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