2012 Nissan Sentra: loss of power steering

5 of the 180 complaints about the 2012 Nissan Sentra describe loss of power steering.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Loss of power steering by model year

2025
1
2022
1
2021
3
2020
1
2018
1
2015
2
2013
2
2012
5
2011
1
2009
1
2008
1
2007
7
2006
2
2004
1
2003
1
2002
2
2001
1
1999
1
1996
1
1991
1

What owners say

Filed Dec 29, 2019 · Engine, Transmission · FL · crash · 3 injuries

2012 nissan sentra was bought 3 weeks prior with no problems. While traveling 60 - 70 MPH on a highway the car suddenly stop running and the power steering went out and the vehicle was unable to steer out of the troubled area on the highway. The vehicle broke down in the middle of a highway. After research it seem to be the same actions that has happened to thousands of other nissan sentras. The defected CVT transmission causes this to happen. Luckily my son was not killed during a accident that was caused after he was rear ended and the vehicle was totaled.

Filed Mar 6, 2018 · Steering · 28,016 miles · CA

Power steering assist (electric in this vehicle) suddenly failed while driving on city street at 25 MPH. The "ps" warning light came on car had been driven about 5 minutes before this incident, and I had just made a right turn. Steering became difficult, but I was able to return home. The next day, I started the car and drove around the block; the power steering worked and the warning light was off. I have not driven this car since then.

Filed Sep 17, 2014 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 31,796 miles · CA

Was driving on freeway, accelerating toward 70 MPH. Accelerator dropped away from under my foot, tachometer "pegged" 5000 RPM. Quick scan of instrument panel showed car was now in neutral, not drive. My hands were both on the steering wheel; I didn't touch the gearshift lever. The car shifted on its own. This started a series of problems with the transmission that continue to escalate; transmission will override braking (caused 2 accidents 2 weeks apart); on a 500-mile (1-way) business trip in july, car went into fail-safe mode 3 times - loss of power, accelerator non-functional. Car taken off the road by nissan corp, but no repairs done; after 49 days out of service, car was released to me, continues to exhibit transmission problems. Now the steering is extremely hard to operate, as if there's no power steering in the car. When transmission overrides brakes, it feels like the car is being pushed, then chokes down (nose of car dips), then is catapulted in the same direction (d or r); in this sequence, brakes fully applied will not stop the car. Nissan's only response is to self-protect against a lawsuit; no concern for the welfare of someone driving a car in this condition!

Filed Sep 14, 2014 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · TN

Daughter driving car on interstate when engine died. Was driving in left lane and narrowly avoided getting hit when maneuvering to shoulder on right. Problem turned out to be defective maf (mass air flow) sensor. No indication of trouble (check engine light, rough running, etc) prior to engine shutoff. Do not understand why car would not go into default (open loop mode) at this point rather than just shutting down. Vehicle would not restart. This is ever bit as dangerous as gm's ignition switch problem causing engine shutdown. Extremely dangerous when driving at interstate speeds in heavy traffic and vehicle engine just quits causing loss of power steering and power brakes and little time to react to get out of the way of other traffic.

Filed Nov 30, 2012 · Steering · 4,979 miles · NM

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering wheel became hard to maneuver which prevented him from turning the vehicle. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road and the power steering warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated the failure was not detected and the failure may be related to the central processing unit. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 4,979 and the current mileage was 6,000. ....updated 12/20/12 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle was driven two miles with much effort with no power steering to a nissan dealer. The advisor admits he saw and felt the wheel not turn without great effort and that the power steering light was illuminated. Nissan admitted in writing the vehicle had catastrophic power steering failure. The power steering returned after the vehicle was turned off then on again. The vehicle was released back to the consumer without being repaired. The advisor stated the vehicle most likely had a bad cpu. Updated 1/3/2013