YearToAvoid

2018 Nissan Sentra Transmission & Powertrain Problems

Transmission & Powertrain complaints account for 46 of 185 total complaints (25%) on the 2018 Nissan Sentra, with a median failure mileage of 75,500. No related recalls are listed for this issue.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
46
25% of 185
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
75,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report the CVT overheating, dragging, and making loud noises after extended use, in some cases starting around 60,000 miles.
  • Several drivers describe the transmission suddenly refusing to move forward, leaving only reverse available, sometimes as early as 46,000 miles.
  • Multiple complaints describe RPMs surging up and down while holding a steady speed, especially at low speeds or on slight inclines.
  • Some owners report sudden loss of power or acceleration at highway speeds, including one case at 80 mph where the vehicle failed to respond and coasted to the shoulder.
  • Drivers describe shuddering, jerking, and hesitation when the transmission shifts between gears, particularly around 75 mph or 80 mph.
  • One complaint describes the gear shifter failing to engage drive or any other gear while the vehicle was parked, at 71,000 miles.

When 2018 Nissan Sentra transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Dec 2, 2019, latest Jul 10, 2026.

2018 Nissan Sentra transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2019Nov 2020Jun 2021Sep 2022May 2023Mar 2024Jan 2025Apr 2026
46 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2019 to Jul 2026; peak Mar 2022 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2018 Nissan Sentra

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Sentra model year

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

  1. 200510 (6%)
  2. 20068 (7%)
  3. 200717 (11%)
  4. 200820 (12%)
  5. 20093 (5%)
  6. 201018 (13%)
  7. 201118 (13%)
  8. 201268 (38%)
  9. 2013311 (49%)
  10. 2014182 (48%)
  11. 2015172 (49%)
  12. 2016127 (47%)
  13. 201776 (33%)
  14. 201846 (25%)
  15. 201954 (24%)
  16. 20209 (4%)
  17. 20214 (3%)
  18. 20226 (7%)
  19. 20232 (10%)
  20. 20249 (23%)
  21. 20254 (13%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA lists 46 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2018 Sentra, which is 25% of the 185 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Nissan Sentra transmission?
No related recalls are listed in NHTSA data for this issue on the 2018 Sentra.
At what mileage do 2018 Sentra transmission problems usually appear?
NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage at failure of 75,500 for reported transmission and powertrain issues.
Did the 2018 Sentra transmission issues cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries tied to these Transmission & Powertrain complaints.
How does the 2018 Sentra compare to other years for transmission complaints?
The 25% share for 2018 is lower than years like 2013 through 2016, which ranged from 47% to 49%, but similar to 2019's 24% share.

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.