Are there open safety recalls?
None
No open recalls, but there’s an open government investigation — check nhtsa.gov.
FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH
The 2012 Nissan Sentra has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 180 owner complaints, and gets about 26 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.
FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA
2012 Nissan Sentra
- Engine 4-cyl 2.5L
- Drive Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel Regular
- Body Midsize Cars
Should you worry?
Look closer
Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.
What do owners report?
10 injuries reported
10 of 180 reports (~6%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.
How did it score in crash tests?
4 out of 5 stars
5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.
Open recalls · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 20103recalls
- 20112recalls
- 2012 · this car0recalls
- 20136recalls
Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked July 28, 2026.
SAFETY
Will it protect people in a crash?
These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.
- Overall
- 4 / 5 stars
- Frontal
- 3 / 5 stars
- Side
- 3 / 5 stars
- Side pole
- 5 / 5 stars
- Rollover
- 4 / 5 stars
Factory safety & driver-assist equipment
- Stability control
- Standard
Tested as: 2012 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD
Open safety recalls
A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.
No open safety recalls on file for this year and model.
The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.
From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked July 28, 2026.
OWNERS
What problems do owners report?
People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.
Owner reports · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 2010144reports
- 2011142reports
- 2012 · this car180reports
- 2013638reports
180 owner reports on file
10 crash mentions 4 fire mentions 10 injury mentions
Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 180 total reports.
- POWER TRAIN 64 of 180
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
- AIR BAGS 20 of 180
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 s
- ENGINE 15 of 180
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 ve
- UNKNOWN OR OTHER 13 of 180
Transmission died. For a few weeks, the transmission will randomly have a high whine at about 55mph, sometimes hard shifting or high revving when I feel it should have shifted. A mechanic told me the CVT transmission wasn't good and would e
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12 of 180
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
- VISIBILITY 10 of 180
AFTER GOING TO THE BANK WE STOPPED FOR BREAKFAST.....IT WAS ABOUT 40 DEGREES AND LIGHT SNOW WAS FALLING.....WHILE EATING OUR SUN ROOF EXPLODED......IT HAD A CONE SHAPE UPWARDS AND GLASS WAS ALL AROUND ON THE ROOF AND HOOD OF THE VEH. ....VE
Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.
From NHTSA owner complaints · checked July 28, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.
FUEL COST
What does it cost to drive?
EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.
Combined MPG · nearby years
Same make and model. This car is the 2012.
- 201026mpg
- 201129mpg
- 2012 · this car26mpg
- 201333mpg
$2,300
estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles
Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.
City driving 23 mpg
Highway driving 30 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 26 mpg
Over 5 years, compared to an average new car
This model is estimated to cost about $750 more on fuel.
Spends more Saves more
- Passenger space
- 97 cubic feet
- Cargo space
- 13 cubic feet
From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked July 28, 2026.
HOW IT WAS BUILT
Factory details
What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.
Engine
4-cyl 2.5L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (AV-S6)
Fuel
Regular
See all factory details (7)
- Engine
- 4-cyl 2.5L
- Cylinders
- 4
- Displacement
- 2.5 L
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Transmission
- Automatic (AV-S6)
- Body
- Midsize Cars
- Fuel
- Regular
From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked July 28, 2026.
What this free check does not include
We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.
BEFORE YOU BUY
What to check on this car
Have a mechanic check the power train
Owners report problems with the power train more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.
Watch for a pending investigation
NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.
-
Test-drive the basics
Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.
-
Check the title and the VIN
Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.
-
Ask the seller the right questions
Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.
See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.
FOR SALE NEAR YOU
2012 Nissan Sentra listings
Quick answers
Are there any recalls on the 2012 Nissan Sentra? +
No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2012 Nissan Sentra. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Sentra get? +
The EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Sentra at 26 mpg combined (23 city / 30 highway), about $2,300 a year in fuel.
How safe is the 2012 Nissan Sentra? +
NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2012 Nissan Sentra 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.
What do owners complain about on the 2012 Nissan Sentra? +
Owners have filed 180 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Nissan Sentra, including 10 involving a crash. The most-reported area is power train.
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