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2018 Nissan Sentra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Sentra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 116.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

97 reports with mileage · 88 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports3 fire reports9 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

38 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2026
Service Brakes

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 include…

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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 look and diagnose it as a brake light switch issue. The vehicle has been brought to a local Nissan center for similar issues a couple months ago, but it failed several times

NHTSA ODI #11716070

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2024
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

Car won't start, stranded in parking lots, on road. Have seen hundreds of complaints about the same thing ,saying it's either a brake switch or ignition switch.Very scary to be stranded somewhere.Nissan is aware and said it's common problem? Hard to believe Nissan or the nhtsa does not believe this to be a safety issue.

NHTSA ODI #11607682

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidancePower TrainService Brakes

My 2018 Nissan Sentra has under 60,000 miles on it and is on its 3rd set of brake rotors, as well as had both front and rear brake pads replaced 2 times. The vehicle has always given the warning , front radar not detected alert, until the last 12 months where I began receiving a malfunction warning. My car has been brought to 2…

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My 2018 Nissan Sentra has under 60,000 miles on it and is on its 3rd set of brake rotors, as well as had both front and rear brake pads replaced 2 times. The vehicle has always given the warning , front radar not detected alert, until the last 12 months where I began receiving a malfunction warning. My car has been brought to 2 different Nissan dealerships to work on this issue. The current one stating my front sensor is failing & will need to be replaced however there is no warranty on it. I am the only owner of my vehicle and it has not been in any forward collisions. As for the power train/transmission, I received a transmission flush in May of 2023, and now 15 months later was told by a different Nissan dealership it needed a flush as it appeared the transmission was going bad. The vehicle has stalled several times, continuously has a high RMP when accelerating and the AC has gone out a couple of months ago.

NHTSA ODI #11607148

48,000 miles · Feb 1, 2022
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra SV. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, she depressed the brake pedal and pressed the push start button but the vehicle failed to start. The warning message "Malfunction Indicator Light" illuminated. The contact stated that as she continued to depress the brake pedal and sque…

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The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra SV. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, she depressed the brake pedal and pressed the push start button but the vehicle failed to start. The warning message "Malfunction Indicator Light" illuminated. The contact stated that as she continued to depress the brake pedal and squeezed an unknown wire under the steering wheel, she was able to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact also stated that the brake pedal would make abnormal loud sounds and would intermittently hesitate to respond while driving. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated that she continued to depress the brake pedal but it failed to respond. The contact stated that as she was about to crash into the rear of the vehicle ahead of her, she veered off the road and crashed into a ditch. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries on the shoulder and her friend who was in the front passenger seat did not sustain any injuries. The contact did not seek medical assistance. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her friend's residence. A police report was filed. The dealer was notified of the failure. The contact received the recall notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they could not assist as her vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.

NHTSA ODI #11449812

Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidancePower TrainService Brakes

I purchased this car October 10th of 2021 and 2 days after I purchased it I called my service department because I was driving on the highway at 65 miles an hour and the malfunction warning light came on for the automatic braking system and it also depressed my brakes so it scared the crap out of me. I was told that because of t…

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I purchased this car October 10th of 2021 and 2 days after I purchased it I called my service department because I was driving on the highway at 65 miles an hour and the malfunction warning light came on for the automatic braking system and it also depressed my brakes so it scared the crap out of me. I was told that because of the weather it was raining that day that that sometimes happens. I didn't think anything of it on December 10th my son got into a car accident with the car and he did some damage to the front axle and the front end of the car it has since been repaired and now everyday several times a day the same thing happens and it is messing with my brakes and it's scaring me and I don't know what to do.

NHTSA ODI #11448944

Mileage unknown · Jan 13, 2022
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

UNKNOWN. however there has been a safety recall about the brake lights not illuminating. I have tried three times to make an appointment with nissan dealership to get this problem fixed but i have had no luck with them helping. Im worrried about my daughters safety. She is not even two years old yet, i dont want her or anyone el…

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UNKNOWN. however there has been a safety recall about the brake lights not illuminating. I have tried three times to make an appointment with nissan dealership to get this problem fixed but i have had no luck with them helping. Im worrried about my daughters safety. She is not even two years old yet, i dont want her or anyone else on the road getting hurt because of a faulty safety feature.

NHTSA ODI #11447374

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2021
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

I received a recall notice (PM971) (21V-135) on May 4, 2021. I went twice to the dealership to have my car fixed. I called several times asking what to do to get the recall completed. One person said they needed to look at it to get the part. I went to the dealership on May 24, 2021 and I am still waiting for them to call me t…

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I received a recall notice (PM971) (21V-135) on May 4, 2021. I went twice to the dealership to have my car fixed. I called several times asking what to do to get the recall completed. One person said they needed to look at it to get the part. I went to the dealership on May 24, 2021 and I am still waiting for them to call me telling me that they have the part. Meanwhile, I am having lots of trouble stepping on the brake to start the car. Frequently it takes me up to 10 minutes before I can get the car started. Yesterday (9/19), I gave up trying to start the car. Today, (9/20) I had problems each time I tried to use the car, taking 5-10 minutes each time. The first time I went to the dealership, the technician said he didn't know why the notice was sent out because they didn't have the parts. The dealership is Ray Brandt Nissan 4000 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, LA 70072. I could not evacuate for Hurricane Ida because I could not be sure that I would be able to start my car or that my brake lights would work in stop an go traffice. My car is my only means of getting to work and accomplishing other tasks. I cannot continue to hope that my car will eventually start and hoping that my brake lights continue to work. Your help is appreciated.

NHTSA ODI #11433689

19,127 miles · Jun 21, 2021
EngineService BrakesFire

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the push to start button and brake pedal was depressed but the engine failed to start. The contact also stated that the RPM's would go to 5 when she depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle had a burning smell when driving. The contact…

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The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the push to start button and brake pedal was depressed but the engine failed to start. The contact also stated that the RPM's would go to 5 when she depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle had a burning smell when driving. The contact stated the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) on June 11, 2021, at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,127.

NHTSA ODI #11421729

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2021
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

When I push the brakes and start button, all lights come on, navi starts, but Car Does NOT start. I am stranded for 6th or 7th time and waiting on tow truck. According to this link, this is a recurrent problem Nissan is aware of, and they do nothing to fix it. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c27227_ds963428 Being str…

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When I push the brakes and start button, all lights come on, navi starts, but Car Does NOT start. I am stranded for 6th or 7th time and waiting on tow truck. According to this link, this is a recurrent problem Nissan is aware of, and they do nothing to fix it. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c27227_ds963428 Being stranded is dangerous-PERIOD. I am enduring a homeless man yelling at me while I sit in my car with doors locked. Nissan should recall this car. 2018 Sentra SV with push start is Not safe.

NHTSA ODI #11418846

39,000 miles · May 14, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

A TIMELY FIX FOR THIS RECALL HAS NO BEEN ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI #11416632

Official recalls

2

21V135000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Mar 3, 2021

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 & remedy

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.

19V654000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 12, 2019

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.