NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
30 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · May 24, 2025
Engine
I purchased a Nissan vehicle that was represented as reliable and safe. Considering I’m a single mother also still young enough to wanna live not be on the highway and have my car declined speed and a tractor trailer almost hit me like that’s already happened. This is a known problem. Yeah I can’t get any help However, the vehi…
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I purchased a Nissan vehicle that was represented as reliable and safe. Considering I’m a single mother also still young enough to wanna live not be on the highway and have my car declined speed and a tractor trailer almost hit me like that’s already happened. This is a known problem. Yeah I can’t get any help However, the vehicle has ongoing transmission problems that significantly impact its drivability and safety. Upon reviewing the paperwork, I discovered the vehicle was previously with a salvage company, a fact that was not disclosed to me at the time of purchase. This lack of transparency is unacceptable and has caused me considerable distress and unexpected repair costs. I am requesting Nissan’s urgent attention to this matter, including a thorough investigation into the vehicle’s history and any potential recalls or service bulletins related to these transmission issues. As a consumer, I expect better disclosure and support from Nissan, especially regarding vehicles with known defects or salvage histories. I urge you to take responsibility and help resolve this matter promptly to ensure customer safety and trust. Thank you for your immediate attention to this serious concern.
NHTSA ODI #11662893
Mileage unknown · May 22, 2025
Engine
To Whom It May Concern, I’m writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment with Nissan over the CVT failure in my 2011 Nissan Sentra. There are no active recalls listed for my vehicle, yet I’m experiencing the same transmission failure thousands of others have reported—jerking, hesitation, loss of power, and check en…
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To Whom It May Concern, I’m writing to express my deep frustration and disappointment with Nissan over the CVT failure in my 2011 Nissan Sentra. There are no active recalls listed for my vehicle, yet I’m experiencing the same transmission failure thousands of others have reported—jerking, hesitation, loss of power, and check engine codes P1778 and P0776. I purchased this car 3–4 months ago as a single mother trying to rebuild my life. I chose this vehicle specifically because I thought it would be a dependable, affordable option to get back on my feet. Instead, I’m now stuck with a car that’s barely driveable, a dangerous transmission, and no support. It feels like punishment for trying to do things the right way. I understand warranties expire, but Nissan is a million-dollar company, and the CVT transmission issues are a known and ongoing defect. You should not continue to profit while customers are left stranded and burdened with thousands in repairs due to faulty engineering. It’s not just inconvenient—it’s harmful. This kind of failure makes life significantly harder for people who are already struggling. I’ve contacted Consumer Affairs. I was disconnected mid-call and haven’t received help opening a case. I now need reliable transportation to care for my child and maintain the progress I’ve worked so hard for. I’m requesting that Nissan review this case and offer some form of goodwill assistance or reimbursement. I should not have to choose between feeding my family and fixing a transmission that should have never failed this early. Please take responsibility. Do better for the people who trusted your brand.
NHTSA ODI #11662586
Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2024
Engine
I was driving at low speed 20 mph , stopped at the stop sign , when I pressed acceleration the vehicle did not respond . I checked Dash and I could see all engine warnings light up. I switched off the vehicle and started again it started back with no issues and started running again. The vehicle sounds normal .there was no engin…
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I was driving at low speed 20 mph , stopped at the stop sign , when I pressed acceleration the vehicle did not respond . I checked Dash and I could see all engine warnings light up. I switched off the vehicle and started again it started back with no issues and started running again. The vehicle sounds normal .there was no engine related warnings afterwards.
NHTSA ODI #11618227
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2024
Air BagsEnginePower Train
I was in the highway at about 60 mph and the air bag light came on also the check engine light and I heard a sound and my car lost power I was able to get to the side lane then when it stopped all the way I started the car but would not go pass 30 mph and would barely go on reverse took it to mechanic they said it was the transm…
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I was in the highway at about 60 mph and the air bag light came on also the check engine light and I heard a sound and my car lost power I was able to get to the side lane then when it stopped all the way I started the car but would not go pass 30 mph and would barely go on reverse took it to mechanic they said it was the transmission tried to charge me $ 4,700 haven’t drove it since
NHTSA ODI #11601912
160,000 miles · Nov 13, 2023
Engine
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Neither the dealer nor …
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The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled with the traction control and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the catalytic converter was replaced; however, the failure persisted. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #11554938
138,200 miles · Mar 3, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL KAY NISSAN LOCATED AT (1601 OGDEN AVE, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BILL KAY NISSAN LOCATED AT (1601 OGDEN AVE, DOWNERS GROVE, IL 60515) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,200.
