2012 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems
NHTSA lists 54 engine complaints for the 2012 Nissan Sentra, 30% of its 180 total complaints for the year. Median mileage at failure is 84,000. There are no engine-related recalls tied to this issue.
- Engine complaints
- 54
- 30% of 180
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 3
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Median mileage
- 84,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 0
Typical engine symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden loss of power and stalling while driving at highway speeds, sometimes with the engine failing to respond to the accelerator pedal.
- Some drivers describe the engine smoking and catching fire, in one case after a piece fell from underneath the car.
- Several owners link engine power loss to a failing CVT transmission, with rough shifting, whistling noises, and jerking at various speeds.
- One owner reported a recurring oil pressure sensor gasket leak that worsened over repeated repairs, causing significant oil loss.
- A few complaints describe the engine cutting out entirely on the highway, sometimes accompanied by loss of power steering.
When 2012 Nissan Sentra engine complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 11, 2012, latest Aug 1, 2025.
Engine recalls for the 2012 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.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are engine problems in the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
- NHTSA lists 54 engine-related complaints for the 2012 Sentra, which is 30% of all 180 complaints filed for that model year.
- Is there a recall for the 2012 Nissan Sentra engine?
- No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this engine complaint pattern.
- At what mileage do engine problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this issue is 84,000 miles.
- Have engine problems led to fires or crashes?
- NHTSA data for this component and year shows 3 fires and 4 crashes among the reported complaints.
- How does the 2012 Sentra compare to other years for engine complaints?
- The 2012 Sentra's engine share of 30% is similar to 2010 (37%), 2011 (28%), and 2017 (30%), while later years like 2019-2021 show lower shares of 13%, 7%, and 9%.