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Nissan SentraModel year report

2012 Nissan Sentra Problems

Compared with other Nissan Sentra years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

10/100 0.4× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
180filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
64,000miles, 129 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
26 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Nissan Sentra (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Complaints about this model year center overwhelmingly on the continuously variable transmission (CVT): owners describe slipping, hesitation, loss of power at speed and repeated replacement. Engine and speed-control complaints often describe the same symptom — the car revs but does not accelerate, sometimes with a check engine light. Many transmission reports arrive between roughly 60,000 and 110,000 miles, while several engine and stall reports come at higher mileage; a separate group concerns the glass sunroof shattering and airbags that did not deploy in crashes.

  1. Transmission and drivetrain

    CVT transmission slipping or losing power

    • 65 complaints (36%)
    • median 73,500 mi at 6.4 yrs old (42 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $970 (median of 7 quotes)
    • filed 2011–2025

    Owners describe the car revving while speed does not follow, hesitation when pulling away from a stop, jerking, and sudden drops in speed on the highway. In several cases the vehicle went into a reduced-power mode and could only be driven slowly, and complaints say some cars needed a whole transmission replacement. According to complaints, dealers sometimes called early slipping normal, and in other cases diagnosed a failed transmission; owners mention an extended warranty on the CVT and say coverage had run out by the time the problem appeared. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 110,000 miles, with some complaints at lower mileage and a few past 140,000 miles.

    4 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for the transmission service history and whether any control module reprogramming was done, and test drive at highway speed and up a hill. Watch for high revs without matching acceleration, hesitation from a stop, or delayed engagement after braking.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11299374, filed 2020-01, 118,000 miles

    “Summer 2013 ,while driving on the freeway at 60 MPH, some tire debris off an 18 wheeler truck tire was on my lane,, to avoid hitting it and or the vehicles next to me I looked into my rear view mirror to check for cars behind me and made a sudden slow down, but not a complete stop,,I pressed the gas pedal to go around the debris and the engine revved up, but the car did not move. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10541758, filed 2013-09, 6,500 miles
  2. Vehicle speed control

    Loss of acceleration / power reduction at speed

    • 66 complaints (37%)
    • median 76,000 mi at 6.2 yrs old (49 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 7 quotes)
    • filed 2012–2025

    Owners report the car slowing abruptly on the highway, sometimes from 70 mph to well under 50, with the accelerator pressed to the floor and no response. Some say it recovered after being shut off and rested for 10 to 40 minutes, and several note it happened on long drives, uphill, or in hot weather. Complaints describe dealers either being unable to reproduce it or quoting a large repair cost. Reported from about 40,000 miles upward, mostly on longer highway drives, uphill grades or warm weather.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Take an extended test drive that includes a sustained stretch at highway speed and, if possible, a long uphill pull; look for any stored transmission codes. Ask whether the car has ever gone into a reduced-power mode and what was done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have had my 2012 Sentra for 1 month 1/2 and twice on long distance trips the car had slowed down. Going 80 slowed to 50 and the gas pedal was to the floor. Both times I've had to safely pull off three freeway and sit on the side of the freeway for a 1/2 hour. This is very disappointing otherwise the car is good”

    NHTSA complaint #11083903, filed 2018-04, 90,415 miles

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #11325325, filed 2020-05, 103,000 miles
  3. Engine

    Engine stalling or hesitation at speed

    • 25 complaints (14%)
    • median 71,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (19 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2013–2024

    Owners report the engine cutting out or hesitating while driving, in some cases requiring a restart at the roadside, and one owner says a sensor was the cause with no warning light beforehand. Others describe stalling at red lights or during hard stops, and there is a report of engine smoke and fire after a part fell from underneath the vehicle. Complaints say diagnoses varied from a failed sensor to an unknown cause. Reported from about 45,000 miles to well past 100,000 miles, in varied driving conditions.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for a scan for stored and pending codes, check that the check engine light works, and note any hesitation or rough running during the test drive including at idle and when coming to a stop.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #11268106, filed 2019-10, 60,000 miles

    “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.”

    NHTSA complaint #10619418, filed 2014-08, 37,200 miles
  4. Air bags

    Airbags not deploying in a crash

    • 10 complaints (6%)
    • median 62,500 mi at 4.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
    • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2013–2024

    Complaints describe crashes in which the airbags did not deploy, including rollovers, impacts with fixed objects and a collision with a trailer at low speed where the bags did deploy. Some owners report the airbag warning light staying on and one owner links a horn that stopped working to the same warning light. Several mention confusion with the seat belt reminder light versus the airbag light. Reported at mileages ranging from a few thousand to over 150,000 miles, in varied crash circumstances.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check that the airbag warning light cycles on and off normally at startup and stays off, ask whether any airbag or occupant sensor service has been done, and confirm seat trim has not been altered.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The airbags did not deploy when my husband wrecked the 2012 Nissan Sentra 6-24-13. My husband swerved to miss a deer that was in the road, hit a culvert, got air born, took out a reflector sign, and crashed into the ground. The car had +$7,000 worth of damages and the airbag did not deploy. I think there is a manufacturing issue. It got air born and hit a culvert. I think an airbag should have deployed.”

    NHTSA complaint #10542888, filed 2013-09, 33,144 miles

    “Rainy night 55 MPH crash. Air bags did not deploy. Wet road, car ran off road, hit a sign post, went down embankment, flipped and rolled over into ditch. Daughter was seriously injured... 4 broken lower back vertebrae, 9 broken ribs, numerous pelvic fractures, lacerated spleen and kidney. Seems like these injuries could have been much less severe if the airbags would have deployed.”

