VehicleVerdict

2018 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 285 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Sentra year — the 2018 model ranks #10 of 45 Sentra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include one death and 15 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (45), brakes (40), and electrical system (39), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

285

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

29

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

15

Injuries

1

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Sentra years?

Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted871 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 9 complaints1987: 46 complaints1988: 40 complaints1989: 49 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 77 complaints1992: 81 complaints1993: 89 complaints1994: 130 complaints1995: 158 complaints1996: 177 complaints1997: 138 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 74 complaints2000: 236 complaints2001: 307 complaints2002: 388 complaints2003: 240 complaints2004: 235 complaints2005: 224 complaints2006: 155 complaints2007: 215 complaints2008: 233 complaints2009: 81 complaints2010: 212 complaints2011: 199 complaints2012: 260 complaints2013: 871 complaints2014: 524 complaints2015: 496 complaints2016: 400 complaints2017: 339 complaints2018: 285 complaints2019: 356 complaints2020: 316 complaints2021: 209 complaints2022: 141 complaints2023: 33 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 42 complaints2026: 13 complaints
Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Nissan Sentra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission4516%
Brakes4014%
Electrical System3914%
Other3813%
Driver Assistance3111%
Engine228%
Speed Control197%
Lighting145%
Airbags93%
Fuel System72%
Steering62%
Seat Belts52%
Body & Structure31%
Suspension31%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks21%

Does the 2018 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V135000LightingMarch 3, 2021 · 807,376 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

19V654000Driver AssistanceSeptember 12, 2019 · 1,228,830 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 26, 2025

“WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR MY FRONT COLLISION SENSOR LIGHT WAS ON I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS AFFECTED NOW THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE AND IT'S AFFECTING MY BRAKES MY LIGHTING AND MY SPEED CONTROL BECAUSE I CAN'T BREAK AND THEY HAVE NOT SENT ME A RECALL OR SEND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · November 13, 2020 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ABOUT 30 MPH, BEFORE I EVEN APPROACHED ANOTHER VEHICLE MY SENSORS BEGAN BEEPING QUICKER AS IF I WERE ABOUT TO HIT ANOTHER CAR. NO VEHICLE NEAR ME CLOSE ENOUGH FOR SENSOR TO BEGIN ALERTING ME. AS I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN , THEY BEGAN BEEPING VERY FAST AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP, I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 7, 2019 · crash

“WHEN BRAKING, IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFUL YOUR FOOT MAY BE ON BOTH THE BRAKE AND THE GAS AT THE SAME TIME, MAKING CAR TO EXCELERATE. GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL ARE VERY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND GO TO BRAKE IS WHEN IT HAPPENS, ANYWHERE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 12, 2020 · crash

“EMERGENCY BRAKE ASSIST HAS BEEN ACTING FROM.THE DAY I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE...THEN I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT THEN IT GOT WORSE, THEY REPLACED THE BRACKET AND SENSOR AND THEY PROBLEM STILL REMAINS... ACTUALLY I WORSE THEN BEFORE EVERYTIME I USE MY SIGNAL OT GOES OFF WHEN I'M APPROACHING A HILL IT GOES…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · February 9, 2018 · crash

2018 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 2018 Nissan Sentra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 285 complaints put the 2018 model at #10 of 45 Sentra years. It is one of the Sentra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (45 complaints), brakes (40 complaints), electrical system (39 complaints).

Does the 2018 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2002, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2001, 2018, 2012, 2003, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2005, 1996, 1995, 2006, 1994. The cleanest record among Sentra years belongs to 1983.

How safe is the 2018 Nissan Sentra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Nissan Sentra earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.