RoadVitals

2012 Nissan Sentra Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Sep 10, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
9%
of 180 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Nissan Sentra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureSteering
Filed Sep 10, 2019

CANNOT MOVE CAR OUT OF PARK.

NHTSA ID
11254460
Incident
Sep 10, 2019
Mileage
79,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 26, 2019

THE PLASTIC PIECE ON DRIVERS FRONT FENDER KEEPS POPPING OUT SO YOU HAVE TO KEEP POPPING IT BACK SO IT'S SECURE ON FRAME AS AFRAID IT WILL FALL OFF IF DON'T. I NOTICED IT AFTER I HAD PARKED. PREVIOUSLY HAD TO HAVE A CLIP PUT ON TO SECURE THE PART. SO THIS IS SECOND TIME IT'S HAPPENED IF SOMEONE HITS ON THAT SIDE WOULD CAUSE DAMAGE FOR SURE

NHTSA ID
11235192
Incident
Jul 26, 2019
Mileage
92,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jun 17, 2019
Crash reported

I WAS PULLED OVER STATING MY TAGS WERE BAD AND TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO OBTAIN NEW ONES. HE THEN INSPECTED MY CAR AND I WAS ON MY WAY AFTET WE DISCUSSED THE TIEROD ISSUE AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT I THEN RECORDED ON MY PHONE THE SHAKE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. I LATER FOUND OUT THE BLINKING LIGHT WAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT NOT THE SEAT BELT LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AS WELL. THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE PASSED INSPECTION. I GOT IN A SMALL FENDER BENDER AND THE INSURANCE IS NOW TOTALING MY CAR.

NHTSA ID
11220636
Incident
Apr 29, 2019
Mileage
108,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 8, 2019

WHEN OPENING THE DOOR THE HANDLE NO LONGER FUNCTIONED. UPON ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM, A PLASTIC PIECE THAT HAD ALLOWED THE SPRING TO ACTIVATE HAD BROKEN AND THIS WOULD NOT ALLOW THE DOOR TO OPEN VIA THE HANDLE FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR. I WAS HOWEVER ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR, ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR. AFTER A HARSH WINTER AND THE POWER WINDOWN SWTICH BEING REPLACED AS WELL AS THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR I WAS ABLE TO USE MY DOOR PROPERLY AGAIN. THE WORSE THING IS THAT NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPEN AGAIN, DEALT WITH IT FOR A WHILE, BUT WINTER HAS NOW COME AGAIN AND I STILL CAN NOT OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE INSIDE. I HAVE RIGGED A WIRE LOOP AROUND THE PULLEY SYSTEM AND CREATED A WAY TO OPEN MY DOOR FROM THE INSIDE, BUT I HAD READ MULTIPLE BLOGS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH THE SENTRA. I FIND THIS TO BE CONCERNING AND FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THESE PARTS AND OFFER LIFETIME REPLACEMENT OF THE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR. IF I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND MY DOOR WAS MY ONLY EXIT, WOULD NISSAN BE PAYING MY FAMILY FOR MY DEATH?

NHTSA ID
11165813
Incident
Oct 22, 2018
Body & structure
Filed Mar 26, 2018

IT WAS RAINING REALLY HARD ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE DRIPPING FROM THE ROOF OF MY CAR ON THE INSIDE AND DRIPPING FROM THE INSIDE OF MY PASSENGER DOOR. I WAS SITTING IN THE GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ID
11081347
Incident
Feb 20, 2017
Body & structure
Filed Jul 6, 2017

ON CHRISTMAS MORNING, I WENT OUT TO THE PARKED CAR TO DISCOVER AN EXPLODED SUNROOF . TEMPERATURE WAS UNUSUALLY MILD THAT DAY, 75 DEGREES RATHER THAN TEENS OR 20S. NOT SURE IF THE EXPLOSION WAS OVERNIGHT OR IN THE MORNING. THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE OR ANY DOWNED BRANCHES NEARBY. GLASS BROKE OUTWARD, NOT INWARD.

NHTSA ID
11003420
Incident
Dec 25, 2015
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 1, 2015

I PURCHASE USED CAR FROM 2012 I NEVER EXPECT TO HAVE ANY CAR PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST 4 YRS, BUT THAT WAS NOT MY CASE IN 5 MONTH OF HAVING THE CAR IT STARTED TO GIVE ME PROBLEMS. THE FIST PROBLEM IS THAT I HAD A LEAKING THAT WAS COMING FROM THE SUN ROOF AND THE TOP LIGHT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WAY IS MADE IT HAD TO DRAIN TUBE AND THEY GET CLOG. I WAS ALSO TOLD NOT TO PARK MY CAR UNDER TREE. UH THAT'S IS KIND OF HARD THERE'S A LOT TREES IN THE COUNTRY. I HAD TO CHANGE THE BATTERY IN ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE CAR WHEN I TURN IT OFF THE MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING. FEW DAY AFTER THE MY CAR WOULD NOT START NOT EVEN MANUALLY. I TOLD THAT THE IGNITION WAS NOT WORKING AND THE ANTI THEFT SYSTEM LOCK THEREFORE I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE CAR ON. I ALSO SAW THAT THE METAL THAT IS UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS RUSTY FROM THE LEAK. I RESEARCH THE RECALLS, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY ON THIS YEAR. HOWEVER I FOUND THE PREVIOUS YEAR HAD A RECALL AND WAS THE SAME ISSUES I'M HAVING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10703020
Incident
Mar 30, 2015
Mileage
34,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 24, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON AUGUST 25, 2014 WHILE I DID ESCAPE WITH MY LIFE AND MY WHOLE BODY INTACT, AFTER A WITNESS WAS ON SCENE SHE SAID SHE HER A LOUD POP, WELL THAT LOUD POP WAS MY FRONT LEFT (IMMEDIATE DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE) AND I ENDED UP IN A BRICK WALL. NOT PLEASED WITH BRIDGESTONE, AS MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD NO MORE THAN 8000 MILES ON IT, BUT VERY PLEASED WITH THE VEHICLE AND IT'S FEATURES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660530
Incident
Aug 25, 2014
Mileage
2,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 11, 2013

