general problems of the 2010 Nissan Sentra

12 problems related to power train have been reported for the 2010 Nissan Sentra. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2010 Nissan Sentra based on all problems reported for the 2010 Sentra.

1 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/02/2025

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.

2 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2022

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.

3 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/07/2020

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.

4 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 08/22/2019

Unable to drive car because the transmission gear control was locked in the p position. The release would not allow me to place the car into any other gear. Had to have a new gear control assembly ordered and replace the existing one. The car was only 117,000 miles on it. The cost for parts and labor were $992 dollars.

5 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/13/2019

Cvt transmission went at 76,000 miles, column assembly shaft lower needs repair at 87000 miles catalytic converters went at 44000 miles replaced and are going again at 87000 miles, car burns massive amounts of oil and have no oil leak or defective parts.

6 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2019

Tl the contact owns a 2010 Nissan Sentra. At various times, while approaching a stop, the vehicle would abruptly shut off without warning. The contact had to place the vehicle into park and restart the vehicle in order for it to operate normally. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic, but it was unable to be diagnosed. The contact called benton Nissan of hoover (1640 montgomery hwy, hoover, al 35216, (205) 938-6103) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

7 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/28/2018

I was driving the car and it turn off on me while 40 miles an hour.

8 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 06/13/2018

Issue with the oxygen sensor. There is a known issue with the knock sensor sending wrong information to the ecu causing the engine to adjust timing. I've gone through 3 catalytic converters due to this issue. Nissan says they're unaware of the problem and know of no fix. Going through forums, it appears the only way to stop engine from over compensating the timing is to isolate the knock sensor from the engine with a rubber o ring. I have done the repair, but can only use premium fuel or risk catastrophic engine failure. It only appears to happen to the 2007 to 2012 se-r spec-v (manual transmission). I have replaced all wiring harnesses, ecu, sensors and everything else associated with the fuel system. It tends to happen after a few minutes of turning car on. Goes away sometimes and reappears suddenly. Engine bucks and converter turns bright red. Has been happening since I bought the car in 2018 and is recorded online forums as far back as 2008. . Read more...

9 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/05/2016

While drive on insterstates at 65-70mph for 45mins cvt goes into "safe mode" bc it is too hot, which results in the cars speed to not exceed 60 mph on a 70mph interstate, and car decreases from 60mph if trying to go up hills. Which is going to result in many accidents. .

10 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/13/2012

Driving to oklahoma from el paso, two hours into the trip we are going up the mountains and the car stops shifting. We went from 70mph to 40 mph all the way up the mountain. The car did this for the entire trip. We contacted casa Nissan once we returned from our trip. My car was due for its regularly scheduled tun up so the representative said he would check out the issue during service. The representative assured me the problem was due to low transmission fluids and the fluids were filled and serviced. On August 10,2012 we went back to oklahoma and the same problem occurred. We are back in the Nissan dealership and the same representative advised me that they would have to replace the transmission. September 2011 they had to replace the engine in the car and now its the transmission.

11 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 07/09/2012

I don't know if this is a one-time,only-thing, but felt I wanted to mention it. My mother drives a 2010 Nissan Sentra, built about 2/10 it has never been serviced by the dealer except for 'included' oil and filter changes, as part of the new car 'sell' I took the front left wheel off, to rotate the tires and, since I have replaced control arms, and cv axles myself in the past, looked around. The 32 mm spindle nut was loose enough to turn by hand, the original cotter-pin (painted black while the car was built) was original-properly intact. I consulted my technical manual and it said that this 32 mm spindle nut is usually torqued to 92 foot-pounds-not finger tight. In fairness as I write this-to leave no stone unturned-and to the manufacturers defense-the car did hit a curb on that side-and the tire blew-it was replaced by etd tire service in NJ. But that cotter pin is original-never removed. So a socket could not have been put on it to loosen it from the original torque setting. Unless the shock of the tire impact jarred it loose? knocked the wheel bearing and loosened the spindle nut? either way-I am glad I spotted this. I wonder if this torque specification is adequate? 92 foot lbs. ## VIN failed ## 2010 Nissan Sentra sr ##.

12 Power Train problem

Failure Date: 05/03/2010

I was driving on a wooded back road when an animal ran out in front of the car. I hit the brakes hard enough to engage the abs and come to a full stop. Immediately after stopping I took my foot off the brake and stepped on the gas. The car acted like the brakes were still applied. I shifted between drive and reverse multiple times in an attempt to free up the brakes. Eventually I just pressed heavily on the gas and the car began to move forward slowly and gradually picked up speed. After some 15-30 seconds following pressing on the gas, the car resumed acting normally. There was a second incident on an interstate freeway when the traffic in front of me suddenly braked hard. This time I did not stop, but I felt the same sensation of the brakes still being applied. The Nissan dealer has reproduced this problem on multiple different Sentras of different model years but of the same basic generation. Nissan has told me that the car is working as designed and will not fix it. I believe this is a design problem that presents a safety issue of leaving a car unable to move for a short period of time.


Other Power Train related problems of the 2010 Nissan Sentra


Sentra Service Bulletins
Sentra Safety Recalls
Sentra Defect Investigations