Nissan · Sentra · 2012
2012 Nissan Sentra
0
Recalls
180
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2012 Nissan Sentra has no recalls and 180 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (43 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2012 Nissan Sentra page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 43 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2012 Nissan Sentra currently shows no active NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 180 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (43), air bags (13), engine (13).
- Vehicle
- 2012 Nissan Sentra
- Recalls
- 0
- Complaints
- 180
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
11.6% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Owner Complaints
180 totalENGINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Aug 1, 2025
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...
Preview excerpt
SERVICE BRAKES
Jan 27, 2025
My ABS light and skid light is staying on all the time.
AIR BAGS
CRASH1 injuryNov 16, 2024
The contact owned a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her boyfriend was driving at 40 MPH and passing a side street, another driver traveling in a Subaru failed to yield. As a result, the Subaru collided with the passenger side of the contact's vehicle sending the...
Preview excerpt
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Oct 1, 2024
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 b...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
Sep 12, 2024
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to turn on the headlights, the air bags deployed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to...
Preview excerpt
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Jul 13, 2024
The rearview mirror fell off the windshield and was hanging by the wires, which was found when entering the vehicle to drive; when touched, the wires and everything fell the rest off the way off the windshield. Glass from the windshield broke off with the rearview mirror. This wa...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
May 23, 2024
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 turn...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
Feb 12, 2024
Leaking transmission oil. Also burning engine oil a week after doing an oil change to the point there is no oil but no leaks.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Feb 11, 2023
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled and, on several occasions, and the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who replaced the ignition switch, bu...
Preview excerpt
ENGINE
FIREJan 15, 2023
******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS AN INADVERTENT DUPLICATE OF ODI# 11502677*DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******
Showing 10 recent complaints from 180 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2012 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Nissan Sentra Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Nissan Sentra have?
The 2012 Nissan Sentra has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has received 180 owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Nissan Sentra.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
The 2012 Nissan Sentra received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2012 Nissan Sentra are power train (43 reports), air bags (13 reports), engine (13 reports).
Does the 2012 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2012 Nissan Sentra. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.