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2012 Nissan Sentra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Sentra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 116.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

129 reports with mileage · 51 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 68 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports4 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine complaints

39 reports
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34,000 miles · Apr 1, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineStructure

I PURCHASE USED CAR FROM 2012 I NEVER EXPECT TO HAVE ANY CAR PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST 4 YRS, BUT THAT WAS NOT MY CASE IN 5 MONTH OF HAVING THE CAR IT STARTED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS. THE FIST PROBLEM IS THAT I HAD A LEAKING THAT WAS COMING FROM THE SUN ROOF AND THE TOP LIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WAY IS MADE IT HAD TO DRAIN TUBE AND TH…

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I PURCHASE USED CAR FROM 2012 I NEVER EXPECT TO HAVE ANY CAR PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST 4 YRS, BUT THAT WAS NOT MY CASE IN 5 MONTH OF HAVING THE CAR IT STARTED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS. THE FIST PROBLEM IS THAT I HAD A LEAKING THAT WAS COMING FROM THE SUN ROOF AND THE TOP LIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WAY IS MADE IT HAD TO DRAIN TUBE AND THEY GET CLOG. I WAS ALSO TOLD NOT TO PARK MY CAR UNDER TREE. UH THAT'S IS KIND OF HARD THERE'S A LOT TREES IN THE COUNTRY. I HAD TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE CAR WHEN I TURN IT OFF THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING. FEW DAY AFTER THE MY CAR WOULD NOT START NOT EVEN MANUALLY. I TOLD THAT THE IGNITION WAS NOT WORKING AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LOCK THEREFORE I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON. I ALSO SAW THAT THE METAL THAT IS UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RUSTY FROM THE LEAK. I RESEARCH THE RECALLS, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY ON THIS YEAR. HOWEVER I FOUND THE PREVIOUS YEAR HAD A RECALL AND WAS THE SAME ISSUES I'M HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703020

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2014
EngineVisibility

2012 NISSAN SENTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INADEQUATE CABIN HEAT IN WINTER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THIS PAST WINTER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT HEAT UP TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES ON A TIMELY BASIS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ROUGHLY 15 DEGREES OR COLDER. INSTEAD, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE MOVED ABO…

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2012 NISSAN SENTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INADEQUATE CABIN HEAT IN WINTER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THIS PAST WINTER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT HEAT UP TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES ON A TIMELY BASIS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ROUGHLY 15 DEGREES OR COLDER. INSTEAD, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE MOVED ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY AND JUST STAYED THERE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF 20 MINUTES OR MORE. AS A RESULT, THE HEATER PUT OUT ONLY MINIMALLY WARM AIR. EVENTUALLY, THE VEHICLE FULLY WARMED UP AND THE HEAT OUTPUT WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER WAS AWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT IT, AND THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY TECHNICAL ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN. *JB NISSAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE CONDITION WAS IDENTIFIED IN OTHER SENTRA'S, BUT THAT WAS HOW THE ENGINE WAS DESIGNED, AND IT WOULD NOT BE CHANGED. UPDATED 09/10/14

NHTSA ODI #10625690

37,200 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AND THE BATTERY DIED AFTER 3MOS AND 3000 MILES, DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE. PURCHASE PRICE FOR NEW BATTERY IS $145.00 I FIND THIS CHARGE RIDICULOUS. THIS VEHICLE IS USED MAYBE EVERY OTHER DAY SINCE WE HAVE 2 CARS. THE DEALER SAID THE CAR STILL HAS 60,000 MILES WARRANTY. ON A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED VEHIC…

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VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AND THE BATTERY DIED AFTER 3MOS AND 3000 MILES, DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE. PURCHASE PRICE FOR NEW BATTERY IS $145.00 I FIND THIS CHARGE RIDICULOUS. THIS VEHICLE IS USED MAYBE EVERY OTHER DAY SINCE WE HAVE 2 CARS. THE DEALER SAID THE CAR STILL HAS 60,000 MILES WARRANTY. ON A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED VEHICLE I DO NOT EXCEPT HAVING TO PUT A NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. I MUST ASK WHAT KIND OF INSPECTION DO YOU GUYS DO, AND SHOULD I EXPECT MORE THINGS TO GO WRONG WITH THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619418

Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2014
EnginePower Train

UPON ACCELERATING THE CAR MAKES A AWFUL CLUNKING NOISE THAT IS NOT ONLY HEARD BUT FELT ON THE FLOOR UNDER YOUR FEET THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WHILE SWITCHING LANES AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP, BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. IT TOOK THE TRANSMISSION SEVERAL SECONDS TO CATCH UP TO THE E…

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UPON ACCELERATING THE CAR MAKES A AWFUL CLUNKING NOISE THAT IS NOT ONLY HEARD BUT FELT ON THE FLOOR UNDER YOUR FEET THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WHILE SWITCHING LANES AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP, BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. IT TOOK THE TRANSMISSION SEVERAL SECONDS TO CATCH UP TO THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605280

6,500 miles · Sep 4, 2013
EnginePower Train

SUMMER 2013 ,WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH, SOME TIRE DEBRIS OFF AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK TIRE WAS ON MY LANE,, TO AVOID HITTING IT AND OR THE VEHICLES NEXT TO ME I LOOKED INTO MY REAR VIEW MIRROR TO CHECK FOR CARS BEHIND ME AND MADE A SUDDEN SLOW DOWN, BUT NOT A COMPLETE STOP,,I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO GO AROUND THE DEBRI…

