2015 Nissan Sentra

I am writing to report a life-threatening, sudden-onset mechanical defect in my vehicle’s Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). While driving in heavy traffic, my son experienced a complete and sudden loss of motive power without any warning or dashboard lights. The vehicle abruptly stopped accelerating in a live lane, nearly causing a catastrophic rear-end collision. At just 70,000 miles, far below the expected lifespan of a major powertrain component, a certified technician at B&K Transmission confirmed a total internal CVT failure, requiring a $6,000 replacement. Nissan Customer Care refused any goodwill assistance, citing that the vehicle is beyond its warranty and the temporary extensions granted by previous class-action settlements. However, the expiration of a settlement window does not eliminate an ongoing safety crisis. A transmission failure at 70,000 miles is a systemic defect, not standard wear and tear. Thousands of these defective vehicles remain on public roads, putting unsuspecting drivers at risk of sudden, lethal highway failures. I urge NHTSA to immediately open an investigation into Nissan CVT failures and issue a mandatory safety recall. Automakers must not escape accountability for severe roadway hazards simply because a warranty has lapsed.

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly stalled while in traffic. There was an abnormal screeching sound coming from the vehicle. The accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The transmission was shifted into reverse(R), but the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The vehicle was shifted into drive(D), and the vehicle lunged forward and then started moving slowly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that there was a loose bearing inside the transmission. While completing a road test, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact was offered a partial refund and warranty. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 171,000.

My car would we still in the middle of the road and one day I was turning to go home and it cut off with everything on the dashboard was still on and the power steering went out and I tried to turn real fast to get my driveway and next thing I know my Cortizone fire meanwhile every now and then I would see a light blinking my dashboard fast and then go away. It was the battery light barely show up.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The transmission failed to operate properly. The component is still installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle jerks when shifting gears and upshifts on its own, causing unpredictable changes in speed and loss of smooth acceleration. This creates a risk of sudden acceleration or hesitation, especially in traffic, increasing the potential for a collision. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, the problem has not yet been formally confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? No, the vehicle and transmission have not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Prior to the failure, the vehicle began jerking during gear shifts. The transmission does not properly shift gears in relation to engine upshifting and will upshift by itself. These symptoms appeared before the failure and have continued since.

I took this vehicle to the dealership, and the dealership said that the transmission needs to be replaced. I sold this car to Surburban Chevrolet of Ann Arbor, but they appear to be selling the car without fixing the transmission. It is not safe to drive this car because the vehicle is jerky and may not change the gear properly in the highway.

The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started shuddering. The contact stated that the engine revved up to high. While driving, the vehicle stopped suddenly, drove, and then stopped again. The contact continuously moved the gear shifter and the vehicle moved forward. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the transmission solenoids were defective. The contact called an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.