Verdict
2018 Nissan Sentra: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2018 Nissan Sentra — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
More reported complaints than most sedan.
Owners filed 184 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 84% of 2018 sedans. Power Train leads the reports (24%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2018 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
184
Reports to NHTSA, 2018
Safety recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
29.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
More complaints than 84% of 2018 sedans
The bar is this car's percentile among 2018 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Power Train issues lead owner complaints (24% of 184 reports), followed by electrical system (17%).
+ 8 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 184 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11749670, ODI 11734517, ODI 11700442, ODI 11681354, ODI 11677383.
Recalls(2)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Exterior LightingMar 2021 · 21V135000Details +Close −
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.
Risk: 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.
Back Over PreventionDec 2019 · 19V654000Details +Close −
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."
Risk: 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.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
2018 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 29 | 37 | 32 |
| Sentra | 1.8L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 27 | 35 | 30 |
| Sentra | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S7) | 27 | 33 | 29 |
| Sentra | 1.6L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 26 | 32 | 28 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2018 Nissan Sentra: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
Owners filed 184 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Nissan Sentra — more complaints than 84% of comparable 2018 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (24% of complaints) and electrical system (17%).
How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Sentra have?
2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2018 Nissan Sentra, covering components such as exterior lighting. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Nissan Sentra get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Nissan Sentra between 28 and 32 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.