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SUMMER 2013 ,WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH, SOME TIRE DEBRIS OFF AN 18 WHEELER TRUCK TIRE WAS ON MY LANE,, TO AVOID HITTING IT AND OR THE VEHICLES NEXT TO ME I LOOKED INTO MY REAR VIEW MIRROR TO CHECK FOR CARS BEHIND ME AND MADE A SUDDEN SLOW DOWN, BUT NOT A COMPLETE STOP,,I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO GO AROUND THE DEBRIS AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP, BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. IT TOOK THE CVT TRANSMISSION SEVERAL SECONDS TO CATCH UP TO THE ENGINE, BEFORE THE CAR STARTED TO MOVE AGAIN..I TOLD A SERVICE MANAGER AT IPOC NISSAN DEALER IN SAN ANTONIO ABOUT THIS AND HE SEEMED TO BRUSH IT ASIDE, STATING THOSE THINGS HAPPENS WITH CVT'S. WHAT THE DEALER DID FIND WAS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE, YOU CAN'T REALLY SEE THE OIL LEAK, BUT THE FACT THAT DUST COLLECTS AROUND IT INDICATED AND THE REST OF THE UNDERSIDE IS CLEANER. THE DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION, PARTS CONNECTED TO IT,,FRONT AXLE ETC..THE FLYWHEEL TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE REAR ENGINE MAIN OIL SEAL. THIS WAS AT ABOUT 7000 MILES INTO THIS NEW NISSAN SENTRA. ALSO I HAVE MADE COUNTLESS COMPLAINTS TO NISSAN AND IT'S DEALER OF THE HORRIBLE KNOCKING FROM THE ENGINE (2.0) ON START UPS. AND SOMEWHAT GETS QUIETER AFTER WARM-UP, BUT IS STILL PRESENT AT ABOUT 2000 RPM AND UP.. NISSAN HAS TIME AFTER TIME REFUSES TO ACCEPT THAT THEY HAVE A MECHANICAL PRODUCT DEFECT, INSTEAD THEY CLAIM THE KNOCKING IS COMING FROM THEIR FUEL INJECTORS, TO THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEMS,,TO THE TRUNK LID..THESE ARE THE EXCUSES THEY HAVE TOLD ME. I WOULD NOT LIKE TO PASS ON THESE PROBLEMS TO SOME OTHER PERSON IF I GET RID OF THIS NEW CAR,,WHAT I WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO DO IS MAKE GOOD ON THEIR PRODUCT, THEIR ADVERTISING ON TV, RADIO, AND OTHER MEDIA IS DECEIVING AND NISSAN IS TRYING TO AVOID HAVING TO FIX THEIR PROBLEMS. THE PROBLEM WITH THE STOP AND GO ON THE CVT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER . *JB

NHTSA ODI #10541758

13,300 miles · Jun 29, 2013
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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 ODI #10522401

20 miles · Apr 17, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS THE FOLLOWING: DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 09/05/2012 COMPONENT(S): POWER TRAIN , STRUCTURE DATE OF INCIDENT: 08/09/2012 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10473871 DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 01/18/2012 COMPONENT(S): POWER TRAIN , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , SUSPENSION DATE OF INCIDENT: 01/12/2012 NHTSA ID NUMB…

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I HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINTS AS THE FOLLOWING: DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 09/05/2012 COMPONENT(S): POWER TRAIN , STRUCTURE DATE OF INCIDENT: 08/09/2012 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10473871 DATE COMPLAINT FILED: 01/18/2012 COMPONENT(S): POWER TRAIN , SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC , SUSPENSION DATE OF INCIDENT: 01/12/2012 NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10444380. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508583

6,629 miles · Feb 8, 2013
Air BagsEngineStructureCrash

VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT NIGHT, JUST BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE, AND STRUCK A TRAILER THAT WAS NOT CLEARLY NOTICEABLE (DID NOT HAVE CLEAR REFLECTORS). AT 5 MPH, THE HOOD WAS CRUNCHED LIKE AN ACCORDION, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED. WHAT WOULD THE CONSEQUENCES HAVE BEEN IF STRIKING SOMETH…

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VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT NIGHT, JUST BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE, AND STRUCK A TRAILER THAT WAS NOT CLEARLY NOTICEABLE (DID NOT HAVE CLEAR REFLECTORS). AT 5 MPH, THE HOOD WAS CRUNCHED LIKE AN ACCORDION, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED. WHAT WOULD THE CONSEQUENCES HAVE BEEN IF STRIKING SOMETHING AT 30, 40, OR 50 MPH? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10496817

Mileage unknown · Jul 11, 2012
Engine

THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR GASKET FAULTY ON THE 2012 MODELS, HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES, LEAKS OIL ON TOP OF ENGINE, THE LAST TIME LOST ALMOST ALL OF OIL. IT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENS IS NOT NECESSARILY NOTICED BY THE CONSUMER UNTIL AN OIL CHANGE, BUT THE PROBLEM SO FAR HAS OCCURRED 3X AND EACH TIME HAS GOTTEN…

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THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR GASKET FAULTY ON THE 2012 MODELS, HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES, LEAKS OIL ON TOP OF ENGINE, THE LAST TIME LOST ALMOST ALL OF OIL. IT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENS IS NOT NECESSARILY NOTICED BY THE CONSUMER UNTIL AN OIL CHANGE, BUT THE PROBLEM SO FAR HAS OCCURRED 3X AND EACH TIME HAS GOTTEN WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465288

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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.