2010 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 144 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2010 reports, 11 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v battery, cablesDec 15, 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE TERMINAL STUD BOLT WAS THICKER THAN SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).
THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND COVER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 11V579000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, 12v/24v/48v battery, cablesNov 12, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.
THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN PN NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10V555000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)Sep 10, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
144 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 24, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS CONSUMED WITH OIL AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,875.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 31, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED WITH A FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SURGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT KEPT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD WHILE THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN THREE DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,000.
Electrical system, Jan 6, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 10V555000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: BATTERY: CABLES). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO KEEP THE ENGINE RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT A LOW SPEED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.
Electrical system, Dec 28, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V555000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER FOLLOWING REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE RECURRING FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 1,000.
Electrical system, Dec 28, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE, BATTERY AND HAZARDS LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATING AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V555000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:BATTERY:CABLES) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,926.
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Dec 21, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. SHE THEN SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND CHECKED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE WHEELS WERE STRAIGHT, THINKING MAYBE THE WHEELS WERE LOCKING THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE, SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN AND TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND CONSEQUENTLY, SHE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A GROCERY CART. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AT A HIGH SPEED. SHE FINALLY TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT DID INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 7,000. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONSUMER STATED ON FIVE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD. UPDATED EVOQ 02/04/11. *JB UPDATED 12/11/2011 *CN STATUS UPDATE. 06/14/11 THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS STILL ON GOING. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED IN THE MORNINGS, FROM SITTING OVERNIGHT, THE RPM'S INCREASED TO 500, WITH THE SLIGHTEST MOVEMENT OF THE SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK. THE RPM'S WOULD DROP ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE. UPDATED 09/15/11*JB UPDATED 12/05/2011 *LN UPDATED 12/22/11. *JB UPDATED 09/10/12
Equipment, Other or unspecified, Dec 17, 2010
THE DEALER FAILED TO MAKE NECESSARY REPAIRS EVEN WITH SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT. THE APPOINTMENT FOR RECALL REPAIR WAS MADE TWO WEEKS AGO AND WAS CONFIRMED TWICE THAT THEY HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS. UPON REACHING TO THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID, THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AND COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL SERVICE. THIS IS AT THE HALDEMAN NISSAN DEALERSHIP, HAMILTON, NJ. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 7, 2010
MY CAR NISSAN SENTRA 2010 BROKE DOWN ON PARKING LOT AT MY WORKPLACE (LACK OF ELECTRICITY) ON NOV 30, 2010. AT THAT TIME I WAS NOT AWARE ABOUT A RECALL FOR POSITIVE CABLE TO CAR'S BATTERY. WITH MY COLLEAGUES AT WORK WE TRIED TO USE JUMPING CABLES TO START THE ENGINE. AFTER UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS CAR WAS TOWED TO KENDRICK'S NISSAN IN LAFAYETTE INDIANA. THE NEXT DAY DEALER'S TECHNICAL ADVISER TOLD ME THAT ECM IS BROKEN AND IT LOOKS THAT I BURNED IT DURING RE-START ENGINE ATTEMPT USING WRONGLY (REVERSING) CABLES. HE ADDED THAT I BROKE A WARRANTY AND I HAVE TO PAY $871 FOR REPAIR. I BELIEVE THAT DIAGNOSIS IS NOT CORRECT AND THAT THE REASON FOR CAR STARTING PROBLEM WAS FAULTY CONNECTION CABLE WHICH COULD ALSO CAUSE SOME OTHER DAMAGES DURING A RE-START ATTEMPT. *TR
Air bags, Dec 6, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MODERATE INJURIES TO THE BACK AND SEVERE BRUISING OF THE STOMACH. TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK AND CHEST AS A RESULT. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD ONLY DEPLOY DEPENDING ON THE WEIGHT OF THE PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT AN INVESTIGATION WOULD BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DECISION IF HER INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD DEEM THE VEHICLE AS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. UPDATED 11/28/11 *CN
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 22, 2010
CAR WOULD NOT START. I CALLED DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT BATTERY CABLE CONNECTION AND TO JUST TIGHTEN IT. I HAD MY HUSBAND TIGHTEN IT AND IT DID START. THIS HAPPENED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES AFTER THIS. THANKFULLY MY HUSBAND WAS WITH ME AND HE WAS ABLE TO JGGLE THE CABLE AND WE DID GET THE CAR STARTED. RECENTLY I WAS OUT ALONE SHOPPING LATE AT NIGHT COMING FROM THE MALL AND THE CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT START. HAD MY BROTHER IN LAW COME TO MY RESCUE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER SHIP TODAY TODAY AND I WAS ASSURED THAT THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I DROVE HOME AND THEN HAD TO GO BACK OUT FOR SOMETHING WE NEEDED FOR DINNER AND THE CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT START. I HAD JUST LEFT THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE STATION. DID SOME FURTHER RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THE RECALL PARTS WONT BE DISTRIBUTED UNTIL 11/29. SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO DO IN THE MEANTIME. ALSO THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STOP SUDDENLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND CAUSE ACCIDENTS NOT TO MENTION DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. WHY WAS I TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED WHEN I FOUND OUT THE RECALL PARTS WERE NOT EVEN AVAILABLE AT THAT TIME TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE??? I DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND FEEL NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE THE VEHICLE FOR ME. I PURCHASED A NEW CAR SO THAT I WOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING TO MY JOB ETC. I HAD A SEVERAL USED CARS THAT I PUT ALOT OF MONEY INTO AND DECIDED TO GO NEW TO GIVE ME SOME PIECE OF MIND.
