VehicleVerdict

2010 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2010 Nissan Sentra sits mid-pack among Sentra years: 212 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 155, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 58 reports (27% of the total).

212

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

18

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2010 compare to other Sentra years?

Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted871 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 9 complaints1987: 46 complaints1988: 40 complaints1989: 49 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 77 complaints1992: 81 complaints1993: 89 complaints1994: 130 complaints1995: 158 complaints1996: 177 complaints1997: 138 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 74 complaints2000: 236 complaints2001: 307 complaints2002: 388 complaints2003: 240 complaints2004: 235 complaints2005: 224 complaints2006: 155 complaints2007: 215 complaints2008: 233 complaints2009: 81 complaints2010: 212 complaints2011: 199 complaints2012: 260 complaints2013: 871 complaints2014: 524 complaints2015: 496 complaints2016: 400 complaints2017: 339 complaints2018: 285 complaints2019: 356 complaints2020: 316 complaints2021: 209 complaints2022: 141 complaints2023: 33 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 42 complaints2026: 13 complaints
Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2010 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2010 Nissan Sentra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5827%
Engine4320%
Airbags3316%
Transmission188%
Other147%
Speed Control115%
Steering94%
Suspension73%
Tires & Wheels52%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Lighting31%
Body & Structure21%
Seat Belts21%
Fuel System21%
Seats10%
Brakes10%

Does the 2010 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V579000Electrical SystemDecember 15, 2011 · 33,803 units

Defect

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.

10V555000Electrical SystemNovember 12, 2010 · 13,737 units

Defect

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.

10V401000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2010 · 7,948 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM WAS BURNED AND THE POSITIVE POST TERMINAL WAS FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 6, 2013 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT SAW SMOKE EMITTING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF ROAD AND THEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AND A REPORT WAS FILED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 3, 2014 · fire

“THE OPERATOR OF VEHICLE #1 WAS TRAVELING INBOUND ON RUTHERFORD AVE. WHEN SHE ADMITTED TO THE OFFICER "I WAS DISTRACTED ...WHILE I WAS DRIVING", AND RAN A RED LIGHT. SHE STRUCK VEHICLE #2, THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR AND STRUCK VEHICLE #3 WHICH WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. NONE OF THE 3 VEHICLES'…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 25, 2014 · crash

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 2, 2025

“ON JULY 20, 2010, I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN I WAS REAR-ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FORCE OF THE CRASH WAS SUCH THAT THE REAR OF THE CAR I WAS DRIVING SUSTAINED SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. THE FORCE ALSO, PROPELLED ME INTO THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. THIS OTHER CAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 20, 2010 · crash

2010 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 2010 Nissan Sentra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sentra: 212 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2010 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (58 complaints), engine (43 complaints), airbags (33 complaints).

Does the 2010 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2010 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2002, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2001, 2018, 2012, 2003, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2005, 1996, 1995, 2006, 1994. The cleanest record among Sentra years belongs to 1983.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.