YearToAvoid

2010 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems

Engine problems account for 53 of 144 complaints (37%) filed on the 2010 Nissan Sentra, the highest engine share of any model year in this range. Stalling at low speed and while braking is the most reported pattern, with median failure mileage at 78,400 miles. No related recall is listed for this component.

Engine complaints
53
37% of 144
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
78,400 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle stalls suddenly while driving at low speeds or when coming to a stop, sometimes with the check engine light on.
  • Engine stalls repeatedly while slowing down or braking, requiring the driver to shift to park and restart before the car responds again.
  • Owners report the electronic control module or ecm was replaced to try to fix stalling, but the failure recurred.
  • One owner reported smoke from under the hood followed by an engine fire while driving at 20 mph.
  • One report describes the exhaust pipe rusting through and breaking apart over a few years of ownership.
  • One owner reported the long block and ecm needed replacement after the vehicle stalled at 35 mph.

When 2010 Nissan Sentra engine complaints were filed

First complaint Feb 24, 2010, latest Jan 3, 2026.

2010 Nissan Sentra engine complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2010Apr 2012Oct 2013Apr 2015Jul 2016Mar 2017Jan 2019Jul 2020
53 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2010 to Jan 2026; peak Jan 2013 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2010 Nissan Sentra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sentra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201053 (37%)
  2. 201140 (28%)
  3. 201254 (30%)
  4. 2013133 (21%)
  5. 201488 (23%)
  6. 2015101 (29%)
  7. 201668 (25%)
  8. 201769 (30%)
  9. 201838 (21%)
  10. 201929 (13%)
  11. 202014 (7%)
  12. 202112 (9%)
  13. 202214 (17%)
  14. 20234 (20%)
  15. 20243 (8%)
  16. 20255 (17%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are engine problems on the 2010 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA lists 53 engine complaints for the 2010 Sentra, which is 37% of all 144 complaints filed for that model year — the highest engine share among the years shown in this data.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Nissan Sentra engine?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the engine component on the 2010 Sentra.
At what mileage do 2010 Sentra engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this component is 78,400 miles.
What is the most common engine complaint on the 2010 Sentra?
Stalling while driving, often at low speed or when slowing down and braking, is the most frequently described issue in owner complaints.
Were there any crashes or fires linked to 2010 Sentra engine complaints?
NHTSA data shows 1 crash and 1 fire among the 53 engine complaints for the 2010 Sentra, with no reported injuries.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.