Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 172 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Sentra Nismo, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 32 | 19% |
| Unknown or other | 17 | 10% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 12 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 10 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 8 | 5% |
| Engine | 7 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 3% |
| Air bags | 4 | 2% |
| Structure | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
On [XXX], my 2018 Nissan Sentra was involved in a severe accident on [XXX] in Maryland. Despite the high-impact nature of the collision, none of the airbags deployed. The driver’s seat collapsed completely, causing total
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the transmission issues in my 2018 Nissan Sentra. It is widely known, including to the past recalls of similar models that Nissan has an ongoing problems
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that upon taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for service, the mechanic diagnosed a failure with the brake light switch. The vehicle was repaired. After
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
When I connect an OBD 2 meter. It cannot read the powertrain and it’s not the first time that I haven’t been able to diagnosed the car. I’ve taken it to a dealership. I’ve been used scan tools from a dealership and mecha
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I am having problems with my vent control valve. I recently took my car in to get an engine light looked at Rand they told me that the vehicle was have problems with the control valve assembly and they replaced the part
NHTSA complaint: Engine
incident I would like to report involves the crash of a 2018 Nissan Sentra (VIN: 3N1AB7APXJY277851) that occurred on the morning of November 28, 2024, coinciding with Thanksgiving Day on Highway 270 at the Eisenhower M
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
| Reliability | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 72 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 61 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 172 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 32 of them (19%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 72/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2018 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.