Nissan · Known Issues
2013 Nissan Sentra Problems: 11 Known Issues
2013 model year · 4,570+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2013 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2013 model year · 4,570+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2013 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 4,570+ owner reports, the 2013 Nissan Sentra has 11 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are CVT Transmission Failure (Jatco CVT7/JF015E) ($300-$5,000 repair), Timing Chain Stretch and Rattle (MR20DD Engine) ($800-$1,500 repair) and P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from CVT Lockup Solenoid / Valve-Body Wear and Degraded CVT Fluid ($200-$1,800 repair). The most commonly reported issue is CVT Transmission Failure (Jatco CVT7/JF015E) with 3,200 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $10 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may be bent.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020 Sentra vehicles, equipped with LED headlights. The right-hand headlight aim may be misaligned. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Sentra vehicles. The left and/or right tie rod may bend.
+ 2 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.