What 172 owners told NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Sentra Nismo

Car abruptly stalled while driving, would restart but fail again upon acceleration. Would only move in reverse. Had this happened two minutes earlier, I would have likely been killed on Interstate 10, luckily I had just exited the freeway. At this point State Farm sent a tow truck, it was brought to the car shop we use nearby. Upon inspection the transmission was diagnosed as failed and exhaust manifold was damaged, possibly due to towing, since car would only move in reverse. There were NO warning signs, just abrupt failure. Repairs for transmission cost over $4000, exhaust manifold still being repaired, estimated at another $900. Only owned the car for three years. My only means of getting to work it needed to be immediately repaired. There were NO warning signs, just abrupt failure.

NHTSA ODI 11568639

After getting my left headlight assembly replaced the high beam went out. Shortly after my horn was no longer working. Other problems I noticed before these issues that seemed electrical but didn’t necessarily catch my attention: oil light doesn’t come on, seatbelt reminder doesn’t make noise, lights inside the car short at times unless turned on a specific way(including screens and overhead lights.)

NHTSA ODI 11567592

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the performance of the transmission in my Nissan 2018 Nissan Sentra. Recently, I have encountered my car stopped accelerating and only able to drive backwards. I had a few transmission,shifting problems, jerking which has raised concerns about the overall reliability and safety of the vehicle. I understand your concern about Nissan transmissions. If you wish to address this issue with Nissan, I recommend following a formal and respectful approach. Here's a template you can use to write to the Nissan headquarters: [Your Name] [Your Address] [City, State, Zip Code] [Email Address] [Phone Number] [Date] Nissan North America, Inc. Consumer Affairs Department P.O. Box 685003 Franklin, TN 37068-5003 Subject: Request for Investigation and Potential Recall of Nissan Transmission Issues Dear Nissan North America, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to express my concerns regarding the performance of the transmission in my Nissan [Model and Year]. Recently, I have encountered [specific issues with the transmission, e.g., shifting problems, jerking, etc.], which has raised concerns about the overall reliability and safety of the vehicle. I have conducted some research and have come across several instances of similar transmission issues reported by Nissan owners. It appears that a significant number of vehicles may be experiencing similar problems, indicating a potential systemic issue with the transmissions. Given the importance of vehicle safety and the trust that consumers place in Nissan products, I am urging you to investigate these transmission issues thoroughly. If necessary, I kindly request that Nissan consider a recall to address and rectify the reported problems.

NHTSA ODI 11567274

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.

NHTSA ODI 11565934

1. The transmission is the component that failed/malfunctioned. 2. The car started jerking and hesitating on the highway and then stopped accelerating. 3. The problem has been confirmed by an independent service center. 4. No, it has only been inspected by a licensed repair shop specializing in transmissions. 5. There were no warning lamps until the issue was happening. The check engine light came on and started flashing.

NHTSA ODI 11564855

My gas gauge said 60 miles until fill up, I ran out of gas with no warning, no check engine light and no gas light, in the middle of the street. I was not able to wheel it to the side as I was going uphill at the time and the steering went out. Traffic had to avoid hitting me as I was completely locked up. There is nothing previously wrong with the car.

NHTSA ODI 11560955

There is a recall on certain years of Nissan Altimas for a hood latch problem. My 2018 Nissan Sentra has the same hood latch problem that the 2018 Altima, i.e., when the hood is opened the primary hood latch does not reset, so when the hood is closed only the secondary latch is engaged and the hood remains slightly open. I have to use a screwdriver to reset the primary latch before I can fully close the hood.

NHTSA ODI 11557647

Was involved in a front end collision, and the airbags did not deploy

NHTSA ODI 11555905

The sensor comes on intermittently even when there is nothing in front of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11554724

I heard what sounded like rocks under my car so I took it into Firestone to have them look at it and they let me know they could not even align it because the tie rod had to be replaced. Apparently this part controls your steering and you can potentially lose a wheel while you are driving down the highway. Now I am worried and I don't dare drive my vehicle any further than necessary right back over to Firestone to have them replace it on Monday. This is a safety concern because if I lose steering and the wheel comes off in that distance of even one mile anyone in the area of such a situation could get hurt. I actually don't have much money, but have no choice but to pay to have it done. I have continually maintained my vehicle. I have not hit any rocks that would have caused this issue either. I asked Joe at Firestone what would have caused the problem and he told me simple wear and tear. I only have 27,360 miles on my car. That makes no sense to me with such a small amount of mileage that the tie rod would have to be replaced to remain safe on the road.

NHTSA ODI 11553317

Car was involved in an accident and the air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI 11552705

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.

