Diagsheet

2017 Nissan Sentra · symptom sheet

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

  • 27owner reports
  • 30,000median miles
  • $1,078median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Dec 24, 2025 · checked Sep 9, 2026

135 of the 230 complaints on this car are about the engine. 27 of those describe stalling, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2017 Sentra.

Tick what matches of 27 reports

13
5
18
6
1

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (4 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2017 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

18V-551Aug 22, 2018
Electrical System:Ignition

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Sentra

DP84-020opened Aug 8, 1984
Engine And Engine Cooling · model years 1982 to 1983

Stalling problems. Closed apr 11, 1985.

NHTSA summary
STALLING PROBLEMS

None of these investigations covers the 2017 model year.

What owners paid

6 of the 27 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $270 to $1,078.

$270$1,078$1,078
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.

217
118
319
220
121
522
423
424
525

What owners wrote

“Car just lost power in highway. Car starts but will barely move as pushing down on gas.”

Filed Dec 24, 2025

“Vehicle lost power and down shifted to first gear and got stuck in it while going 60mph and with traffic all around and behind me. Will not drive or shift out of first gear and transmission must be replaced now. No warning lights ever came on, no warning of it happening, it just slipped down into first and stalled there, wouldn’t go when pressing the gas peddle.”

Filed Mar 7, 2024

“Transmission stalled out when I was on the Rt 30 bypass. I was traveling at 55 miles per hour in rush hour and the car suddenly would not go forward. Causing sudden traffic issues. This is a known problem with 2017 sentras. Exton Nissan sold me this vehicle knowing it's unsafe. I've trying to get in touch with them for a month about this. I'm seeking for them to buy back this unsafe and dangerous car”

Filed Jan 5, 2023

“TRYING TO MAKE LEFT TURN IN TRAFFIC VEHICLE REVED BUT LOST POWER cvt TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T ENGAGE”

Filed Nov 29, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 27 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.

Other problems on this car