2003 Nissan Sentra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,378miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Nissan Sentra, 5% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,378 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving and the car shifted itself from a low gear to a very high gear, leaving me with no torque. The next gear wouldnt lock-in until rpms hit redline, and even then it would feel like its slipping, or maybe its in overdrive gear(4th) when it should be in 3rd.. And also the transmission would not shift down until I came to a complete stop... This is very dangerous when youre on the freeway, because the car will only move 40 MPH. …”
NHTSA complaint #11282272, filed 2019-11, 76,500 miles“On may 15, traveling together on a side street at 30-35 MPH, my wife inadvertently tapped the shifter. The transmission immediately went from drive into neutral. There was no immediate danger at that time as there was no car behind me, and I was traveling fairly slowly. I moved the shifter back into drive and continued home. The more I thought about this event, the more worried I became. Supposing I had been traveling at 70 MPH, in the passing lane, with a truck bearing down on my rear? …”
NHTSA complaint #10075180, filed 2004-06, 8,700 miles“The computer on the car is messed up and keeps turning the check engine light on for p0444 and had a shop check it and replace the part and it's still coming on. It wil trip the code sitting in neutral and or driving less then 5 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #11256172, filed 2019-09, 185,878 miles“Car while in drive will stall and idle. Car also has completely shut off while driving and has continuously occurred intermittently. Multiple engine codes have came on and repairs have been completed but the issue continues. At this time crankshaft, and cam sensor have been replaced. It has been suggested that transmission be replaced and is currently in process. Reading up on this issue appears there is a recall for same issue for similar vehicles of the same year and make ( NHTSA campaign number: 03v455000) but my vehicle does not qualify for the recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10693115, filed 2015-03, 131,892 miles“The car moves when in parked intermittently. Dealer says they cannot duplicate x3 vehicle. It was nearly involved in an accident from rolling while unattended.”
NHTSA complaint #10041493, filed 2003-10, 14 milesTransmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 9 | 22% |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% |
| 2022 | 6 | 7% |
| 2021 | 4 | 3% |
| 2020 | 10 | 5% |
| 2019 | 54 | 24% |
| 2018 | 46 | 25% |
| 2017 | 76 | 33% |
| 2016 | 127 | 47% |
| 2015 | 173 | 49% |
| 2014 | 182 | 48% |
| 2013 | 311 | 49% |
| 2012 | 68 | 38% |
| 2011 | 18 | 13% |
| 2010 | 18 | 13% |
| 2009 | 3 | 5% |
| 2008 | 20 | 12% |
| 2007 | 17 | 11% |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% |
| 2005 | 10 | 6% |
| 2004 | 7 | 4% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 20 | 7% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% |
| 1995 | 4 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 12 | 21% |
| 1992 | 11 | 18% |
| 1991 | 8 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 6 | 17% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Sentra
86 complaintsElectrical system
35 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsAir bags
16 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Nissan Sentra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology