Problems › Nissan › 2012 Sentra
2012 Nissan Sentra Problems & Owner Complaints
Age-normalised, this year draws ~12.0 complaints per year on the road — ranking 10 of 14 Nissan Sentra years we track (1 = most complaints per year).
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What owners report
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2012 Nissan Sentra, cited in 68 of 180 filed complaints (38%).
Engine is next (39 complaints, 22%), followed by Vehicle Speed Control (22), Air Bags (20), Structure (17).
Across all complaints, 10 report a crash, 4 report a fire, 10 report injuries.
The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 8 crash, 1 fire, 5 injury report(s).
Complaints by vehicle system
Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Sentra, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 180.
Power Train 68 1 crash 3 injury
“2012 NISSAN SENTRA WAS BOUGHT 3 WEEKS PRIOR WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHILE TRAVELING 60 - 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STEER OUT OF THE TROUBLED AREA ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. AFTER RESEARCH IT SEEM TO BE THE SAME ACTIONS THAT HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN SENTRAS. THE DEFECTED CVT TRANSMISSION CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN. LUCKILY MY SON WAS NOT KILLED DURING A ACCIDENT THAT WAS CAUSED AFTER HE WAS REAR ENDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.”
NHTSA complaint #11291934, 2019 · crash · 3 injury(ies)
“Our nissan Sentra with 106K miles the car lost nearly all power as my son was turning onto the freeway. He could only drive 16 miles an hour and it was hopping and jumping through a 8 lane freeway/highway intersection while he tried to get into a parking lot off the road. He turned it off, waited 5 minutes, and turned it back on, but it was still slowly hopping and jumping. After another 10 minutes my husband drove it for about 10 minutes and it operated normally. This same behavior happened in 2019 with 82k miles at a large intersection. It suddenly lost power and slowly hopped through the…”
NHTSA complaint #11591810, 2024
“Leaking transmission oil. Also burning engine oil a week after doing an oil change to the point there is no oil but no leaks.”
NHTSA complaint #11580187, 2024
Engine 39 4 crash 3 fire 3 injury
“2012 NISSAN SENTRA WAS BOUGHT 3 WEEKS PRIOR WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHILE TRAVELING 60 - 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STEER OUT OF THE TROUBLED AREA ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. AFTER RESEARCH IT SEEM TO BE THE SAME ACTIONS THAT HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN SENTRAS. THE DEFECTED CVT TRANSMISSION CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN. LUCKILY MY SON WAS NOT KILLED DURING A ACCIDENT THAT WAS CAUSED AFTER HE WAS REAR ENDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.”
NHTSA complaint #11291934, 2019 · crash · 3 injury(ies)
“The contact’s husband owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her son was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to smoke at an unknown location of the vehicle and caught fire. No warning lights were illuminated. No injuries were sustained. No medical attention was required. The local authorities were notified, and the fire department was notified and extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not notified of the f…”
NHTSA complaint #11502677, 2023 · fire
“******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11502677*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******”
NHTSA complaint #11502678, 2023 · fire
Vehicle Speed Control 22 1 crash
“AT ABOUT 1130 PM ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, APPROACHING A INTERSECTION, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR SEEMED TO INCREASE SPEED AND WENT THROUGH INTERSECTION THROUGH LAWN AND STRIKING ANOTHER CAR, TOTAL LOSE OF CONTROL, NO BRAKES, A REAL SCARY FEELING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10522401, 2013 · crash
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,504.”
NHTSA complaint #11677777, 2025
“car stalled no power in gas pedal traveling across for lane traffic just lost power to the gas pedal. was able to pull over and tuned off car after a few minutes of sitting power was restore and was able to drive again I have been told this is a transmission issue I am not sure but defiantly a safety issue losing power like that”
NHTSA complaint #11622787, 2024
Unknown Or Other 21 1 crash 4 injury
“2012 NISSAN SENTRA WAS BOUGHT 3 WEEKS PRIOR WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHILE TRAVELING 60 - 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STEER OUT OF THE TROUBLED AREA ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. AFTER RESEARCH IT SEEM TO BE THE SAME ACTIONS THAT HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN SENTRAS. THE DEFECTED CVT TRANSMISSION CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN. LUCKILY MY SON WAS NOT KILLED DURING A ACCIDENT THAT WAS CAUSED AFTER HE WAS REAR ENDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.”
NHTSA complaint #11291934, 2019 · crash · 3 injury(ies)
“2012 NISSAN SENTRA STARTED MALFUNCTIONING WITH BATTERY REPLACEMENT ON MARCH 25, 2015 AT HANLEES NISSAN IN DAVIS, CA, WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN SEPT 2013 AND WHERE I HAD MOST SERVICE PERFORMED WHILE I OWNED THE VEHICLE. I COMMUTED 1.5 HOURS EACH WAY FOR A NEW JOB IN ROHNERT PARK AND I WAS BECOMING ILL. UNABLE TO LOCATE HOUSING IN THE AREA I WAS UNABLE TO KEEP THE JOB FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS. I SUSPECT FOUL PLAY WITH THE DAVIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. CAR STARTED HAVING A LOUD CLICKING SOUND AT JUST LESS THAN 30MPH. DAVIS SERVICED CAR FOR TWO MORE YEARS. THEY CANNOT PROVIDE A DUPLICATE SA…”
NHTSA complaint #11093486, 2017 · 1 injury(ies)
“car stalled no power in gas pedal traveling across for lane traffic just lost power to the gas pedal. was able to pull over and tuned off car after a few minutes of sitting power was restore and was able to drive again I have been told this is a transmission issue I am not sure but defiantly a safety issue losing power like that”
NHTSA complaint #11622787, 2024
Air Bags 20 8 crash 1 fire 5 injury
“I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN NOVEMBER. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER BROKE THEIR NOSE AND THEN FLED THE SCENE. I WAS UNCONSIOUS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN WMTS ARRIVED AND DO TO THE DRIVER FLEEING I WAS CHARGED WITH THE ACCIDENT AND INSURANCE FAILED TO PAY THE SETTLEMENT. ALL ON CLAIMS THAT HAD I BEEN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE WENT OFF. I KNOW THAT NISSAN HAS AIRBAG PROBLEMS ALL AROUND THE YEAR OF MY CAR BUT AM TRYING TO FIND IF ANY OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE IN MY CAR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A NON DEPLOYMENT. THE COPS ESTIMATED THAT WE WERE GOING 50 MPH AND…”
NHTSA complaint #10716583, 2014 · crash · 2 injury(ies)
“RAINY NIGHT 55 MPH CRASH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WET ROAD, CAR RAN OFF ROAD, HIT A SIGN POST, WENT DOWN EMBANKMENT, FLIPPED AND ROLLED OVER INTO DITCH. DAUGHTER WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED... 4 BROKEN LOWER BACK VERTEBRAE, 9 BROKEN RIBS, NUMEROUS PELVIC FRACTURES, LACERATED SPLEEN AND KIDNEY. SEEMS LIKE THESE INJURIES COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH LESS SEVERE IF THE AIRBAGS WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.*DT *DT*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11206122, 2019 · crash · fire · 1 injury(ies)
“The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving at 40 MPH and passing a side street, another driver traveling in a Subaru failed to yield. As a result, the Subaru collided with the passenger side of the contact's vehicle sending the vehicle careening off the roadway and into a wooded area only coming to a complete stop after colliding with a tree. The air bags did not deploy resulting in the driver sustaining injuries that the contact attributed to the failure. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed a t…”
NHTSA complaint #11626015, 2024 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
Structure 17 4 crash 1 injury
“ON AUGUST 25, 2014 WHILE I DID ESCAPE WITH MY LIFE AND MY WHOLE BODY INTACT, AFTER A WITNESS WAS ON SCENE SHE SAID SHE HER A LOUD POP, WELL THAT LOUD POP WAS MY FRONT LEFT (IMMEDIATE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE) AND I ENDED UP IN A BRICK WALL. NOT PLEASED WITH BRIDGESTONE, AS MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD NO MORE THAN 8000 MILES ON IT, BUT VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT'S FEATURES. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10660530, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“I WAS PULLED OVER STATING MY TAGS WERE BAD AND TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO OBTAIN NEW ONES. HE THEN INSPECTED MY CAR AND I WAS ON MY WAY AFTET WE DISCUSSED THE TIEROD ISSUE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT I THEN RECORDED ON MY PHONE THE SHAKE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I LATER FOUND OUT THE BLINKING LIGHT WAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT NOT THE SEAT BELT LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL. THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. I GOT IN A SMALL FENDER BENDER AND THE INSURANCE IS NOW TOTALING MY CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11220636, 2019 · crash
“THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN MY HUSBAND WRECKED THE 2012 NISSAN SENTRA 6-24-13. MY HUSBAND SWERVED TO MISS A DEER THAT WAS IN THE ROAD, HIT A CULVERT, GOT AIR BORN, TOOK OUT A REFLECTOR SIGN, AND CRASHED INTO THE GROUND. THE CAR HAD +$7,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I THINK THERE IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. IT GOT AIR BORN AND HIT A CULVERT. I THINK AN AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10542888, 2013 · crash
Electrical System 13
“Our nissan Sentra with 106K miles the car lost nearly all power as my son was turning onto the freeway. He could only drive 16 miles an hour and it was hopping and jumping through a 8 lane freeway/highway intersection while he tried to get into a parking lot off the road. He turned it off, waited 5 minutes, and turned it back on, but it was still slowly hopping and jumping. After another 10 minutes my husband drove it for about 10 minutes and it operated normally. This same behavior happened in 2019 with 82k miles at a large intersection. It suddenly lost power and slowly hopped through the…”
NHTSA complaint #11591810, 2024
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled and, on several occasions, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the ignition switch, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced a second time. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 79,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11575624, 2023
“I was driving on thruway and I pushed the gas pedal and there was no power. I was a nervous wreck. This definitely is dangerous. I would like something done.”
NHTSA complaint #11446568, 2022
Visibility 10 1 injury
“I WAS DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE OF A 3 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND FELT SOMETHING HIT ME AND REALIZED BY SUNROOF SHATTERED AND THE GLASS CAME DOWN ON TOP OF ME. I PULLED OVER WHEN I COULD AND COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THIS. THE ONLY THING DAMAGED WAS THE SUNROOF ITSELF. I DID NOT HAVE THE VISOR CLOSED SO IT COVERED ME IN GLASS PLUS I STILL FEEL THE IMPACT FROM EITHER THE SPRAY OR JUST THE FORCE ON MY RIGHT HEAD,EAR, AND SHOULDER. NO CUTS, JUST SORE. OUTSIDE TEMP WAS ABOUT 55-60 AND I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 20 MILES SO THE CABIN WAS COMFORTABLE. I WAS NOT AROUND ANY T…”
NHTSA complaint #10605360, 2014 · 1 injury(ies)
“AFTER GOING TO THE BANK WE STOPPED FOR BREAKFAST.....IT WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES AND LIGHT SNOW WAS FALLING.....WHILE EATING OUR SUN ROOF EXPLODED......IT HAD A CONE SHAPE UPWARDS AND GLASS WAS ALL AROUND ON THE ROOF AND HOOD OF THE VEH. ....VEH WAS PARKED LUCKY FOR US...... BUT IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND GLASS WENT FLYING.....”
NHTSA complaint #10700898, 2015
“SPOUSE PARKED AND WAITING IN THE CAR AT AIRPORT ARRIVAL CURB AROUND 8:30PM. AS I WAS WALKING TOWARDS THE CAR, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. THEN I NOTICED THE CAR SUNROOF PIECES SHATTERED ALL OVER. NO CARS PASSING BY. TEMP AROUND 90F. LUCKILY NO PASSENGERS CLOSE BY TO THE CAR. SPOUSE WAS IN SHOCK AND LUCKILY THE SUNROOF COVER WAS CLOSED. I COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE OTHER THAN SUSPECTING THIS IS A VEHICLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE ONLY DAMAGE PART WAS SUNROOF ITSELF. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT DEEM A SAFETY RECALL OF SUNROOF REPLACEMENT. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. REP…”
NHTSA complaint #10640510, 2014
Fuel/Propulsion System 9 1 crash
“I AM HAVING ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. IT APPEARS THAT THE ENGINE IS NOT CHANGING GEARS AUTOMATICALLY. OR IT COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL INJECTION OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYMENT SYSTEM.”
