NissanSentra2018Overview/nissan/sentra/2018/base/

2018 Nissan Sentra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Sentra.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Nissan Sentra is a passenger car that accumulated 184 owner complaints and two recalls, with the power train emerging as its most reported trouble area. Viewed against the nameplate’s 1990–2026 complaint spectrum, its 184 grievances sit well below the 2013 high of 638 yet far above the 2026 low of 8, placing this model year in a moderate middle ground of documented issues. That positioning means the 2018 Sentra avoids the worst reliability peaks in the line’s history but still carries enough recorded power train complaints to merit focused research.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque83 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 1520865F0E. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP205/55R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter1520865F0E
Engine air filter1654630P00
Spark plug224011TT1C alt 22401JA01B
Battery24410ET00B
Front wiper blades288903SG0C discontinued · alt 288903SG1B
Serpentine belt117203SG0B alt 11720EN20B
Thermostat212303RC1A alt 21200ET01A
Cabin air filter272773DF0A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length182.3 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height59.1 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight2866 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Sentra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2018 SR Turbo
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018SR Turbo 1.6L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.40 sec188 hpFWD
2016SL 1.8L I-49.50 sec17.40 sec130 hpFWD
2016SL 1.8L I-410.00 sec17.60 sec130 hpFWD
2016SL 1.8L I-410.20 sec18.20 sec130 hpFWD
2013SL 1.8L I-49.20 sec17.20 sec130 hpFWD
2013SL 1.8L I-49.60 sec17.30 sec130 hpFWD
2013SL 1.8L I-49.70 sec17.40 sec130 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 83 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)3.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts83 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub105.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque14 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerNissan
Spark Plug Gap.035 in
Spark Plug Torque14 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10 oz

Service checks

RPM73.0
RPM51.0
RPM71.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 32
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122; Rear: 62
Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 32
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 122; Rear: 62
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .866; Rear: .315
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0003; Rear: .0006
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0014; Rear: .0039
Maximum Drum DiameterRear: 9.055; Parking Brake: 6.810

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
117.0 inch lbs.; Step 2; 52.0 inch lbs.17 in
384.0 inch lbs.84 in
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 3526 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 6020 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6514 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
120.0 ft. lbs.20 ft. lbs
2Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
314.0 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
460.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
114.0 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
265.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6026 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
130 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
2Turn 100-105 degrees100–105 degrees
3Loosen bolts fully in reverse order.
430 ft. lbs.30 ft. lbs
5Turn 95-100 degrees95–100 degrees
6Turn 195-200
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7025 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
125 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7025 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
125.0 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
270.0 degrees70 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
125.0 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
270.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 6.11.4 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.02.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 Nissan Sentra sits at the bottom of a clear downward arc that began with the 2013 model's complaint surge of 638 cases, settling at just 184 complaints, 2 recalls, 0 investigations, and 144 TSBs — the quietest year of the B17 generation that ran through 2019. Compared with the immediately preceding 2017 model (228 complaints, 3 recalls, 182 TSBs) and the following 2019 model (220 complaints, 2 recalls, 123 TSBs), the 2018 records the lowest complaint count in that three-year window and matches the lowest recall count of the post-2012 generation, with no federal investigations opened. The complaint mix is led by Power Train (35 cases), followed by a generic "Unknown Or Other" bucket (20), Forward Collision Avoidance (12), and Service Brakes (11) — meaning the data doesn't pinpoint a single root-cause defect, but powertrain and active-safety concerns are the dominant themes. With 17 crash-related and 3 fire-related complaints, safety incidents are not zero, though they are modest relative to the generation's high-water mark in 2013. **Bottom line:** within this generation the 2018 is arguably the best year to target on a used Sentra, though a pre-purchase inspection focused on the transmission behavior and a recall-completion check remain essential given the data's identified concentration.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
144
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
184
Owner complaints
17 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 184 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train35
Unknown Or Other20
Forward Collision Avoidance12
Service Brakes11
Exterior Lighting9
Electrical System8
Engine7
Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V654000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 12/09/2019

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be…

21V135000Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:SwitchReported 03/03/2021

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016-2019 Nissan Sentra vehicles. The brake light switch may become contaminated, preventing the circuit from closing and the brake lights from illuminating. Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake light switch and install a protective grommet, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 1, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 144 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB19-033G2025-02-20Forward Collision AvoidanceINTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION…
NTB12-103I2024-06-06Power TrainCVT/TCM CALIBRATION DATA “WRITE” PROCEDURE This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Sentra. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2018 Sentra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.