Model year guide

2010 Nissan Sentra

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2010 Nissan Sentra is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 278 on record.

2010 Nissan Sentra — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2010 Nissan Sentra at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints144
Combined27 mpg
Typical price$6,153

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2010 Nissan Sentra recalls 3

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables NHTSA Campaign #11V579000 · 15/12/2011

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).

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 System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables NHTSA Campaign #10V555000 · 12/11/2010

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 MODUL…

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.

Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System) NHTSA Campaign #10V401000 · 10/09/2010

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.

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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2010 Nissan Sentra common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

2010 Nissan Sentra safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2010 Nissan Sentra 4-DR.w/SAB. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2010 Nissan Sentra MPG & running costs

Combined27 mpg
City24 mpg
Highway31 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,475

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2010 Nissan Sentra worth?

Low
$3,800
Typical price
$6,153
High
$8,300

From 274 comparable 2010 Nissan Sentra listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2010 Nissan Sentra costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,375
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,700
Total$16,075
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($6,153) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,432), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2010 Nissan Sentra trims & engines on record

Trims
2 · 2.0 SR · 2.0 S · 2.0 SL · SE-R · Si
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 140 hp · 2.5L 4-cyl 200 hp · 2.3L 4-cyl 160 hp

2010 Nissan Sentra vehicles on record

Other Nissan Sentra model years

2010 Nissan Sentra — frequently asked questions

Does the 2010 Nissan Sentra have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2010 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Nissan Sentra?

Based on 144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, electrical system, power train.

What is the 2010 Nissan Sentra safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2010 Nissan Sentra crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 5★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2010 Nissan Sentra get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2010 Nissan Sentra at about 27 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway).

How much is a 2010 Nissan Sentra worth?

Comparable 2010 Nissan Sentra listings run roughly $3,800–$8,300, typically around $6,153 (from 274 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.