YearToAvoid

2018 Nissan Sentra Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 38 engine-related complaints for the 2018 Nissan Sentra, 21% of its 185 total complaints for the year. There are no related recalls, and reported failures include fires, stalling, and loss of power around a median mileage of 40,000.

Engine complaints
38
21% of 185
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
40,000 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Engine catches fire or emits smoke from under the hood while driving at low speed, with warning lights and door locks activating erratically.
  • Vehicle loses power and stalls while driving, sometimes with the automatic emergency braking warning light illuminated.
  • Engine or transmission fails to engage gear during acceleration, leaving the vehicle unable to move forward or only able to reverse.
  • Engine fails to turn over or start on the first attempt, requiring multiple tries, with electrical systems staying active but the engine not cranking.
  • Transmission reported as failed around 37,122 miles, with dealership also flagging fuel pump and instrument cluster issues.

When 2018 Nissan Sentra engine complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 18, 2018, latest Sep 23, 2025.

2018 Nissan Sentra engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2018Feb 2020Sep 2020Apr 2021Mar 2022Apr 2023Nov 2024
38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2018 to Sep 2025; peak Aug 2020 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2018 Nissan Sentra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Sentra model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201053 (37%)
  2. 201140 (28%)
  3. 201254 (30%)
  4. 2013133 (21%)
  5. 201488 (23%)
  6. 2015101 (29%)
  7. 201668 (25%)
  8. 201769 (30%)
  9. 201838 (21%)
  10. 201929 (13%)
  11. 202014 (7%)
  12. 202112 (9%)
  13. 202214 (17%)
  14. 20234 (20%)
  15. 20243 (8%)
  16. 20255 (17%)

Frequently asked questions

How many 2018 Nissan Sentra owners reported engine problems to NHTSA?
NHTSA lists 38 engine-related complaints for the 2018 Sentra, which is 21% of the 185 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Nissan Sentra engine?
No. The data shows no related recalls tied to the engine complaints for the 2018 Sentra.
At what mileage do 2018 Sentra engine problems typically occur?
The median mileage at failure for engine-related complaints on the 2018 Sentra is 40,000 miles.
Did engine problems on the 2018 Sentra cause any crashes or fires?
Yes. NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint set includes 3 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 injury.
Is the 2018 Sentra engine complaint rate higher than other years?
The 2018 Sentra's 21% engine complaint share is lower than years like 2010 (37%) and 2012 (30%), but higher than newer years like 2020 (7%) and 2021 (9%).

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.