2012 Nissan Sentra Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sentra years
- About as many complaints as other years 12th of 32 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- None on file
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 180 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Nissan Sentra. That ranks 12th out of 32 Sentra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (68 complaints, 38%), typically at around 71,000 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 4 fires, 10 injuries. There are no safety recalls on file for this model year.
- 180owner complaints
- 0safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2012 Nissan Sentra problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 68 | 38% | 71,000 | “cvt transmission” (19%) | $5,150 |
| Engine | 39 | 22% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 22 | 12% | 84,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 21 | 12% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 20 | 11% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 17 | 9% | 7,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 13 | 7% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 10 | 6% | 15,387 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 9 | 5% | 51,898 | — | — |
| Steering | 9 | 5% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 6 | 3% | 57,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 5 | 3% | 7,500 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 4 | 2% | 77,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 2% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 1% | 650 | — | — |
| Tires | 2 | 1% | 22,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 1% | 33,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | 72,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 1% | 10 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | 18,319 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2012 Nissan Sentra recalls (0)
No safety recalls are on file for the 2012 Nissan Sentra.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…
My ABS light and skid light is staying on all the time.
The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving at 40 MPH and passing a side street, another driver traveling in a Subaru failed to yield. As a result, the Subaru collided with the passenger side of the contact's vehicle sending the vehicle careening…
car stalled no power in gas pedal traveling across for lane traffic just lost power to the gas pedal. was able to pull over and tuned off car after a few minutes of sitting power was restore and was able to drive again I have been told this is a transmission issue I am not sure but defiantly a…
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to turn on the headlights, the air bags deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to Special Coverage…
Other Nissan Sentra years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sentra | 17 | 1 |
| 2025 Sentra | 31 | 4 |
| 2024 Sentra | 41 | 3 |
| 2023 Sentra | 20 | 1 |
| 2022 Sentra | 81 | 2 |
| 2021 Sentra | 132 | 3 |
| 2020 Sentra | 206 | 4 |
| 2019 Sentra | 222 | 2 |
| 2018 Sentra | 185 | 2 |
| 2017 Sentra | 231 | 3 |
| 2016 Sentra | 270 | 6 |
| 2015 Sentra | 351 | 3 |
| 2014 Sentra | 380 | 5 |
| 2013 Sentra | 638 | 6 |
| 2012 | 180 | 0 |
| 2011 Sentra | 142 | 2 |
| 2010 Sentra | 144 | 3 |
| 2009 Sentra | 55 | 1 |
| 2008 Sentra | 167 | 3 |
| 2007 Sentra | 154 | 1 |
| 2006 Sentra | 116 | 5 |
| 2005 Sentra | 170 | 5 |
| 2004 Sentra | 197 | 4 |
| 2003 Sentra | 180 | 7 |
| 2002 Sentra | 304 | 10 |
| 2001 Sentra | 236 | 7 |
| 2000 Sentra | 171 | 6 |
| 1999 Sentra | 59 | 0 |
| 1998 Sentra | 58 | 1 |
| 1997 Sentra | 108 | 3 |
| 1996 Sentra | 141 | 3 |
| 1995 Sentra | 117 | 3 |
See all Nissan Sentra problems by year, every Nissan model, or the Nissan VIN decoder.
Similar Nissan models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
Owners most often report power train, engine, vehicle speed control problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 68 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
No safety recalls are on file for this model year.
Was the 2012 Nissan Sentra a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sentra model years, the 2012 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.