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2018 Nissan Altima VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

The 2018 Nissan Altima has good reliability. There are 2 recalls and 217 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Nissan Altima. Severity signals include 11 crash-related complaints. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Unknown Or Other (44), Electrical System (36), Air Bags (29).

Altima reliability snapshot

76/100
Latest model-year reliability score
4.0/5
RepairPal rating (medium)
$483
Avg annual repair cost vs $526 category avg
#11/24
Ranking in midsize cars · better than 54% of peers

Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.

Used-car research

Research the Nissan Altima before checking the VIN

Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.

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Most-reported 2018 Nissan Altima issues

Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.

  • Unknown Or Other44
  • Electrical System36
  • Air Bags29
  • Power Train19
  • Service Brakes15
  • Exterior Lighting12

Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2018 Nissan Altima

Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.

  • Check for airbag warning light on dashboard
  • Test transmission for shuddering or slipping
  • Inspect brake system for sensor issues
  • Verify headlights for adequate brightness
  • Test door locks for proper function with key fob
  • Check forward collision system for unexpected activation

What owners reported

2018 Nissan Altima owner complaints in detail

Owners have reported 11 crashes and 6 injuries to NHTSA for the 2018 Nissan Altima. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.

Owner complaints44

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the backup camera and transmission. Complaints describe the backup camera intermittently going black or dim, impacting visibility while reversing. Transmission problems are characterized by loss of horsepower, shuddering, and hesitation to accelerate, often confirmed by diagnostic tests. These issues typically emerge around 60,000 miles. Additionally, several reports highlight malfunctions in the forward emergency braking system, with implications for safety as some complaints involve crashes and injuries. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues when considering this vehicle.

Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports

Owner complaints36

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the push start system, with many describing difficulty starting the vehicle despite pressing the brake pedal and using the push button, often requiring multiple attempts or assistance from the key fob. Complaints also commonly mention problems with door lock actuators, where doors fail to lock or unlock using the key fob or interior controls, sometimes requiring manual intervention. These issues are often reported at mileages around 40,000 to 63,000 miles. Additionally, one complaint involves a crash due to brake light switch failure, highlighting a potential safety concern. Used car buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical issues, particularly with the push start system and door locks, as they may impact vehicle operation and safety.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints29

AIR BAGS

Owners report frequent issues with the airbag system in the 2018 Nissan Altima, primarily involving the airbag warning light illuminating on the dashboard. Complaints frequently mention that this light either stays on or intermittently turns on and off, often linked to a defective driver or passenger seat airbag module. Multiple owners describe these issues occurring around 33,000 to 35,000 miles, with some reports indicating unresolved problems despite repeated dealer visits. Safety implications are highlighted in two crash incidents where airbags failed to deploy, resulting in potential injury. Buyers should be aware of potential high repair costs and delays in obtaining replacement parts, as noted in several complaints.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints19

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the continuously variable transmission (CVT), particularly involving symptoms such as jerking, shuddering, and a sudden loss of power. These problems often occur around 60,000 to 100,000 miles, with multiple complaints describing the vehicle failing to accelerate or shifting unexpectedly into neutral, posing a risk of collisions. Some owners mention that the CVT failure left them stranded on highways or caused near-misses with other vehicles. Additionally, there are reports of high repair costs and a lack of warning indicators prior to the failure. These patterns suggest potential safety implications for prospective buyers considering this model.

Owner complaints16

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the service brakes, particularly involving the brake sensor and the automatic emergency braking (AEB) system. Common symptoms include the vehicle failing to start due to a faulty brake sensor, the AEB system engaging unexpectedly without an obstruction, and warnings about front radar obstructions. These issues often occur around 24,000 to 59,000 miles. Two complaints describe crashes, one involving brake pedal failure and another where brakes did not stop the vehicle. Buyers should be aware of these potential safety risks, especially regarding the AEB system malfunctioning and unexpected braking events.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints12

STEERING

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the steering system, with common symptoms including loss of power steering, a loose or uncontrollable steering wheel, and unusual noises such as clicking or popping. Some complaints describe the steering wheel becoming stiff or difficult to control, particularly at higher speeds or during turns. These issues are sometimes accompanied by warning lights or sensor malfunctions, such as the front radar obstruction warning activating without cause. Reports of these issues span various mileage ranges, but several mention occurrences around 30,000 to 100,000 miles. One complaint involves a crash where the vehicle slid into a snowbank, highlighting potential safety implications related to steering control.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints10

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Owners report several issues with the vehicle speed control in the 2018 Nissan Altima. Complaints frequently mention hesitation or lag when accelerating from a stop, with some describing a clunk or need to gently accelerate to avoid further issues. Additionally, multiple owners describe problems with the automatic emergency braking system, which intermittently activates or deactivates, sometimes causing unexpected deceleration. These issues are often reported between 2,500 and 60,000 miles. Safety implications arise from the sudden braking incidents, which could lead to potential accidents, especially at highway speeds.

Owner complaints7

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the vehicle's front radar sensor, which affects the electronic stability control system. Common symptoms include warnings of "front radar obstruction" and unexpected activation of the automatic emergency braking system, even in the absence of any obstruction or other vehicles. These issues often occur in rainy conditions but are also reported in dry weather, and some owners note that the warning light remains on continuously. One complaint involves a crash where the emergency braking system failed to engage, leading to a collision with a pole. These problems are reported by owners who have had their vehicles for varying lengths of time, with no specific mileage pattern evident. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, as they can lead to unexpected braking or failure to brake, posing a safety risk.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

Owner complaints6

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Owners report persistent issues with the Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) system on the 2018 Nissan Altima, with complaints frequently mentioning the system activating or deactivating unexpectedly. Typical symptoms include warning lights illuminating without obstacles present, and the system either failing to engage or engaging inappropriately, such as braking suddenly when no vehicle is ahead. These issues are reported across various mileages, with some occurring as early as 8,500 miles and others noted around 24,864 miles. Safety implications include potential rear-end collisions due to unexpected braking and the system's failure to engage in genuine emergency situations. Prospective buyers should be aware of these recurring issues, particularly if considering a vehicle outside of warranty coverage.

Owner complaints5

ENGINE

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Altima frequently report issues with the engine unexpectedly shutting off, often while the vehicle is stopped at a light or traveling at low speeds. Symptoms commonly described include the engine failing to start despite a good battery, the car dying at a red light, and warning lights such as the check engine and ABS indicators illuminating. Some complaints mention these issues occurring around 7,000 to 39,171 miles. One report includes an injury when the vehicle abruptly stopped at 40 mph, causing the driver to hit their head on the steering wheel. Buyers should be aware of potential engine start and shutdown issues, as well as the possibility of needing repairs related to piston sensor failures.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports

2018 Altima recalls (2)

Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2018 Altima. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

  1. LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESNHTSA 20V315000May 28, 2020

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2013-2018 Nissan Altima vehicles. If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.

    Consequence: Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy

    Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will install a stronger release spring in the hood release lever, a warning label near the secondary hood latch, and an Owner’s Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the secondary hood latch mechanism, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 30, 2021. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.

  2. BACK OVER PREVENTIONNHTSA 19V654000Sep 12, 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 Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Consequence: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

    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 activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Used-market value

2018 Nissan Altima resale snapshot

65.4%estimated value retained after 5 years
720listings in the model-level benchmark
$14,993median asking price from 60 listings

Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.

Compare Nissan Altima value by year →Full Nissan Altima market analysis at CarResaleValue →

2018 Nissan Altima on the road

209,146 2018 Nissan Altima units were sold new in the US — a key signal for the size of today's used-market inventory.

How the 2018 Nissan Altima stacks up against rivals

The most-shopped alternatives in the same segment. Each link opens a side-by-side reliability and cost comparison.

Hyundai Sonata
Reliability: 75/100·Rivalry score: 90
Compare vs 2018 Nissan Altima →
Chevrolet Malibu
Reliability: 80/100·Rivalry score: 90
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Honda Accord
Reliability: 87/100·Rivalry score: 90
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KIA K5
Reliability: 83/100·Rivalry score: 90
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Reliability verdict for the 2018 Nissan Altima

With an 83/100 reliability score versus a 77/100 segment average, the 2018 Nissan Altima lands above the class norm. That points to solid overall dependability for this model year, with fewer reliability red flags than many direct peers. Recall activity is limited, suggesting fewer factory-corrected problems than vehicles with elevated recall histories.

Complaint patterns are not confined to a single system. The largest share falls into an unspecified “unknown or other” bucket, which reduces clarity on root causes. Among defined areas, electrical system and air bag reports stand out, with additional complaints spread across the power train and service brakes. This distribution indicates a mixed set of owner-reported issues rather than one dominant failure point.

Overall risk level: moderate-to-low for the segment.

What you get in a 2018 Nissan Altima report

Available title brand history
Odometer readings & rollback detection
Accident & damage records
Auction sales with photos
Open safety recalls
Theft & stolen vehicle check

Check a 2018 Nissan Altima now

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2018 Nissan Altima — Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Nissan Altima reliable?

With an 83/100 reliability score versus a 77/100 segment average, the 2018 Nissan Altima lands above the class norm. That points to solid overall dependability for this model year, with fewer reliability red flags than many direct peers. Recall activity is limited, suggesting fewer factory-corrected problems than vehicles with elevated recall histories.

How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Altima have?

2 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2018 Nissan Altima. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.

What are the most common 2018 Nissan Altima problems?

The most-reported 2018 Nissan Altima problem areas are: Unknown Or Other (44), Electrical System (36), Air Bags (29).

Should I run a VIN check on a 2018 Nissan Altima?

Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2018 Nissan Altima, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.