Skip to content
EnginePart report

2010 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems

Complaints
35about this part
Share
24%of 144 total for the year
Median mileage
80,000miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Nissan Sentra, 24% of the 144 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I own the sr trim with the 2.0 litre engine, I too experienced the valve knocking and it would trigger a check engine light. I took it to a near by Nissan dealer and they said that this is a known issue. This was at 75,000 miles. On 12/12/2018 with no warning the engine through a rod on the lower portion of the engine. I was driving 30 MPH I heard a rattle and a thump, everything went dead on the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11171218, filed 2019-01, 99,000 miles

“Started back in the beginning of 2019. I noticed that the oil has been going down and no external leak. I have to put 1/2 a quart of oil a week into the engine at this point. I have noticed that there are others that are having the same issue with no resolve from Nissan.”

NHTSA complaint #11299443, filed 2020-01, 140,000 miles

“Different times on highway and on street driving my car is in gear, when you start to use the brake to slow down the car turns off ,you have to come to a complete stop and put it back in park then restart, it turns back on. My mechanic does not no what is wrong.”

NHTSA complaint #11097221, filed 2018-05, 98,000 miles

“While driving, many times my car lose power and stall out. Rate of speed doesn't seem to affect whether the car stalls. I have to throw the car in park real fast and re-crank it and it typically starts back up. If the car were to stall out while making a turn or in heavy traffic, this could cause a major accident. It is unknown what is causing this, but I did see a recall online that stated the battery terminal might be the cause of the loss of electrical operation.”

NHTSA complaint #11194528, filed 2019-04, 45,000 miles

“While driving, the car may occasionally lose power and stall out. Rate of speed doesn't seem to affect whether the car stalls. I have to throw the car in park real fast and re-crank it and it typically starts back up. If the car were to stall out while making a turn or in heavy traffic, this could cause a major accident. It is unknown what is causing this, but I did see a recall online that stated the battery terminal might be the cause of the loss of electrical operation.”

NHTSA complaint #11172102, filed 2019-01, 133,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026211%
2025413%
202437%
2023315%
202279%
202175%
202094%
2019209%
20182212%
20174821%
20164818%
20156920%
20146216%
20138714%
20123922%
20113021%
20103524%
200947%
2008159%
2007117%
20061916%
20053319%
20042613%
20032413%
2002279%
2001167%
200053%
199923%
199711%
199212%

Other parts of the 2010 Nissan Sentra

Electrical system
50 complaints
Air bags
31 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Other or unknown
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Electronic stability control
8 complaints
Engine cooling
8 complaints
Suspension
7 complaints
Tires
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2010 Nissan Sentra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology