NissanSentra2012Overview/nissan/sentra/2012/base/

2012 Nissan Sentra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Sentra.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2012 Nissan Sentra is a passenger car powered by a four-cylinder engine that requires 4.1 quarts of 5W-30 API oil, and it stands out in the model’s reliability history with zero recalls and 180 total owner complaints—the most common issue area being the powertrain. This places the 2012 model year well below the peak of 638 complaints seen in 2013, yet above the low of 8 in 2026, indicating a relatively moderate reliability record within the Sentra’s long production span.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 40R · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 40R · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-60HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter1654630P00 alt 16546ET00J
Spark plug22401JD01B alt 22401JA01B
Battery24410ET00B
Front wiper blades28890ZE91A alt 28890ET000
Serpentine belt11720ET00A alt 11720ET80A
Thermostat210496N220 alt 21049ED00A
Cabin air filter27277VS00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.9 in
Overall width70.5 in
Overall height59.4 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight2862 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)62/38

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sentra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.4–9.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.40 sec — 2007 SE-R Spec V
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2007SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-46.40 sec15.00 sec200 hpFWD
2007SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-46.40 sec14.90 sec200 hpFWD
2007SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-46.60 sec15.00 sec200 hpFWD
2007SE-R Spec V 2.5L I-47.00 sec15.40 sec200 hpFWD
2007SE-R 2.5L I-47.40 sec15.70 sec177 hpFWD
20072.0 S 2.0L I-48.30 sec16.50 sec140 hpFWD
20072.0 S 2.0L I-49.20 sec17.10 sec140 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.1 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.1 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts80 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts20 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts25 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts31 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub140 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary ResistanceExcept 0 or Between terminals 1 and 2 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary ResistanceExcept 0 Between terminals 1 and 3

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.88-1.10 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number40R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number21R

Service checks

Radiator Cap Pressure ReliefRadiator leak pressure testing, 5 psi.
Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-182 °F
Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-182 °F
Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.3 ohms

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs / 20 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle62 ft-lbs / 122 ft-lbs
Brake ApplicationWITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle122 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.059 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 1420 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., step 2: 6022 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees 2014 Rogue, +622 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
2100 degrees.100 degrees
3Loosen all bolts in reverse order.
430 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
5100 degrees.100 degrees
6100 degrees.; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 11 mm and 45 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limit of 0.15 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to bolt threads and seating surface.100 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
137 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts in reverse order
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
475 degrees75 degrees
575 degrees; Check diameter of bolts at two points, 12 mm and 55 mm from the end. Whenever the difference between these two points exceeds the limits of 0.23 mm, replace bolts. Apply new engine oil to threads and seating surface of mounting bolts.75 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6025 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 30,000 miBody Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Nissan Sentra generated 180 complaints, zero recalls, and 107 TSBs, figures that align closely with 2011 (142 complaints, 2 recalls, 107 TSBs) and 2010 (144 complaints, 3 recalls, 104 TSBs), forming a stable three-year plateau. This calm immediately preceded a dramatic escalation in 2013, when complaints surged to 638, recalls rose to six, and investigations increased to three, initiating a sustained period of significantly elevated federal activity across subsequent model years. Within 2012 itself, the highest volume of complaints fell under Power Train (43), followed by Air Bags (13) and Engine (13), though the data does not specify underlying causes; the year also recorded 10 crash-related and 4 fire-related complaints. Because 2012 sits at the end of this low-complaint interval and just before a steep rise in recalls and TSBs, it offers one of the quieter federal records in the dataset. Consequently, a well-maintained 2012 Sentra appears to be a comparatively sound used-car choice within this model lineage, provided a buyer verifies that any Power Train or Air Bag concerns have been evaluated.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
107
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
180
Owner complaints
10 involved a crash · 4 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 180 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train43
Air Bags13
Engine13
Unknown Or Other9
Visibility8
Structure7
Power Train,Engine5
Electrical System5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 107 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sentra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Sentra take?

4.1 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Sentra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.