What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Sentra?

The power train group has the most complaints, with 46. Brakes come next with 40. Owners describe transmission trouble and front radar warnings in these groups.

Are there recalls for the 2018 Nissan Sentra?

Yes. The by-year facts list 2 recalls for 2018. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.

How many complaints does the 2018 Nissan Sentra have?

NHTSA has 185 owner complaints on file. They are unverified owner reports.

Is the 2018 Nissan Sentra reliable?

The complaints are spread over several groups, led by the power train and brakes. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so see the year comparison section on this page for context.

What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Nissan Sentra?

See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

2018 Nissan Sentra Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 185 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Nissan Sentra^[1]. The power train and brakes groups are named more often than any other^[2]^[3].

185owner complaints^[1]

2recalls^[4]

27–32MPG combined (EPA)^[5]

4★NHTSA overall rating^[6]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here is how the complaints on file split up by component group, biggest first.

Power Train. 46 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe a transmission that overheats, makes a loud noise or drags, and a car that stops moving forward and only goes in reverse. Some say the engine speed rises and falls while they hold a steady pace. Others mention a large repair bill once the warranty had ended.
Brakes. 40 complaints^[3]. Owners describe a front radar warning that says the sensor is blocked when nothing is in the way. It often ties into the automatic emergency braking and cruise control, which stop working while the message shows. One owner could not start the car because of a brake sensor fault. Some say the dealer replaced a part and the warning came back.
Unknown Or Other. 38 complaints^[7]. These reports do not name a clear component.
Electrical System. 32 complaints^[8]. In the stories we read, owners describe the same radar warning lights and dash messages, along with wiring trouble after driving through water. A few say the dealer could not offer a fix right away.
Forward Collision Avoidance. 24 complaints^[9]. Owners describe a front sensor that reports it is unavailable or blocked, at any speed and even when stopped. Some hear random beeps. Others say the car braked or stopped on its own and a warning light came on.
Engine. 22 complaints^[10].
Speed Control. 19 complaints^[11].
Exterior Lighting. 15 complaints^[12].

These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2018 Sentra is necessarily included.

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch (21V135), March 2021. About 807,376 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera (19V654), September 2019. About 1,228,830 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[15]	27 / 35 / 30	$2,250
Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[5]	29 / 37 / 32	$2,100
Sentra, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[16]	26 / 32 / 28	$2,950
Sentra Nismo, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[17]	25 / 31 / 27	$3,050
Sentra, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	27 / 33 / 29	$2,850
Sentra Nismo, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive^[19]	25 / 30 / 27	$3,050

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR FWD^[6]	4	4	5	4	11.8%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2018 Nissan Sentra with 1.6L 4-cylinder^[20]	188 hp
2018 Nissan Sentra with 1.8L 4-cylinder^[21]	124 to 130 hp

How 2018 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Sentra model year. The 2018 is highlighted^[4].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
1995	117	3
2000	171	6
2001	236	7
2002	304	10
2003	180	7
2004	197	4
2005	170	5
2006	116	5
2007	154	1
2008	167	3
2009	55	1
2010	144	3
2011	142	2
2012	180	0
2013	638	6
2014	380	5
2015	352	3
2016	270	6
2017	231	3
2018	185	2
2019	223	2
2020	206	4
2021	132	3
2022	81	2
2023	20	1
2024	41	3
2025	31	4
2026	19	1

NHTSA's counts for the Sentra show 185 complaints and 2 recalls for 2018^[4]. Among the 29 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 2018 and 10 have more^[4]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2013 (638)^[4]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2018 Sentra?

The 2018 Nissan Sentra has a steady stream of complaints, with 185 on file^[1]. The biggest groups are the power train and brakes^[2]^[3]. In the brakes and collision avoidance stories, owners describe warning messages from the front radar and emergency braking system^[3]^[9]. Some reports include crashes, fires or injuries^[1]. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show what owners reported, not how likely a problem is, so check the recalls and the year comparison below.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Sentra?: The power train group has the most complaints, with 46^[2]. Brakes come next with 40^[3]. Owners describe transmission trouble and front radar warnings in these groups.
Are there recalls for the 2018 Nissan Sentra?: Yes. The by-year facts list 2 recalls for 2018^[4]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
How many complaints does the 2018 Nissan Sentra have?: NHTSA has 185 owner complaints on file^[1]. They are unverified owner reports.
Is the 2018 Nissan Sentra reliable?: The complaints are spread over several groups, led by the power train and brakes^[2]^[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so see the year comparison section on this page for context.
What is the gas mileage of the 2018 Nissan Sentra?: See the fuel economy section on this page. It is built from EPA data.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Sentra

2013 638 complaints, 6 recalls
2014 380 complaints, 5 recalls
2015 352 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 270 complaints, 6 recalls
2017 231 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 this page
2019 223 complaints, 2 recalls
2025 31 complaints, 4 recalls

Compare all model years of the Nissan Sentra

Other Nissan models from 2018

2018 Nissan Armada 75 complaints, 1 recall
2018 Nissan Maxima 36 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Nissan Murano 113 complaints, 2 recalls
2018 Nissan Pathfinder 78 complaints, 3 recalls
2018 Nissan Rogue 669 complaints, 4 recalls
2018 Nissan Titan 90 complaints, 4 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2018: midsize cars

2018 Toyota Camry 778 complaints, 8 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 185 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Nissan Sentra (17 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 10 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
46 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,500). NHTSA vehicle records
40 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,412). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Sentra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 29 city / 37 highway / 32 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,100. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 11.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
38 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 23,000). NHTSA vehicle records
32 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 39,000). NHTSA vehicle records
24 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,000). NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 21V135, filed March 3, 2021: Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch. NHTSA recall database
Recall 19V654, filed September 12, 2019: Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Sentra, 1.8L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 35 highway / 30 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,250. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sentra, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 26 city / 32 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sentra Nismo, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sentra, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 33 highway / 29 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,850. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Sentra Nismo, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (AV-S7), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 25 city / 30 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Nissan Sentra with 1.6L 4-cylinder: rated 188 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2018 Nissan Sentra with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 124 to 130 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2018 Nissan Sentra: problems, recalls and fuel economy