe to drive. There were no warning lights, messages, or dashboard indicators to alert me of any issues before the failure. A dealership confirmed that the transmission fluid was burnt, contaminated with metal shavings, and the internal components had failed. However, due to the vehicle’s design, the CVT fluid is sealed and inaccessible to consumers for routine checks or maintenance, meaning the issue was undetectable until complete failure occurred. This defect poses a serious risk, as many drivers have reported sudden power loss, delayed acceleration, and unexpected breakdowns in traffic. Nissan has had a history of CVT failures in previous models, leading to warranty extensions, but similar issues persist in newer models without proper acknowledgment. If left unaddressed, this could lead to more drivers experiencing dangerous situations on the road.
Power train, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 20, 2025
When I go up hill my car doesn't Want to automatically shift, my rpms start revving, and the car won't go over 50 mph. It's been an on going issue since I purchased the vehicle in 2020. Ive taken it to nissan on more than a couple occasions and the assured me there was no issues. Now as of last week after I brake my car loses driving power but doesn't lose actual power. Now my check engine light is on.
Power train, Jan 12, 2025
CVT transmission. On my way to work at 7:40 am I was stopped at a light and when it turned green I pressed the gas, but instead of going I heard a bang noise and the car wouldn't go. I tried turning the car off and back on and it still wouldn't go in drive or low. However it will go in reverse. I called my Local dealer at Bayshore Nissan NY. The service writer told me the extended warranty expired Between June and July. My car is a 2017 Nissan Sentra with 54,474 miles. And I’m still making payments until September of this year.
Power train, Nov 15, 2024
The contact's wife owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power, the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the RPM was raised; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact’s wife stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact’s wife was able to drive the vehicle back to the residence and later drove the vehicle to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 35 MPH on another occasion, there was an abnormally strong odor of burning rubber in the cabin. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the clutch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,336.
Air bags, Oct 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the air bag warning light illuminated, indicating that the front passenger’s side air bag was deactivated; however, the front passenger’s side seat was occupied. The contact researched and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V253000 (Air Bags); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken back to the place of residence. A dealer was contacted and referred the contact to the manufacturer to confirm if the VIN was included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 103,200.
Power train, Aug 20, 2024
I purchased my 2017 Nissan Sentra SV brand new. I was hearing a whining noise, so I got a diagnostic test done and it was my transmission, and I needed to replace it. It has a CVT and I have read that there are many problems with the 2017 Nissan Sentra CVT transmissions - complaints and class actions. I talked to Nissan Corp who said they would pay half of the cost to fix it. I am writing because I think there should be a recall on these transmissions, and I should not have had to pay anything. They know there is an issue with the CVT transmissions and should not be selling cars if they know there is a problem, and they do not tell the consumer to beware.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 8, 2024
Car lost power, pressing down on accelerator does not move car.
Engine, Aug 1, 2024
To Whom it May Concern, I am writing because there has been transmission issues that my 2017 Nissan Sentra SV has been experiencing since I purchased the car brand new on 04/22/2017. I have documentation of me taking it back to Nissan within the first year due to shaking, overheating and a problem accelerating. Nissan has continued to put a bandaid on the cause and has not addressed the real issue in which is the transmission. There are many articles and court documentation of the Nissan CVT Transmission giving people problems in which have bought their cars from 2013-2017/2018. I have taken my car to Nissan and they refuse to address the faulty transmission or pay for any of the repairs. I have documentation over the years from accredited mechanics in which report that the transmission needs. They are trying to charge me over $7,000 for a transmission repair when they are the reason in which it went out to begin with. My car continuted to jerk while driving and stopped while driving in which put myself and others at risk. The dealer acknowledged the recall on CVT transmission and their faulty parts but did not fix it. There was NO warning light or lamos that went off prior to this going out and leaving me stranded on the side of the road. My car was looked at in April of 2024 at Nissan and was told there was no Transmission issues then i come in and all of a sudden they state it needs to be replaced.
