The Lemon Index2010 Nissan Sentra.
The 2010 Nissan Sentra is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 41 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 40, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 24 to 29 mpg combined. The best Nissan Sentra year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 144 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Nissan Sentra year. 2010 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 17K to 100K miles on the car (105 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 37K–117K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 56K–118K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 23K–77K miles
Recalls 3
- electrical 2011
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.
- electrical 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010.
- equipment 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 104 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- SERVICE INFORMATION If you confirm there is a need to replace the steering wheel switches on…
- Trailer light wiring
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–3300 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
My new Nissan Sentra 2010s very quickly veers to the left at 50-65 mpg in the highway. I did not step my foot on accelerator nor brake at that time. It happened 3 times occasionally since I purchased my car on jan 2010.
2010 Nissan Sentra owner · NHTSA complaint 10313738
More owner reports
Driving on highway car stops, had it in shop 4 times said nothing wrong. Heard about recall???
NHTSA complaint 10453825
Quick answers
Is the 2010 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Sentra year by this measure since 2010 is 2023.
What are the most common 2010 Nissan Sentra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (27%), speed control (20%) and airbags (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 Nissan Sentra have?
3 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Nissan Sentra get?
24 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2010 Nissan Sentra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 17,900 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 69,300 miles, from 105 complaints.
Does the 2010 Nissan Sentra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2010 Nissan Sentra cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $3300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2010 Nissan Sentra have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl.
What Nissan Sentra year is better than the 2010?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2017 and 2010.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works