Research · Midsize Cars

2012 Nissan SentraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 180 owner complaints for the 2012 Nissan Sentra. Most complaints involve power train (68) and engine (39). The EPA rates it 24–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24–29mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
180
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2012 Nissan Sentra as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

180 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2011 – Aug 2025
  1. Power train68
  2. Engine39
  3. Vehicle speed control22
  4. Air bags20
  5. Structure17
  6. Electrical system13
  7. Visibility10
  8. Fuel/propulsion system9
  9. Steering9

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

By model year

Complaints for each Sentra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000171
2001245
2002333
2003180
2004197
2005170
2006116
2007154
2008167
200955
2010144
2011142
2012180
2013638
2014380
2015352
2016270
2017231
2018185
2019223
2020207
2021133
202281
202320
202441
202531
202619
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

68 reports1 crash
“Our nissan Sentra with 106K miles the car lost nearly all power as my son was turning onto the freeway. He could only drive 16 miles an hour and it was hopping and jumping through a 8 lane freeway/highway intersection while he tried to get into a parking lot off the road. He turned it off, waited 5 minutes, and turned it back on, but it was still slowly hopping and jumping. After another 10 minutes my husband drove it for about 10 minutes and it operated normally. This same behavior happened in 2019 with 82k miles at a large intersection. It suddenly lost power and slowly hopped through the intersection. At 60k the cruise control buttons on the steering wheel quit working. When we asked the Nissan Dealership about it, we were told that was typical and it would slowly lose all the functionality of the steering wheel controls. All the functionality was gone by 70k miles. We have learned that Nissan's transmissions are very problematic and these situations are typical as you get closer to 120k miles. We planned to have this car for several more years. If we sell it and buy a different car we are out several thousand dollars or if we keep it we will likely have to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2024Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11591810

Engine

39 reports4 crashes3 fires
“The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,504.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 1, 2025Engine, Vehicle speed controlODI 11677777

Vehicle speed control

22 reports1 crash
“car stalled no power in gas pedal traveling across for lane traffic just lost power to the gas pedal. was able to pull over and tuned off car after a few minutes of sitting power was restore and was able to drive again I have been told this is a transmission issue I am not sure but defiantly a safety issue losing power like that”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2024Vehicle speed control, Unknown or otherODI 11622787
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.5L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Automatic (AV-S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sentra
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,200306
Sentra
Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233026$2,450342
Sentra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
243026$2,450342
Sentra
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
212824$3,300370
  • Sentra
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Sentra
    Auto (AV-S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    23 city · 30 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Sentra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    24 city · 30 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Sentra
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    21 city · 28 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
3 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
11.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 6159
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2012 Sentra questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Sentra have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.

What are the most common 2012 Nissan Sentra problems?

Owners filed 180 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (68), engine (39), vehicle speed control (22). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2012 Nissan Sentra get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Sentra at 24–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2012 Nissan Sentra?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2012 Nissan Sentra 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026