BOUGHT VEHICLE NEW, AND ITS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD NOW - THE TRUNK LATCH BREAKS REPEATEDLY LEAVING THE TRUNK UNABLE TO BE CLOSED OR LOCKED. ITS BEEN SERVICED 3 TIMES, WITH NEW PARTS ISSUED AND TESTED AND 'FIXED' EACH TIME, AND SAME ISSUES REPEATS ITSELF. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I COUNTED 9 USES BEFORE THE ISSUE REPEATED, THIS MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE WAS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AFTER NEW PARTS ISSUED: IT WAS USED 3 TIMES. IT RENDERS THE LATCH BY THE DRIVERS SEAT, THE KEY LATCH AND THE VEHICLES TRUNK LATCH ALL USELESS. HAS TO BE A RECALL ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10555550
Incident
May 18, 2013
Mileage
7,500 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Sep 10, 2013
Crash reported

THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN MY HUSBAND WRECKED THE 2012 NISSAN SENTRA 6-24-13. MY HUSBAND SWERVED TO MISS A DEER THAT WAS IN THE ROAD, HIT A CULVERT, GOT AIR BORN, TOOK OUT A REFLECTOR SIGN, AND CRASHED INTO THE GROUND. THE CAR HAD +$7,000 WORTH OF DAMAGES AND THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I THINK THERE IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. IT GOT AIR BORN AND HIT A CULVERT. I THINK AN AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10542888
Incident
Jun 26, 2013
Mileage
33,144 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jul 5, 2013

I WAS DRIVING MY NISSAN SENTRA OVER I-25 AND SUDDENLY MOON ROOF EXPLODED. I HEARD A GUNSHOT AND GLASSES FLYING.THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN MUST ISSUE RECALL OR REPLACEMENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES. IT SOUNDS LIKE VEHICLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I READ SEVERAL FORUMS ON INTERNET AND CAME TO KNOW THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE WITH SEVERAL OTHER CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523304
Incident
Jul 4, 2013
Mileage
8,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 26, 2013

2012 NISSAN SENTRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WATER LEAK CAUSING VEHICLE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED EVERY TIME IT RAINED, IT LEAKED INSIDE THE VEHICLE, CAUSING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE DASH. THE DEALER STATED THE WATER WAS COMING THROUGH THE FIREWALL.

NHTSA ID
10522357
Incident
Jun 3, 2013
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Feb 8, 2013
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AT NIGHT, JUST BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE, AND STRUCK A TRAILER THAT WAS NOT CLEARLY NOTICEABLE (DID NOT HAVE CLEAR REFLECTORS). AT 5 MPH, THE HOOD WAS CRUNCHED LIKE AN ACCORDION, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND THE CAR IS CONSIDERED TOTALED. WHAT WOULD THE CONSEQUENCES HAVE BEEN IF STRIKING SOMETHING AT 30, 40, OR 50 MPH? *TR

NHTSA ID
10496817
Incident
Feb 3, 2013
Mileage
6,629 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 5, 2012

UPON ACCELERATING AFTER FIRST STARTING AND GOING ABOUT HALF A MILE CAR MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE LIKE YOU HAVE RAN OVER SOMETHING EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVEN'T. DOES THIS ALL THE TIME AFTER FIRST STARTING AND TAKING OFF. ALSO TRUNK HAD TROUBLE CLOSING AND THERE SEEMS TO BE A GAP IN TRUNK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10473871
Incident
Aug 9, 2012
Mileage
68 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed May 24, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL CLICKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR AXLE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TRUNK WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD AN OPEN SPACE ON THE LEFT SIDE WHEN CLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,834.

NHTSA ID
10459504
Incident
Mar 1, 2012
Mileage
123 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed May 21, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE LOCK ON THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERABLE DUE TO A GAP NEAR THE LOCK. THE REAR SUSPENSION MADE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE OR THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE DEPRESSED. THERE WAS ALSO A GRINDING NOISE AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED PREVENTING THE CONTACT FROM STOPPING THE VEHICLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,300 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,700.

NHTSA ID
10459067
Incident
May 18, 2012
Mileage
1,700 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 7, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT MICE WERE BUILDING NESTS INSIDE OF THE HEATER VENTS. AS A RESULT, THE BLOWER MOTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE NESTS WERE CLEANED OUT FROM THE VENTS HOWEVER, MICE CONTINUED TO ENTER THE VEHICLE AND BUILD NESTS INSIDE OF THE HEATER VENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5.

NHTSA ID
10450631
Incident
Sep 1, 2011
Mileage
5 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .