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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

180 reports
15,000 miles · Sep 25, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

I PURCHASED MY SENTRA NEW IN MARCH 2012. AT THAT TIME, MY GAS MILEAGE WAS NORMAL, AND AS ADVERTISED. WITHIN THE YEAR, I WENT FROM 30MPG AVERAGE TO 27. EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN, IT HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN WORSE, AND I AM NOW DOWN TO 23MPG, REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OR GRADE OF GAS I USE. IT'S ACTUALLY WORSE WITH PREMIUM GAS. I HAVE D…

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I PURCHASED MY SENTRA NEW IN MARCH 2012. AT THAT TIME, MY GAS MILEAGE WAS NORMAL, AND AS ADVERTISED. WITHIN THE YEAR, I WENT FROM 30MPG AVERAGE TO 27. EVERY YEAR SINCE THEN, IT HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN WORSE, AND I AM NOW DOWN TO 23MPG, REGARDLESS OF THE TYPE OR GRADE OF GAS I USE. IT'S ACTUALLY WORSE WITH PREMIUM GAS. I HAVE DONE ALL MAINTENANCE ON THE CAR ON TIME, REGULAR OIL CHANGES, ETC. I'VE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THEY CLAIM TO FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH IT.

NHTSA ODI #10777703

60,000 miles · Sep 14, 2015
Engine And Engine Cooling

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 DR…

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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 ODI #10763501

62,000 miles · Sep 12, 2015
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR JUST OVER 2 YEARS. I BOUGHT IT USED FOR BUSINESS TRIPS MOSTLY. I DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A LONG DISTANCE BUSINESS TRIP AND 3 HOURS INTO TRIP IT STOPPED ACCELERATING OVER 70 MILES AN HOUR. THIS CONTINUEED THE ENTIRE WAY TO MY FINAL DESTINATION. NO LIGHTS CAME ON, NO SOUNDS OR SMELLS EITHER. ONCE I WAS…

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I HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR JUST OVER 2 YEARS. I BOUGHT IT USED FOR BUSINESS TRIPS MOSTLY. I DROVE IT FOR THE FIRST TIME ON A LONG DISTANCE BUSINESS TRIP AND 3 HOURS INTO TRIP IT STOPPED ACCELERATING OVER 70 MILES AN HOUR. THIS CONTINUEED THE ENTIRE WAY TO MY FINAL DESTINATION. NO LIGHTS CAME ON, NO SOUNDS OR SMELLS EITHER. ONCE I WAS IN TOWN DRIVING ON NORMAL ROADS IT WAS FINE AGAIN. THEN I DROVE IT BACK HOME, SAME THING HAPPENED BUT MORE EXTREME. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN BOULDER COLORADO. IN DOING SO I FOUND OUT THAT ALL NISSANS HAD A WARRENTY RECALL TO PUT IN A CVT COOLER PART. A FEATURE THAT ALL NISSANS NEED TO INSURE THE POSSIBILTY OF LONG DISTANCE TRAVEL WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION OVER HEATING AND NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP THEN INFORMED ME THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IF I HAD BROUGHT IT IN BEFORE IT WAS OVER 60,000 MILES. NOW THAT IT IS HOWEVR, IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY OVER $800 FOR A PART MY CAR SHOULD HAVE COME WITH. I CALLED NISSAN NOTH AMERICA TO FIND RESALUTION, THEY CLOSED THE CASE AND WILL NOT HELP ME. I FIND THIS EXTREMELY UNEXCEPTABLE AND DANGEROUS. AS A SINGLE 31 YR OLD WOMAN, I COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN CORN FIELDS IN THE MIDDLE OF KANSAS IN THE DARK HAD MY TRANSMISSION FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY. I PURCHASED THIS CAR AT 40,000 MILES TWO YRS AGO, IT SHOULD HAVE HAD THAT PART PUT IN BEFORE IT LEFT THE LOT. I WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS AND AM HOPING TO FIND SOME SUPPORT IN GETTING NISSAN TO COVER PARTS AND LABOR FOR THIS ISSUE. PLEASE LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS AND HOW I SHOULD PROCEED FROM HERE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10763332

49,100 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Steering

WE OWN A NISSAN SENTRA 2012. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC IN ORDER TO DO AN OIL CHANGE. FIVE BLOCKS BEFORE ENTERING THE MECHANIC SHOP, I HEARD A STRONG METALLIC NOISE ON THE LEFT BOTTOM PART OF MY CAR. I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO CHECK SUCH NOISE. HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRIC RACK AND PINION UNIT. IT WAS BROKEN. …

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WE OWN A NISSAN SENTRA 2012. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC IN ORDER TO DO AN OIL CHANGE. FIVE BLOCKS BEFORE ENTERING THE MECHANIC SHOP, I HEARD A STRONG METALLIC NOISE ON THE LEFT BOTTOM PART OF MY CAR. I ASKED THE MECHANIC TO CHECK SUCH NOISE. HE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE ELECTRIC RACK AND PINION UNIT. IT WAS BROKEN. ACCORDING TO HIM IT IS VERY RARE THAT THIS PART OF THE CAR COULD BE BROKEN IN A 2012 CAR. SINCE HE WARNED ME THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE CAR IN THAT CONDITION?A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED, FOR WHEN IT HAPPENS BOTH FRONT WHEELS WILL ROLL IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS?I ORDERED HIM TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IT COST ME $ 730. SEEKING SOME EXPLANATION AND SOME COMPENSATORY HELP, I WAS TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND TALKED WITH THE MANAGER?MR. ROURKE. THE DEALERSHIP IS: NISSAN CENTRAL?1919 CENTRAL AVE. YONKERS NY, 10710. HE TOLD ME THAT MY WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THAT HE COULD NOT BE SURE OF THE INCIDENT SINCE I DIDN'T BRING THE CAR INTO HIS PLACE. ALSO, HE TOLD ME THAT IF I HAVE ALWAYS BROUGHT MY CAR INTO HIS PLACE TO MAKE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS, MAYBE I COULD HAVE SAVED MUCH MONEY OR MAYBE NISSAN COULD HAVE DONE IT FREE. THEREFORE, WE WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER SEEKING OR SEARCHING POSSIBLE EVIDENCES TO RECALL THIS CAR OR TO WARN NISSAN SENTRA 2012 OWNERS OF POSSIBLE DEFECTIVE PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM OF THIS CAR. ALSO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASK NISSAN U.S.A. TO HELP ME TO PAY MY BILL. THE MECHANIC SHOP IS: L. & S AUTO REPAIRS, INC., YONKERS NY., AND WE HAVE THE OFFICIAL INVOICE OF THE JOB. THANKING YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COLLABORATION, WE REMAIN. UPDATED10/27/15*BF

NHTSA ODI #10746693

49,546 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Unknown Or Other

WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ACCELARATING LESS THAN 1/4 MILE AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AFTER STOPPING AND TRIED TO START AGAIN, AND IT JUST TURNED OVER BUT WOULDN'T STAY STARTED. AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES I TURNED THE AC OFF AND TRIED TO …

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WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AND ACCELARATING LESS THAN 1/4 MILE AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AFTER STOPPING AND TRIED TO START AGAIN, AND IT JUST TURNED OVER BUT WOULDN'T STAY STARTED. AFTER ABOUT 3 MINUTES I TURNED THE AC OFF AND TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND IT STARTED. NOW I AM AFRAID THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN IT'S SAFETY. MY USED CAR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND I AM NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED. IT'S BEEN ABOUT A WEEK NOW AND I HAVE NOT HAD IT HAPPEN AGAIN. HOWEVER, NOW THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND I WILL HAVE TO HAVE THAT CHECKED. I HEARD THAT THESE PROBLEMS HAS HAPPENED OTHER 2012 NISSAN SENTRAS, BUT THERE IS NO RECALLED AS OF YET.

NHTSA ODI #10743957

68,000 miles · Jul 14, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10734058

54,000 miles · Jul 13, 2015
SteeringVehicle Speed ControlWheels

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 L…

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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 ODI #10733737

Mileage unknown · Jun 29, 2015
Air Bags

2012 NISSAN SENTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAGS CONCERN. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE BRAND OF THE AIR BAG IN HIS VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10726056

39,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING AND MY SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND NOTHING FELL ON IT. THE GLASS SHATTERED FOR NO REASON .

NHTSA ODI #10717879

60,000 miles · May 14, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

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 PA…

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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 HIT A TREE. I WAS ASLEEP IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SO AM NOT SURE OF HOW MY BODY WAS POSITIONED IF IT HAD EFFECT ON THE PRESSURE SWITCH. I WAS SEVERLY INJURED 4 BROKEN RIBS BROKEN NEXK AND MULTIPLY FACIAL LACERATIONS FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHEILD.

NHTSA ODI #10716583

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.