NHTSA ODI #11315853
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2020
Air BagsEngineStructureCrashInjury
HELLO, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. SHE DEVELOPED SOME DEEP CUTS ON HER HEAD AND I BELIEVE A FRACTURE. I AM CONCERNED THAT HER CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL FROM THE AIRBAG THAT CAUSED THE DEEP C…
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HELLO, MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. SHE DEVELOPED SOME DEEP CUTS ON HER HEAD AND I BELIEVE A FRACTURE. I AM CONCERNED THAT HER CAR MIGHT BE PART OF THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL FROM THE AIRBAG THAT CAUSED THE DEEP CUTS ON HER HEAD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS. I DON'T HAVE ANY PHOTOS RIGHT NOW OR POLICE REPORTS, BUT I CAN GET THAT INFORMATION IF REQUIRED.*DT *TP *JB THANKS
NHTSA ODI #11301501
116,000 miles · Aug 13, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
ALL IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS ARE FAILING AFTER 2 MONTHS OF BEING REPLACED. $700 WAS PAID BACK ON MAY 20, 2019 TO REPLACE ALL COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. ENGINE MISFIRED AGAIN THE OTHER DAY AND SAME ISSUE DIAGNOSED WITH COIL/PLUG FAILURE! THERE IS AN UNDERLYING ISSUE THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO HAVE ADDRESSED WITHIN ENGINE AS SOMETHING…
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ALL IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS ARE FAILING AFTER 2 MONTHS OF BEING REPLACED. $700 WAS PAID BACK ON MAY 20, 2019 TO REPLACE ALL COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. ENGINE MISFIRED AGAIN THE OTHER DAY AND SAME ISSUE DIAGNOSED WITH COIL/PLUG FAILURE! THERE IS AN UNDERLYING ISSUE THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO HAVE ADDRESSED WITHIN ENGINE AS SOMETHING IS CAUSING THE COILS TO CONTINUALLY MISFIRE! MY CAR WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT THE OTHER DAY ON SUNDAY WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BUCK WILDLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHING ON.
NHTSA ODI #11243450
120,000 miles · Jul 31, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
WE PUT OUR VIN INTO THE RECALL DATABASE AND IT DID NOT COME BACK AS BEING ONE OF THE CARS AFFECTED. HOWEVER, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL: ENGINE STALLING AND HAVING TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED; NO POWER TO ENGINE WHEN STEPPING ON GAS WHILE IN DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN OKAY ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT WILL OFTEN CUT O…
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WE PUT OUR VIN INTO THE RECALL DATABASE AND IT DID NOT COME BACK AS BEING ONE OF THE CARS AFFECTED. HOWEVER, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED WHAT IS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL: ENGINE STALLING AND HAVING TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED; NO POWER TO ENGINE WHEN STEPPING ON GAS WHILE IN DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN OKAY ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT WILL OFTEN CUT OUT WHEN DRIVING IN CITY, ESPECIALLY WHEN STARTING BACK FROM A START OR ROLLING START. HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY WITH NO PREDICTABILITY OTHER THAN HAS NEVER HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY.
NHTSA ODI #11240882
20,000 miles · Dec 16, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteering
I HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WHEN IT WAS ONLY 20K MILES { 2 YEARS WITH WARRANTY}. THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND I WAS NOT HAPPY. ON 3RD YEAR (BEFORE 3 YEARS OR 36 MONTHS EXPIRATION DATE), I SENT IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE (NO ACTION OR ANYTHING BEEN FIXED). IT KEEP HAPPENING AND I HAD TO …
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I HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WHEN IT WAS ONLY 20K MILES { 2 YEARS WITH WARRANTY}. THEY DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM AND I WAS NOT HAPPY. ON 3RD YEAR (BEFORE 3 YEARS OR 36 MONTHS EXPIRATION DATE), I SENT IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY ISSUE (NO ACTION OR ANYTHING BEEN FIXED). IT KEEP HAPPENING AND I HAD TO SEND IT BACK AGAIN TO RECHECK WHEN IT WAS 50K. AND NOW IT'S 80K MILES AND THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I KEEP CALLING NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND ASKING FOR ADVICES. THEY CAN NOT HELP ME OR FIX IT. I WAS ALMOST GOT HIT FEW TIMES WHEN I DROVE THIS NISSAN
NHTSA ODI #11161860
Official recalls
2Dec 15, 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE TERMINAL STUD BOLT WAS THICKER THAN SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND COVER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Nov 12, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN PN NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