Nissan Sentra Lemon Law

The Sentra uses Nissan's continuously variable transmission (CVT), which has a long record of trouble across the lineup: shuddering and jerking during acceleration, hesitation or lag from a stop, and overheating in hot weather or on longer drives. The problems can appear suddenly or build over time.

Older CVT class actions and warranty extensions covered earlier model years, so owners of newer Sentras generally aren't covered — leaving the Lemon Law as the strongest option when a recent-model CVT can't be fixed.

If your Sentra's CVT problems can't be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, or the car is out of service for an extended time, California's Lemon Law may entitle you to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement — with Nissan paying your attorney fees.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your Sentra has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your Nissan Sentra qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and Nissan pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.