Power train, Oct 29, 2010
AFTER DRIVING APPROX. 50 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 65-70 MPH AND EXITING TO A FULL STOP, ENGINE WOULD REV UP AS USUAL BUT ONLY MOVE 1 MPH. TRANSMISSION NOT FULLY ENGAGED. THIS PUTS ONE IN HARMS WAY WITH NO ABILITY TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY. OCCURRED IN ALL GEARS. ONLY WAY TO GET BACK TO NORMAL WAS TO SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTART. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES IN A ROW ON SAME DAY (10/13/2010). DOES NOT HAPPEN IN NORMAL SUBURBAN DRIVING OR SINCE THAT DAY BECAUSE CAR NOT TAKEN ON HIGHWAY SINCE (OR BEFORE 10/13/2010). DEALER (LEITH NISSAN APEX NC) WAS UNABLE TO REPRODUCE OR REPAIR BECAUSE TECH ONLY DROVE CAR FOR 4 MILES ON 50 MILE PER HOUR SUBURBAN ROAD WITH SEVERAL STOPLIGHTS. *TR
Suspension, Tires, Oct 23, 2010
THE BACK END CAN SLIDE AROUND A CORNER EASILY, ALSO WILL ALSO COME OFF THE GROUND GOING OVER BUMPS OR RAILROAD TRACKS. THIS HAS OCCURRED EVEN WHILE TRAVELING BELOW SPEED LIMIT, ON A CLEAN DRY ROAD. *TR
Steering, Oct 22, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10-15 MPH WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT FLIPPED ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRES AND THEN LANDED ON THE ROAD NORMALLY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED $1,000 IN DAMAGES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600.
Air bags, Equipment, Aug 31, 2010, crash
ON JULY 20, 2010, I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FORCE OF THE CRASH WAS SUCH THAT THE REAR OF THE CAR I WAS DRIVING SUSTAINED SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. THE FORCE ALSO, PROPELLED ME INTO THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THIS OTHER CAR SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THEIR BUMPER TO DISLODGE IT FROM ITS SUPPORTS AND THROW THEIR REAR WINDOW OFF TRACK. THERE IS NO PLACE IN THE REPAIR BILL THAT STATED THAT THE AIRBAG WAS RESET BECAUSE IT FAILED TO DEPLOY. GIVEN THE FACT THAT THE REAR CRUMPLE ZONE WAS DESTROYED, AND THE REAR QUARTER PANELS WERE REPLACED, THIS CAR IS RENTED BY BUDGET UNDER THE GUISE OF IT BEING SAFE. THE PAPERWORK I RECEIVED FROM BUDGET ALSO STATES THAT THE FEATURES OF THIS NISSAN SENTRA (2010) IS FRONT, REAR AND SIDE AIRBAGS. SINCE ALL OF THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS DESTROYED IT CAN BE SAFELY ASSUMED THAT THE AIRBAG SENSOR SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRIGGERED. IF BOTH FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR DEFINITELY FROM THE FORCE OF MY CAR BEING PROPELLED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. BUDGET RENTED THIS CAR AS BEING A "SAFE" CAR WITH THIS NISSAN SAFETY EQUIPMENT WHEN IT CLEARLY IS NOT. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 23, 2010
I BOUGHT A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA S ON FRIDAY JULY, 2. IT HAD 47 MILES ON IT, 10 OF WHICH I PUT ON DURING A TEST DRIVE. ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 7, I DROPPED BY THE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLETE THE TRADE-IN, AND MY NEW CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE I WAS IN THE NISSAN PARKING LOT. AFTER WAITING AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR 4 HOURS, I WAS SENT HOME WITH A RENTAL CAR. AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE DEALERSHIP ALERTED ME THAT THE MY ELECTRONIC COMPUTER UNIT FAILED. THEY REPLACED THE SYSTEM AND I GOT MY CAR BACK ON WEDNESDAY, JULY 14. AFTER HAVING THE NEW CAR IN MY POSSESSION FOR LESS THAN A WEEK, IT SUDDENLY STOPPED AGAIN, AND WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER UNIT TO FAIL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN A MONTH THAT THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER UNIT IN MY 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. *TR
Suspension, Jul 13, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE EXITING THE HIGHWAY AND TURNING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXCESSIVELY SWERVING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THE REAR WHEELS WERE LIFTED FROM THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A REPAIR TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH STABILITY CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,000.
Suspension, Jul 12, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE MAKING A TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT SWERVED FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT AND THE REAR WHEELS CAME OFF OF THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. REPORT 6862586 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE HAD TO TALK WITH THE DEALER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH STABILITY CONTROL. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 1,000.
Visibility, May 20, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN VISORS WERE ON THE WRONG SIDE. THE SHORTER SUN VISOR SHOULD BE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE WAS ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE AND THE LONGER SUN VISOR THAT SHOULD BE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE WAS ON THE DRIVERS SIDE, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD BY OBSCURING HER VISION. THE CONTACTED INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 380.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2010
MY NEW NISSAN SENTRA 2010S VERY QUICKLY VEERS TO THE LEFT AT 50-65 MPG IN THE HIGHWAY. I DID NOT STEP MY FOOT ON ACCELERATOR NOR BRAKE AT THAT TIME. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES OCCASIONALLY SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR ON JAN 2010. *TR