2018 Nissan Sentra Safety Report
2018 NISSAN SENTRA Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Nissan Sentra
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Nissan Sentra. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (181) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 20 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Nissan Sentra with 121 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Nissan Sentra before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Sentra Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Sentra years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Nissan Sentra | 213 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Nissan Sentra | 223 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2020 Nissan Sentra | 193 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Nissan Sentra | 263 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2021 Nissan Sentra | 121 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Sentra | 342 | 3 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Nissan Sentra Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Nissan Sentra, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
33 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyForward Collision Avoidance
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Forward Collision Avoidance issues Nissan onlyService Brakes
11 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Nissan onlyExterior Lighting
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Nissan Sentra
Reliability Score
The 2018 Nissan Sentra receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Nissan Sentra
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Nissan Sentra
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Nissan Sentra:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exterior Lighting Brake lights have been a common issue, leading to multiple recalls by Nissan. This can affect visibility and safety. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Service brakes have shown frequent failures, causing inconvenience and potential safety risks. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Forward collision avoidance systems have been reported to malfunction, posing a risk in adverse driving conditions. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Transmission Transmission issues, including judder and noise, have been reported, affecting driving experience and reliability. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Nissan Sentra:
Issues with brake lights are the most common problem, affecting visibility and safety.
Service brakes have shown frequent failures, causing inconvenience and potential safety risks.
Forward collision avoidance systems have been reported to malfunction, posing a risk in adverse driving conditions.
Transmission issues, including judder and noise, have been reported, affecting driving experience and reliability.
Recall Details for the 2018 Nissan Sentra
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Nissan Sentra by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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 an...
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Nissan Sentra
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Nissan Sentra with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
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...
The engine will not crank when pressing the push-button ignition switch and applying the brake pedal. I took it to the Nissan dealership and they told me it needed a new stop lamp switch which is EXACTLY what the recall for other Nissans during this time frame is for: Make: Nissan Number: PM971 Title: Stop Lamp Switch Voluntary Safety Recall Campaign Date: 3/3/2021 Models: 2016-2019 Sentra Summar...
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
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.
I have ALL lights on in the dashboard. I had 2 diagnostic checks. one from Byerly Ford and the other from Jeff Wyler in Louisville, KY. Byerly says RF wheel speed sensor C1103. I had it done by someone else, and they said LF sensor C1104. Got both done by the same person still ABS, Skid icon, Warning, Brake Icon. Second diagnostic check done by Jeff Wyler which is closer to my home. Still All lig...
When I first get in the car and hit the gas it's OK a if I'm trying to move it but if I'm trying to leave my driveway and I hit the gas it will stall and the rpm will go up to a 5 , and this happens exiting the interstate, it's almost caused me to wreck because I can't pick up the speed it is like it's stuck . The same thing happens at a stop light and trying to move forward, extremely dangerou...
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...
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
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
Vehicle has a faulty CVT Transmission.
On [XXX], my 2018 Nissan Sentra was involved in a severe accident on [XXX] in Maryland. Despite the high-impact nature of the collision, none of the airbags deployed. The driver’s seat collapsed completely, causing total loss of control, and the seatbelt system applied excessive pressure, restricting movement dangerously. Nissan North America refused to inspect the vehicle and redirected responsib...
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 signific...
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 ...
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for service, the mechanic diagnosed a failure with the brake light switch. The vehicle was repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting). The VIN was included, but the vehicle was already repaired unde...
Unknown, ICC module is out on Sentra is known issue from Nissan, needs to be recalled as it can cause some cars to brake on there own from what I’ve seen online. Nissan wants over 2000 to make repair on a part they know from the factory is likely to fail
When I connect an OBD 2 meter. It cannot read the powertrain and it’s not the first time that I haven’t been able to diagnosed the car. I’ve taken it to a dealership. I’ve been used scan tools from a dealership and mechanics shop. The powertrain isn’t readable it spiders when I drive as in like it feels like the transmission is skipping or going out. It stopped while I was driving by itself like t...
I am having problems with my vent control valve. I recently took my car in to get an engine light looked at Rand they told me that the vehicle was have problems with the control valve assembly and they replaced the part and fixed the problem temporarily. That incident occurred on October the seventh of 2024 and now I’m facing another problem with the vent control valve again only 3 months later. I...
incident I would like to report involves the crash of a 2018 Nissan Sentra (VIN: 3N1AB7APXJY277851) that occurred on the morning of November 28, 2024, coinciding with Thanksgiving Day on Highway 270 at the Eisenhower Memorial (IS-270) location. It is very concerning and puzzling how, in rainy conditions, after the vehicle collided with the highway barrier, the airbag of the Sentra failed to depl...
I put my foot in gas pedal, goes all the way down, won't drive now.
The CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) failed, preventing the vehicle from driving forward. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The transmission failure caused the vehicle to lose power while driving, which could have led to a serious accident if it had happened on a busy road. This failure compromised my control over the vehicle, especially at higher speeds and I was ...
Showing 20 of 181 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Nissan Sentra
Has the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA have?
The 2018 NISSAN SENTRA has 181 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 17 involved crashes. 11 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA?
The 2018 NISSAN SENTRA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA involve power train (33 complaints), unknown or other (19 complaints), forward collision avoidance (12 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes, exterior lighting, electrical system.
How many crash reports does the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA have?
There are 17 crash reports associated with the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA out of 181 total complaints (9.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA have?
There are 3 fire reports for the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA out of 181 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA?
11 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 NISSAN SENTRA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA is acceptable with caveats. It has 181 complaints, 2 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA are: 1. POWER TRAIN (33 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (19 complaints), 3. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (12 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES (11 complaints), 5. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (9 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 33 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 NISSAN SENTRA?
Be cautious of brake light and service brake issues, as well as forward collision avoidance and transmission problems, which are common in this model. The 2018 NISSAN SENTRA has 181 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA?
The 2018 NISSAN SENTRA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 181 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 20 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Exterior Lighting and Service Brakes.
What are the known issues with the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA?
Known issues with the 2018 NISSAN SENTRA include: Exterior Lighting, Service Brakes, Forward Collision Avoidance, Transmission. These are based on patterns found across 181 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
The most common issues are brake light failures, service brake problems, forward collision avoidance malfunctions, and transmission issues.
Are there any recalls related to the brake lights?
Yes, Nissan has issued recalls for brake light issues, particularly for brake light switches.
Can the transmission issues be fixed easily?
Transmission issues often require a replacement, which can be costly and time-consuming.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of brake light and service brake issues, as well as forward collision avoidance and transmission problems, which are common in this model.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Nissan Sentra
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Nissan Sentra. The data includes 181 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 17 reported crashes, 3 fire incidents, 11 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Nissan Sentra an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16