2017 Nissan Sentra Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 60,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving the vehicle he could tell the vehicle gears were slipping, on a different occasion the vehicle downshifted on its own suddenly almost causing a crash. The contact stated there were times where the vehicle would downshift suddenly and would slow all the way down…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 129,600 miles

I have been experiencing the cvt transmission slipping the last two weeks. I contacted Nissan so see if my vin was a vehicle affected by 2017 cvt transmission recalls. They advised me it was not affected because my vin did not match their systems affected vehicles. Today my vehicle transmission broke down completely on my way home and…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 41,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 42,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that when the vehicle was purchased, the odometer indicated that the mileage was 92,000. The vehicle was a private sale. The contact's wife purchased the Carfax report and stated that the odometer reading was 179,070 on April 22, 2025.Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 179,070 miles

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

When on the highway, my 2017 Nissan Sentra will “lag” when going up hills. The RPMs goes crazy up and down and it’s almost like my vehicle might stall out.Owner complaint, filed 2022

My car has started acting confused with the gear shifts. It's almost like I am repeatingly putting it in drive then neutral then sports mode when I am not doing anything just trying to drive. The car struggles to pick up speed and 'giddy up' when I accelerate. It gets worse when I go up hill or over 40 MPH. I was told it's very dangerous…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 103,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2017 Sentra is suffering from the exact silicone outgassing defect detailed in Recall 21V135000. My replacement switches keep failing because the car requires the updated protective grommet, but Nissan is excluding my VIN from receiving the campaign kit.Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the brake pedal was stiff. The contact stated that the message "Put Foot on Brake Pedal" was displayed. While standing on the brake pedal, the vehicle started. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 44,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 48,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

My car was legally parked on the street near my apartment, and was hit about a month ago that left my car totaled and my trunk completely crushed in, and the back seat caved in. My car was then hit a 2nd time two weeks ago, from the back, and both times, my car ricocheted and hit the car parked in front of mine. Both times. Police said…Owner complaint, filed 2026

While reverse parking into a single parking space at my apartment complex, the driver-side airbag deployed unexpectedly without any collision or impact. At the time of the incident, the vehicle was moving at a low speed and there were no warning lights, messages, or alerts prior to the airbag deployment. The airbag deployment struck me…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 96,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted later. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake light switch had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 98,000 miles

Low beam headlight failed. It is available for inspection. Drove car with only one low beam headlight. Not safe. Yes. Confirmed by independent service center. Had independent mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection. They advised that my passenger side low beam headlight was out but they they would not be able to repair it quickly…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 31,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

It will be investigated by my insurance company, but this is what happened. I was taking a leisurely drive on a country road. Not much for shoulders and the trees aren't cut back far enough. I was going straight. The vehicle decided to take a 45 degree turn the right. Into the trees then flipping several times before finally coming to…Owner complaint, filed 2025

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that his daughter was driving the vehicle and had it parked to clean the interior of the vehicle. While placing her hand on the steering wheel, the steering column became loosened. The contact had an independent mechanic arrive at the residence and inspected the vehicle and…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 85,000 miles

Parts named most: Body (9).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024

I was driving on the highway at 3am on my way to work at 60 MPH and the hood of the car released and flew open and slammed into my windshield with high impact. If not for the time and less traffic on the road this could have been tragic. I was able to guide my way onto the shoulder and call a tow truck.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 33,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

Complaint Information Business Name Conicelli Nissan Person to whom you spoke Gary Rymarowicz Business Address 1200 Ridge Pike Conshohocken, PA 19428 USA Map It Business Phone Number (610) 825-4200 Product or Service Purchased Fuel Pump Date Purchased [XXX] Purchase Price $1078.61 Form of Payment Credit Card Complaint Summary Attached is…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Over some period of time that I do not remember, months likely, my average fuel mileage started to go down. I started to then notice that I had a faint at first, then stronger, smell of gasoline, after filling up, that would linger for days. It would be inside and outside of my vehicle. I then got a loose fuel cap warning after filling…Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

When I am on the interstate and I am going between 60mph and 80mph my car starts to shake. The entire front of my car begins to shake and you can hear it as well. When I start to brake or slow down, it's gets louder and the shaking gets worse.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 41,458 miles

The contact owns a 2017 nissan sentra. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle pulled to the right without warning. The vehicle was taken to billion auto nissan (located at 3715 singing hills blvd, sioux city, ia 51106, (712) 560-4511) where it was diagnosed that an alignment was needed. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, while driving…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 1,700 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

The fabric drivers side seat belt is frayed. At least 1/2 of the width of the fabric is not intact. The warranty on the seat belt is 120 months and the dealer said it is not covered by the warranty. No incident has occurred yet, but I am concerned for my safety in the event of an accident. The car has 32,073 miles on it so it is…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 68,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

My name is [xxx] I had a nissan sentra 2017 my car malfuctioned the doors had locked on my I was finally able to exit the car but my car went up in flames was a total loss. Someone please call me I need answers and help information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).Owner complaint, filed 2023

A static-like noise come out whenever the steering wheel is turning right two mechanics form nissan dealers have check the car and noticed the noise but both of them could not diagnose how/why the noise came outOwner complaint, filed 2017

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

My front collision sensor went off with no previous warning by nissan is called the distance sensor I called them and all what they said it's going to cost me the repair my car barely has less than 45000 miles also all what I get on my dash is malfunction and it show the front sensor.Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 45,000 miles

While traveling at highway speeds, the rpm’s would rapidly jump. As of the vehicle was confused at what gear it should be in. This would cause unsteady driving and also made it feel like the transmission was about to fail. This has happened multiple times. While using and not using cruise control. I have video evidence of it happening on…Owner complaint, filed 2022