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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
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

8,800 miles · Jul 5, 2013
StructureVisibility

I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN SENTRA OVER I-25 AND SUDDENLY MOON ROOF EXPLODED. I HEARD A GUNSHOT AND GLASSES FLYING.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN MUST ISSUE RECALL OR REPLACEMENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. IT SOUNDS LIKE VEHICLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I READ SEVERAL FORUMS ON INTERNET AND CAME TO KNOW THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE E…

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I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN SENTRA OVER I-25 AND SUDDENLY MOON ROOF EXPLODED. I HEARD A GUNSHOT AND GLASSES FLYING.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN MUST ISSUE RECALL OR REPLACEMENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. IT SOUNDS LIKE VEHICLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I READ SEVERAL FORUMS ON INTERNET AND CAME TO KNOW THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH SEVERAL OTHER CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10523304

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

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2013
Structure

2012 NISSAN SENTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WATER LEAK CAUSING VEHICLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EVERY TIME IT RAINED, IT LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE DASH. THE DEALER STATED THE WATER WAS COMING THROUGH THE FIREWALL.

NHTSA ODI #10522357

18,319 miles · May 28, 2013
Air BagsSeats

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…

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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 WAS INVOLVED BUT NEVER WAS CALLED NOR HAS THE CAR BEEN INSPECTED BY A PROFESSIONAL. THIS TOO ME IS VERY UNSAFE AND INCONSIDERATE OF NISSAN TO IGNORE THIS MATTER. WHAT IF THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHAT TYPE OF ACCIDENT OR INJURY THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED. I FEEL THEY SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST INSPECTED THE CAR BY A PROFESSIONAL TO MAKE SURE THIS WAS NOT A SENSOR ISSUE AND TO CONFIRM THAT IT NOT THEIR FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10513832

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

Mileage unknown · Apr 17, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

I ONLY GET 22 MILES PER GALLON, CAR WAS ESTIMATED AT 27, CITY MPG AND 34 HIGHWAY, I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIM THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR , THE 22 MPG ARE COMBINE CITY AND HIGHWAY. WHERE COULD I GET HELP ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10508568

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline

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 ODI #10505075

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

4,979 miles · Nov 30, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM TURNING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND THE POWER STEERING WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETECTED AND THE FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO THE CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,979 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 6,000. ....UPDATED 12/20/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TWO MILES WITH MUCH EFFORT WITH NO POWER STEERING TO A NISSAN DEALER. THE ADVISOR ADMITS HE SAW AND FELT THE WHEEL NOT TURN WITHOUT GREAT EFFORT AND THAT THE POWER STEERING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. NISSAN ADMITTED IN WRITING THE VEHICLE HAD CATASTROPHIC POWER STEERING FAILURE. THE POWER STEERING RETURNED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF THEN ON AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS RELEASED BACK TO THE CONSUMER WITHOUT BEING REPAIRED. THE ADVISOR STATED THE VEHICLE MOST LIKELY HAD A BAD CPU. UPDATED 1/3/2013 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10486563

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.