2018 Nissan Sentra Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 184 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2018 Nissan Sentra overview page.
What owners report
“My Sentra at around 75mph starts shifting back and forth abnormally between gears. The only thing that releases it is letting go of gas, forcing…”NHTSA complaint 11420918 — filed 06/14/2021
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PERFORM AS NEEDED. THERE WAS NO WARNING…”NHTSA complaint 11416184 — filed 05/11/2021
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE GEAR SHIFTER FAILED TO SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR ANY OTHER GEARS…”NHTSA complaint 11415028 — filed 05/03/2021
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2018 Nissan Sentra have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2018 Nissan Sentra: 46 of 184 complaints on file (25%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2018 Nissan Sentra have in total?
184 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 17 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, 10 reported injuries, and 1 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
