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Research · Midsize Cars

2018 Nissan Sentra NismoRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 172 owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Sentra Nismo. Most complaints involve power train (42) and service brakes (37). The EPA rates it 27 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
27mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
172
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2018 Nissan Sentra Nismo as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

172 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2018 – Jul 2025
  1. Power train42
  2. Service brakes37
  3. Electrical system32
  4. Forward collision avoidance24
  5. Engine21
  6. Vehicle speed control18
  7. Exterior lighting14
  8. Air bags9
  9. Electronic stability control (esc)7

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Sentra Nismo model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2018172
2019202
Crashes reported
17
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
11
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

42 reports
“Driving down the road with a lot of traffic then my car didn't want to shift into gear the it went into gear real hard then I hear load noise under the the car then I was no longer moving. So me and some friends push it out of the road and I call tow truck to take to my house I know a lot of people have the same issue with cvt transmission”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 30, 2025Power trainODI 11677383

Service brakes

37 reports3 crashes2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 10, 2024Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11607682

Electrical system

32 reports1 crash
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2025Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11642737
All 2018 Sentra Nismo problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
1.6L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (AV-S7) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Sentra Nismo
Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253027$2,950330
Sentra Nismo
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
253127$2,950330
  • Sentra Nismo
    Auto (AV-S7), 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    25 city · 30 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Sentra Nismo
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L, Turbo
    25 city · 31 hwy · $2,950/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Nissan Sentra Nismo as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 12684
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2018 Sentra Nismo questions

How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Sentra Nismo have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 30, 2026.

What are the most common 2018 Nissan Sentra Nismo problems?

Owners filed 172 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (42), service brakes (37), electrical system (32). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Nissan Sentra Nismo get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Nissan Sentra Nismo at 27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026