Nissan Sentra 2007–2012
6th generation (B16)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,202 complaints, 934 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 22,000 and 100,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 8 complaints (0.9%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 3,000
- 25%
- 22,000
- Median
- 66,430
- 75%
- 100,000
- 90%
- 130,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 154 | 16.5% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 60 | 6.4% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 48 | 5.1% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 51 | 5.5% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 45 | 4.8% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 62 | 6.6% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 70 | 7.5% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 78 | 8.4% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 55 | 5.9% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 77 | 8.2% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 55 | 5.9% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 44 | 4.7% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 37 | 4.0% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 22 | 2.4% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 19 | 2.0% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 22 | 2.4% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 16 | 1.7% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 4 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 6 | 0.6% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 8 | 0.9% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,202 complaints with NHTSA about the 2007–2012 Nissan Sentra, and 934 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 22,000 and 100,000 miles. The median is 66,430 miles.
The most-reported areas are the airbag system (15.2% of complaints, typically around 82,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (12.1% of complaints, typically around 75,000 miles), the engine (11.1% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
3 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Airbag system82,000median 81,680 miles, middle half 53,000 to 114,000
- Transmission and driveline75,000median 75,000 miles, middle half 50,000 to 103,000
- Engine80,000median 79,800 miles, middle half 52,000 to 110,000
- Electrical system79,000median 79,000 miles, middle half 45,000 to 106,000
- Steering51,000median 51,123 miles, middle half 20,000 to 84,000
- Problems owners could not categorise90,000median 90,415 miles, middle half 42,000 to 120,000
- Throttle and speed control62,000median 62,200 miles, middle half 10,000 to 107,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airbag system | 183 | 15.2% | 82,000 | 53,000–114,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 145 | 12.1% | 75,000 | 50,000–103,000 |
| Engine | 134 | 11.1% | 80,000 | 52,000–110,000 |
| Electrical system | 125 | 10.4% | 79,000 | 45,000–106,000 |
| Steering | 82 | 6.8% | 51,000 | 20,000–84,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 77 | 6.4% | 90,000 | 42,000–120,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 61 | 5.1% | 62,000 | 10,000–107,000 |
| Suspension | 47 | 3.9% | 18,000 | 1,500–57,000 |
| Body structure | 40 | 3.3% | 42,000 | 7,500–92,000 |
| Tyres | 37 | 3.1% | 12,000 | 4,500–34,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 66,430 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The airbag system accounts for 15.2% of complaints (183 reports, 137 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 81,680 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 53,000 and 114,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 12.1% of complaints (145 reports, 117 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 50,000 and 103,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 11.1% of complaints (134 reports, 103 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,800 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 52,000 and 110,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.4% of complaints (125 reports, 97 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 79,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 45,000 and 106,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 6.8% of complaints (82 reports, 71 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 51,123 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 20,000 and 84,488 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 6.4% of complaints (77 reports, 53 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 90,415 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 120,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2012 model year drew the most — 260 complaints — while 2009 drew the fewest at 81. The median year sits at 213.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 3 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the electrical system (2), equipment (1). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,202 complaints filed against this generation, 147 reported a crash; 41 reported a fire; 139 reported an injury; 5 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 12.2% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 22,000 and 100,000 miles, with a median of 66,430. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the airbag system and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 75,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Transmission (cvt) 2007–2012
CVT fluid-temperature protection logic derates the vehicle after sustained high-speed or uphill operation in hot ambient conditions (documented at roughly 4000+ rpm and 65+ mph above ~96 F), and belt/pulley failures follow overheating. Nissan extended CVT coverage to 10 years / 120,000 miles on affected 2007-2010 vehicles.
Engine (2.0l Mr20de) 2007–2012
Timing chain guide wear and elevated oil consumption at higher mileage.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 215 | 164 |
| 2008 | 233 | 176 |
| 2009 | 81 | 73 |
| 2010 | 212 | 161 |
| 2011 | 201 | 169 |
| 2012 | 260 | 191 |
Recalls (3)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 11V579000 | 2012-01-23 | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables |
| 10V555000 | 2010-11-19 | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery:cables |
| 10V401000 | 2010-09-16 | Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System) |
What owners reported
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the alignment was out of place since the purchase of the vehicle. As a result, the vehicle was difficult to steer while driving at speeds of 55 to 70 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the contact was informed that the axle was bent…
2007 · 114 miles · Steering
1-9-07 I purchased a 2007 Nissan Sentra on 1-13-07 the ps light came on and the power steering was out. It corrected itself and drove okay until 1-18, 2007 i took the car to the dealer. The porter drove the car and confirmed the power steering was not working. I had to argue with the service clerk to demand that…
2007 · 250 miles · Steering
My son bought a 2007 Nissan Sentra s on july 27, 2007. This vehicle has broke down on 08/03/07, 08/07/07, 08/10/00 and as of today it is still at a Nissan dealer. The problem with this vehicle is that three times the while driving along for no reason it the car speed drops to 5 MPH. The first time it happened was at…
2007 · 622 miles · Throttle and speed control
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Nissan Sentra. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for routine maintenance and informed them that the brakes were not working properly. The dealer stated that the vehicle did not have an ABS recall and it was not covered under the warranty. On november 5, 2008, while driving…
2007 · 1,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Built from 934 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page