NHTSA complaint #11194990, 2019 · crash
“When driving at 70 or above mph for a long distances, speed automatically declines to 60 mph and will not increase. When trying to accelerate, nothing happens. After a few miles, my vehicle then starts to accelerate on its own. The problem is extremely unsafe and frightening, especially with express highway traveling. Ive traveled out of state and the past 6 months when I've moticed this now frequent problem. I informed my mechanic who said it could be my transmission or possibly fuel pump, which are not his areas. He advised talk to NISSAN and stated Nissan is known for faultly transmission s…”
NHTSA complaint #11477475, 2022
“WHILE DRIVING FROM AZ TO CA ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO SPEED UP WHILE PUSHING THE PEDAL. IT HAPPENED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES ON 2 DIFFERENT DAYS.THE FIRST TWO TIMES I COULDN'T GET ABOVE 60 HOWEVER ON ONE OCCASION, IT DROPPED DOWN TO 3-5 MILES PER HOUR AND THE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH SEMI TRUCKS HAVING TO PASS ME ON THE LEFT. I WAS TERRIFIED, HAD NO CELL SERVICE AND HAD TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER WITH MY HAZARDS ON UNTIL THE SHOULDER DISAPPEARED. EVENTUALLY IT RETURNED TO NORMAL, BUT IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE. I SEE NOW THAT NISSAN HAS HAD A…”
NHTSA complaint #11325325, 2020
Steering 9
“I was getting on the freeway all of a sudden my steering wheel gets stiff and my car comes to a complete stop traffic is going at full speed me and my children could of being in a serious accident and then a few minutes later the car is back to normal. I would really appreciate if it's looked into someone can get hurt.”
NHTSA complaint #11445880, 2021
“DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST 90% OF POWER AND COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 25MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING. CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY STEERING BECOMES HARDER. YOU TRY TO PUNCH DOWN ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. ALSO WAS FORCED TO TAKE CITY STREETS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GO A SAFE SPEED TO STAY ON FREEWAY/HIGHWAY.”
NHTSA complaint #11351048, 2020
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE STATIONARY AND WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A SQUEAKY GRINDING NOISE AND SHOOK WHEN BEING TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11093390, 2018
Service Brakes 7 1 crash
“AT ABOUT 1130 PM ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK, APPROACHING A INTERSECTION, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND CAR SEEMED TO INCREASE SPEED AND WENT THROUGH INTERSECTION THROUGH LAWN AND STRIKING ANOTHER CAR, TOTAL LOSE OF CONTROL, NO BRAKES, A REAL SCARY FEELING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10522401, 2013 · crash
“My ABS light and skid light is staying on all the time.”
