Sentra (B16)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
2.0-I4-Gas
2.0L 4-cyl / 140 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Nissan Sentra Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
2.5-I4-Gas
2.5L 4-cyl / 200 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
QG18DE
1.8L 4-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
VQ35DE
3.5L 6-cylView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Nissan Sentra, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra
On a used 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the airbags and driver-assist systems (177), the engine (169) and the electrical system (145). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 177 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 169 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra about the engine.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 145 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 142 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra about the transmission and drivetrain.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 82 owner complaints on the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra about the steering.
Recalls (5)
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE TERMINAL STUD BOLT WAS THICKER THAN SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH MASTER CYLINDERS. BRAKE FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. IF THE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR DECREASES TO BELOW THE MINIMUM LEVEL, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR WILL ILLUMINATE AS DESIGNED AND THE BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
NISSAN IS RECALLING 169,202 MY 2007-2008 SENTRA PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED ROBERT BOSCH MASTER CYLINDER. DUE TO THE MACHINING IRREGULARITY BY THE SUPPLIER, THE INTERNAL SEAL GROOVE IN THE BODY OF SOME BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP IN THE GROOVE CONTACT AREA OF THE SEAL. THIS MAY RESULT IN BRAKE FLUID SLOWLY LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
Alternatives in Compact Sedan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra complaints?
Owners have filed 834 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra. The systems they name most often are the safety systems, the engine and the electrical system.
Is the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 834 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra have?
NHTSA has 834 owner complaints on file for the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering some 2007-2012 Nissan Sentra vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Nissan Sentra?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the safety systems, the engine and the electrical system, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Sentra?
The 2012 Nissan Sentra received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 3 stars. Side crash: 3 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (11.6% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 834 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.