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 14, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Jul 13, 2015
THE VEHICLE DRIFTS BOTH DIRECTIONS WHILE DRIVING, WHEN BRAKING IT SERIOUSLY PULLS RIGHT. I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR 6 WEEKS AND HAVEN'T HIT ANYTHING YET BUT IF THERE ARE NARROW LANES WITH PARKED CARS I MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS THE HEAT SHIELDS THAT COVER THE EXHAUST COME LOOSE AND THE AIR SENSORS IN THE TIRES LEAK SO YOU NEED TO PUT AIR IN THE TIRES WEEKLY.
Air bags, Jun 29, 2015
2012 NISSAN SENTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE AIRBAGS CONCERN. *SMD THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW THE BRAND OF THE AIR BAG IN HIS VEHICLE. *JB
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2015
I WAS DRIVING AND MY SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND NOTHING FELL ON IT. THE GLASS SHATTERED FOR NO REASON .
Air bags, May 14, 2015, crash
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT IN NOVEMBER. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER BROKE THEIR NOSE AND THEN FLED THE SCENE. I WAS UNCONSIOUS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT WHEN WMTS ARRIVED AND DO TO THE DRIVER FLEEING I WAS CHARGED WITH THE ACCIDENT AND INSURANCE FAILED TO PAY THE SETTLEMENT. ALL ON CLAIMS THAT HAD I BEEN IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIRBAG WOULD HAVE WENT OFF. I KNOW THAT NISSAN HAS AIRBAG PROBLEMS ALL AROUND THE YEAR OF MY CAR BUT AM TRYING TO FIND IF ANY OF THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE IN MY CAR AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A NON DEPLOYMENT. THE COPS ESTIMATED THAT WE WERE GOING 50 MPH AND HIT A TREE. I WAS ASLEEP IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SO AM NOT SURE OF HOW MY BODY WAS POSITIONED IF IT HAD EFFECT ON THE PRESSURE SWITCH. I WAS SEVERLY INJURED 4 BROKEN RIBS BROKEN NEXK AND MULTIPLY FACIAL LACERATIONS FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHEILD.
Service brakes, May 6, 2015
THE BRAKES ON MY 2012 SENTRA STOPPED WORKING, I WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE THE PEDAL AT ALL. I WAS TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND HAD TO CUT ACROSS TRAFFIC TO GET INTO THE SAFETY LANE. I HAD TO FULLY RESTART THE CAR IN ORDER FOR THE BRAKES TO REENGAGE. HAD THERE NOT BEEN A CLEAR PATH TO THE SHOULDER LANE I WOULD HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP WITH TRAFFIC AND WOULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE AT FULL SPEED. *TR
Power train, Apr 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,383.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Apr 1, 2015
I PURCHASE USED CAR FROM 2012 I NEVER EXPECT TO HAVE ANY CAR PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST 4 YRS, BUT THAT WAS NOT MY CASE IN 5 MONTH OF HAVING THE CAR IT STARTED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS. THE FIST PROBLEM IS THAT I HAD A LEAKING THAT WAS COMING FROM THE SUN ROOF AND THE TOP LIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WAY IS MADE IT HAD TO DRAIN TUBE AND THEY GET CLOG. I WAS ALSO TOLD NOT TO PARK MY CAR UNDER TREE. UH THAT'S IS KIND OF HARD THERE'S A LOT TREES IN THE COUNTRY. I HAD TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE CAR WHEN I TURN IT OFF THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING. FEW DAY AFTER THE MY CAR WOULD NOT START NOT EVEN MANUALLY. I TOLD THAT THE IGNITION WAS NOT WORKING AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LOCK THEREFORE I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON. I ALSO SAW THAT THE METAL THAT IS UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RUSTY FROM THE LEAK. I RESEARCH THE RECALLS, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY ON THIS YEAR. HOWEVER I FOUND THE PREVIOUS YEAR HAD A RECALL AND WAS THE SAME ISSUES I'M HAVING. *TR
Visibility, Mar 22, 2015
AFTER GOING TO THE BANK WE STOPPED FOR BREAKFAST.....IT WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES AND LIGHT SNOW WAS FALLING.....WHILE EATING OUR SUN ROOF EXPLODED......IT HAD A CONE SHAPE UPWARDS AND GLASS WAS ALL AROUND ON THE ROOF AND HOOD OF THE VEH. ....VEH WAS PARKED LUCKY FOR US...... BUT IT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT AND GLASS WENT FLYING.....
