What are the most common Nissan Sentra problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 4,570+ owner reports, the 2013 Nissan Sentra has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Failure (Jatco CVT7/JF015E), Timing Chain Stretch and Rattle (MR20DD Engine), P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from CVT Lockup Solenoid / Valve-Body Wear and Degraded CVT Fluid. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Nissan Sentra reliable?
The 2013 Nissan Sentra has 11 known issues documented across 4,570+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Failure (Jatco CVT7/JF015E) and Timing Chain Stretch and Rattle (MR20DD Engine) and P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from CVT Lockup Solenoid / Valve-Body Wear and Degraded CVT Fluid. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Sentra problems?
Repair costs for known Nissan Sentra issues range from $10 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Transmission Failure (Jatco CVT7/JF015E), typically costs $300-$5,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2013-2021 Nissan Sentra CVT Transmission Failure (Jatco CVT7/JF015E)?
The 2013-2021 Sentra uses the Jatco CVT7 (JF015E) transmission which is prone to premature failure, shuddering, and overheating. Nissan extended the CVT warranty to 10 years/120,000 miles under Customer Service Initiative P8242. The transmission can fail as early as 60,000 miles. Repairs typically run $300-$5,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2013-2019 Nissan Sentra Timing Chain Stretch and Rattle (MR20DD Engine)?
The MR20DD 2.0L engine in the 2013-2019 Sentra suffers from premature timing chain stretch causing a rattling noise on cold start and potential engine damage. The chain tensioner and guides also wear prematurely. If the chain jumps, it can cause valve-to-piston contact and catast… Repairs typically run $800-$1,500. Severity: high.
What is the 2013-2019 Nissan Sentra P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from CVT Lockup Solenoid / Valve-Body Wear and Degraded CVT Fluid?
The B17 Sentra's Jatco CVT (JF015E / CVT7, RE0F11A) uses a torque converter with a lockup clutch, and P0741 is set when the TCM sees the converter clutch failing to lock (input-shaft vs converter speed difference exceeding threshold). On these Nissan CVTs the lockup solenoid live… Repairs typically run $200-$1,800. Severity: high.
What is the 2013-2019 Nissan Sentra A/C Compressor Failure?
The A/C compressor on 2013-2019 Sentra models is known to fail prematurely, often within 60,000-80,000 miles. The compressor clutch bearings seize or the internal components disintegrate, sending metal debris throughout the A/C system. When the compressor fails internally, the en… Repairs typically run $600-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2017 Nissan Sentra Front Strut Mount Clunk / Loud Bang Over Bumps?
B17 Sentras develop a pronounced clunk, knock, or loud 'bang' from the front suspension when driving over bumps or turning, traced to worn front strut upper mounts/bearings and the struts themselves. CarComplaints logs multiple owners describing 'a very loud banging as if coil sp… Repairs typically run $400-$1,275. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2019 Nissan Sentra P0171 — System Too Lean (Bank 1) from Leaking Intake Manifold Gasket / Cracked Intake Boot?
On the B17-generation Sentra with the 1.8L MRA8DE four-cylinder, P0171 is overwhelmingly a vacuum/unmetered-air leak rather than a bad sensor. The intake manifold gasket becomes brittle with age and heat and lets in air the MAF never measured, driving long-term fuel trims positiv… Repairs typically run $120-$450. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2022 Nissan Sentra Premature Catalytic Converter Failure?
The B17 and B18 Sentra with the MR20DD engine is prone to premature catalytic converter failure, often before 100,000 miles. The converter substrate breaks down, triggering P0420 efficiency codes. Contributing factors include the direct injection engine's tendency to produce more… Repairs typically run $300-$1,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2019 Nissan Sentra Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure Causing Hot Stalling / No-Start?
The crankshaft position sensor's internal electronics degrade with heat and fail intermittently. As the engine warms the sensor signal drops out, causing the engine to stall and refuse to restart until it cools, then run normally again. It sets P0335/P0336 and is frequently misdi… Repairs typically run $150-$350. Severity: medium.
What is the 2013-2019 Nissan Sentra Shift-Lock Solenoid Failure / Shifter Stuck in Park?
The shift-lock solenoid integrated into the floor shifter assembly fails, leaving the lever physically stuck in Park even with the brake pressed. CarComplaints documents a dedicated 'Shifter Lock Up' pattern with owners forced to use the manual override hole with a screwdriver an… Repairs typically run $200-$500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2007-2019 Nissan Sentra Mass Air Flow Sensor Contamination and Failure?
The Sentra MAF sensor is prone to contamination and failure, causing driveability issues. Oil from aftermarket air filters (especially oiled cotton filters) or crankcase ventilation can coat the hot wire element, causing incorrect air flow readings. This leads to poor fuel mixtur… Repairs typically run $10-$250. Severity: low.
What is the 2013-2019 Nissan Sentra P0128 — Coolant Below Regulating Temperature from Thermostat Stuck Open?
On the Sentra, P0128 is set when the ECM sees the engine failing to reach normal operating temperature within an expected time — almost always a thermostat that has failed stuck open, so coolant circulates continuously and the engine runs cool. The 1.8L MRA8DE cars (2013-2019) us… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: low.
