2012 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 22%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Nissan Sentra, 22% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“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“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“After a 1.5-2 hour drive on the highway, my car would not accelerate beyond 60 MPH. It drove fine after getting home and getting some rest. No lights came on this first. Similar event happened a couple weeks later - much shorter drive approx. 20 minutes, slower speeds, but main inclines. All lights (check engine, oil, emergency brake, battery) came on and the car would no accelerate at all. I pulled over and turned the car off then back on again and it was completely fine.”
NHTSA complaint #11013411, filed 2017-08, 90,000 miles“At about 1130 pm on my way home from work, approaching a intersection, I depressed the brake pedal and car seemed to increase speed and went through intersection through lawn and striking another car, total lose of control, no brakes, a real scary feeling.”
NHTSA complaint #10522401, filed 2013-06, 13,300 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10152515Nov 28, 2018OBD II EVAP Tube Warranty Enhancement The update below was sent out to Regions and Dealers in August of this year. We are re-circulating this update to make regional and dealer…
- 10119282Nov 28, 2016NISSAN; DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION FOR ABS DTC C1130 SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing for DTC C1130 (ENGINE SIGNAL): ECM related DTCs (P-codes) must be diagnosed, repaired, and…
- 10074566Nov 25, 2015Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10192478Nov 25, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Starting with 2010 Model Year, Nissan vehicles have been gradually incorporating a new type of DTC known as Permanent DTC or P-DTC. If a vehicle is equipped…
- 10056188Aug 15, 2014Nissan: after certain continuous operation and vehicle speed has been reduced due to the fail safe of the cvt, caused by driving in ambient temperature, high rpm and/or high…
- 10192293Jan 13, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement Engine Control Modules (ECMs) for many newer Nissan vehicles are now "Blank" ECMs. Blank ECMs come without software and must be programmed (not…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 3 | 15% |
| 2022 | 7 | 9% |
| 2021 | 7 | 5% |
| 2020 | 9 | 4% |
| 2019 | 20 | 9% |
| 2018 | 22 | 12% |
| 2017 | 48 | 21% |
| 2016 | 48 | 18% |
| 2015 | 69 | 20% |
| 2014 | 62 | 16% |
| 2013 | 87 | 14% |
| 2012 | 39 | 22% |
| 2011 | 30 | 21% |
| 2010 | 35 | 24% |
| 2009 | 4 | 7% |
| 2008 | 15 | 9% |
| 2007 | 11 | 7% |
| 2006 | 19 | 16% |
| 2005 | 33 | 19% |
| 2004 | 26 | 13% |
| 2003 | 24 | 13% |
| 2002 | 27 | 9% |
| 2001 | 16 | 7% |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Nissan Sentra
68 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsElectrical system
13 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 27, 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