Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2018 Nissan Sentra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the push to start button and brake pedal was depressed but the engine failed to start. The contact also stated that the RPM's would go to 5 when she depressed the accelerator pedal and the vehicle had a burning smell when driving. The contact stated the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V135000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) on June 11, 2021, at the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 19,127.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra SV. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, she depressed the brake pedal and pressed the push start button but the vehicle failed to start. The warning message "Malfunction Indicator Light" illuminated. The contact stated that as she continued to depress the brake pedal and squeezed an unknown wire under the steering wheel, she was able to start the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The contact also stated that the brake pedal would make abnormal loud sounds and would intermittently hesitate to respond while driving. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated that she continued to depress the brake pedal but it failed to respond. …
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while attempting to park the vehicle, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The vehicle stopped after the brake pedal was depressed, and the emergency brakes was engaged. The vehicle eventually stopped. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed that the brakes needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there was a recall associated with the VIN, which would cover the repair cost for the ABS, rear stop lamp switch, Engine and Cruise Control. The failure mileage was 66,000.
I received a recall notice (PM971) (21V-135) on May 4, 2021. I went twice to the dealership to have my car fixed. I called several times asking what to do to get the recall completed. One person said they needed to look at it to get the part. I went to the dealership on May 24, 2021 and I am still waiting for them to call me telling me that they have the part. Meanwhile, I am having lots of trouble stepping on the brake to start the car. Frequently it takes me up to 10 minutes before I can get the car started. Yesterday (9/19), I gave up trying to start the car. Today, (9/20) I had problems each time I tried to use the car, taking 5-10 minutes each time. The first time I went to the dealership, the technician said he didn't know why the notice was sent out because they didn't have the parts. The dealership is Ray Brandt Nissan 4000 Lapalco Blvd., Marrero, LA 70072. …
My 2018 Nissan Sentra has under 60,000 miles on it and is on its 3rd set of brake rotors, as well as had both front and rear brake pads replaced 2 times. The vehicle has always given the warning , front radar not detected alert, until the last 12 months where I began receiving a malfunction warning. My car has been brought to 2 different Nissan dealerships to work on this issue. The current one stating my front sensor is failing & will need to be replaced however there is no warranty on it. I am the only owner of my vehicle and it has not been in any forward collisions. As for the power train/transmission, I received a transmission flush in May of 2023, and now 15 months later was told by a different Nissan dealership it needed a flush as it appeared the transmission was going bad. …
I purchased this car October 10th of 2021 and 2 days after I purchased it I called my service department because I was driving on the highway at 65 miles an hour and the malfunction warning light came on for the automatic braking system and it also depressed my brakes so it scared the crap out of me. I was told that because of the weather it was raining that day that that sometimes happens. I didn't think anything of it on December 10th my son got into a car accident with the car and he did some damage to the front axle and the front end of the car it has since been repaired and now everyday several times a day the same thing happens and it is messing with my brakes and it's scaring me and I don't know what to do.
My brake lights suddenly wouldn't turn on and my car wouldn't start. We replaced the brake light switch and it worked for a short while, but it stopped working the same day almost causing several collisions as brake lights won't turn on. There was a recall on this issue with this year and model, but my VIN number was not included regardless of the symptoms all being there. We had a master mechanic look and diagnose it as a brake light switch issue. The vehicle has been brought to a local Nissan center for similar issues a couple months ago, but it failed several times
When I push the brakes and start button, all lights come on, navi starts, but Car Does NOT start. I am stranded for 6th or 7th time and waiting on tow truck. According to this link, this is a recurrent problem Nissan is aware of, and they do nothing to fix it. https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Discussion-c27227_ds963428 Being stranded is dangerous-PERIOD. I am enduring a homeless man yelling at me while I sit in my car with doors locked. Nissan should recall this car. 2018 Sentra SV with push start is Not safe.
UNKNOWN. however there has been a safety recall about the brake lights not illuminating. I have tried three times to make an appointment with nissan dealership to get this problem fixed but i have had no luck with them helping. Im worrried about my daughters safety. She is not even two years old yet, i dont want her or anyone else on the road getting hurt because of a faulty safety feature.
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.
Brake complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the brakes of the 2018 Nissan Sentra, 22% of the model year's 185 complaints. The component named most often is brake fluid low warning › lamp (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2018 Nissan Sentra brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2018 Nissan Sentra, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2018 Nissan Sentra brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 30,000 miles, and 34% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.