NHTSA ODI 11548491

My car was shutting down while driving and over heating happened several times but the last time it over heated it was smoking and my fluids were boiling and I had to get a new coolant fan module and I’ve contacted Nissan and they said they will not cover my expense.I have had nothing but problems since I purchased the car

NHTSA ODI 11546567

When I use my air conditioning my car over heats and blows hot air out ,the gas gauge says I have gas and then ran out of gas 3 times when it said I had 120 miles left the rpm’s go crazy feels like it’s skipping gears I’ve had nothing but problems since I got the car and I got it to feel safe and I do not at all

NHTSA ODI 11542185

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.

NHTSA ODI 11534968

"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. "Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center?" -Confirmed and repaired at Glendale Nissan. -Address: 484 E North Ave., Glendale Heights, IL 60139 -Phone Number: (630) 469-6100 "Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear?" UNKNOWN. The car did sometimes have an issue moving forward from a stop, but I am not sure if that is related. This started happening around 80k miles.

NHTSA ODI 11523551

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.

NHTSA ODI 11520383

I bought the 2018 Nissan Sentra from Rusty Eck Ford in Wichita around 11 months ago. 2 days later I took it back in because stepping on the gas, it shuddered and had difficulty going into gear. I was told, I needed to relearn how to drive. I received a legal notice that I am in a proposed class action lawsuit (Nissan CVT Litigation Settlement Administrator) because there are known defects in the CVT Transmission. My car is now sitting at Briggs Nissan Service requiring a full new transmission $5500.00 I have pleaded with Nissan corp, ORR Nissan in Wichita and Briggs Nissan in Manhattan KS,and back to Rusty Eck Ford to help me. These were known defects. My transmission went out on a major highway and I about caused a pileup. I live on a fixed income. I went to the loan company asking for a refinance I owe $17,000+, they won't help me and Rusty Eck won't help even though that is where the loan originated from. I don't know what to do. I think all these service centers would hope I kill myself so I won't bother them anymore. You got lawyers in California that help their people. But there is no one to help me. Why would a company send out a vehicle with known transmissions defects. I think it is truly they wanted them to go out so that the buyer as to purchase a whole new transmission and point the finger and say buyer beware. I know you probably cannot do anything.

NHTSA ODI 11516105

CVT transmission problem. Car has burning smell and jerks on freeway. Case has been reported to Nissan consumer affairs and has been taken in for repairs at a Nissan service center twice and still have not fixed the problem. https://knightlawgroup.com/nissan-cvt-transmission-problems/

NHTSA ODI 11512922

I would be driving and then the car would not want to pull after I would wait awhile it would start back driving. The most recent incident was I was driving and stopped at a light and accelerated to pull off and the car started moving and then stopped in the middle of the street. After a while it started back driving so I took it to get check and was told my transmission was gone. I did do a check on this site and saw where transmissions were recalled for nissan sentra for the following years 2014 to 2017.I feel if there was an issue with the transmissions in those car why would they not recall all the cars from that year on to have the transmission fix. I spent 3,852 dollars to have a new transmission put in my car which i feel is totally uncalled for.

NHTSA ODI 11511995

I took a left turn going below 10 mph when it had immediately stalled like a a manual. I was stuck in the middle of an intersection where I had to push the car out of the road. The car no longer wants to be put in drive. it just sits like it is in neutral even when I press on the gas

NHTSA ODI 11508538

Transmission is constantly slipping. The car has randomly stopped and I have had to shift into park then back to drive in order for the vehicle to move out of traffic. There is no type of warning. I have no engine lights or any other warnings. This has almost caused 3 accidents. I have taken the car to the dealer and an independent mechanic for diagnostics and they are unable to find the issue even with having repeated the problem to some degree. This has been going on for the past 2 months.

NHTSA ODI 11508118

While my husband was driving, the vehicle suddenly lost power. He was almost hit by the vehicle that was behind him. He was able to nurse it to the side of the road. There were no warning lights or any other indicators that there was something wrong. We called AAA and had it towed to the nearest independent service dealer. We were told that the transmission was gone. It only had 88,000 miles on it. It has not been reviewed by anyone else at this time. The repair bill is for almost as much as what we owe on the loan.

NHTSA ODI 11502758

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 - 40 MPH and approaching a stop going uphill, there was an abnormal beeping sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The automatic emergency braking (AEB) malfunction warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact called the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed to take the vehicle to the dealer for assistance. The contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11501199

My car was hesitant to start i called the recalls line and i let the nissan lot know that my car had recall on the break switch which is connected to my gears, i never received a notice informing me about this issue so when i let the lot know they told me nothing was wrong, after driving it again it wouldnt start i took it to the lot and they said its my transmission and break switch battery ect. I am requesting that my car get repair for free for recall service i dont feel i should have to pay $8000 for service repair more then one nissan sentra has had transmission problems in the last year

NHTSA ODI 11500661