2012 Nissan sentra was bought 3 weeks prior with no problems. While traveling 60 - 70 MPH on a highway the car suddenly stop running and the power steering went out and the vehicle was unable to steer out of the troubled area on the highway. The vehicle broke down in the middle of a highway. After research it seem to be the same actions that has happened to thousands of other Nissan sentras.…
2012 Nissan Sentra powertrain problems
severe 64 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
64
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 64 powertrain complaints filed for the 2012 Nissan Sentra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Powertrain accounts for 36% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 10 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 64 powertrain complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
Tl - the contact owns a 2012 Nissan sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into drive but instead, the vehicle began to reverse. The contact had to turn the vehicle completely off in order for it to reset and resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not…
Transmission failed with no warning. Vehicle would not move after braking while still in gear. Only 78,000 miles logged.5.5 years old. Exact event: backing slowly out of a driveway (in reverse); braked at end of driveway to look both directions; resumed acceleration (in reverse) as I turned and nothing happened. Vehicle would not "land" in any gear (drive, reverse, low drive, etc). Had to be…
Since purchasing the car new in 2012 upon accelerating after first starting and going about half a mile car makes a clunking noise. Does this all the time after first starting and taking off and can be felt under the driver's side floorboard when it happens. The dealership took it for a test ride and said it is normal in sentra models, but they never checked the bushings to diagnose the source of…
When taking off from any location engine revs to 4000 RPM until up to speed , need to be very easy on gas to get going up to speed , can be dangerous at intersections to get moving quickly if needed
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact drove at a slow speed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle with transmission failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 144,000.
I was driving through town and was at a stop light when my car would not accelerate at all. No warning signs. No check engine light. It just wouldn't go. Took my car to the Nissan dealer and was advised the transmission has to be replaced. Nissan refuses to assist with any of the cost. It's an automatic CVT transmission.
Had powertrain trouble with your 2012 Nissan Sentra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2012 Nissan Sentra?
It's a meaningful issue. 64 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $2,500.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 63,383 and 95,000 miles, with the median around 74,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 63,383; a quarter make it past 95,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Nissan/Sentra.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.