2018 Nissan Sentra Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Sentra. Part of Generation 7 — 2013–2019.

20172019
Complaints
284
per 10K Sold
13.3
US Sales
213,046
Crashes
29
Fires
4
Injuries
15
Fatalities
1
Recalls
2

Worst 2018 Nissan Sentra Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#144 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:80,035 mi
#238 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:29,632 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:2
#332 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:40,222 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2018 Nissan Sentra.

Transmission / Drivetrain
44
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
80,035
Brakes
38
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
29,632
Electrical Faults
32
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
40,222
Engine Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
91,213
Unintended Acceleration
19
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
29,403
Headlight/Taillight Failures
13
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
49,352
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
13
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
60,224
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
10
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
22,750
Airbags
9
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
Avg Miles
40,500
Electronic Stability Control
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
12,240
Fuel System
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
30,061
Steering Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
58,015
Seat Belt Issues
5
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
18,333
Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:Latch
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Exterior Lighting:Headlights
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Lidar
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Sensing System: Radar
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Brake Fluid Low Warning: Lamp
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2018 Nissan Sentra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2018 Nissan Sentra

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~2,036,206 vehicles.

21V135000Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
~807,376 affected

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.

19V654000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
~1,228,830 affected

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."

Other Nissan Sentra Years

2018 Nissan Sentra — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2018 Nissan Sentra reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2018 Nissan Sentra has 284 NHTSA complaints, 29 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 44 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (44 complaints, avg 80,035 mi); Brakes (38 complaints, avg 29,632 mi); Electrical Faults (32 complaints, avg 40,222 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 50,010 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Nissan Sentra include 29 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 15 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2018 Nissan Sentra have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,036,206 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2018 Nissan Sentra?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Sentra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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