Problems · by component

2010 Nissan Sentra electrical system problems

50 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Nissan Sentra cite electrical system, 35% of all 144 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 2 recalls on this component.

Complaints
50
35% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“As I was driving on the freeway 65 mph my car completely lost all Speed and the more I accelerated the more my car decreased speed and eventually it shut itself off as i stopped the car as I pulled over there was no time to make it to a safe area for a safe pull over i was on a bridge calling for help from my insurance. The car did not want to start at first about 45 minutes later my car started again and was able to drive away. I had no idea what happened. Then I was driving almost to 3 months down the road it does it again on the freeway i was in slow lane driving 65 was able to exit quickly so there was no accident as I pulled over it did the same exact thing to me again and I waited till it was able to go again. for the third time it did it in parking lot as I was driving about 3 to 5mph when it happened last and it did not start again and i had to get it towed it's been needing a new computer module ecu. Because the computer when plugging in to obd2 diagnostic monitors it does not read or communicate with my car to diagnose any issues so monitor does engage”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2026Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11708564
“Driving and all the sudden went from 20mph to not even 5mph was able to limp it to a mechanic who said the trans cvt was most likely the problem didnt know nissans has that issue of a fail safe.. thankfully wasn't on a busy road going 80. Have also hurd knocking under the hood a couple times before were couldn't get that figured out.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2025Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11671211
“The car stalls while the vehicle is in motion and has difficulty starting. The car stalls each time after it comes to a complete stop at lights or a stop sign makes it very dangerous”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 10, 2025Electrical system, EngineODI 11641718
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts with an unknown red warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart, and the contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V579000 (Electrical System) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that her vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2021Electrical systemODI 11429646
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO FLASH. ADDITIONALLY, THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GARDENA NISSAN (1670 W REDONDO BEACH BLVD, GARDENA, CA 90247, (310) 532-1600) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURES WERE DUE TO THE CLOCKSPRING FAILURE. THE CONTACT DECLINED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,166.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 1, 2020Steering, Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11377305
“MY 2010 NISSAN SENTRA (WAS STATIONARY EACH TIME) FAILED TO START SO I REPLACED THE BATTERY AND IT BEGAN STARTING FOR A WEEK.THEN ONE MORNING IT FAILED TO START AGAIN. I CLEANED BOTH THE CABLE ENDS ON THE BATTERY AND EACH POST. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STARTED AND LASTED A FEW DAYS AND THE SAME PROBLEMS ARISES AGAIN. THIS TIME THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT WOULD NOT START. PUT A CODE MACHINE ON THE CAR AND RECEIVED A CODE FOR CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR OR THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO NOT GET GOOD CONNECTION AND CREATE FAILURE FOR THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER BUT THE NHTSA SYSTEM IS NOT RESPONDING. COULD PLEASE RESPOND TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE IS ON THE RECALL LIST?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2020Electrical system, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11340336

Showing 6 of 50 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

2 recalls on this component

Electrical system: 12v

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE TERMINAL STUD BOLT WAS THICKER THAN SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).

Electrical systemReported Dec 15, 2011NHTSA 11V579000

Electrical system: 12v

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.

Electrical systemReported Nov 12, 2010NHTSA 10V555000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Other 2010 Sentra problem areas