Nissan · Known Issues
2017 Nissan Sentra Problems: 13 Known Issues
2017 model year · 4,570+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2017 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2017 model year · 4,570+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2017 · 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 2017 Nissan Sentra has 13 documented known issues, with 5 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), Brake Light Switch Failure - No Brake Lights / Won't Shift From Park (Recall PM971 / 21V-135) ($0-$0 repair), P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from CVT Lockup Solenoid / Valve-Body Wear and Degraded CVT Fluid ($200-$1,800 repair) and Forward Emergency Braking (AEB) Phantom Activation ($600-$1,400 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2022 Sentra vehicles. The driver's side cowl area may have a missing or improper seal, which can allow water to leak inside the vehicle and corrode electrical components.
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.
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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Altima and 2020-2021 Sentra vehicles. Damage to the camera harness can cause distortion or loss of the rearview camera display image. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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."
+ 2 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 4,570+ owner reports, the 2017 Nissan Sentra has 13 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Failure (Jatco CVT7/JF015E), Timing Chain Stretch and Rattle (MR20DD Engine), Brake Light Switch Failure - No Brake Lights / Won't Shift From Park (Recall PM971 / 21V-135). Of these, 5 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2017 Nissan Sentra has 13 known issues documented across 4,570+ owner reports. 5 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Failure (Jatco CVT7/JF015E) and Timing Chain Stretch and Rattle (MR20DD Engine) and Brake Light Switch Failure - No Brake Lights / Won't Shift From Park (Recall PM971 / 21V-135) and P0741 — Torque Converter Clutch Stuck Off from CVT Lockup Solenoid / Valve-Body Wear and Degraded CVT Fluid and Forward Emergency Braking (AEB) Phantom Activation. 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 $0 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 stop-lamp (brake light) switch becomes contaminated by silicone off-gassing from grease used on nearby components. Electrical arcing oxidizes the contacts and builds up silicon dioxide, opening the circuit. The result is brake lights that do not illuminate (a rear-end-collisi… Repairs typically run $0-$0. 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.
Sentras equipped with Nissan's Forward Emergency Braking / Automatic Emergency Braking apply the brakes hard for non-existent obstacles ('phantom braking'). The Bosch radar module behind the front grille (sensor assembly p/n 28438-5UD0A) produces false positives, frequently trigg… Repairs typically run $600-$1,400. 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.