Power train, Jul 6, 2024
Car stopped at a light in the middle of the day 4/15/23 and when turned back on the car would not drive forward. There we had to push the car into a safe location and get it towed home.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Engine, Jul 1, 2024
I took my car into the dealership for a recall repair and the following day, I started having situations where the I push the pedal down and the car would not initially move but then would "catch" and begin driving again. What is happening now however is that while I am driving, the car appears to shut off (headlights turn off and all of the lights come on the dash) and then all of the lights on the dash go off, headlights turn back on, and then the car "restarts" and continues to drive.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2024
I traveled from Texas to Kentucky last year and the transmission went out 4 hours before reaching my destination. My warranty replaced the transmission. Last month I traveled from Kentucky to Texas and again the transmission went out and this time fluid was spilled everywhere 6 hours from reaching my destination.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jun 5, 2024
My 2017 Nissan Sentra S has a very serious problem whenever my RPM reach 3.5 to 4.It starts jerking and I can't accelerate anymore,in one occasion after the jerking stop I couldn't drive no more than 5 miles per hour.i have checked for any visible issues but none. No warning lights come on, I carry a scanner with me OBD2 but it doesn't have any codes. I have gone online to find a solution but I'm coming across hundreds of people with the same issue but no solution.i called the dealer and I was told that since the car is salvaged there is nothing they can do The car still jerking I just to keep it under or at 3rpm but I can never get on the freeway due to this issue
Engine, May 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the instrument panel was displayed properly; however, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was instructed by the mechanic to replace the key fob battery, but the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 139,401.
Structure, May 14, 2024, crash
Car was T-bone only the two doors passenger already fixed
Other or unspecified, Apr 2, 2024
My CVT transmission is going out, causing my car to struggle to accelerate. This could potentially cause a safety issue if the car just dies randomly or the transmission does blow and I get hit on a busy road or something. Yes the vehicles been inspected by a couple different shops and both said I need a new transmission which is about $5-6k and I’m a single mother of 2 kids (3 y/o and 3 m/o) and have no reliable transportation as of right now so I can’t work.
Power train, Mar 7, 2024
Vehicle lost power and down shifted to first gear and got stuck in it while going 60mph and with traffic all around and behind me. Will not drive or shift out of first gear and transmission must be replaced now. No warning lights ever came on, no warning of it happening, it just slipped down into first and stalled there, wouldn’t go when pressing the gas peddle.
Structure, Feb 26, 2024
Left side door trim keeps popping off Replaced driver front door handle, on 25 march 21 Same type defect reported for passenger side on 13 December 23 Local dealer refused and charge $520.41 estimated. Called Nissan headquarters in Tennessee on 18 December 23. Many calls to Nissan headquarters latest call on 24 January 24 received claim no. [XXX] . Nissan insists is warranty expired. I said it is not a warranty issue, it is a defect issue. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Structure, Feb 25, 2024
we have 2 models of this car in the family, both vehicles the drivers door handle is coming off.
Power train, Feb 23, 2024
My transmission went out and is set to be fixed by Nissan at my cost! No warning....just was driving my daughter home from girl scouts and the transmission went out going 35mph.
Power train, Feb 18, 2024
We have been having issues with our 2017 nissan sentra pretty much since we bought it. it shakes ,shutters etc during exceleration. we asked if it needed a tune up and were told manufacture recommendation was for 124,000 miles. So it didn't seem to be the problem. we continued routine maintenance. On Sat 2/17/2024 the car wouldn;t "go" while we were on our way to work. It didn't want to excelerate etc. It struggled the entire way. We pulled off and parked. turned off the engine and gave it a few minutes. We were abler to reach our destination there after, but for safety decided to have towed home. This was covered by our car insurance. However after talking to a family member ,who works for DEALERSHIP, they suggested looking into Recalls. We have not been able to find one that relates to the CVT problem that we are having. We are currently looking into whether or not we are covered by the dealership we purchased it from, since it doesn't look like Nissan will cover it since it's passed the warranty set by them.