Nissan Sentra Driveshaft Defect Sparks New Recall

Nissan is recalling just under 10,000 vehicles in the U.S. because of a defect that could cause the cars to lose power.

A problem with the cars’ continuous variable transmission (CVT) assemblies is to blame, Nissan told federal vehicle safety regulators.

“The front left-hand drive shaft on affected vehicles may not be fully seated to the CVT assembly or may have a loose or missing retaining clip due to a potential installation error during a retrofit activity at the plant,” Nissan said in a defect report. 

“There is potential risk under certain circumstances that the drive shaft spline could fail to engage the differential gear in the CVT, causing a loss of motive power without prior warning,” the company continued.

The recall covers certain 2024 Nissan Sentra vehicles, which were produced between July 2023 and January 2024. 

Nissan plans to notify owners of recalled vehicles via mail by June 20. Sentra owners can check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website in the meantime to see if their cars are covered by the recall.

The company will ask owners of recalled cars to bring their vehicles to authorized service providers for inspection and repair. 

“All repairs will be performed free of charge for parts and labor,” Nissan said. “Inspection will take 30 minutes to conduct, and if a replacement is necessary, the repair may take up to seven (7) hours to complete.”

The recall comes on the heels of similar moves by Nissan. The company said in March that it was calling back certain Murano sport utility vehicles whose glass panels could unexpectedly fly off. Nissan said around the same time that it was separately recalling more than 57,000 Leaf electric vehicles for a rearview camera defect 

Legal Rights for California Nissan Owners

Nissan is not the only automaker struggling to ensure that its cars are actually safe to drive. The world’s largest car manufacturers recall millions of vehicles every single year, often citing serious defects that pose significant safety risks.

The recalls routinely occur long after defective vehicles have left factory floors and dealership lots and been sold to unsuspecting buyers. 

However, there is some good news, at least for California car owners and lessors. The state’s lemon law offers significant rights and protections.

The lemon law generally requires carmakers to perform various vehicle repairs while under warranty. It also forces them to buy back (or replace, in some situations) covered vehicles that they are not able to or refuse to fix. That includes compensating the owner for the car’s purchase price, as well as financing fees, rental car costs and other related expenses.

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. That is one reason why it is vital to consult an experienced California lemon law attorney who can help you understand your rights and take action.

Speak with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.