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2010 Nissan Sentra problems

What owners reported to NHTSA, at what mileage, and every safety recall for this model year.

144owner complaints
3safety recalls
11involved a crash

Also reported: 4 fires, 8 people injured, 0 deaths. Each complaint is counted once even if it lists several components.

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Most reported problems

Complaints by component. One complaint can name more than one component, so these add up to more than 144.

Electrical system50
Usually 40,408–113,516 miles (middle half of 36 reports with mileage)
Parts named: 12V/24V/48V battery › cables (1)
Engine35
Usually 64,767–113,251 miles (middle half of 28 reports with mileage)
Air bags31
Usually 30,500–75,250 miles (middle half of 18 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Frontal (1); Side/window (1)
Power train18
Usually 17,500–111,750 miles (middle half of 16 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Automatic transmission (1)
Unknown or other13
Usually 51,226–106,500 miles (middle half of 8 reports with mileage)
Vehicle speed control11
Usually 8,995–84,500 miles (middle half of 7 reports with mileage)
Steering9
Usually 700–87,624 miles (middle half of 9 reports with mileage)
Electronic stability control (ESC)8
Usually 88,500–115,000 miles (middle half of 7 reports with mileage)
Engine and engine cooling8
Usually 15,211–76,750 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Engine (1)
Suspension7
Usually 1,000–65,000 miles (middle half of 6 reports with mileage)
Parts named: Rear (2)

When problems show up

Reports by odometer reading at the time of the problem, top components. Each bar is a 25,000-mile band, labeled by where it starts (0 = 0–25k miles). Reports without mileage are left out.

Electrical system

36 reports with mileage · median 82,960 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Engine

28 reports with mileage · median 80,000 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Air bags

18 reports with mileage · median 64,554 miles
025k50k75k100k125k150k175k200k+

Safety recalls (3)

Recalls that cover the 2010 Nissan Sentra. Some apply only to certain trims or build dates. This page cannot tell whether a specific car's recall work was done.

Check a specific VIN's open recalls on nhtsa.gov

Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › cables

Campaign 11V579000 · 2011-12-15 · 33,803 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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).

Consequence: 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.

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.

Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › cables

Campaign 10V555000 · 2010-11-12 · 13,737 vehicles

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…

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Equipment › electrical › navigational system(global positioning system)

Campaign 10V401000 · 2010-09-10 · 7,948 vehicles

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.

Full recall text and remedy

Summary: 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.

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

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.

Questions to ask the seller

Any battery drain, dashboard warning lights, or electrical repairs? Test every switch, screen, and power accessory before buying.

50 owner complaints mention the electrical system, half of the reports with mileage are between 40,408 and 113,516 miles.

Has the engine had any repairs, oil leaks, or check-engine lights? Ask for the invoices and listen for knocking or ticking on a cold start.

35 owner complaints mention the engine, half of the reports with mileage are between 64,767 and 113,251 miles.

Has the airbag warning light ever stayed on? Was any airbag replaced after a crash?

31 owner complaints mention the air bags, half of the reports with mileage are between 30,500 and 75,250 miles.

Has the transmission been serviced or repaired? On the test drive, watch for slipping, delayed engagement, or harsh shifts.

18 owner complaints mention the transmission or drivetrain, half of the reports with mileage are between 17,500 and 111,750 miles.

Any unexpected acceleration, surging, or cruise control problems? Test cruise control on the highway.

11 owner complaints mention the throttle or cruise control, half of the reports with mileage are between 8,995 and 84,500 miles.

Has the open recall work been done? Ask for dealer service records, and check the VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls.

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year.

Other Nissan Sentra years

Owner complaints per model year (2010–2022). Older cars have had more time to collect reports.

Compare all years on one chart

Source: NHTSA complaints file (FLAT_CMPL, updated 2026-10-21) and NHTSA recalls file. Page generated 2026-10-22.

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