2018 Nissan Sentra Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 76,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

On Wednesday July 8, 2026 at approx 7:45 AM The powertrain system failed entirely due to a catastrophic malfunction of the Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), which completely and instantly failed with absolutely no prior dashboard warning lamps, check engine lights, or symptoms. While traveling at approximately 40 MPH on a…Owner complaint, filed 2026

At right under 67,000 miles, the car made a loud pop when I went to accelerate from a stop light. The car would only work in reverse at that point. I'm being told that the CVT needs to be replaced. The car isn't even worth the cost of a new transmission.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 30,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2026

There was a recall due to fluid build up that can cause loss of the brakes in the car I just bought from carvana. Thank god I researched the VIN because it wasn't disclosed to me from carvana. I could have died in an accident if I never would have did a VIN search so see if any recalls ever happened. How can I get this fixed immediately?Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 39,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start immediately, and the contact had to depress the brake pedal several times before the vehicle would start. The contact stated that the start time varied. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the battery was replaced…Owner complaint, filed 2024, at 51,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lightning). The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an unknown malfunction warning message was displayed and the vehicle lost motive power. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 180,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 37,000 miles. Parts named most: Automatic emergency braking (13), Warnings (10).

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The sensor just abruptly went out and is a known issue on these cars yet Nissan refuses to issues a recall instead they want to charge you $2000 to get it fixed, and it’s a safety concern being since it’s supposed to alert you and help brake if you approach a car to quicklyOwner complaint, filed 2024

The forward radar will randomly stop working while driving. When this happens it will be out anywhere from a few seconds to up to 10 minutes so far. This failure causes the cruise control to stop working as well as the collision warning, emergency braking, and pedestrian safety to fail to operate.Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 25,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

My 2018 Sentra recently stop driving in forward gear. It only drive in reverse and I’m over the mileage and Nissan refuses to fix it. I need help 😭Owner complaint, filed 2024

The CVT can cause the car to shake, judder, stall during sudden acceleration, or completely lose power. My car jurked and stop completely while at a turning signal in the middle of the street . This was cause by the recall on their cvt. I’ve called a Nissan dealer and they said they can’t fix the recall problem for free because my car is…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 66,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start one day after several attempts and was accompanied by the AEB (Automatic Emergency Braking) sensor and check engine warning lights. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who replaced the battery and brake light switch due to a suspected…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 75,000 miles

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).…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 66,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

Currently, my passenger airbag light is always illuminated indicating that the airbags are off, even if a full-grown adult is in the vehicle. I reported this problem to my local Nissan dealership prior to taking a road trip. They said they did a zero point reset. They assured me that the issue was resolved and that the passenger air bags…Owner complaint, filed 2022

The contact owns a 2018 nissan sentra. The contact stated that while making a left turn out of a gas station, her vehicle was hit on the front passenger side by another vehicle. The contact was having pain in her shoulders, back and stomach. She also hit her head but did not initially go to the hospital until the next day. The contact…Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 56,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

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.Owner complaint, filed 2025

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 114,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

I hit a deer head on. My passenger 16yr old. Had her seatbelt on. It didnt latch and keep her from hitting the windshield. The airbag went off and it didn't stop her from hitting the windshield either. We was on an interstate doing 70mph. In a 70mph zone. She has ended up with a concussion and I feel like both these safety features…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 19,000 miles

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…Owner complaint, filed 2025

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

There is a recall on certain years of Nissan Altimas for a hood latch problem. My 2018 Nissan Sentra has the same hood latch problem that the 2018 Altima, i.e., when the hood is opened the primary hood latch does not reset, so when the hood is closed only the secondary latch is engaged and the hood remains slightly open. I have to use a…Owner complaint, filed 2023

When I open the hood, the hood release mechanism sticks in the open position. Closing the hood will not engage the primary lock, only the secondary latch. I need to physically reset the primary latch with a tool (screwdriver) to properly close the hood. If not completely latched the hood could open at high speeds, blocking the view and…Owner complaint, filed 2022

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

In september 2020 I purchase a 2018 nissan sentra sv 1.8liter car from a small dealership. Everything is going good, I keep up on the maintenance of the car. On 02/25/2021 I took the car in for an oil change and it was informed that all the rear shocks are leaking bad and the front shocks leaking as well. For a 3 year old car should…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 64,993 miles

My car was hesitant to start i called the recalls line and i let the nissan lot know that my car had recall on the break switch which is connected to my gears, i never received a notice informing me about this issue so when i let the lot know they told me nothing was wrong, after driving it again it wouldnt start i took it to the lot and…Owner complaint, filed 2023