2018 Nissan Sentra: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 184 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (25% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Mar 2021
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“At right under 67,000 miles, the car made a loud pop when I went to accelerate from a stop light. The car would only work in reverse at that point. I'm being told that the CVT needs to be replaced. The car isn't even worth the cost of a new transmission.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2026
“My vehicle stalled. I had to get someone to help me move it out if a busy traffic thoroughfare. It was making odd noises then was stuck in reverse only. I took it to my mechanic who informed me the transmission had failed and that I needed a new one. I work from home and do not drive my vehicle consistently.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2026
“Transmission Replacement - The transmission system requires replacement due to issues identified during inspection, including judder in the CVT and auxiliary gearbox. Replacing the transmission can help address these concerns and improve the smoothn”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The horn does not work when pressing the steering wheel, even though the horn itself and the fuse are functional. I got my car inspected yesterday, and the initial diagnosis points to a faulty clock spring.”Owner report · Steering · Oct 2025
“My brake lights suddenly wouldn't turn on and my car wouldn't start. We replaced the brake light switch and it worked for a short while, but it stopped working the same day almost causing several collisions as brake lights won't turn on. There was a recall on this issue with this year and model, but my VIN number was not included regardless of the symptoms all being there. We had a master mechanic look and diagnose it as a brake light switch issue. The vehicle has been brought to a local Nissan center for similar issues a couple months ago, but it failed several times”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2025
“Transmission has already been replaced with a new CVT transmission and the Nissan dealership has also had to put something back in the transmission because it came out and then last night when driving I went to turn and it wouldn't go and now it won't go into gear and it rolls even in park”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2025
“Driving down the road with a lot of traffic then my car didn't want to shift into gear the it went into gear real hard then I hear load noise under the the car then I was no longer moving. So me and some friends push it out of the road and I call tow truck to take to my house I know a lot of people have the same issue with cvt transmission”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2025
“The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel became difficult to turn in both directions, with an audible beeping alarm activated. Additionally, the message "Malfunction" was displayed. The vehicle was restarted, and the failure was self-corrected. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 114,000.”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2025
“I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the transmission issues in my 2018 Nissan Sentra. It is widely known, including to the past recalls of similar models that Nissan has an ongoing problems with its continually very reliable transmission CVT. Despite this, no recall has been issued for 2018 Sentra, even though the many customers myself include our experienced significant transmission problems. I had my transmission replaced in 2023 not knowing it was already a problem with Nissan. It was covered through my extended warranty. Now 2 years later I am having the same problem again.”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2025
“I was in the city at red light waiting the green turn on My gas gauge said i have 108 miles to continued driving, then I ran out of gas with no warning, no check engine light and no gas light, in the middle of the street. I was not able to wheel it to the side as I was going on flat street it happens to three time, then i get road assistance, the assistant he thought is the battery problem i told him i have new battery, then car would not start at all , he went to get gas we poured 6 gallon then car started , it happen to me several time now i cannot start to travel long distance ,this it happen me more than 3 times”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2025
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800867-7769. Nissan's number for this recall is PM971.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2018 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sentra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Nissan Sentra reliable?
NHTSA has 184 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Nissan Sentra. The most complained-about area is power train (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2018 Nissan Sentra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 41,333 miles or less.
Does the 2018 Nissan Sentra have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning back over prevention: sensing system: camera. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.