2012 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 180 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 12th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2012 reports, 10 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
No safety recalls on file.
Representative owner complaints
180 reports, newest first.
Power train, Jul 28, 2021
I purchased a 2012 Nissan Sentra for my daughter for school. Sunday July 25th she was driving on I95 when the vehicle began to lose speed while driving in the middle lanes. She proceeded to pull the vehicle over and turned it off to see if the car needed to cool down. Once started, the car was fine but the car began to lose speed once again. This was ongoing on a Sunday night while she was on here way home from DE into NJ (2hour drive). The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who diagnosed the car as having transmission failure and the car will need a new transmission. This is extremely frustrating and this car should be recalled based on the danger while on the road and continued reported issues with the CV.
Power train, Jul 27, 2021
Continuously Variable transmission (CVT) failure. Specifically the torque converter and valve body. While operating the vehicle, without warning, it goes into safe mode, effectively losing all power. When in the mode, power to the engine stops and power steer and brakes are disabled. The risk of an accident, when this occurs, is extremely high and very dangerous. Especially with a newer driver (17 years old). No warning lights or chimes come on indicating a problem. The vehicle was taken to the Nissan dealership where it was confirmed that it needed a new transmission (99988). Nissan has extended the warranty for the CVT for model years 2003-2010 and for 2013 and later but not 2012 (or 2011). As there were no changes in the transmission for those two years, they are aware of the high risk of failure but appear not to be concerned with the increased risk of injury or death from an accident caused by the transmission going into safe mode.
Power train, Jul 19, 2021
CVT Transmission Failure: My son was driving on an Interstate at 75 miles per hour when suddenly the 2012 Nissan Sentra he was driving, suddenly powered down and he was not able to go over 40 miles per hour. No warning lights came on and the only indicator was the vehicle making a knocking sound and jerking around on the highway. This created a very dangerous situation with other traffic going 75 MPH or faster. He pulled onto the shoulder to avoid a wreck and being rear-ended. He called a tow company to take him and the vehicle to the nearest town and to a non-Nissan dealership which was the only option. They did a diagnostic and stated that they thought it was the CVT transmission but recommended we tow to a Nissan dealership. We then had to tow the vehicle over 100 miles back to our hometown and to a Nissan dealership. They ran diagnostics and found that the CVT transmission went out and would need to be replaced. Counting a 100 mile tow, this CVT transmission problem is going to cost my family around $5,000 for repairs. I can't believe that the 2012 Nissan Sentra is not included in the Nissan Extended Warranty for the CVT transmission as it is basically the exact same transmission of the other years that were having the same problem. In researching this problem, I found that hundreds if not thousands of 2012 Nissan Sentra owners were having the same problem. Imagine going 75 MPH on an interstate and suddenly your vehicle drops down to 40 MPH in traffic with traffic behind you. That is a very serious safety risk and I am thankful that my son was able to pull over before getting in an accident.
Tires, Jul 2, 2021
There are several Cooper tires recalled and I was told this line is not one. This tire failed with a sidewalk bulge and now the rear passenger one is starting to bulge as well.
Power train, Apr 2, 2021
I REALIZED I WAS LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE SAGTIKOS PARKWAY. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED OFF THE CAR, AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART. THE CAR WOULD START, BUT WOULD NOT CHANGE INTO DRIVE, NOR REVERSE (OR WOULD NOT REGISTER). I WAS EFFECTIVELY STRANDED ALONG THE PARKWAY. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT MY CAR EXPERIENCED -- WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE -- TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I PURCHASED THE CAR ONLY SIX (6) MONTHS AGO.
Power train, Mar 1, 2021
WAS DRIVING ON SNOW WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, UPON RUNNING A CODE SCAN IT SHOWED TCM LOST COMMUNICATION. WHEN DEALER CHECKED THEY SAID THEY DETECTED A SHUTTER IN THE CVT.
Power train, Sep 15, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT AND HER DAUGHTER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO ROCKING NISSAN OF STAFFORD (1 COACHMAN CIR, STAFFORD, VA 22554) AND NISSAN OF ORANGEBURG (2827 ST MATTHEWS RD, ORANGEBURG, SC 29118) ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND BOTH DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A TRANSMISSION ISSUE LINKED TO THE RPM'S. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Steering, Power train, Engine, Aug 24, 2020
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST 90% OF POWER AND COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 25MPH. THERE WAS NO WARNING. CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY STEERING BECOMES HARDER. YOU TRY TO PUNCH DOWN ON THE GAS AND NOTHING HAPPENS. ALSO WAS FORCED TO TAKE CITY STREETS DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO GO A SAFE SPEED TO STAY ON FREEWAY/HIGHWAY.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 12, 2020
WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT AND STOPPING QUICKLY, THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED EVEN THOUGH I WAS GOING 10 MILES PER HOUR AT 1000 RPM, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, OIL LIGHT, BATTERY LIGHT AND SEAT BELT LIGHT ALL TURNED ON. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE WAS TO TURN IT OFF AND TURN IT BACK ON. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME WHILE RETURNING TO OUR HOME. AS I WAS GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE AND STOPPING FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. IT SEEMS TO DO THIS WITH A HARD STOP AT 1000 RMP OR 10-20 MPH.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, May 20, 2020
WHILE DRIVING FROM AZ TO CA ON THE HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO SPEED UP WHILE PUSHING THE PEDAL. IT HAPPENED A TOTAL OF THREE TIMES ON 2 DIFFERENT DAYS.THE FIRST TWO TIMES I COULDN'T GET ABOVE 60 HOWEVER ON ONE OCCASION, IT DROPPED DOWN TO 3-5 MILES PER HOUR AND THE PEDAL WAS TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH SEMI TRUCKS HAVING TO PASS ME ON THE LEFT. I WAS TERRIFIED, HAD NO CELL SERVICE AND HAD TO DRIVE ON THE SHOULDER WITH MY HAZARDS ON UNTIL THE SHOULDER DISAPPEARED. EVENTUALLY IT RETURNED TO NORMAL, BUT IT WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE. I SEE NOW THAT NISSAN HAS HAD A MULTITUDE OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT RECALLING THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Air bags, Feb 10, 2020
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME AND THE HORN DON'T WORK
Power train, Jan 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AS THE BRAKE PEDAL SHAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER PREMIER NISSAN OF SAN JOSE 1120 W CAPITOL EXPY, SAN JOSE, CA 95136 (408) 978-1234 TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR RETRIEVE ANY DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE THEN WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATE 4,444.
Power train, Jan 14, 2020
RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING OUR NISSAN SENTRA, MY DAUGHTER WENT ON A ROAD TRIP TO SOUTH CAROLINA AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED STUTTERING. AS IT TURNS OUT THE CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. WE HAD TO PURCHASE A USED TRANSMISSION TO GET THE CAR RUNNING. THE CAR ONLY HAD 118,000 MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED WHICH IS RIDUCLOUS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Dec 29, 2019, crash
2012 NISSAN SENTRA WAS BOUGHT 3 WEEKS PRIOR WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHILE TRAVELING 60 - 70 MPH ON A HIGHWAY THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO STEER OUT OF THE TROUBLED AREA ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. AFTER RESEARCH IT SEEM TO BE THE SAME ACTIONS THAT HAS HAPPENED TO THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN SENTRAS. THE DEFECTED CVT TRANSMISSION CAUSES THIS TO HAPPEN. LUCKILY MY SON WAS NOT KILLED DURING A ACCIDENT THAT WAS CAUSED AFTER HE WAS REAR ENDED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.
Power train, Nov 27, 2019
WHEN TAKING OFF FROM ANY LOCATION ENGINE REVS TO 4000 RPM UNTIL UP TO SPEED , NEED TO BE VERY EASY ON GAS TO GET GOING UP TO SPEED , CAN BE DANGEROUS AT INTERSECTIONS TO GET MOVING QUICKLY IF NEEDED
Air bags, Nov 24, 2019
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. NEVER BEEN IN ACCIDENT. 2ND OWNER
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Nov 23, 2019
EVERY NOW AND THEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT WITH START FLASHING. BUT NOW IT'S BEEN EVERY TIME I TURN THE CAR ON. I'VE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 12, 2019
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR WILL JUST SHUT OFF. IT ALSO WILL SHUTOFF WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A COUPLE OF SHOPS AND THEIR TEST SAY BAD OXYGEN SENSOR SO I HAD IT REPLACED, BUT THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 8, 2019
IT LOOSES POWER AND THEN IT TURNS OFF,, AND THIS HAPPENS ON HIGHWAY, REALLY DANGEROUS, THEN I HAD TO TURN OFF THE KEY SWITCH AND AND TURN A BREAK BACK ON IT TURNS ON AND THEN IT KEEPS GOING SLOW BUT IT KEEPS GOING, EVENTUALLY GOES BACK TO NORMAL
Power train, Sep 24, 2019
CAR WON'T GO OVER 20 MPH. RPMS INCREASE BUT NO ADDITIONAL SPEED. THE PANEL FLICKERS OF AND THEN RIGHT BACK ON. THE WHEEL JERKS. HAS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. TWICE WHILE TURNING. ONCE WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT. LUCKILY I WAS. IT ON A HIGHWAY ONLY RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND RTE 5. IT HAPPENED IN FRONT OF A MECHANIC FOR THE DEALERSHIP.
Engine, Sep 20, 2019
NUMBER 3 CYLINDER LOW COMPRESSION WITH ONLY 83K MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ROUGH ENGINE DRIVING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. CODES P0300 AND P0303 DISPLAYED. THIS KIND OF ENGINE FAILURE SHOULDN'T HAPPEN WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 16, 2019
TAKATA RECALL. I WAS TRYING TO CHECK WHY MY CAR HAS THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ON AND THE MAIN COMPUTER CANNOT CONNECT TO MY CAR TO GIVE ME A DIAGNOSIS, IT JUST SAYS THAT THERE IS AN ERROR IN THE CONNECTION
Suspension, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 16, 2019
TAKATA INFLATOR. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY CAR THE ESC LIGHT IS ON AND I DONT KNOW WHATS HAPPENS, THE STABILITY IS NOT GOOD WHEN IT'S RAINING AND I CONNECT A COMPUTER AND THE COMPUTER DONT WANT TO READ WHAT IS THE PROBLEM
Power train, Sep 14, 2019
THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING THEY TOLD ME THAT WAS NORMAL NOW AFTER 100K IT SLIPS ALL THE TIME AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATS AND THE CAR NOT BE DRIVEN MORE THEN 20 TO 30 MILES WITHOUT OVER HEATING THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE DONE A RECALL. ALL THEY DID WAS EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 110 WHICH BY THE TIME I REPORTED I AM AT 112000 MILES AND NOW I HAVE NO RECOURSE. I FEEL THAT THESE COMPANIES ARE AVOIDING RECALLS AND DOING THESE EXTENSIONS TO AVOID HAVING MULTIPLE CLAIMS. THE GOVERNMENT IS FAILING TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS!!!
Steering, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 10, 2019
CANNOT MOVE CAR OUT OF PARK.