NHTSA complaint #11642312, 2025
“THE BRAKES ON MY 2012 SENTRA STOPPED WORKING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE PEDAL AT ALL. I WAS TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND HAD TO CUT ACROSS TRAFFIC TO GET INTO THE SAFETY LANE. I HAD TO FULLY RESTART THE CAR IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO REENGAGE. HAD THERE NOT BEEN A CLEAR PATH TO THE SHOULDER LANE I WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP WITH TRAFFIC AND WOULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE AT FULL SPEED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10714904, 2015
Suspension 6
“TAKATA INFLATOR. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THE ESC LIGHT IS ON AND I DONT KNOW WHATS HAPPENS, THE STABILITY IS NOT GOOD WHEN IT'S RAINING AND I CONNECT A COMPUTER AND THE COMPUTER DONT WANT TO READ WHAT IS THE PROBLEM”
NHTSA complaint #11255953, 2019
“"CVT TRANSMISSION ISSUES" 2012 NISSAN SENTRA SR 2.0L WITH 103,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND MAINTAINED ADEQUATELY SINCE GETTING THE VEHICLE IN 2013. FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING MY VEHICLE LOSS OF ACCELERATION ON ONLY BEING ABLE TO GO 10 MPH MAX WHEN MY VEHICLE GOES INTO LIMP MODE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME ON THE INTERSTATE 64 WESTBOUND FROM RICHMOND, VA TO HARRISBURG, VA GOING UPHILL WHERE I WAS GOING 70 - 75 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LOSS ACCELERATION AND MY SPEED DROPPED DRAMATICALLY ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. THIS IS DUE TO BEING IN THE LEFT LANE AND HAVING NOWHERE, I COULD PULL…”
NHTSA complaint #11092190, 2018
“THUMPING NOISE FROM LEFT REAR SUSPENSION AT 30MPH ON CITY STREETS”
NHTSA complaint #11093966, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 4
“TAKATA INFLATOR. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THE ESC LIGHT IS ON AND I DONT KNOW WHATS HAPPENS, THE STABILITY IS NOT GOOD WHEN IT'S RAINING AND I CONNECT A COMPUTER AND THE COMPUTER DONT WANT TO READ WHAT IS THE PROBLEM”
NHTSA complaint #11255953, 2019
“TAKATA RECALL. I WAS TRYING TO CHECK WHY MY CAR HAS THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON AND THE MAIN COMPUTER CANNOT CONNECT TO MY CAR TO GIVE ME A DIAGNOSIS, IT JUST SAYS THAT THERE IS AN ERROR IN THE CONNECTION”
NHTSA complaint #11255959, 2019
“AFTER A 1.5-2 HOUR DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 60 MPH. IT DROVE FINE AFTER GETTING HOME AND GETTING SOME REST. NO LIGHTS CAME ON THIS FIRST. SIMILAR EVENT HAPPENED A COUPLE WEEKS LATER - MUCH SHORTER DRIVE APPROX. 20 MINUTES, SLOWER SPEEDS, BUT MAIN INCLINES. ALL LIGHTS (CHECK ENGINE, OIL, EMERGENCY BRAKE, BATTERY) CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NO ACCELERATE AT ALL. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN BACK ON AGAIN AND IT WAS COMPLETELY FINE.”
NHTSA complaint #11013411, 2017
Wheels 3 1 crash 1 injury
“ON AUGUST 25, 2014 WHILE I DID ESCAPE WITH MY LIFE AND MY WHOLE BODY INTACT, AFTER A WITNESS WAS ON SCENE SHE SAID SHE HER A LOUD POP, WELL THAT LOUD POP WAS MY FRONT LEFT (IMMEDIATE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE) AND I ENDED UP IN A BRICK WALL. NOT PLEASED WITH BRIDGESTONE, AS MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD NO MORE THAN 8000 MILES ON IT, BUT VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT'S FEATURES. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10660530, 2014 · crash · 1 injury(ies)
“THUMPING NOISE FROM LEFT REAR SUSPENSION AT 30MPH ON CITY STREETS”
NHTSA complaint #11093966, 2016
“THE VEHICLE DRIFTS BOTH DIRECTIONS WHILE DRIVING, WHEN BRAKING IT SERIOUSLY PULLS RIGHT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 6 WEEKS AND HAVEN'T HIT ANYTHING YET BUT IF THERE ARE NARROW LANES WITH PARKED CARS I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS THE HEAT SHIELDS THAT COVER THE EXHAUST COME LOOSE AND THE AIR SENSORS IN THE TIRES LEAK SO YOU NEED TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES WEEKLY.”
