Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH and slowing down due to traffic; after slowing down and attempting to accelerate the vehicle failed to exceed 20 MPH. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled off to the side of the highway and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was turned off and towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the stepper motor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,630.
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 were couldn't get that figured out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact started the vehicle, and was unable to shift from park to reverse. She then shut the vehicle off and checked outside of the vehicle to see if the wheels were straight, thinking maybe the wheels were locking the transmission. The consumer stated when she started the vehicle again, the engine began to race, she stepped on the brake again and tried to put the vehicle in reverse, when suddenly the vehicle accelerated backwards. She was unable to stop the vehicle and consequently, she hit another vehicle and a grocery cart. The consumer stated she placed the vehicle in drive, but the vehicle continued to accelerate at a high speed. She finally turned the key off and the vehicle came to a stop. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The contact did inform the manufacturer. The current and failure mileages were approximately 7,000. …
Nissan Sentra engine control module (ECM) & positive battery terminal cable (pbtc) - VIN missing from inclusion in multiple campaign numbers replacement of my ECM completed in December of 2016 by woodfield Nissan in hoffman estates, il (invoice attached). Now my positive battery terminal cable needs to be replaced (invoice not yet issued as car is still in the possession of the service station of m'lady Nissan in crystal lake, il). In line with campaign numbers 10V555000 & 11V579000. My VIN number is not associated with either of these campaigns. I fear for my safety and the safety of others in regards to oversight of my vehicle's exclusion and possibly other consumers as well as the recall notes there possibility for the engine to stop running while driving increasing the risk of a crash. My vehicle had a no start in both instances prompting the need for repairs. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving at 35 MPH, and slowing to make a turn, the car was still in motion when the engine completely turned off, and put the car in park before it would restart. The contact shifted the gear shifter to park and restarted the vehicle. A few days after the issue mentioned above, the car started for a brief second, then would not restart and Nissan found the issue to be the ECM that was damaged by the positive battery terminal. This also made sense as to why we have always had to buy new batteries every 1-2 years, which caused issues when trying to start the car multiple times.the vehicle was taken to gainesville Nissan located at (3915 n main st, gainesville, fl 32609) where the vehicle was diagnosed with an ECM failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …
The car started making a noise, took it to auto zone & they said it was the belt tightener. The car was having a hard time driving up hills on the way home after getting the part. It actually stalled out at a red light, making it very hard to break. After getting it home & replacing the part the noise was still there. We were going to go back to auto zone to see why & while driving on the way there a valve came shooting through the engine. It was quite alarming sounded like a shot gun went off. We picked up the broken valve, parts of it looked melted, & towed the car home making sure no cars hit us we pushed the car off the rd. Thank god we were not on a hwy with my 5 month old & 11yr old.
My piston rod penetrated through the engine block. Mechanic at empire lakewood Nissan stated my drain plug was tight, and the oil level is in the safe zone on dipstick. My car has an Nissan extended gold preferred warrant until 3/22/2017, and has declined the repair of my car since I did not have all oil changes done at a dealership. Stating they can not verify the quality of work on a non-Nissan facility. I have exactly 31,749 miles on this car. Its a 2010 Nissan Sentra purchased brand new. My car starting smoking, I stopped the car immediately, and had it towed to the nearest Nissan delearship after hours.
Tl* the contact called on behalf of her mother who owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while her mother was driving in a parking lot, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted but failed to respond. The vehicle was towed to lebrun Nissan (396 grant ave, auburn, ny 13021), and was diagnosed that the CVT transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not covered under the warranty. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the long block and ECM needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of issue. The contact was informed that the issues with the vehicle were not covered under the extended warranty program for the continuously variable transmission. The failure mileage was 52,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to viciously vibrate without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the coil spring and spark plug failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Engine complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2010 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2010 Nissan Sentra, 30% of the model year's 144 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Nissan Sentra engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2010 Nissan Sentra, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Sentra engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.