2012 Nissan Sentra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 7%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 45,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Nissan Sentra, 7% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The computer system shut down and has locked up my car. I bought it in 2015 and it shutdown on me in early 2018. It was driving fine and all the sudden the computer system quit and the car will not move.”
NHTSA complaint #11180410, filed 2019-02, 54,000 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“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10682817, filed 2015-02, 35,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10703020, filed 2015-04, 34,000 miles“Seat belt chime on vehicle does not work as advertised in owner's manual. Chime is supposed to function/sound to let driver know seat belt is unfastened but does not work. Nissan say the chime is unimportant and it is no longer a feature even though it is advertised in the owner's manual to work. I consider it an important safety feature to ensure my kids buckle up and expect it to work as advertised. I was told by the Nissan service tech's and sales person that it can be reprogrammed but Nissan are not willing to do this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10454360, filed 2012-04, 10 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 11004961May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10235729Apr 3, 2023RADIO INTERMITTENTLY REBOOTS DURING AUDIO PLAYBACK VIA BLUETOOTH CONNECTED IPHONE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous…
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10190124Mar 11, 2021NAVIGATION WILL NOT WORK AFTER SD MAP CARD INSTALLED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 5% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 10 | 24% |
| 2023 | 8 | 40% |
| 2022 | 24 | 30% |
| 2021 | 38 | 29% |
| 2020 | 45 | 22% |
| 2019 | 65 | 29% |
| 2018 | 32 | 17% |
| 2017 | 33 | 14% |
| 2016 | 45 | 17% |
| 2015 | 25 | 7% |
| 2014 | 32 | 8% |
| 2013 | 43 | 7% |
| 2012 | 13 | 7% |
| 2011 | 34 | 24% |
| 2010 | 50 | 35% |
| 2009 | 6 | 11% |
| 2008 | 11 | 7% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 17 | 10% |
| 2004 | 28 | 14% |
| 2003 | 35 | 19% |
| 2002 | 54 | 18% |
| 2001 | 44 | 19% |
| 2000 | 29 | 17% |
| 1999 | 12 | 20% |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% |
| 1997 | 10 | 9% |
| 1996 | 11 | 8% |
| 1995 | 8 | 7% |
| 1994 | 8 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 12% |
| 1992 | 14 | 23% |
| 1991 | 7 | 11% |
| 1990 | 3 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1988 | 2 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Sentra
68 complaintsEngine
39 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 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