    NHTSA complaint #11206122, filed 2019-05, 62,500 miles
  5. Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

    Sunroof glass shattering

    • 12 complaints (7%)
    • median 30,000 mi at 2.7 yrs old (11 state mileage)
    • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • filed 2013–2019

    Owners describe the glass sunroof breaking with a loud bang, sometimes while parked and sometimes while driving, leaving glass over the roof and hood. Complaints say there was no impact from another vehicle, that conditions ranged from hot days to light snow, and that in one case the roof broke twice. Some owners report a dealer replaced the glass under warranty; others say the cause could not be determined. Reported across a wide mileage range, from under 10,000 to about 37,000 miles, in both hot and cold weather.

    What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass, and its edges and seal, for chips, scratches or previous replacement, and ask the seller whether the panel has ever been replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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.....”

    NHTSA complaint #10700898, filed 2015-03, 37,000 miles

    “I was driving my Nissan Sentra over I-25 and suddenly moon roof exploded. I heard a gunshot and glasses flying.this is a serious safety issue and Nissan must issue recall or replacement for all affected vehicles. It sounds like vehicle manufacturing defect. I read several forums on internet and came to know that several people experienced the same issue with several other cars.”

    NHTSA complaint #10523304, filed 2013-07, 8,800 miles

Buying note. The transmission is the main thing to evaluate on this model year: a thorough test drive plus a check for stored transmission codes and service records is worth more than a quick spin around the block. Also confirm the airbag warning light behaves normally and inspect the sunroof glass before deciding.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 180 consumer complaints for the 2012 Nissan Sentra. 129 of the complaints include a mileage, and 38% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 64,000 miles. Of all complaints, 10 involved a crash, 4 a fire, 10 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 107 technical service bulletins for this model year. Compared with the other 14 Nissan Sentra model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 10 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Brakes (7), Suspension (6), Electronic stability control (4), Wheels (3), Latches, locks and linkages (2), Tires (2), Engine cooling (1), Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Car could not change gear while driving had to take foot off the gas, when shifting gears from park it was very loose and slippery, car can no longer be driven it will only go into neutral. When the incident happened I was waiting at the light with my foot on the break and it wouldnt shift back to drive when I stepped on the gas.”

NHTSA complaint #11139894, filed 2018-10, 71,000 miles

Engine: “My Nissan Sentra has 85,000 miles on it and my transmission is completely broken. The CVT transmission they put in my car has an extended warranty in it for known problems with it. I was driving with my two small children on a very busy highway when it stopped moving and I had to pull over and restart it. When I restarted the vehicle t again would not move. I finally got it to move to where I got to a mechanic and they told me my transmission was completely broken. …”

NHTSA complaint #11113170, filed 2018-07, 80,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10733737, filed 2015-07, 54,000 miles

Other or unknown: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #11338877, filed 2020-07, 155,400 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

38% of the 129 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,016 and 89,000 miles.

18%0–107%10–2513%25–5025%50–7519%75–10014%100–1504%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (129 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 64,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’11’13’15’17’1934’21’23’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Nissan Sentra. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Sentra · sedan FWD★★★★☆4 / 3354 · 11.6% risk

Neighbouring years: 2011: same overall rating; 2013: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Nissan Sentra version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Sentra FWD2.0L 4-cylCVT263429$2,300
Sentra FWD2.0L 4-cyl6-speed manual243026$2,600
Sentra FWD2.5L 4-cylCVT233026$2,600
Sentra FWD2.5L 4-cyl6-speed manual212824$3,400

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Nissan Sentra in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 107 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 107 bulletins →

Other model years of the Nissan Sentra

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026193001—33—Too new
2025317,9504534Too new to compareToo new
20244130,0003534Too new to compareToo new
20232075,3001533—Too new
20228136,000253327 · FewerRising
202113324,000353364 · TypicalRising
202020728,879453371 · MoreRising
201922334,500242954 · TypicalStable
201818540,000242938 · TypicalFalling
201723144,000342950 · TypicalStable
201627060,255643269 · MoreFalling
201535255,500343259 · TypicalStable
201438067,000543371 · MoreFalling
201363861,000643397 · MoreFalling
201218064,000042610 · FewerFalling
201114271,000242627 · FewerStable
201014469,3163—2731 · FewerFalling
20095557,0001—270 · FewerFalling
200816767,0003—2739 · TypicalFalling
200715460,0001—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200611678,8325—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200517076,2005—27Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200419777,0004—27Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200318069,0127—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200230471,00010—23Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200123661,0007—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200017157,1106—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19995972,9000—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199858102,5001—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1997108105,0003—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199614166,5003—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
1995117157,9943—28Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199499180,0000—26Not compared (before 2008)Falling
199358100,0000—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199262107,5000—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199163120,0002—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19903982,9582—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198941—1—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198837122,4871—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable
198736—1—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19866—0—30—Not enough data
19856—0—29—Not enough data

All Nissan Sentra model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Sentra?

Complaints about this model year center overwhelmingly on the continuously variable transmission (CVT): owners describe slipping, hesitation, loss of power at speed and repeated replacement. The issues reported most often: CVT transmission slipping or losing power; Loss of acceleration / power reduction at speed; Engine stalling or hesitation at speed.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Nissan Sentra have?

NHTSA recorded 180 consumer complaints for the 2012 Nissan Sentra as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Nissan Sentra is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 68 complaints (38% of the total), followed by engine with 39.

Has the 2012 Nissan Sentra been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2012 Nissan Sentra do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 Nissan Sentra 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Sentra get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Sentra (Sentra, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 24 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Nissan Sentra reported?

Among the 129 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 64,000 miles and the middle half falls between 28,016 and 89,000 miles; 38% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.