Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
320–25K
1725–50K
3250–75K
2575–100K
18100–150K
5150K+
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
4,680 miles · Oct 29, 2012
Visibility
I TOOK RECEIPT OF MY NEW CAR ON 9/22/12. ON 9/23/12, I NOTICED A PROBLEM W/ THE AUTO DIMMING MIRROR & THE SUN VISOR & EMAILED MY SALES PERSON. I SHARED THE AUTO DIMMING MIRROR & THE SUN VISOR ARE BOTH LONG - I CANNOT USE THEM AT THE SAME TIME. IF I TRY TO USE THE SUN VISOR, IT PUSHES THE MIRROR SO I CANNOT USE IT. I DRIVE INTO…
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I TOOK RECEIPT OF MY NEW CAR ON 9/22/12. ON 9/23/12, I NOTICED A PROBLEM W/ THE AUTO DIMMING MIRROR & THE SUN VISOR & EMAILED MY SALES PERSON. I SHARED THE AUTO DIMMING MIRROR & THE SUN VISOR ARE BOTH LONG - I CANNOT USE THEM AT THE SAME TIME. IF I TRY TO USE THE SUN VISOR, IT PUSHES THE MIRROR SO I CANNOT USE IT. I DRIVE INTO THE SUN GOING TO WORK & COMING HOME FROM WORK AND NEED TO BE ABLE TO BLOCK THE SUN & SEE OUT OF MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE SALES PERSON TOLD ME TO WAIT UNTIL I CAME IN FOR MY 1,000 MILE SERVICE APPT. I THEN EMAILED THE MANUFACTURER & SHARED THE SAME THING. I ASKED IF THEY HAD EITHER 1) A SHORTER VISOR THAT BLOCKS THE SUN BUT DOES NOT BUMP INTO THE AUTO DIMMING MIRROR, OR 2) A SHORTER MIRROR. I TOLD THEM WHEN MY APPT WAS WITH THE DEALERSHIP, HOPING TO GET IT RESOLVED AT THE APPT. THEY ALSO TOLD ME TO WAIT UNTIL MY APPT. I WENT TO MY APPT ON 10/20/12. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SHOWED NO CONCERN & SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. HE THEN SNIDELY ASKED IF I USED MY "SIDE MIRRORS" WHEN I DRIVE. I SHARED WHAT HAPPENED WITH MY SALES PERSON ALONG WITH AGAIN EXPRESSING MY CONCERN ABOUT THE DESIGN FLAW & SAFETY ISSUE-ONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO USE THE SUN VISOR WITHOUT IT PROHIBITING THE USE OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER RESPONDED TO MY EMAIL. THE MANUFACTURER PERSON CONTACTED ME 10/29/12 & SAID THERE IS NO RESOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM. SHE OFFERED A $250 CREDIT FOR MY TROUBLES. I DECLINED THE CREDIT BECAUSE I SAID THE CAR STILL HAS A SAFETY ISSUE. I ASKED IF I PURCHASE A SMALLER MIRROR FROM THE AUTO PARTS STORE IF THEY WOULD INSTALL IT. THE PERSON SAID "NO" BECAUSE IT IS AFTER MARKET. I ASKED IF I HAD IT INSTALLED MYSELF WOULD IT VOID MY NEW CAR WARRANTY & WAS TOLD IT PROBABLY WOULD. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BLOCKING THE SUN OR SEEING OUT OF MY REAR VIEW MIRROR. THIS IS DANGEROUS- ESPECIALLY IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482591
68 miles · Sep 5, 2012
Power TrainStructure
UPON ACCELERATING AFTER FIRST STARTING AND GOING ABOUT HALF A MILE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE LIKE YOU HAVE RAN OVER SOMETHING EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVEN'T. DOES THIS ALL THE TIME AFTER FIRST STARTING AND TAKING OFF. ALSO TRUNK HAD TROUBLE CLOSING AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A GAP IN TRUNK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473871
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
123 miles · May 24, 2012
Service BrakesStructure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR AXLE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRUNK WAS DEFECTIV…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR AXLE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRUNK WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD AN OPEN SPACE ON THE LEFT SIDE WHEN CLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,834.
NHTSA ODI #10459504
1,700 miles · May 21, 2012
Service BrakesStructureSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCK ON THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO A GAP NEAR THE LOCK. THE REAR SUSPENSION MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED. THERE WAS ALSO A GRINDING NOISE AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED PREVENTING THE CONTACT F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCK ON THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO A GAP NEAR THE LOCK. THE REAR SUSPENSION MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED. THERE WAS ALSO A GRINDING NOISE AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED PREVENTING THE CONTACT FROM STOPPING THE VEHICLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,700.
NHTSA ODI #10459067
10 miles · Apr 6, 2012
Electrical SystemSeat Belts
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 SAFET…
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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 AN IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE TO ENSURE DRIVER'S FASTEN THEIR SEAT BELT. NISSAN HAVE ALSO REFUSED TO RESPOND THROUGH EMAIL WITH AN EXPLANATION TO MY INQUIRY THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE. OTHER NISSAN MODELS HAVE THIS FEATURE WORKING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454360
5 miles · Mar 7, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT MICE WERE BUILDING NESTS INSIDE OF THE HEATER VENTS. AS A RESULT, THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE NESTS WERE CLEANED OUT FROM THE VENTS HOWEVER, MICE CONTINUED TO ENTER THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT MICE WERE BUILDING NESTS INSIDE OF THE HEATER VENTS. AS A RESULT, THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE NESTS WERE CLEANED OUT FROM THE VENTS HOWEVER, MICE CONTINUED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND BUILD NESTS INSIDE OF THE HEATER VENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.
NHTSA ODI #10450631
600 miles · Jan 18, 2012
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
I JUST PURCHASED A BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT 2012 NISSAN SENTRA IMMEDIATLY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP UPON LEAVING TOLD THEM THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD REALIGN THE CAR, IN THE MEANTIME WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR WANTS TO KEEP GOING AND THROUGHS ITSELF INTO ANOTHER GEAR WHERE IT WOULD LUNG FORWARD, …
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I JUST PURCHASED A BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT 2012 NISSAN SENTRA IMMEDIATLY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP UPON LEAVING TOLD THEM THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD REALIGN THE CAR, IN THE MEANTIME WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR WANTS TO KEEP GOING AND THROUGHS ITSELF INTO ANOTHER GEAR WHERE IT WOULD LUNG FORWARD, WHICH MEANS I AM HAVING TO PRESS ON THE BRAKES HARDER IN ORDER NOT TO BE THROWN INTO TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND AT FIRST THEY COULD NOT DUPLICAT THE PROBLEM THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT IS THE TRANSMISSION THAT NEEDS TO BE REPALCED WHY IS IT A BRAND NEW CAR NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION??? NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THEY WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR ME REALLY! WOW WHY SHOULD THE WARRANTY BE EXTENDED WHEN I HAVE A BRAND NEW CAR I KEEP ASKING FOR A NEW SENTRA JUST SWITCH IT OUT MAKE LIFE EASY ON US ALL.
NHTSA ODI #10444380
484 miles · Dec 28, 2011
Power Train
TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESET AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESET AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 484. KMJ
NHTSA ODI #10441543
700 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE CAR WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A SOFT STOP SUDDENLY COMES TO AN ABRUPT STOP. WHILE RELEASING THE BRAKE THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPS HARD AND CAUSES THE CAR TO LURCHES FORWARD. THE SYSTEM OF THE CAR SEEMS TO WANT TO STOP THE CAR HARD ON SYSTEMS OWN DECISION.
NHTSA ODI #10424799
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.
2012 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year