2012 Nissan Sentra problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What gas mileage does the 2012 Nissan Sentra get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Nissan Sentra at about 26 mpg combined (24 city / 31 highway).

Q: How much is a 2012 Nissan Sentra worth?

Comparable 2012 Nissan Sentra listings run roughly $7,500–$11,600, typically around $9,733 (from 1,471 vehicles).

2012 Nissan Sentra at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints180

Overall safety4 / 5 ★

Combined26 mpg

Typical price$9,733

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

2012 Nissan Sentra recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2012 Nissan Sentra.

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.

2012 Nissan Sentra common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 180 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

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.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Vehicle Speed Control

Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.

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.

Service Brakes

Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2012 Nissan Sentra safety ratings

Overall★★★★★

Frontal crash★★★★★

Side crash★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Nissan Sentra MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg

City24 mpg

Highway31 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,488

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

What's a 2012 Nissan Sentra worth?

Low

$7,500

Typical price

$9,733

High

$11,600

From 1,471 comparable 2012 Nissan Sentra listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Nissan Sentra costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,440

Depreciation (5 yrs)$5,700

Total$18,140

Per mile$0.24

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 ($9,733) with the same model 5 model-years older ($4,030), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.