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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 →
180Owner complaints

Model-year median: 116

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
55
2009144
2010142
2011180
2012638
2013380
2014351
2015
Compare all Sentra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
68Engine
39Vehicle Speed Control
22Unknown Or Other
21Air Bags
20
All reported categories
Structure
17Electrical System
13Visibility
10Fuel/propulsion System
9Steering
9Suspension
6Service Brakes
5Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4Wheels
3Latches/locks/linkages
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Tires
2Engine And Engine Cooling
1Equipment
1Exterior Lighting
1Fuel System, Gasoline
1Seat Belts
1Seats
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

2 reports
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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

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.