6.0

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
20,700 miles
Total Complaints:
13 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (13 reports)
2012 Nissan Sentra steering problems

steering problem

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2012 Nissan Sentra Owner Comments

problem #13

Mar 032019

Sentra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car constantly pulls to right when driving. Wheels aligned.

- Heather C., Ballwin, MO, US

problem #12

May 292015

Sentra SR 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,800 miles

The car drifts right, left, really all over the road. During moderate braking the car seriously pulls to the right. In my opinion it's only a question of time, it will cause an accident only question is how bad. when I first bought the car the salesman brought it into the service department to get checked out and for repairs. Since then I've had the car back to the dealer 4 or five times and they've looked at the car said that the struts need to be replaced but haven't done a thing. I even paid an extra $2000 for a Nissan Extended Warranty at this dealership and they still won't fix the car. Now I've looked on the recall problems list and it's there because other people are having the same problem.

- Herbert W., Attleboro, MA, US

problem #11

Aug 012015

Sentra LX 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 46,000 miles

Bought used. Car pulls left. At least Nissan is consistent--all the complaints say it pulls left. It isn't too difficult to control (I've driven some cars with a very noticeable pull), but on very long drives I could see it becoming a hassle. A side effect is, it is much easier to make left turns than right.

Will update if it gets worse with time.

- James O., Leesburg, VA, US

problem #10

Sep 132014

Sentra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I noticed the pulling to one side I thought maybe it needed an alignment but that was not mentioned when I took it in for diagnostics.

- corrinek, Hyattsville, MD, US

problem #9

Jan 072013

Sentra SL 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 19,000 miles

Bought as a 1 year preowned with 19,000 miles. Soon found why so many 2012 Sentras are on the used car lots. The steering is downright dangerous as it pulls to the left with the slightest ease up on the steering wheel. Exhausting to drive on a long trip as constantly holding the wheel from turning left.

Went to the Nissan dealer and he claimed the wider tires contributed to a different feel with electronic assist. I have a 2012 Nissan Quest with wide tires and electronic assist and it steers perfectly. Took it to another dealer and had all 4 wheels aligned, and warranty replacement of the rear axle as the rear wheels would not track with the front. No difference. Checked tire balance, wear pattern and brakes properly releasing as well as checking suspension components. No problems there. Since so many complaints are filed for this steering problem it is looking more like an inherit mechanical problem that the factory has refused to acknowledge due to the huge cost of fixing it.

I have owned close to 40 cars during my 60+ year driving career and I never had one that wouldn't track down the road in a straight line. This is definitely a major issue that needs to be addressed if Nissan wants to keep their customers happy and coming back as repeat buyers. Evidently they feel we will just give up and sell the vehicle to solve our problem. However, it will not be to their advantage when dissatisfied customers post their vents online.

- diesel driver, Warren, OH, US

problem #8

Jul 012014

Sentra Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles

We bought a 2012 Nissan Sentra for my daughter last year. It was a 2012 we bought in 2013 great price gently used with about 7,500 miles. Its been 4 times for oil changes. The dealership never mentioned it was due for service or that the tires needed to be rotated. My 21yr old daughter was taking it into the shop so she could learn what to do and how to take care of her car. She asked on several occasions if anything else needed to be done. After a year we were noticing the front tires were bald and the back tires looked brand new. When we took it to the shop they told us it was our fault because when never brought the car in for service. I told them there was something wrong in the front end or the steering I could feel it. They told me it was because the tires were worn, that there was nothing wrong with the steering or the front end. I argued the point the general manager offered to pay 1/2 for the tires but they still say nothing is wrong with the front end. I'm worried about my daughters safety in this car. Then I starting looking at complaints online and found plenty all complaining about the same thing I am. The front end. I'm taking it for a 2nd opinion with a private mechanic. I'm very disappointed in Nissan for trying to blame me because I was behind in servicing the car which they never recommended. If they try to skirt there responsibility I will bring the news media and picket there service department until I can get someone to pay attention. This is a very serious situation. We all saw what happened to GM. I'm not giving up. Be back to let you know what happens

- Kathleen A., Escondido, CA, US

problem #7

May 092012

Sentra SR 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 1,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After driving this car off of the lot, I immediately noticed that it pulled to the left. I waited about a week to see if it might have been me, but sure enough the problem continued. I check the tire pressure, nope not it. I took it to the dealer thinking that they could take a look at it and they told me that the alignment was in specs and nothing is wrong. Well that’s great! The problem still continues. The vehicle still pulls to the left. I wonder if it’s the steering or suspension. I voiced my opinion to the master tech and all he told me was that we had a difference of opinion on what is a problem. If that doesn't make you any madder especially after you just spent over 20k for the vehicle. I figured out that it’s not the alignment because when you drive it on smooth surfaces with no deviation for water runoff, it drives straight. But let’s face it, how many roads in America are straight, have no pot holes, or don't deviate to one side. When I’m coming to a stop, if the road has cracks or holes, as I’m stopping the vehicles steering wheel begins to turn left without me turning it left. I'm not impressed with this vehicle.

