Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2012 Nissan Sentra
NHTSA data on file today
The 2012 Nissan Sentra has no NHTSA recall campaigns and 180 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars, for the 1 NHTSA-tested trim.
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 68 complaints
- Engine 39 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 22 complaints
- Unknown or Other 21 complaints
- Air Bags 20 complaints
- Structure 17 complaints
Of the 180 complaints on file, 10 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 180 complaints, owners report 10 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$10,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2012 Nissan Sentra has no recalls and a moderate number of complaints, primarily regarding the power train and engine. While not alarming, these concerns suggest average reliability. Limited recall and complaint data constrains deeper evaluation.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power train | 90,000–120,000 miles | $1,000–$4,000 | common |
| Engine | 80,000–110,000 miles | $500–$2,500 | occasional |
| Vehicle speed control | 70,000–100,000 miles | $200–$1,500 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Tire rotations and replacements
- Brake inspections and repairs
- Coolant and fluid checks
- Battery tests and replacements
- Air filter replacements
- Spark plug replacements
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual noises from engine
- Delayed gear shifting
- Decreased fuel efficiency
- Warning lights on dashboard
- Vibrations at high speeds
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2012 Nissan Sentra at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.