Complaints
260
per 10K Sold
22.2
US Sales
117,000
Crashes
22
Fires
4
Injuries
18
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2012 Nissan Sentra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#168 complaints
Transmission / Drivetrain
Avg mileage:63,022 mi
Crash-related:1
#239 complaints
Engine Problems
Avg mileage:80,929 mi
Crash-related:4
Fires:3
#322 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Avg mileage:68,660 mi
Crash-related:1
Considering a 2012 Nissan Sentra?
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2012 Nissan Sentra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 68 | 1 | — | 63,022 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 39 | 4 | 3 | 80,929 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 22 | 1 | — | 68,660 mi | |
| Airbags | 20 | 8 | 1 | 75,442 mi | |
| Body Structure | 14 | 4 | — | 30,383 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 12 | — | — | 40,401 mi | |
| Fuel System | 9 | 1 | — | 53,303 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 9 | — | — | 56,585 mi | |
| Sunroof/Moonroof | 8 | — | — | 21,836 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | 45,260 mi | |
| Brakes | 5 | 1 | — | 21,906 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Engine & Cooling | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches / Locks | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Trunk Lid | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Wipers & Visibility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core | 1 | — | — | — |
Transmission / Drivetrain
68
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,022
Engine Problems
39
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
3
Avg Miles
80,929
Unintended Acceleration
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,660
Airbags
20
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
1
Avg Miles
75,442
Body Structure
14
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
30,383
Electrical Faults
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,401
Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,303
Steering Defects
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
56,585
Sunroof/Moonroof
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
21,836
Suspension Failures
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
45,260
Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
21,906
Electronic Stability Control
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine & Cooling
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Trunk Lid
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System:Heater Core
1
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Sentra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Nissan Sentra Years
2012 Nissan Sentra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2012 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2012 Nissan Sentra has 260 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 68 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (68 complaints, avg 63,022 mi); Engine Problems (39 complaints, avg 80,929 mi); Unintended Acceleration (22 complaints, avg 68,660 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 60,925 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2012 Nissan Sentra include 22 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2012 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2012 Nissan Sentra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2012 Nissan Sentra?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Sentra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2012 Nissan Sentra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99