- johnsmith1, Phoenix, AZ, US

problem #6

Dec 052011

Sentra SR 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

I'm so mad and aggravated with this company and pathetic. They act like they can't figure out the problem and expect us to deal with the issue. I will never purchase another Nissan AGAIN!

- kb08, Spencer, IN, US

problem #5

Sep 042012

Sentra 2.0S 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 1,432 miles

My car pulls to one side while I drive on the highway and sometimes in the city? Apparently it is a defect by the manufacturer.

- Irvin D., Gainesville, FL, US

problem #4

Feb 082012

Sentra SR 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,590 miles

I purchased this car in the fall of 2011 and did not notice the "pull to the left" until my daughter drove it and brought it to my attention. Sure enough, this car could change lanes on the highway by itself if I did not have a firm grip on the steering wheel. I took it back to the dealer and described the problem and was treated like they had never, ever heard of this problem. They didn't even want to take it for a test drive - except I insisted. I went along for the ride and the technician proceeded to "educate" me about rack and pinion steering and also "the crown in the road." (Note: I am no stranger to rack and pinion steering and this is not how my other vehicles have responded.) The technician kept purposely jerking the steering wheel to the right - I don't know why. He agreed to check the alignment which they found to be out of whack and then was readjusted. Quite honestly, the car still pulls but I have stopped remaining fixated on this issue because my concerns have fallen on deaf ears. I am hoping for a recall.

- djma, Sutton, MA, US

problem #3

Jun 302012

Sentra SR 2.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 5 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Like I said in the problem description. The alignment station at the assembly plant in Mexico needs to be fixed. This problem is being reported across many websites regarding this model. I have taken mine to the dealer this week for this alignment issue along with a door panel that is falling off. These people who work in the assembly plant need better training on quality workmanship.

- J L., Sunnyvale, CA, US

problem #2

Mar 282012

Sentra 2.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles

I drive about 4,500 miles a month in a vehicle. As much as i drive i decided to buy a new vehicle, Purchased in Miami FL and driven slowly to Fort Myers FL where i live. the break in period took me a week to break in. noticed immediately after leaving Miami FL car pulling to the left and called dealership and person told me to take to nearest dealership where i live in Fort Myers to get resolved. Tech in Nissan does not know what im talking about and representative asks me after looking at the Vehicle if it was a versa.... clearly its a sentra. i think it takes years after working in a place to know what cars and models NISSAN is selling but of course that was resolved. Service people in the end tell me the car has a defect which i thought after doing my research that previous year sentras are also having the same problem with their vehicles. my only worry is having pre-mature tire wear and having to replace tires more often than expected. Another one is car makes popping noise when turning in the morning as if the inner tie rods are bad.. its electric power steering.. i had a 2002 nissan sentra and i drove it to 180,000 miles and it did that but it was a used vehicle.. This 2012 Sentra is brand new. how can it be making a popping noise?

- joel305239, Fort Myers, FL, US

problem #1

Aug 012011

Sentra SR

  • CVT transmission
  • 90 miles

I just bought this car, and I noticed that when driving on the highway, it pulls to the left. At first I thought maybe it was the road or it was just my imagination, but it really is there. You actually have to use some force to keep the car straight, and if you let go, it drifts to the left. I even had someone else drive the car and didn't tell them what I was experiencing. They said that the car drives "great, except that it seems to pull to the left." I noticed it mainly on the highway, but this person picked up on it on back roads.

Update from Jan 8, 2013: I brought the car back to the dealership where they assured me there was no problem. They took it out for a drive and, like with another commenter, "educated" me on the crown in the road, as if I had never driven before. He said that if there was a problem they would have noticed it in the wear in my tires, but there was no uneven wear. Based on the complaints of others, this is clearly a real issue that Nissan has just decided to ignore.

- Gregory K., Hopkinton, NH, US

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