NHTSA complaint #10733737, 2015
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while leaving the ignition on and exiting the vehicle, the doors would lock independently after closing the door. The contact stated she had to leave a window down to be able to manually open the door from the inside. The contact stated she had experienced the failure on multiple occasions. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer turned off the safety feature that would lock the doors independently within 10 seconds. The contact stated she continued to experi…”
NHTSA complaint #11443889, 2016
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM FAILED TO WORK IN ALL FOUR DOORS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FOB WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSA complaint #10683891, 2015
Tires 2
“There are several Cooper tires recalled and I was told this line is not one. This tire failed with a sidewalk bulge and now the rear passenger one is starting to bulge as well.”
NHTSA complaint #11423295, 2021
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA WITH THE ORIGINAL BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL400-02 TIRES, SIZE: P205/55R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN FOR MAINTENANCE AT THE DEALER, HE WAS ADVISED THAT ALL FOUR TIRES WAS DEFECTIVE IN THE TIRE WALLS. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRES AND THE VEHICLE WAS 22,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10576788, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling 1
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 85 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT AND THE SPEED INDEPENDENTLY DECREASED TO 70 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A LONG DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A CVT COOLER INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10763501, 2015
Equipment 1
“MY SUNROOF EXPLODED ON MY 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN IT JUST EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. NO ONE WAS AROUND IT, NO ROCKS , LIMBS, HAIL, NO BAD WEATHER, OR ANYTHING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10652611, 2014
Exterior Lighting 1
“CONDENSATE COLLECTED IN HEAD LAMPS AND TURNING SIGNALS CAUSING LIGHT BULBS GO-OUT WHILE DRIVING/STANDING. SINCE CAR HAS 72K MILES WARRANTY NOT COVERED THIS ISSUES. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10669534, 2014
Fuel System 1
“2012 NISSAN SENTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO POOR MPG AND REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE ONLY GETS 14 MPG.”
NHTSA complaint #10505075, 2012
Seat Belts 1
“SEAT BELT CHIME ON VEHICLE DOES NOT WORK AS ADVERTISED IN OWNER'S MANUAL. CHIME IS SUPPOSED TO FUNCTION/SOUND TO LET DRIVER KNOW SEAT BELT IS UNFASTENED BUT DOES NOT WORK. NISSAN SAY THE CHIME IS UNIMPORTANT AND IT IS NO LONGER A FEATURE EVEN THOUGH IT IS ADVERTISED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO WORK. I CONSIDER IT AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE TO ENSURE MY KIDS BUCKLE UP AND EXPECT IT TO WORK AS ADVERTISED. I WAS TOLD BY THE NISSAN SERVICE TECH'S AND SALES PERSON THAT IT CAN BE REPROGRAMMED BUT NISSAN ARE NOT WILLING TO DO THIS. I FEEL THIS FEATURE SHOULD WORK AS IT IS ADVERTISED AS WORKING AND IT'S…”
NHTSA complaint #10454360, 2012
Seats 1
“I HAVE A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA AND THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS AND SEAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE DRIVER'S DOOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS SLAMMED. THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION BUT THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DO NOT THINK THIS WOULD BE COVERED BY WARRANTY TO CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR ACCIDENT 3 MONTHS PRIOR BUT NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ONLY THE TRUNK WAS SMASHED IN. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE REPAIRS TO THE TRUNK COULD HAVE CAUSED A MALFUNCTION. THE CAR WAS ONLY EXAMINED AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE W…”
NHTSA complaint #10513832, 2013
Visibility/Wiper 1
“The rearview mirror fell off the windshield and was hanging by the wires, which was found when entering the vehicle to drive; when touched, the wires and everything fell the rest off the way off the windshield. Glass from the windshield broke off with the rearview mirror. This was hazardous to be missing while driving and has prevented visibility and impacted safety. A mechanic is repairing the vehicle and has never seen anything like this issue, but upon looking up this specific problem, it appears many Nissan Sentra owners have experienced the same issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11608044, 2024
How we read this (methodology)
How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2012 Nissan Sentra draws about 12.0 complaints per year on the road, ranking 10 of 14 among the Nissan Sentra model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).
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Don't buy on the strength of a problems page alone. Check the exact VIN of the car you're looking at. The open recalls are free, and the full $19 safety report pulls every complaint, safety rating and a downloadable PDF for that one vehicle.
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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.