NHTSA has 180 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan Sentra[1]. The power train group is the biggest, with 68 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups owners report, biggest first. These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one group.
- Power Train. 68 complaints[2]. Owners describe a thud felt through the floor when speeding up, a car that lurches or shifts by itself, and a car that moved the wrong way after being put in drive.
- Engine. 40 complaints[5]. In the stories we read, owners mention oil leaking from a sensor area, power that fades, and a few crashes tied to the car not responding as expected.
- Speed Control. 22 complaints[6]. Owners describe a car that would not go faster on the highway, a pedal that seemed to lose its link to the engine, and a car that sped up when they braked.
- Unknown Or Other. 21 complaints[7]. These reports do not fit a single clear group.
- Air Bags. 20 complaints[8]. Owners describe bags that went off with no crash, and bags that stayed shut in a hard impact. This group has the most crash reports of any group here[8].
- Structure. 17 complaints[9]. Owners describe body and trunk fit issues, often early in the car's life.
- Electrical System. 13 complaints[10]. These reports cover wiring and electrical faults.
- Visibility. 10 complaints[11]. These reports cover how well drivers can see out of the car.
Recalls
NHTSA's records show 0 recalls for the 2012 Sentra[12].
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sentra, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[3] | 26 / 34 / 29 | $2,300 |
| Sentra, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[13] | 24 / 30 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Sentra, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive[14] | 23 / 30 / 26 | $2,600 |
| Sentra, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 21 / 28 / 24 | $3,400 |
Safety ratings
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 DR FWD[4] | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 11.6% |
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2012 Nissan Sentra with electric motor[16] | 177 to 200 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 117 | 3 |
| 2000 | 171 | 6 |
| 2001 | 236 | 7 |
| 2002 | 304 | 10 |
| 2003 | 180 | 7 |
| 2004 | 197 | 4 |
| 2005 | 170 | 5 |
| 2006 | 116 | 5 |
| 2007 | 154 | 1 |
| 2008 | 167 | 3 |
| 2009 | 55 | 1 |
| 2010 | 144 | 3 |
| 2011 | 142 | 2 |
| 2012 | 180 | 0 |
| 2013 | 638 | 6 |
| 2014 | 380 | 5 |
| 2015 | 352 | 3 |
| 2016 | 270 | 6 |
| 2017 | 231 | 3 |
| 2018 | 185 | 2 |
| 2019 | 223 | 2 |
| 2020 | 206 | 4 |
| 2021 | 132 | 3 |
| 2022 | 81 | 2 |
| 2023 | 20 | 1 |
| 2024 | 41 | 3 |
| 2025 | 31 | 4 |
| 2026 | 19 | 1 |
NHTSA's counts for the Sentra show 180 complaints and 0 recalls for 2012[12]. Among the 29 model years listed, 16 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 11 have more[12]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2013 (638)[12]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Sentra?
The 2012 Sentra has 180 complaints on file[1]. The power train and engine groups lead the list[2][5]. Some owners also describe air bag and speed control worries, and those deserve a close look on any test drive[6][8]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so they say little about how common a problem is. Check the recalls section on this page and get a pre-purchase inspection before you buy.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
- Owners report power train problems most often, with 68 complaints[2]. Engine follows with 40 complaints[5].
- Does the 2012 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
- See the Recalls section on this page for the full list. The by-year count is 0 recalls in our data[12].
- Is the 2012 Nissan Sentra reliable?
- NHTSA has 180 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Read the problem groups above and the by-year section to judge for yourself.
- How many miles do 2012 Sentra engine problems show up at?
- The median mileage at failure for engine complaints is 84,500[5].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
- See the fuel economy section on this page.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Nissan Sentra
Compare all model years of the Nissan Sentra
Other Nissan models from 2012
- 2012 Nissan Pathfinder
- 2012 Nissan Quest
- 2012 Nissan Titan
- 2012 Nissan Versa
- 2012 Nissan Xterra
- 2012 Nissan Armada
Similar cars from 2012: midsize cars
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 180 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Nissan Sentra (10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 68 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Sentra, 2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 3 stars, side 3 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
- 40 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 3 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 22 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 17 complaints name the structure component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 7,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 13 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 10 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,193). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Sentra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Sentra, 2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Sentra, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Sentra, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Nissan Sentra with electric motor: rated 177 to 200 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SENTRA 4DR SEDAN FWD 2.0: length 180 in, width 70 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 2,862 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SENTRA 4DR SEDAN FWD 2.0S/2.0SL/SR: length 180 in, width 70 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,000 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SENTRA 4DR SEDAN FWD SE-R SPEC V: length 180 in, width 70 in, height 59 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,071 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov