Model year record

2010 Nissan Sentra recalls & problems

The 2010 Nissan Sentra has 3 safety recalls and 144 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (50 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints144filed by owners

Crashes · fires11 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

2010 Nissan Sentra in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemDec 15, 2011

12v/24v/48v battery › Cables

Recall 11V57900033,803 vehicles

Problem: 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).
Risk: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Electrical systemNov 12, 2010

12v/24v/48v battery › Cables

Recall 10V55500013,737 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentSep 10, 2010

Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)

Recall 10V4010007,948 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2010 Nissan Sentra 4-DR.w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2010 Nissan Sentra NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Sentra

29mpg combined

City / highway	26 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Sentra

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Sentra

26mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (AV-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Sentra

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery › Cables	50	1	2	1	82,960 mi
Engine	35	0	1	0	80,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal; Side/window	33	10	0	7	54,553 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	18	0	0	0	80,000 mi
Unknown or other	13	0	0	0	92,500 mi
Vehicle speed control	11	1	0	0	11,000 mi
Steering	9	1	0	0	20,500 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine	8	1	0	0	51,937 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	8	0	0	0	104,000 mi
SuspensionRear	7	0	0	0	10,500 mi
TiresPressure monitoring and regulating systems	4	1	0	1	11,000 mi
Exterior lighting	3	0	1	0	90,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control
As I was driving on the freeway 65 mph my car completely lost all Speed and the more I accelerated the more my car decreased speed and eventually it shut itself off as i stopped the car as I pulled over there was no time to make it to a safe area for a safe pull over i was on a bridge calling for help from my insurance. The car did not want to start at first about 45 minutes later my car started again and was able to drive away. I had no idea what happened. Then I was driving almost to 3 months down the road it does it again on the freeway i was in slow lane driving 65 was able to exit quickly so there was no accident as I pulled over it did the same exact thing to me again and I waited…
Dec 24, 2025
Engine
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.
May 2, 2025
Visibility
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.
Feb 18, 2025 · 100,000 miles
Engine
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
Nov 3, 2024
Air bagsCrash
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.
Oct 17, 2024
Air bags1 injury
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.
Jan 12, 2024
Air bags
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.
Sep 20, 2022
Engine
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.
Jun 4, 2022 · 169,630 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.