2013–2019 B17 (7th generation)
2013–2019 Nissan Sentra Common Problems and Years to Avoid
5 documented problems with the 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra, with symptoms, affected years, and typical repair costs. 2 of them are serious. 5 carry a recall or TSB number.
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2013–2019 Nissan Sentra recalls and service bulletins
| Recall / TSB | Issue | Severity |
|---|---|---|
| No recall (wear-out, not safety). Stringer v. Nissan & Martinez v. Nissan settlements; multiple judder TSBs (e.g. NTB16-121 family) | CVT failure, shudder and overheat derate (the B17's defining problem) | major |
| NHTSA 16V-242 and 16V-244 (supersede 13V-069) | Passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (OCS recall) | major |
| NHTSA 21V-135 | Brake light switch contamination (recall) | moderate |
| TSB NTB18-041 family (AEB/FEB reprogram) | Automatic Emergency Braking false activations | minor |
| NHTSA 13V-068 | Fuel tank sealing defect on early 2013 builds (recall) | moderate |
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the vehicle's age, mileage, or how many owners it has had. Check your VIN against the NHTSA database to see what is still outstanding on your specific vehicle, a recall listed here may already have been performed.
CVT failure, shudder and overheat derate (the B17's defining problem)
majorThe JATCO CVT (RE0F11A) in 2013–2019 Sentras shudders on acceleration, whines, hesitates ('rubber-band' lag), overheats into a limp/derate mode on long grades, and fails outright far more often than average, CarComplaints logs average replacement costs around $3,500–$3,900. Two class actions resulted: Stringer/Batista (2013–2017 Sentra) extended the powertrain warranty on the transmission to 84 months/84,000 miles, and Martinez (2018–2019 Sentra) added a 24-month/24,000-mile extension with BBB-administered arbitration. Outside coverage, the economical fix is a reman unit; fresh NS-3 fluid every 30–60k helps but doesn't cure a failing unit.
Passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (OCS recall)
majorThe occupant-classification system can wrongly decide the front passenger seat is empty or child-occupied and switch the airbag off, shown by the OFF indicator staying lit with an adult aboard. Part of Nissan's 3.2-million-vehicle OCS recall; dealers reprogram the ECU and, where needed, replace seat sensors free.
Brake light switch contamination (recall)
moderateSilicon vapor contamination inside the stop-lamp switch can keep the brake lights from illuminating, and since the switch also gates the shifter and push-button start, symptoms include a car that won't shift out of Park or start. Dealers replace the switch free under recall.
Automatic Emergency Braking false activations
minor2018–2019 cars with standard AEB generate NHTSA complaints about phantom braking, sudden stops triggered by overpasses, guardrails or nothing visible. Nissan issued radar-reprogramming TSBs that reduce occurrences. Have the dealer check for open campaigns/software updates if it happens.
Fuel tank sealing defect on early 2013 builds (recall)
moderateA small batch of 2013 Sentras built September–October 2012 had fuel tank assemblies that weren't properly sealed, risking a leak. Long since addressed, but verify by VIN on an early 2013 car.
Problems listed here are compiled from NHTSA complaints, recalls, technical service bulletins, and widely documented owner reports for the 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra. Not every vehicle will experience these issues.
Which Nissan Sentra model years does this cover?
These problems and recalls specifications apply to every Nissan Sentra built from 2013 through 2019 — the B17 (7th generation), compact sedan. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. Pick your year for the engines it offered, what changed that year, and the problems recorded against it.
What changed during the 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra
- 2013Generation launch, 150 lb lighter than the B16, 1.8L MRA8DE with CVT or 6MT, FE+ aero-economy trims
- 2014Revised CVT calibration, steering, and suspension tuning for a smoother, more responsive drive; powertrain otherwise unchanged
- 2015Chassis retuned again for improved refinement, per Nissan; powertrain carries over unchanged from 2014
- 2016Facelift: new front/rear fascias and lights, available LED low beams (SL), updated steering/suspension tune, added driver-assist options
- 2017SR Turbo (188-hp 1.6L MR16DDT) and NISMO join the lineup; 1.8L re-rated to 124 hp (CVT)
- 2018Automatic Emergency Braking made standard
- 2019Final B17 year; SR Turbo and NISMO's last year, the last factory-hot Sentra to date
2013–2019 Nissan Sentra problems and recalls: common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra?
- The recurring ones are: cvt failure, shudder and overheat derate (the b17's defining problem); passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (ocs recall); brake light switch contamination (recall); automatic emergency braking false activations; fuel tank sealing defect on early 2013 builds (recall). Each is detailed above with symptoms, affected years, and typical cost.
Which 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?
- The years to be most careful with are those affected by cvt failure, shudder and overheat derate (the b17's defining problem) (2013–2017 (worst); 2018–2019 (improved but still covered by Martinez settlement)) and passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (ocs recall) (2013–2017). A documented problem is not automatically a reason to walk away. Service records showing the repair was done change the picture entirely.
Are there recalls on the 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra?
- 5 of the issues listed carry a recall or technical service bulletin: No recall (wear-out, not safety). Stringer v. Nissan & Martinez v. Nissan settlements; multiple judder TSBs (e.g. NTB16-121 family) (cvt failure, shudder and overheat derate (the b17's defining problem)), NHTSA 16V-242 and 16V-244 (supersede 13V-069) (passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (ocs recall)), NHTSA 21V-135 (brake light switch contamination (recall)), TSB NTB18-041 family (AEB/FEB reprogram) (automatic emergency braking false activations), NHTSA 13V-068 (fuel tank sealing defect on early 2013 builds (recall)). Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of age or mileage. Check your VIN on the NHTSA site to see what is outstanding.
How much do 2013–2019 Nissan Sentra repairs typically cost?
- Typical figures for the issues above: cvt failure, shudder and overheat derate (the b17's defining problem), $0 under extended warranty; $3,000–$4,600 for CVT replacement out of coverage; passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (ocs recall), Free under recall; brake light switch contamination (recall), Free under recall; ~$80–$150 otherwise; automatic emergency braking false activations, Free (software update) under warranty/TSB.
Sources
- 2017 Nissan Sentra Owner's Manual (oil, capacities, NS-3, tires, bulbs, CR2025)
- 2013 Sentra Factory Service Manual, Engine Lubrication (4.0 L with filter)
- BBB National Programs, Nissan CVT Stringer class action (2013–2017 Sentra, 84 mo/84k)
- Martinez v. Nissan CVT settlement (2018–2019 Sentra, 24 mo/24k extension)
- NHTSA recall 16V-244, occupant classification system
- NHTSA recall 21V-135, brake light switch, 2016–2019 Sentra
- Nissan parts. 15208-65F0E oil filter (fits 1995–2021 Sentra)
- CarComplaints, 2013 Sentra CVT transmission failure
- fueleconomy.gov, 2014/2017 Sentra EPA ratings