2010 Nissan Sentra: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 144 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (27% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2011
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Driving and all the sudden went from 20mph to not even 5mph was able to limp it to a mechanic who said the trans cvt was most likely the problem didnt know nissans has that issue of a fail safe.. thankfully wasn't on a busy road going 80. Have also hurd knocking under the hood a couple times before were couldn't get that figured out.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2025
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the rear glass fractured after the contact activated the defroster to attempt to defrost the windows. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Feb 2025
“The car stalls while the vehicle is in motion and has difficulty starting. The car stalls each time after it comes to a complete stop at lights or a stop sign makes it very dangerous”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Involved in a motor vehicle t-bone collision. Driver airbag deployed but the panel did not fully come off. Bottom section of the airbag/horn cover came off. Top section did not separate from the rest of the wheel.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2024
“Driver airbag randomly went off while driving down the road. Did NOT hit anything, no potholes, or anything that could have set the airbag off. Additionally, the airbag was extremely hot when it went off and burned the drivers arms and face.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2024
“Airbag light came on a week ago. Have reset it several times and returns. When the Airbag light goes off the Seat Belt light comes on, and sometimes simultaneously.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2022
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH and slowing down due to traffic; after slowing down and attempting to accelerate the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off to the side of the highway and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was turned off and towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the stepper motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,630.”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2022
“Tl* the contact owns a 2010 nissan sentra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light started to flash. Additionally, the horn was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to gardena nissan (1670 w redondo beach blvd, gardena, ca 90247, (310) 532-1600) and the contact was informed that the failures were due to the clockspring failure. The contact declined to have the vehicle diagnosed. The manufacturer had not been contacted or notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 172,166.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2020
“The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts with an unknown red warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact also stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart, and the contact had the vehicle towed to her residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V579000 (Electrical System) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that her vehicle was not under recall. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2020
“Tl* the contact called on behalf of her mother who owns a 2010 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while her mother was driving in a parking lot, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted but failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to lebrun nissan (396 grant ave, auburn, ny 13021), and was diagnosed that the cvt transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN PN NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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).
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND COVER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2010 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sentra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2010 Nissan Sentra reliable?
NHTSA has 144 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2010 Nissan Sentra. The most complained-about area is electrical system (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Sentra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2010 Nissan Sentra have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.