2015 Nissan Sentra Transmission Recall – CVT Recalls/Problems

2015 Nissan Sentra Transmission Recall – CVT Recalls/Problems

Are you interested in learning about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall? Well, if that is the case, then you are at the right place because, in this article, we are going to learn whether or not there was a recall on the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission.

Making good research before you purchase a used vehicle (or, should I just buy a new car?) is always the way to go. Why we are saying this? Well, on the market, there are a lot of different models. Some of them are more problematic, while some of the models are less problematic.

And when it comes to Nissan and their transmissions, we can say that their reliability is really questionable and there are a lot of Nissan transmission problems. Especially with the Nissan CVT transmission.

And unfortunately, this is the transmission that is only available in these models. So, you have to be attentive and wary of them all of the time. But more on that, we are going to cover more in the following chapters.

First, we are going to learn what is the Nissan Sentra and we will take look at a review of this model. Once we clear that out of our way, we will cover the specs of the Sentra, as well as the price.

In addition to this, we will discuss the problems associated with this model including the Nissan transmission problems, as well as the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall, so if you want to learn more, follow along.

Nissan Sentra

Now before we dive into more complex topics like the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall, let’s take a look first at what is the Sentra. There are a lot of people who want to try to learn more about this specific model. So, we think that we need to further elaborate on this topic and learn more about the Sentra and what this model is all about.

So, what is the Sentra? Well, the Nissan Sentra is a compact car that is sold by Nissan for the North American market since 1982. The Sentra is placed between the smaller Nissan Versa and the bigger Nissan Altima.

If you instead prefer the latter, do consider reading our Altima buyer’s guides. Thus far, we’ve covered how long do Nissan Altimas last, the 2008 Nissan Altima problems, the 2013 Nissan Altima problems, the 2014 Nissan Altima problems, whether Nissan Altimas are good cars or not, as well as the Nissan Altima model years to avoid.

Even though it is considered to be a compact model. The interior is rated as a mid-size car by the EPA. Since it is very spacious inside and offers a lot of space.

Nevertheless, when you put things into perspective and compare it with other vehicles on the market, this model is a competitor to the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. Other similar models are the Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte, Subaru Impreza, and VW Jetta.

The important thing about to note about the Sentra is that this model as of today is released in a total of eight generations. With the most recent one being released in 2019. But for this article, we are interested in the seventh generation of the Sentra that was built between 2012 and 2019.

This model implements a new transmission that is rather problematic. But more on that later, when we are going to discuss the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall. Now let’s take a look at a review of the 2015 model.

2015 Nissan Sentra Review

Now that we learned more about the 2015 Sentra and learned that this is a model of the seventh generation of this sedan. We can move on and cover a review before we discuss the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

And we found a really extensive review of this 2015 model done by Camerons Car Reviews. What is good is that this review is done when the car was brand new, so you get the most precise piece of data on the features and options available for this specific model.

But what about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall? More on that, we will cover later in the article.

2015 Nissan Sentra Specs

Now let’s take a look at the specs of the 2015 Nissan Sentra. Knowing the specs is really useful to know because you don’t want to get a car that will not suit you.

Knowing about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall is important. But also knowing about the other aspects of the Sentra is also a really big factor since overall, you need the right spec. So, let’s cover the specs briefly before we cover the problems concerning the transmission and the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

Dimensions, Size & Practicality

Now let’s learn more about the dimensions, size, and practicality of the Nissan Sentra before we learn about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

When it comes to the dimensions, the wheelbase of the model is about 106.4 inches and the overall length is 181.7 inches. The model is 69.3 inches wide and 58.9 inches tall. The bigger wheelbase of this model makes it very comfy if you carry people in the back.

Even though it is a rather large car, it is still a compact model in terms of its size. The curb weight of the model varies between 2,616 lbs and 2,767 lbs. And as you can see, it is also really lightweight, which further contributes when it comes to the overall fuel economy. But more on that, we are going to discuss it in a bit.

The trunk space of the Sentra is also pretty good with 15.1 cubic feet of cargo capacity. You can fit a lot of stuff in the trunk. And if you like, you can also store stuff on the rear seats whenever you don’t carry people around.

Which is really good if you were asking me. But what about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall? More about the recalls, we are going to cover later on, now let’s take a look at the engines and transmissions available on this model.

2015 Nissan Sentra Engines & Transmission

Now let’s discover the powertrain options that were available for the 2015 Sentra before we cover the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

When it comes to engines, it is worth noting that with this model, there was only one engine available for purchase. This engine is the 1.8L inline-4 engine known as the MRA8DE. This engine was not a powerhouse. It only produced about 130hp and 128lb-ft of torque.

2015 Nissan Sentra Transmission Recall

In terms of transmissions, there were two available. One of them was the 6-speed manual. And the second transmission was a CVT automatic. The manual is more preferable to have since it doesn’t have many issues.

Unlike the CVT which is really prone to developing problems. And sadly, a lot of people get the automatic, not knowing that this is a really problematic transmission. It is a good idea that you do research beforehand a try to learn more about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

But more on the recalls, we will discuss later on in the article, after we cover the fuel economy of the Nissan Sentra.

Fuel Economy

Another topic that we would like to discuss before we dive into the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall is fuel economy. Does the Sentra deliver good numbers in this area?

Well, the fuel economy of the Sentra is pretty decent. This model gets 30 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, the average fuel economy is about 34 mpg. Which is really good if you look for something that is fuel efficient.

Nowadays gas prices skyrocketed and having a gas-guzzler vehicle will hurt your wallet pretty seriously. So, going for an economy car like the Sentra is the way to go since this model never disappoints in this area.

But unfortunately, the transmission is a bit of a disappointment. Nissan’s CVTs aren’t as reliable compared to the reliability of the Honda CVT, and when looking at common Subaru CVT problems. Later on, we are going to see more about the problems, as well as the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

2015 Nissan Sentra Safety

Another thing that we would like to cover before we dive into the 2015 Nissan Sentra problems and the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall is the safety of this model. Can the Sentra be considered a safe vehicle? Let’s find out.

What is worth noting about the 2015 Sentra is that this generation was tested by both the NHTSA and the IIHS, which are the two main governing bodies in the US in the field of car safety.

On the NHTSA testing, the Sentra got an overall rating of 4 stars. While on the testing by the IIHS, the model performed more favorably.

This model got a “Good” rating on most of the IIHS tests. And this model was given the Top Safety Pick award by the IIHS for 2015. Which is really good since this was only 7 years ago. The Sentra is still quite new. Even though if it was tested today, it would probably perform slightly worse in the area of safety.

But what about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall? More about the recalls, we are going to elaborate in the following chapters, after we discuss the value of the Sentra on the used market.

2015 Nissan Sentra Value

So, we covered the safety and the rest of the specs. Now before we dive into the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall, we think that we should cover the value of the Sentra. In other words, for what amount of money you can get this model on the used market right now?

What is good about these Sentra models is that you can get them for a really nice deal. There are many cars available on Autotrader.

The low end usually starts at $6,999. And these are cars with really low mileage, usually in the range of 90,000 to 140,000 miles, which is not bad at all.

And if you want to get yourself an extremely low mileage car, you will spend about $14,000. But is it worth it? Considering the transmission problems?

Well, we think yes, since if you get a Sentra for a good deal, you might even replace the transmission with a new one and not break the bank. That’s our two cents on this. Now let’s move on to the problems with the Sentra, including the transmission problems, as well as the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

Sedan reliability problems

2015 Nissan Sentra Problems

Now let’s dive into the problems. We are primarily focused on the engine and transmission problems of the Nissan Sentra. We will also list some of the miscellaneous issues that this model has.

Once we clear the problems, we will cover the recalls. Including the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall and see if there was a recall on the transmission or not. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the issues.

2015 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems

Now let’s cover the 2015 Nissan Sentra engine problems first before we discuss the transmission and the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall. Are there any serious problems with this engine?

Well, this model comes equipped with the MR 1.8L engine. What is worth noting about this engine is that it is very durable and reliable. There are no major issues with it. Similar to other Nissan engines, this is one of the areas which is Nissan’s strong point.

But still, there are some problems with this engine. Namely, the alternator belt can come loose and start to squeak. Once this happens it is advisable that you replace the belt, the tensioner, as well as the idler pulley.

Another thing to note is that the engine runs a timing chain. And this timing chain has a service life of about 150,000 miles. And once the engine reaches this mileage, it is recommended that you get it replaced. Because if you don’t it could jump and ruin the engine.

So, make sure you’re on the lookout for the symptoms of a bad timing chain. If so, you’ll have to perform a timing chain replacement as soon as possible, while also considering how much are timing chains.

And this is an expensive service. That’s why if you are on the used market, better avoid higher mileage cars that are close to 140,000 miles since they might require timing chain replacement to be done in order for you to resume driving.

But besides that, this engine would easily last for 250,000 miles if maintained properly. And the engine should not be a concern for you. But what about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall? More about that, we will cover it in a bit.

Nissan Sentra Transmission Problems

Now let’s discuss the Nissan Sentra transmission problems before we learn more about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

As we noted previously, this model includes the Nissan CVT transmission. And when it comes to Nissan CVT transmission, we cannot say good words because these transmissions are really unreliable and can fail unexpectedly.

And when they fail, you can’t do anything, the only way to solve the problem is to replace the transmission with a new one or try to rebuild it. Replacing the transmission, in our opinion is the better option since you can get a new and updated unit that is less likely to fail.

If you want to learn more about maintaining CVTs, we’ve discussed them before. So, do check out our guide on the life expectancy of a typical CVT transmission, whether CVT transmissions are reliable, as well as the usual repair cost for a faulty CVT transmission.

When it comes to the failures, there is a total of 29 reports on carcomplaints.com concerning this issue. Also, a lot of other issues like the transmission producing clunking noises, the car losing power when accelerating, transmission surging, failing to go into gear, and so on.

The problems with these transmissions are endless. This is why a lot of car owners are looking for ways to either replace them or rebuild them. Some even want to know about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

Was there a recall on the transmission? Well, more about that, we are going to find out after we cover the rest of the problems with this model year of the Sentra.

