2018 Nissan Sentra
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 185 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Sentra model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 17 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 11 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMar 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.
The brake lights may not illuminate, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 21V135000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 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."
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V654000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
32 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 14, 2025
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
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 10, 2024
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.
Electrical system, Jun 5, 2024
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; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Jan 24, 2024
After getting my left headlight assembly replaced the high beam went out. Shortly after my horn was no longer working. Other problems I noticed before these issues that seemed electrical but didn’t necessarily catch my attention: oil light doesn’t come on, seatbelt reminder doesn’t make noise, lights inside the car short at times unless turned on a specific way(including screens and overhead lights.)
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Jan 17, 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 - 45 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle revved roughly before accelerating forward. The contact stated that while driving for approximately 20 minutes at 20-25 MPH accelerating uphill, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving after approximately 5 minutes. The battery failure warning light illuminated, along with the check engine and oil failure warning lights. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where they had not diagnosed the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,800.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 19, 2023
My gas gauge said 60 miles until fill up, 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 uphill at the time and the steering went out. Traffic had to avoid hitting me as I was completely locked up. There is nothing previously wrong with the car.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 1, 2023
When I use my air conditioning my car over heats and blows hot air out ,the gas gauge says I have gas and then ran out of gas 3 times when it said I had 120 miles left the rpm’s go crazy feels like it’s skipping gears I’ve had nothing but problems since I got the car and I got it to feel safe and I do not at all
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Dec 6, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (Exterior Lighting) and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair; however, the Malfunction Indicator Light (MIL) remained illuminated after the repair. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where an unknown repair was completed but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The contact stated that the recall remedy had failed to fix the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,816.
Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 19, 2022
Trouble starting car as if there were no gas in engine. Radar warning coming on with no obstruction and, trunk poping open at the same time.
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2022
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 vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Jan 13, 2022
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.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, May 14, 2021
A TIMELY FIX FOR THIS RECALL HAS NO BEEN ISSUED.
Electrical system, Service brakes, May 13, 2021
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH IS F AS FAILING MAKING MY REAR BRAKE LIGHTS NOT GLOW
Electrical system, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 6, 2021
I BOUGHT THIS FROM A NISSAN DEALER NOVEMBER 2018. A MONTH AFTER PURCHASE A WARNING APPEARED ON THE DASH STATING "UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION" FOLLOWED BY THE DEACTIVATED RADAR SYMBOL THAT REMAINS ON THE DASH. I CALLED THE DEALER TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS WE'RE OUT FOR THE COLLISION WARNING SENSOR. THEY SAID NO. I KNOW THAT THE NISSAN MURANOS HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH THIS SENSOR. IT STARTED GOING OFF ABOUT ONCE A DAY, NOW IT DEACTIVATES NEARLY SIX OR MORE TIMES A DAY AND I DRIVING ME CRAZY. WHEN I LOOKED INTO THIS ISSUE WITH THE MURANO, THEY MENTIONED THAT OCCASIONALLY THE "AUTO BRAKE" FEATURE WOULD ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING AFTER SEEING THIS MESSAGE AND I AM AFRAID MY VEHICLE WILL DO THE SAME.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 21, 2020
MY 2018 NISSAN SENTRA IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE (AEB) AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM. I'VE HAD THE CAR FOR 10 MONTHS AND WHILE IM DRIVING, I GET A WARNING LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE AEB HAS MALFUNCTIONED, FOLLOWED BY A CONSTANT BEEPING NOISE THAT DOESNT GO AWAY UNLESS I TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. THE LOUD BEEP WILL KEEP GOING FOR AS LONG AS IM DRIVING, AND THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES BRAKES ON ITS OWN, WHICH IS SCARY, AND DANGEROUS. EVERYDAY THAT I DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE LIGHT COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY WHILE IM DRIVING, FOLLOWED BY THE ANNOYING BEEP, THERES NOT ONE DAY IT DOESN'T HAPPEN, AS FAR AS THE BRAKING GOES, THAT HAPPENS DEPENDING ON THE POSITION OF THE VEHICLE AND OTHER VEHICLES. SOMETIMES OBJECTS WILL MAKE MY VEHICLE BRAKE, OR SOMETIMES IT'LL BRAKE FOR NO REASON, JUST A SLIGHT BRAKE.
Electrical system, Oct 14, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 45 MPH, THE FRONT UNAVAILABLE RADAR OBSTRUCTION WARNING MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT INFORMED SAVANNAH TOYOTA (11101 ABERCORN ST, SAVANNAH, GA 31419) OF THE WARNING LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED IN THEIR POSSESSION FOR A FEW DAYS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY GRAINGER NISSAN (1550 CHATHAM PKWY, SAVANNAH, GA 31408) THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT CRASH SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE AND THE CONTACT REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,573.
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2020
KEYLESS IGNITION NOT STARTING AFTER KEY FOB BATTERY HAS BEEN CHANGED AND CAR BATTERY CHANGED, APPEARED TO BE OKAY THEN PROBLEM RETURNED WITHIN A FEW DAYS. KEYLESS IGNITION AGAIN NOT STARTING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Electrical system, Engine, Aug 10, 2020
ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT AND ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER. ELECTRICALLY EVERYTHING TURNED ON BUT ENGINE WOULD NOT START. HAD TO ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR A FEW TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE WOULD ACTUALLY TURN OVER. PURCHASED MY CAR A FEW DAYS AGO FROM HERTZ CAR SALES AND THIS STARTED HAPPENING MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT TO START THE CAR. I READ ALL THE POSTS RELATED TO THIS TYPE OF 2018, AND APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, LOOKS LIKE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, May 25, 2020
MY 2018 NISSAN SENTRA HAS ISSUES WITH NOT STARTING AND THE BRAKE SENSOR FAILING AND COMING ON WITH NOTHING AROUND. THE BACK UP CAMERA GOES OUT AND THE RADIO AND TEMPERATURE CONTROL LIGHTS GO OUT. THERE ARE SEVERAL ONGOING DANGEROUS ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, CORP AND MANAGERS AT SUTHERLIN NISSAN TO NO AVAIL.*DT*JB*DT*JB
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Mar 18, 2020
03/11/2020 I DROVE THE 2018 NISSAN SENTRA ON HWY 26 W TO PORTLAND OREGON. WHILE DRIVING THE AEB SENSOR LIGHT TURNS ON, MALFUNCTION FROM MANUFACTORY LIGHT ON WITH THE PIPING SOUND CAME ON THAT WAS THE EFFECTED THE SPEED CONTROL BY THE BRAKING. NEXT DAY 3/12/20. I DROVE TO CARR NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIR AEB(AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKE) CENSOR. THE DEALER SAID THAT MY CAR HAS NO WARRANTY AND CHARGED FOR REPAIR IS $5,754.42 DUE ON 03/18/2020. I THINK THE NISSAN DEALER WAS OVERCHARGED. I THINK THIS IS SAFETY ISSUES AND 2018 NISSAN SENTRA NEEDS TO RECALL THE AEB SENSOR.ON THE HWY26 HAVE MY KID 16 YEARS OLD AND MY WIFE IN THE CAR.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 5, 2020
EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON AN INTERSTATE THE AEB SYSTEM ERRORS CAUSING THE TCS AND ESP SYSTEMS TO SHUT DOWN. SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE MUST BE RESTARTED TO CLEAR THE FAULT.
Electrical system, Jan 31, 2020
RANDOM WARNING STATING "FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION," ESSENTIALLY DEACTIVATING THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM FOR FRONT END COLLISION. VEHICLE WILL BRAKE QUICKLY ON ITS OWN WITHOUT ANYTHING AHEAD IN THE ROAD, WHICH CAUSES OTHER VEHICLES TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID COLLISION
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Jan 21, 2020, crash
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE ABOUT 30 MPH, BEFORE I EVEN APPROACHED ANOTHER VEHICLE MY SENSORS BEGAN BEEPING QUICKER AS IF I WERE ABOUT TO HIT ANOTHER CAR. NO VEHICLE NEAR ME CLOSE ENOUGH FOR SENSOR TO BEGIN ALERTING ME. AS I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN , THEY BEGAN BEEPING VERY FAST AND I WAS UNABLE TO STOP, I WENT AROUND A CAR THAT WAS SITTING AT THE STOP SIGN TO AVOID REAR ENDING THEM, AND STILL REAR ENDED A PARKED CAR. POLICE WERE ON THE SCENE AND WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION
Electrical system, Sep 21, 2019
PURCHASED CAR NEW AND ONE WEEK INTO OWNERSHIP HAD THE FRONT PROXIMITY SENSOR GO BAD, WHICH DISABLES VEHICLE SAFETY SYSTEMS INCLUDING CRUISE CONTROL. AFTER WAITING A MONTH ON A BACK ORDERED PART IT WAS INSTALLED AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. 1 YEAR LATER THE SENSOR AGAIN WAS DIAGNOSED AS BAD AND ONE WAS ORDERED , THE NEW PART CAME IN DAMAGED AND WHEN REORDERING THE PART, IT AGAIN WENT TO BACK ORDER. IT HAS NOW BEEN A MONTH, AND STILL NO PART. NISSAN CUSTOMER CARE WAS CONTACTED AND THE "ESCALATED" THE COMPLAINT TO A "REGIONAL LEVEL". ALL THAT HAS ACCOMPLISHED IS AN OCCASIONAL PHONE CALL FROM THE REPRESENTATIVE TELLING ME THAT THE PART IS NOT IN AND HE HASN'T EVEN GOT A TIMEFRAME FOR IT. ALSO THAT THERE ARE 1000 VEHICLES AWAITING THAT PART AND MINE IS AT THE HEAD OF THE PACK. THIS IS A SAFETY SENSITIVE PART AND THEY ARE NOT MAINTAINING AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF REPLACEMENT PARTS , AND ARE RETURNING VEHICLES TO CUSTOMERS TO DRIVE WHILE AWAITING THE REPLACEMENT.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Sep 16, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN SENTRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE "UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR SENSOR" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JIM KERAS NISSAN (2080 COVINGTON PIKE, MEMPHIS, TN 38128, (901) 373-2800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT RADAR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 37101150. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,300.