--- title: "2012 Nissan Sentra Parts and Specs" description: "Everything for the 2012 Nissan Sentra: oil type and capacity, battery group size, tire sizes, wiper blades, filters, service schedule, and common problems, verified, sourced, and in one place." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2012 Nissan Sentra parts and specs Everything you need to own and maintain this exact model year. Verified specifications, part numbers, and the problems that recur, in one place. B16 (6th generation, final year), 2012, Compact sedan. ## Quick facts | Quick fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Engine oil | 5W-30, 4.1 qt (base engine) | | Battery | Group 35 | | Tire size | P205/60R15 (base trim) | | Wiper blades | 26" / 17" | | Cabin filter | Nissan 27277-EN000 kit (also listed as 27277-JM01A) | | Key fob battery | CR2025 (Intelligent Key and keyfob remote) | ## Specifications for the 2012 Sentra ### Oil & filter Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/oil). ### Battery BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/battery). ### Tires & wheels Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/tires). ### Wiper blades Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/wipers). ### Air & cabin filters Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/filters). ### Bulbs Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/bulbs). ### Brakes Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/brakes). ### Fluids Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/fluids). ### Service schedule What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/service-schedule). ### Problems & reliability Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/common-problems). ### Oil light reset Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/oil-reset). ### Key fob battery Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/key-fob-battery). ### Specs Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012/specs). These specifications are shared across every Sentra of the B16 (6th generation, final year) generation. See the [2012 Nissan Sentra overview](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2012) for the full picture, or the [Nissan Sentra guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra) to compare every generation. ## What changed for the 2012 Nissan Sentra | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | Final year of the B16 generation and the last year for the SE-R and SE-R Spec V performance trims. This file covers 2012 only; 2007-2011 cars are mechanically similar. | ## Known problems with the 2012 Nissan Sentra 4 of the 4 issues we track for the 2012 generation are documented against the 2012 model year. ### CVT failure / whine (RE0F10A) (major) The B16's Xtronic CVT can whine, shudder, overheat and eventually fail outright, usually between 80,000 and 130,000 miles, owners report an average repair around $3,300-$3,600. Nissan's famous CVT warranty extension to 10 years/120,000 miles covered 2003-2010 models only, so 2011-2012 cars are typically out of pocket. Fresh NS-2 fluid every 30-60k miles is the best prevention; a failed unit means a reman transmission. Typical cost: $2,500-$4,500 (replacement CVT installed). ### Engine and transmission mount wear (moderate) Worn motor mounts (especially the front and upper torque mounts) cause a shudder or clunk at idle in Drive and on throttle tip-in, and are frequently misdiagnosed as CVT trouble. Mounts are inexpensive; replace in pairs and re-evaluate before condemning the transmission. Typical cost: $150-$450 parts and labor. ### Steering column clicking / clock-spring noise (minor) A clicking or rubbing noise when turning the wheel, often from the spiral cable (clock spring) or upper column bearing. Annoying more than dangerous, but a failing spiral cable can eventually throw an airbag warning light. Steering complaints are one of the top categories for the 2012 car on CarComplaints. Typical cost: $100-$400. ### Slow/failed power window regulators (minor) Window regulators and motors, usually the driver's door, slow down and fail with age. Aftermarket regulator-with-motor assemblies make this a straightforward repair. Typical cost: $120-$350 per door. Full detail, costs and sources on the [Nissan Sentra problems and years to avoid](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/common-problems) guide. ## Which engines were offered in the 2012 Sentra? | Engine | Trims | Oil | Oil capacity | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2.0L 4-cylinder (MR20DE) | 2.0, 2.0 S, 2.0 SR, 2.0 SL | 5W-30 | 4.1 qt | | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE, SE-R / SE-R Spec V) | SE-R (CVT, 177 hp), SE-R Spec V (6MT, 200 hp), final year for both | 5W-30 | 4.5 qt | ## About the Nissan Sentra The Nissan Sentra is Nissan's compact sedan, and the 2012-2025 span covers three distinct cars whose ownership questions revolve heavily around one component: the CVT. 5L SE-R and SE-R Spec V in their final year. 6L turbo in the SR Turbo and NISMO; it is also the generation with the worst documented CVT failure record, which produced two class-action settlements (Stringer: 2013-2017, warranty extended to 84 months/84,000 miles; Martinez: 2018-2019, a 24-month/24,000-mile extension) plus a big passenger-airbag occupant-classification recall. 0L MR20DD and a more durable CVT, but it had its own headline recall for tie rods that can bend after curb impacts (expanded twice, finally as NHTSA 23V-581). Across all years maintenance stays cheap: the same 15208-65F0E spin-on oil filter fits every engine, lug torque is 83 ft-lb on every generation, and the key fob takes a CR2025 (through 2019) or CR2032 (2020+). The big-ticket items owners research are CVT fluid type (NS-2 vs NS-3. Never interchangeable) and CVT warranty coverage. For how the specifications changed across every generation, see the [full Nissan Sentra guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra). ## Other Nissan Sentra years - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/sentra/2013) Data confidence for this generation: Verified. ## Sources - [2012 Nissan Sentra Owner's Manual (capacities, tires, plugs, CVT NS-2, CR2025)](https://www.nissan-techinfo.com/refgh0v/og/sentra/2012-Nissan-Sentra.pdf) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2012 Sentra 2.0L MR20DE (5W-30, 4.1 qt, drain plug 22-29 ft-lb)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2012/nissan-datsun/sentra/2-0l-4-cyl-engine-code-mr20de-c/) - [Goodyear tire fitment, 2012 Nissan Sentra by trim](https://www.goodyear.com/en-us/vehicles/Nissan/Sentra/2012) - [Nissan parts, 16546-ET00J engine air filter, 2007-2012 Sentra](https://nissan.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/nissan-engine-air-filter-16546et00j) - [Nissan parts, 22401-JA01B spark plug, 2008-2012 Sentra 2.0](https://www.nissanpartsdeal.com/oem-nissan-sentra-spark_plug.html) - [CarComplaints, 2012 Sentra transmission failure reports](https://www.carcomplaints.com/Nissan/Sentra/2012/transmission/transmission_failure.shtml) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2012 Nissan Sentra EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2012_Nissan_Sentra.shtml) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.