Nissan Sentra 2018 recalls, problems, complaints and safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Nissan Sentra 2018 and 185 complaints filed by owners. It has 30% more complaints than the average Nissan Sentra from 2016–2025 (142 per year).
These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.
Own or buying a Nissan Sentra 2018? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.
Recalls issued for the Nissan Sentra 2018
Exterior lighting
NHTSA campaign 21V135000 · 2021-03-03
What happens
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Backup camera and sensors
NHTSA campaign 19V654000 · 2019-09-12
What happens
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
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.
The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.
Complaints from other owners
185 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.
17 with a crash · 3 with a fire · 11 injuries · 1 deaths
Most reported problems on the Nissan Sentra 2018
- Powertrain and transmission: 46 (25% of complaints)
- Brakes: 38 (21% of complaints)
- Electrical system: 32 (17% of complaints)
- Forward collision avoidance: 24 (13% of complaints)
- Engine: 22 (12% of complaints)
Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.
What to check before buying a Nissan Sentra 2018
- Confirm by VIN on NHTSA that the recalls on this list were repaired.
- On the test drive, check for smooth shifts with no jerks, slipping or noises; check the transmission fluid condition.
- Brake hard somewhere safe: the car shouldn't pull to one side and the pedal shouldn't sink; check rotors and pads.
- Test lights, windows, locks, the screen and dashboard warning lights; have trouble codes scanned.
- Get an inspection from an independent mechanic before paying.
Safety rating (NCAP)
| Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Nissan Sentra 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Nissan Sentra recalls by year
- 2016 : 6 recalls · 270 complaints
- 2017 : 3 recalls · 231 complaints
- 2018 : 2 recalls · 185 complaints
- 2019 : 2 recalls · 222 complaints
- 2020 : 4 recalls · 206 complaints
- 2021 : 3 recalls · 132 complaints
- 2022 : 2 recalls · 81 complaints
- 2023 : 1 recalls · 20 complaints
- 2024 : 3 recalls · 41 complaints
- 2025 : 4 recalls · 30 complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Nissan Sentra 2018 have?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls issued for the Nissan Sentra 2018. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.
What is the most common problem with the Nissan Sentra 2018?
In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: powertrain and transmission (46 of 185 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.
Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.
Last updated: October 12, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).