Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
280–25K
1325–50K
1550–75K
2275–100K
21100–150K
6150K+
105 reports with mileage · 39 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Air Bags. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
11 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
144 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2021
Electrical System
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts with an unknown red warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart, and the contact had the vehicl…
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The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts with an unknown red warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart, and the contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V579000 (Electrical System) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that her vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA ODI #11429646
120 miles · Feb 21, 2021
Air Bags
AIRBAG LITGH IS ON. I STARTED THE CAR AND THEN SUDDENLY AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND STAY LIKE IT SINCE.
NHTSA ODI #11397235
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2020
Power Train
ISSUE WITH THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE KNOCK SENSOR SENDING WRONG INFORMATION TO THE ECU CAUSING THE ENGINE TO ADJUST TIMING. I'VE GONE THROUGH 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. NISSAN SAYS THEY'RE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND KNOW OF NO FIX. GOING THROUGH FORUMS, IT APPEARS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP E…
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ISSUE WITH THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE KNOCK SENSOR SENDING WRONG INFORMATION TO THE ECU CAUSING THE ENGINE TO ADJUST TIMING. I'VE GONE THROUGH 3 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS DUE TO THIS ISSUE. NISSAN SAYS THEY'RE UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND KNOW OF NO FIX. GOING THROUGH FORUMS, IT APPEARS THE ONLY WAY TO STOP ENGINE FROM OVER COMPENSATING THE TIMING IS TO ISOLATE THE KNOCK SENSOR FROM THE ENGINE WITH A RUBBER O RING. I HAVE DONE THE REPAIR, BUT CAN ONLY USE PREMIUM FUEL OR RISK CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. IT ONLY APPEARS TO HAPPEN TO THE 2007 TO 2012 SE-R SPEC-V (MANUAL TRANSMISSION). I HAVE REPLACED ALL WIRING HARNESSES, ECU, SENSORS AND EVERYTHING ELSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM. IT TENDS TO HAPPEN AFTER A FEW MINUTES OF TURNING CAR ON. GOES AWAY SOMETIMES AND REAPPEARS SUDDENLY. ENGINE BUCKS AND CONVERTER TURNS BRIGHT RED. HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2018 AND IS RECORDED ONLINE FORUMS AS FAR BACK AS 2008. ONE EXAMPLE: HTTPS://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/THREADS/2010-SENTRA-SER-SPEC-V-BOGGING.335872/
NHTSA ODI #11385354
172,166 miles · Dec 1, 2020
Air BagsElectrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. ADDITIONALLY, THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARDENA NISSAN (1670 W REDONDO BEACH BLVD, GARDENA, CA 90247, (310) 532-1600) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE CLOCKSPRING FA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. ADDITIONALLY, THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARDENA NISSAN (1670 W REDONDO BEACH BLVD, GARDENA, CA 90247, (310) 532-1600) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. THE CONTACT DECLINED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,166.
NHTSA ODI #11377305
152,000 miles · Jul 20, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
MY 2010 NISSAN SENTRA (WAS STATIONARY EACH TIME) FAILED TO START SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT BEGAN STARTING FOR A WEEK.THEN ONE MORNING IT FAILED TO START AGAIN. I CLEANED BOTH THE CABLE ENDS ON THE BATTERY AND EACH POST. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED AND LASTED A FEW DAYS AND THE SAME PROBLEMS ARISES AGAIN. THIS TIME T…
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MY 2010 NISSAN SENTRA (WAS STATIONARY EACH TIME) FAILED TO START SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT BEGAN STARTING FOR A WEEK.THEN ONE MORNING IT FAILED TO START AGAIN. I CLEANED BOTH THE CABLE ENDS ON THE BATTERY AND EACH POST. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED AND LASTED A FEW DAYS AND THE SAME PROBLEMS ARISES AGAIN. THIS TIME THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT WOULD NOT START. PUT A CODE MACHINE ON THE CAR AND RECEIVED A CODE FOR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR OR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO NOT GET GOOD CONNECTION AND CREATE FAILURE FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER BUT THE NHTSA SYSTEM IS NOT RESPONDING. COULD PLEASE RESPOND TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE IS ON THE RECALL LIST?
NHTSA ODI #11340336
70,000 miles · Jul 10, 2020
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER WHO OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER MOTHER WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEBRUN NISSAN (396 GRANT AVE, AUBURN, NY 13021),…
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TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER MOTHER WHO OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER MOTHER WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LEBRUN NISSAN (396 GRANT AVE, AUBURN, NY 13021), AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #11338635
110,668 miles · Mar 26, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, AND SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CAR WAS STILL IN MOTION WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF, AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR SHIFTER TO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, AND SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN, THE CAR WAS STILL IN MOTION WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY TURNED OFF, AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE GEAR SHIFTER TO PARK AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THE ISSUE MENTIONED ABOVE, THE CAR STARTED FOR A BRIEF SECOND, THEN WOULD NOT RESTART AND NISSAN FOUND THE ISSUE TO BE THE ECM THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL. THIS ALSO MADE SENSE AS TO WHY WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD TO BUY NEW BATTERIES EVERY 1-2 YEARS, WHICH CAUSED ISSUES WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GAINESVILLE NISSAN LOCATED AT (3915 N MAIN ST, GAINESVILLE, FL 32609) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ECM FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,668. *LN*JB
NHTSA ODI #11319370
154,369 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Engine
WAS DRIVING AND CAR SUDDENLY WOULDN'T ACCERLATE AND JERKING ALONG WITH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. TRIED TO DRIVE IT NEXT DAY BUT COULDN'T BECAUSE CAR WAS SHAKING BAD AND WOULDN'T MOVE
NHTSA ODI #11302214
78,000 miles · Jan 15, 2020
Air Bags
HAD A PASSENGER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. PASSENGER GOT OUT OF CAR, THEN BACK IN CAR. WHEN I SEEN AIR BAG FOR PASSENGER LIGHT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN LIGHT APPEARED. AIRBAG HAS NOT DEPLOYED OR BEEN IN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11299581
140,000 miles · Jan 15, 2020
Engine
STARTED BACK IN THE BEGINNING OF 2019. I NOTICED THAT THE OIL HAS BEEN GOING DOWN AND NO EXTERNAL LEAK. I HAVE TO PUT 1/2 A QUART OF OIL A WEEK INTO THE ENGINE AT THIS POINT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE ARE OTHERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO RESOLVE FROM NISSAN.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE TERMINAL STUD BOLT WAS THICKER THAN SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND COVER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN PN NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2010 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year