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM FAILED TO WORK IN ALL FOUR DOORS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE KEY FOB WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENTER THE VEHICLE MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Feb 11, 2015
IN THE FIRST INCIDENT, I CAME OUT FROM SEEING A MOVIE AND I COULD NOT GET MY CAR OUT OF PARK. A FRIEND CAME TO TRY TO HELP AND GOT IT INTO NEUTRAL BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT ANY FURTHER. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE THE KEY RELEASE CABLE. I HAD A PROBLEM AGAIN IN EARLY NOVEMBER AT APPROX 36,500 MILES. THIS TIME THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. SAME KEY RELEASE CABLE WAS THE PROBLEM. EVEN NOW THE CAR STILL MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THE KEY SEEMS TO SCRAPE AS IT COMES OUT OF THE IGNITION. SOMETIMES I PULL THE KEY OUT (AND THERE IS THE SCRAPING NOISE) AND THE DOORS DO NOT UNLOCK. *TR
Exterior lighting, Jan 2, 2015
CONDENSATE COLLECTED IN HEAD LAMPS AND TURNING SIGNALS CAUSING LIGHT BULBS GO-OUT WHILE DRIVING/STANDING. SINCE CAR HAS 72K MILES WARRANTY NOT COVERED THIS ISSUES. *TR
Power train, Dec 6, 2014
SINCE PURCHASING THE CAR NEW IN 2012 UPON ACCELERATING AFTER FIRST STARTING AND GOING ABOUT HALF A MILE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE. DOES THIS ALL THE TIME AFTER FIRST STARTING AND TAKING OFF AND CAN BE FELT UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT FOR A TEST RIDE AND SAID IT IS NORMAL IN SENTRA MODELS, BUT THEY NEVER CHECKED THE BUSHINGS TO DIAGNOSE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. IT COULD BE IN THE SUSPENSION, TRANSMISSION, OR THE DRIVE TRAIN. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Wheels, Nov 24, 2014, crash
ON AUGUST 25, 2014 WHILE I DID ESCAPE WITH MY LIFE AND MY WHOLE BODY INTACT, AFTER A WITNESS WAS ON SCENE SHE SAID SHE HER A LOUD POP, WELL THAT LOUD POP WAS MY FRONT LEFT (IMMEDIATE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE) AND I ENDED UP IN A BRICK WALL. NOT PLEASED WITH BRIDGESTONE, AS MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD NO MORE THAN 8000 MILES ON IT, BUT VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT'S FEATURES. *TR
Equipment, Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2014
MY SUNROOF EXPLODED ON MY 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN IT JUST EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. NO ONE WAS AROUND IT, NO ROCKS , LIMBS, HAIL, NO BAD WEATHER, OR ANYTHING. *TR
Visibility, Oct 1, 2014
SPOUSE PARKED AND WAITING IN THE CAR AT AIRPORT ARRIVAL CURB AROUND 8:30PM. AS I WAS WALKING TOWARDS THE CAR, I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. THEN I NOTICED THE CAR SUNROOF PIECES SHATTERED ALL OVER. NO CARS PASSING BY. TEMP AROUND 90F. LUCKILY NO PASSENGERS CLOSE BY TO THE CAR. SPOUSE WAS IN SHOCK AND LUCKILY THE SUNROOF COVER WAS CLOSED. I COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE OTHER THAN SUSPECTING THIS IS A VEHICLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE ONLY DAMAGE PART WAS SUNROOF ITSELF. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT DEEM A SAFETY RECALL OF SUNROOF REPLACEMENT. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED. REPORTED THE ISSUE TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIR AND WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THEM. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 17, 2014
WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY, ACCELERATING TOWARD 70 MPH. ACCELERATOR DROPPED AWAY FROM UNDER MY FOOT, TACHOMETER "PEGGED" 5000 RPM. QUICK SCAN OF INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED CAR WAS NOW IN NEUTRAL, NOT DRIVE. MY HANDS WERE BOTH ON THE STEERING WHEEL; I DIDN'T TOUCH THE GEARSHIFT LEVER. THE CAR SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. THIS STARTED A SERIES OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT CONTINUE TO ESCALATE; TRANSMISSION WILL OVERRIDE BRAKING (CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS 2 WEEKS APART); ON A 500-MILE (1-WAY) BUSINESS TRIP IN JULY, CAR WENT INTO FAIL-SAFE MODE 3 TIMES - LOSS OF POWER, ACCELERATOR NON-FUNCTIONAL. CAR TAKEN OFF THE ROAD BY NISSAN CORP, BUT NO REPAIRS DONE; AFTER 49 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE, CAR WAS RELEASED TO ME, CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. NOW THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY HARD TO OPERATE, AS IF THERE'S NO POWER STEERING IN THE CAR. WHEN TRANSMISSION OVERRIDES BRAKES, IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS BEING PUSHED, THEN CHOKES DOWN (NOSE OF CAR DIPS), THEN IS CATAPULTED IN THE SAME DIRECTION (D OR R); IN THIS SEQUENCE, BRAKES FULLY APPLIED WILL NOT STOP THE CAR. NISSAN'S ONLY RESPONSE IS TO SELF-PROTECT AGAINST A LAWSUIT; NO CONCERN FOR THE WELFARE OF SOMEONE DRIVING A CAR IN THIS CONDITION! *TR
Electrical system, Sep 14, 2014
DAUGHTER DRIVING CAR ON INTERSTATE WHEN ENGINE DIED. WAS DRIVING IN LEFT LANE AND NARROWLY AVOIDED GETTING HIT WHEN MANEUVERING TO SHOULDER ON RIGHT. PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE DEFECTIVE MAF (MASS AIR FLOW) SENSOR. NO INDICATION OF TROUBLE (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ROUGH RUNNING, ETC) PRIOR TO ENGINE SHUTOFF. DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO DEFAULT (OPEN LOOP MODE) AT THIS POINT RATHER THAN JUST SHUTTING DOWN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THIS IS EVER BIT AS DANGEROUS AS GM'S IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM CAUSING ENGINE SHUTDOWN. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND VEHICLE ENGINE JUST QUITS CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AND LITTLE TIME TO REACT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2014
I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN SENTRA AND WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. IT FAILED AT 66,000 MILES AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES I RECEIVED NO HELP FROM NISSAN OR THE DEALER THEY BOTH COULD CARE LESS ABOUT THE SITUATION IT WAS A AWFUL EXPERIENCE I BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS RELIABLE I WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN IT HAS BEEN A BAD EXPERIENCE SO LONG NISSAN. *TR
Visibility, Engine, Aug 20, 2014
2012 NISSAN SENTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO INADEQUATE CABIN HEAT IN WINTER. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THIS PAST WINTER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT HEAT UP TO NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURES ON A TIMELY BASIS WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS ROUGHLY 15 DEGREES OR COLDER. INSTEAD, THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE GAUGE MOVED ABOUT 1/3 OF THE WAY AND JUST STAYED THERE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF 20 MINUTES OR MORE. AS A RESULT, THE HEATER PUT OUT ONLY MINIMALLY WARM AIR. EVENTUALLY, THE VEHICLE FULLY WARMED UP AND THE HEAT OUTPUT WAS NORMAL. THE DEALER WAS AWARE THERE WAS A PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT IT, AND THEY HAD NOT RECEIVED ANY TECHNICAL ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN. *JB NISSAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE CONDITION WAS IDENTIFIED IN OTHER SENTRA'S, BUT THAT WAS HOW THE ENGINE WAS DESIGNED, AND IT WOULD NOT BE CHANGED. UPDATED 09/10/14
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 6, 2014
VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED AND THE BATTERY DIED AFTER 3MOS AND 3000 MILES, DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE. PURCHASE PRICE FOR NEW BATTERY IS $145.00 I FIND THIS CHARGE RIDICULOUS. THIS VEHICLE IS USED MAYBE EVERY OTHER DAY SINCE WE HAVE 2 CARS. THE DEALER SAID THE CAR STILL HAS 60,000 MILES WARRANTY. ON A CERTIFIED PRE OWNED VEHICLE I DO NOT EXCEPT HAVING TO PUT A NEW BATTERY IN THE CAR. I MUST ASK WHAT KIND OF INSPECTION DO YOU GUYS DO, AND SHOULD I EXPECT MORE THINGS TO GO WRONG WITH THIS CAR. *TR
Power train, Jul 12, 2014
I BOUGHT A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA I KEPT UP WITH ALL THE WORK FOR THE CAR SO TO BE SURE NOTHING WOULD GO WRONG. ABOUT A YEAR THE CAR STARTED MAKING NOISE. I TOLD THE SERVICE DEPT. BUT THEY DID NOTHING ON 07-10-2012 THE SERVICE DEPT TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION THE CAR IS ONLY TWO YEARS OLD. THE CAR BEGAN TO RUN REALLY BAD. I HAD TO GET ANOTHER CAR FOR FEAR THAT THIS MIGHT BLOW UP. *TR
Visibility, Jun 23, 2014
I WAS DRIVING IN THE CENTER LANE OF A 3 LANE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD AN EXPLOSION AND FELT SOMETHING HIT ME AND REALIZED BY SUNROOF SHATTERED AND THE GLASS CAME DOWN ON TOP OF ME. I PULLED OVER WHEN I COULD AND COULD NOT FIND A CAUSE FOR THIS. THE ONLY THING DAMAGED WAS THE SUNROOF ITSELF. I DID NOT HAVE THE VISOR CLOSED SO IT COVERED ME IN GLASS PLUS I STILL FEEL THE IMPACT FROM EITHER THE SPRAY OR JUST THE FORCE ON MY RIGHT HEAD,EAR, AND SHOULDER. NO CUTS, JUST SORE. OUTSIDE TEMP WAS ABOUT 55-60 AND I HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 20 MILES SO THE CABIN WAS COMFORTABLE. I WAS NOT AROUND ANY TRUCKS NOR DID I DRIVE UNDER AN OVERPASS. NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN IT EXPLODING BY ITSELF. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jun 23, 2014
UPON ACCELERATING THE CAR MAKES A AWFUL CLUNKING NOISE THAT IS NOT ONLY HEARD BUT FELT ON THE FLOOR UNDER YOUR FEET THIS HAPPENS OFTEN. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL. I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL WHILE SWITCHING LANES AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP, BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. IT TOOK THE TRANSMISSION SEVERAL SECONDS TO CATCH UP TO THE ENGINE. *TR
Visibility, Jun 2, 2014
VEHICLE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. SUNROOF SHATTERED. 53 DEGREE TEMP. *TR