Other Miscellaneous 2015 Nissan Sentra Problems

And the last on our list of issues concerning the Sentra are the other miscellaneous problems. After that, we will dive into the recalls and the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall. So, let’s cover the rest of the problems that bother the Sentra.

Other problems that were reported on the Sentra were the frequent check engine light for no particular reason, and airbag lights were also present on this model. To learn more about why this is so, check out our guide on how to reset an airbag light.

Some owners also reported problems with the seat belts, claiming that the belts were too tight, which can be a problem if your person has a bigger frame.

There were also reports of the car won’t start and failures in the electrical system. It is really common for these cars to have electrical issues, so you need to be prepared for this.

2015 Nissan Sentra Transmission Recall

Also, some owners reported mass airflow sensor (MAF) failures. This sensor reportedly failed and made the car run pretty poorly. To learn more about it, head over to our write-up on the cost of a mass air flow sensor, as well as common MAF sensor-related error codes such as P0102 and P1101.

Other issues that were reported are excessive wind noise and front strut failure. As well as problems with the accessories inside of the car, sun visors falling apart and other components malfunctioning. Overall, there are major concerns about the model.

But what about the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall? More on that, we will cover next.

2015 Nissan Sentra Recall

Now let’s discuss more about the 2015 Nissan Sentra recall. Let’s learn how many recalls there were on this model and what these recalls were for.

In total, there are three recalls for the 2015 Sentra model. Two of the recalls were concerned with the airbag sensors. And the other recall was for the door latches. This recall affected vehicles from 2015 like the Rogue, Sentra, and Versa.

But what about the 2015 Nissan Sentra Transmission recall? More about that recall, we are going to cover in the following chapter in detail.

2015 Nissan Sentra Transmission Recall

Now let’s discuss the main topic for this article. And that is the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall. This is a topic that a lot of owners are interested in and want to learn more about whether there was a recall or not.

Unfortunately, there was no recall on the CVT transmission for the Nissan Sentra. Mechanical problems that are not concerned with safety usually do not oblige car markers to call a recall on the vehicles.

2015 Nissan Sentra Transmission Recall

This is really unfortunate since a lot of owners are affected by these transmission failures. But, it is what it is, unfortunately, there are no recalls on these transmissions. We’ve also covered a similar topic when looking at whether there are any transmission recall notices made for the Nissan Rogue.

But what is good is that there was a 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission lawsuit and a lot of car owners sued Nissan for this defective transmission.

What is good is that there was a settlement where Nissan decided to do something about these transmissions. And luckily the Sentra is one of these vehicles that are eligible. More specifically models built between 2013 and 2017. More about the settlement and the terms, you can read in the following link.

Nissan Sentra Transmission Replacement Cost

But how much does a CVT transmission replacement cost? Well, according to owners that reported on carcomplaints.com, the average price for a CVT transmission replacement is about $3,500.

If you want more insight or need to compare prices, you can refer to our extensive write-ups concerning the 2013 Nissan Versa transmission problems. In addition, there’s our guide on the Nissan CVT transmission, the 2015 Nissan Altima transmission problems, as well as the Nissan Altima CVT transmission replacement cost.

2015 Nissan Sentra Transmission Recall: In Conclusion…

In this article, we covered quite a bit when it comes to the Nissan Sentra. First, we learned what the Sentra is and we took a look at a review of the model. Then we discussed the specs, fuel economy, safety, as well as the price on the used market.

Then in the second part of the article, we covered the 2015 Sentra problems. Namely, the engine problems, and transmission problems, as well as the recalls, including the 2015 Nissan Sentra transmission recall.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now let’s answer some frequently asked questions.

What Is A Nissan CVT Transmission

A CVT transmission is a continuously variable transmission. This is a type of automatic transmission that does not have gearing inside. It works with the help of two pulleys and a steel belt. And because of this, the CVT can sometimes be really unreliable.

Are CVT Transmissions Bad

This depends on the manufacturer, Honda for example does not have problems with their CVTs. While Nissan on the other hand has a lot of issues reported on their transmissions. They fail very often and one car can go through a number of these transmissions during its lifetime, which is a shame.

Are Nissan Sentras Good Cars

The ones that are built between 2012 and 2016 have the most problems reported. More specifically with the automatic CVT transmission. So, people avoid these cars and their value is really low. But newer models are pretty reliable with no major reports on transmission failures.

How Long Do Nissan Sentras Last

A Nissan Sentra should last at least 200,000 miles. The engines used in these cars are pretty bulletproof. The only downside is the transmissions, the CVT tends to fail quite often on these Nissan models. So, try to avoid the 2012 to 2016 model years.

What Years Did Nissan Have Transmission Problems

Most problems with the transmission are reported between 2012 and 2016. So, try to avoid these model years and go for a 2017 or newer model. These models are also problematic but to a lesser extent.

Did Nissan Fix The CVT Problems

Starting in 2017, there are fewer and fewer reports of these transmissions failing. So, we can assume that they did something to tackle the problem with the transmission failures. The worst years are the ones built between 2012 and 2016.

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