2012 Nissan SENTRA
Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report
Quick Summary
The 2012 Nissan SENTRA has 260 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 285. The most common issue is transmission problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: tl - the contact owns a 2012 nissan sentra. the contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into drive but instead, the vehicle began to reverse. the contact had to turn the vehicle completely off in order for it to reset and resume normal operation. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unabl. ⚠️ 4 fire reports filed.
260
Total Complaints
0
Recalls Issued
—/5
Safety Stars
0.9x
vs Segment Avg
Known Problems(top 5 of 8)
TRANSMISSION
68 complaints- • TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESET AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABL
- • I JUST PURCHASED A BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT 2012 NISSAN SENTRA IMMEDIATLY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP UPON LEAVING TOLD THEM THE ALIGNMENT WAS OFF THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD REALIGN THE CAR, IN THE MEANTIME WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR WANTS TO KEEP GOING AND THROUGHS ITSELF INTO ANOTHER GEAR
- • UPON ACCELERATING AFTER FIRST STARTING AND GOING ABOUT HALF A MILE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE LIKE YOU HAVE RAN OVER SOMETHING EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVEN'T. DOES THIS ALL THE TIME AFTER FIRST STARTING AND TAKING OFF. ALSO TRUNK HAD TROUBLE CLOSING AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A GAP IN TRUNK. *TR
“TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESET AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABL”
— NHTSA complaint filing
When Problems Appear on the 2012 Nissan SENTRA
Based on 191 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 62K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.
BODY/STRUCTURE
VISIBILITY
BRAKES
FUEL SYSTEM
SUSPENSION
ELECTRICAL
Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.
Above-average theft risk
The Nissan SENTRA was the #21 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,800 thefts reported to law enforcement.
Notes: Common budget sedan
Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.
Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Nissan SENTRA
Live EIA pricesBased on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.
5-Year Gas Price History
EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → todaySource: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.
Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Nissan SENTRA
How this estimate is calculated
Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.
Maintenance & Warranty
Recommended Nissan SENTRA Service Intervals
CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.
"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.
Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage
These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2012 SENTRA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.
Estimated Repair Costs
Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.
🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Based on 260 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:
- ☐TRANSMISSION: TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE BUT INSTEAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO RESET AND RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐ENGINE: THE OIL PRESSURE SENSOR GASKET FAULTY ON THE 2012 MODELS, HAVE HAD IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES, LEAKS OIL ON TOP OF ENGINE, THE LAST TIME LOST ALMOST ALL OF OIL. IT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENS IS NOT NECESSARILY NOTICED BY THE CONSUMER UNTIL AN OIL CHANGE, BUT THE PROBLEM SO FAR HAS OCCURR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐SPEED CONTROL: 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. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐OTHER: MY SUNROOF EXPLODED ON MY 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. IT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALL THE SUDDEN IT JUST EXPLODED. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. NO ONE WAS AROUND IT, NO ROCKS , LIMBS, HAIL, NO BAD WEATHER, OR ANYTHING. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
- ☐General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)
Nissan SENTRA — Year Comparison
How does 2012 compare to other years? Fewer complaints = more reliable.
NHTSA Safety Rating
No NHTSA safety rating available
At a Glance
- Complaints
- 260
- Recalls
- 0
- Fire reports
- 4
- Crash reports
- 19
- Injury reports
- 17
- Segment avg
- 285
Check a Specific VIN
See recalls for YOUR 2012 Nissan SENTRA