Problems · by component

2017 Nissan Sentra engine problems

48 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2017 Nissan Sentra cite engine, 21% of all 231 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
48
21% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“The contact owned a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH and coasting to the right around a curve, after completing the maneuver, the accelerator was depressed, the cruise control was set at 48 MPH, and the steering wheel was turned to the left but independently turned all the way to the right. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced a failure with the steering position sensor. The contact let go of the steering when and the vehicle left the road and ran into a pile of leaves. The vehicle struck an unknown object on the ground, the vehicle then went airborne, and the roof of the vehicle struck a tree. The contact stated that the vehicle spun around and ended up in the South bound lane with the passenger’s side quarter panel still on the roadway. The vehicle flipped over approximately six times and ended up on the road where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact recalled seven impacts before the vehicle came to a rest. The seat belt failed to function as intended; the contact struck the driver’s side air bag several times that by the time the vehicle came to a stop, the air bag had deflated. The contact stated that the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2025Steering, Seat belts, EngineCrash reportedODI 11704674
“My transmission on my 2017 Nissan Sentra failed not once but twice. I got it repaired to the tune of $4500 and then it failed again a year later and they wanted $7000. I am a single mother working very hard and this set me back TREMENDOUSLY! I have been struggling financially to keep a roof over my head because i no longer have a vehicle to get back and forth to work i am at risk of losing my job due to attendance. I was paying a car note at the time and i paid the car off in full only to have this happen to me. I am truly at a loss for words and this is beyond unfair. No one seems to be able to help. It stopped on me in the middle of driving down the expressway. Transmission shuttered and my car lost acceleration. Worst experience of my life.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2025EngineODI 11671202
“While driving home from work. Transmission started hesitating and not pulling up a hill. I was almost hit on the interstate due to the malfunction of the transmission. Now vehicle is parked and I can no longer drive it.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2025EngineODI 11666955
“My car is an automatic 2017 with 58,000 miles. The car is having trouble shifting gears, trouble accelerating (it jerks and doesn’t speed up), leaks every fluid possible (oil, windshield wiper fluid, coolant), etc. I have taken it to two different mechanics to have a diagnostic performed (one specializing in transmission issues), both which said it was an internal transmission issue. The codes: P0846 - transmission fluid pressure sensor / switch B, C1130 - engine signal 1, and C1116 - stop lamp switch show up. I had an oil change performed and the very next day a leak was under my car (it was oil and a mix of another fluid - probably coolant). I also have had the O2 sensor fixed twice and the check engine light still throws the code that that sensor is not working. My transmission among with other internal systems are failing with only 58,000 miles. My car doesn’t accelerating and not shifting correctly is a danger because it could potentially stop on the middle of the road or highway while driving. Prior to this failure, the check engine light appeared but for the O2 sensor that had been replaced twice previously and a tail light out. Only took it in to get…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2025Unknown or other, EngineODI 11663513
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 17, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11661634
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2025Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11651401

Showing 6 of 48 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.