Avoid unless the CVT has been replaced
Half of 2013 Sentra complaints are about the CVT, from warning codes to full failure. Brake pedals sinking and passenger air bag faults add to it.
Updated November 2026 · based on 638 owner complaints and 6 recalls
494 2.8x the Sentra average
6 free to fix at a dealer
Every Sentra year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2013 Sentra
Top problems and what they cost
CVT failure
Warning lights, slipping and failure. Nissan reprogrammed some CVTs, but many still failed.
Fix: CVT replacement $3,000 to $4,500.
Transmission
Brake pedal to the floor
Some owners report a sinking pedal and grinding rear brakes.
Fix: Brake repair $300 to $800.
Brakes
Passenger air bag sensor
Recalls cover the occupant sensor and front air bags.
Fix: Free under recall.
Air bags
Recalls
If the frontal passenger air bag deploys in the event of a crash when a child seat is installed in the front passenger seat, there will be an increased risk ...
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger air bag would be deactivated.
If the OCS does not detect an adult occupant in the passenger seat, the passenger airbag would be deactivated.
If the passenger frontal air bag does not deploy as intended in the event of a crash, the passenger is at an increased risk of injury.
If the vehicle is involved in a crash necessitating airbag deployment and the passenger airbag is suppressed, there may be an increased risk of personal injury.
A gasoline leak in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a vehicle fire.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2013 Nissan Sentra
- Ask for CVT replacement records.A CVT is a gearless automatic transmission that uses a belt. Worn ones shudder, whine or slip, and replacing one often costs $3,000 to $5,000, so service records matter.Owners filed 216 complaints about CVT transmission problems on the 2013 Sentra, one of the worst years for it.
- Confirm every air bag recall shows as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2013 Sentra has 6 recalls on record, listed below.
- Brake firmly and check the pedal stays high.The brake booster makes the pedal easy to press. A pedal that goes hard, sinks or a hissing sound means the assist is failing, so stopping takes much more effort.97 of the 638 owner complaints about the 2013 Sentra involve the brakes (15%).
Questions
Is the 2013 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Avoid unless the CVT has been replaced. Half of 2013 Sentra complaints are about the CVT, from warning codes to full failure. Brake pedals sinking and passenger air bag faults add to it.
How many recalls does the 2013 Nissan Sentra have?
6 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2013 Nissan Sentra problems?
CVT failure; Brake pedal to the floor; Passenger air bag sensor.
Crash rating shown for the 2013 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.