2008 Nissan Sentra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 12%of 167 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Nissan Sentra, 12% of the 167 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Air bag started flashing and has not stopped. I noticed there are several complaints regarding the airbags in this type of vehicle and I am waiting to see that this is investigated and help with a recall due to the cost of attempting to fix this when it could well be a factory defect. …”
NHTSA complaint #11071598, filed 2018-02, 151,000 miles“The vehicle was in motion coming off the highway and onto city street. The torque converter gave out and the vehicle began sputtering at stop signs and light, and then thrusting forward jolting toward traffic. I nearly had two other vehicles rear end me during sputtering, and I nearly hit a vehicle in front of me when the car thrust forward violently. I turned in to the nearest automotive repair shop who told me my torque converter blew and I was very lucky to have not been in an accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11179882, filed 2019-02, 124,040 miles“Takata recall. The transmission in my 2008 Nissan Sentra has never worked properly. It's a automatic and sometimes it dont want to shift gears when I get around 30 MPH. Then I have to stop and put it in park and then put it in drive again and it will start working properly. Also sometimes while I'm on the interstate going 65-80 MPH the RPM will fluctuate from 2 to 3 1/2 rpms and then other times while going down a hill the rpms will stay above 2 but mostly 2 1/2 rpms until I get below 15 MPH before it downshifts. …”
NHTSA complaint #11203256, filed 2019-04, 152,000 miles“When my car was coming to a stop, my knee hit the ignition key. The engine turned off though the car gear selector was in d . The steering also was locked. Fortunately I was stopping the car at the signal. If this happened on the freeway, my family would have been at risk. I understand there was recalls related to this type of situation but Nissan never got in touch with me nor there is no recall. This is very dangerous and Nissan needs to do a recall to save the car driver and passengers.”
NHTSA complaint #10632281, filed 2014-09, 70,000 miles“This is the second transmission that has been replaced on the vehicle and it only has 56,354 miles on it. It's not being abused in any way, I only got this vehicles because it's economic on gas and I only drive it about 5-15 miles a day during the week. My fear is that, my luck, the transmission will go out again when I'm outside the power train warranty period and I'm screwed. Now I'm debating whether I take a loss and sell it way below what I paid for and get another vehicle that's not a Nissan. …”
NHTSA complaint #10508495, filed 2013-04, 56,354 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10091575Sep 9, 2016"altima, sentra, and rogue; cvt fail-safe condition service information this bulletin has been amended. The applied vehicles section has been revised. No other changes have been…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10044570Jul 6, 2012Nissan: if continuously variable transmission (cvt) fluid temperature rises above a certain threshold, it will go into fluid protection logic mode (fail safe mode), as designed.
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10034677Sep 3, 2010Nissan: the clutch pedal spring needs to be replaced for any reason (such as noise). Replace the spring and bushings with the ones listed in parts information section. Do not…
- 10033269Dec 18, 2009Nissan: mil on w/dtc p0840, p0845, p0744, p1777. Replace the control valve assembly with part listed; reference section tm, control valve removal and inspection in appropriate…
- 10030088Jun 11, 2009Nissan: affected vehicles has cvt fluid and that is discolored and/or has unusual odor. Mil is on with dtcs p0840 and/or p0845 stored in consult iii/engine and /or transmission…
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
Transmission 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 2008 Nissan Sentra
53 complaintsBrakes
21 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsTires
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsWheels
9 complaintsFuel system
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 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