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 that while his daughter was driving at slow speeds, the radar sensor caused the vehicle to stop without incidence. The contact stated that the wheels locked up. The wheels unlocked and the driver was able to pull off the roadway. The Forward Collision Avoidance warning light was illuminated and turned on and off. The contact purchased the replacement radar sensor. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where the radar sensor was programmed and calibrated, and the vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle. No assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 107,000. The Vin was not available.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that when moving the vehicle from park to drive the vehicle would display a jerking sensation. When attempting to accelerate there would be a hesitation before doing so. There were no warning lights. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer code S indicating transmission failure. The transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired with a rebuilt transmission. The failure reoccurred 60,000 miles after receiving the repair. The vehicle had been returned to the dealer who confirmed that the failure was no longer covered under warranty. The vehicle had not been repaired again. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 133,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The RPM increased, and the engine revved up. The vehicle was making an abnormal cutting metallic sound. The vehicle failed to shift from park to drive. The vehicle was jerking and jolting. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic determined that the transmission failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 - 45 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle revved roughly before accelerating forward. The contact stated that while driving for approximately 20 minutes at 20-25 MPH accelerating uphill, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving after approximately 5 minutes. The battery failure warning light illuminated, along with the check engine and oil failure warning lights. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where they had not diagnosed the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,800.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while making a left turn, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The contact was able to pull over on the side of road and turn off the vehicle. After restarting the vehicle, the vehicle still would not accelerate properly. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle related to the failure. The manufacturer stated that 30% of the repairs would be covered by them and the contact would assume responsibility for the remaining 70% of the cost. The failure mileage was 81,200.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was unable to shift out of drive(D). The contact stated that he was able to manually push the vehicle out of the roadway with the assistance of bystanders. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to his residence. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift into gear as designed with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, Winners Circle Nissan (1134 W Mercury Blvd, Hampton, VA 23666, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no additional assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 68,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH with the cruise control engaged, the transmission was slipping. The RPM revved up. While at a stop, upon acceleration, the vehicle shuddered, and the transmission slipped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but no assistance was provided. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 159,500.
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle started making an abnormal sound and started to decelerate independently. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to continue driving to his residence at a slow speed. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
"What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request?" -Transmission Failure, already repaired as of 05/23/2023, and as such is no longer able to be inspected. "How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?" -My safety, and others were put at major risk as the transmission completely gave out at 94k Miles as I was crossing the road. As I pressed the accelerator the engine revved up, I heard a loud thud, the car shook, the engine continued to rev deep into the redzone, and then all of the sudden it stopped accelerating and had barely enough momentum to get all the way across the 4 lane avenue. This could have resulted in a MAJOR accident, as I was horizontal crossing the road, and could have been T-Boned. …
Transmission complaints in other Sentra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2018 Nissan Sentra?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2018 Nissan Sentra, 25% of the model year's 185 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2018 Nissan Sentra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
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.