Owners of 2020-2023 Nissan Sentra and Versa vehicles have reported issues with their Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs), including shuddering, juddering, surging, jerking, delayed acceleration, and unexpected hard acceleration. This isn’t the first time Nissan has faced complaints about CVT performance. This blog post examines the ongoing situation, highlights previous legal actions related to CVT issues, and discusses the potential remedies available to affected 2020-2023 Nissan Sentra and Versa owners.
The Issue
The CVT, touted as offering a smoother ride by automatically adjusting the gear ratio without manual shifting, has been a point of contention for some Nissan Sentra and Versa owners. Reports indicate that the transmissions in these models can experience difficulties that detract from the driving experience and raise questions about the transmissions’ reliability and safety.
Owners have voiced their concerns through various channels, including complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Here are some examples:
NHTSA ID Number: 11550256:
The first week of October my car making a terrible sound. My husband took it to South point Nissan Austin Tx. My brand new car needs a transmission It has trouble shifting gears, Making a loud “jet engine” sound. The dealer promised a loaner and never came through with it. I’m driving it as little as possible. Bumming rides and walking while I await a transmission replacement. Yes you are welcome to inspect No prior warning as I stated it’s a new car with 36,700 miles. I have warranty but this transmission is not safe Will replacement be any better?? It’s same transmission.
NHTSA ID Number: 11437969:
Cvt transmission shutter hesitating and failing in places that could cause an accident several times the car has come to a stop with the emergency assistance system and errors out often
NHTSA ID Number: 11375800:
ALREADY HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. CAR JERKS AND SLOWS ME DOW AND THE STEERING HAS GOTTEN ALMOST UNMANAGEABLE IN LESS THAN 200 MILES. THE WHEELS ALREADY NEED ALIGNMENT AND I’VE HIT NO CURBS. THIS CAR IS ANOTHER DISASTER FROM NISSAN. THE CVT WAS A TERRIBLE THING THAT HAS HAPPENED TO VEHICLES
NHTSA ID Number: 11479242:
CVT Shudders Jolts and grinds on stop and go traffic to the point where it feels like it’s going to destroy itself. The symptom occurs at very random occasions and the cars onboard diagnostics has failed to detect a problem with the vehicle. Vehicle had also turned off once suddenly when pressing accelerator from a complete stop(Has not happened ever since). Vehicle has no check engine codes or pending codes. Nissan Consumer affairs has failed to offer a resolution to this issue to my satisfaction other than pay out of pocket for diagnosing and repairing. Issues presented themselves prior to the warranty expiring and are only getting worse. Of course the dealer said it’s normal and most likely did not notate my concern (started happening very slightly and no check engine lights were on at the time of notifying them and even then it was a very random issue at that time) when I told them during my oil change. But now it’s too noticeable.
NHTSA ID Number: 11437080:
When accelerating, the entire vehicle jerks vigorously. Causing the vehicle to temporarily stall. After few seconds it gains control. Big orange error message displays. Saying vehicle malfunction with 6 different error messages.
These complaints underscore the need for attention to CVT performance in the affected models.
A History of CVT Lawsuits
Nissan has previously encountered legal challenges regarding its CVTs, with lawsuits filed over alleged transmission faults in earlier models. These cases have brought attention to the recurring nature of CVT complaints across different Nissan models over the years.
Previous Nissan CVT lawsuit settlements have included the 2013-18 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX60, 2013-2017 Nissan Sentra, 2014-2017 Nissan Versa Note, 2014-2018 Nissan Rogue, and 2012-2017 Nissan Versa.
The class action settlements resulted in multiple different remedies for consumers, including warranty extensions, transmission repairs/replacements, reimbursements for previous repairs, and other relief.
Current Situation and Owner Remedies
To date, no class action settlement has been reached for the 2020-2023 Sentra and Versa CVT complaints. However, owners may have legal avenues for recourse, such as claims under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act for breach of warranty and under unfair and deceptive trade practices laws. Affected owners might seek compensation for repairs, diminished vehicle value, and other damages. It’s also possible to pursue punitive damages to hold the manufacturer accountable.
If you’re an owner of a 2020-2023 Nissan Sentra or Versa experiencing CVT issues, then we should connect. Our firm has a strong focus on automotive defect litigation and have spent decades holding automakers like Nissan accountable. In fact, we were class counsel on a previous nationwide CVT class action lawsuit. Please give us a call at 407-648-5977 or send an email to Inquiry@newsomelaw.com. We’ll be happy to speak with you, free of charge, to discuss your experiences and potential claims.