2018 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 225 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 18th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 11 involved a crash. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Latches/locks/linkages, hood, latchMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V315000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 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."
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V654000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
36 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Feb 14, 2022, crash
On February 7, 2022, my daughter was driving her 2018 Nissan Altima and was involved in an accident. It was a head-on collision, but the airbags didn’t deploy and, as a result, she was thrown forward into the steering wheel which caused severe trauma to her head.
Air bags, Dec 30, 2021
OCS system is faulty causing the airbags for the passenger to disengage. I am out of warranty for mileage at the time of the problem by 6,000. The car was 3 years old and it is an on going problem again. OCS switch showing improper voltage and cannot be reset unless the factory mechanic does the reset which holds me, the owner, responsible for the diagnostic fee. Additionally, the faulty parts may have to be replaced at my expense as well if it turns out to be a more than a software glitch. There has been recalls for 2016 and prior for the same issue and a recall for 2018 models is happening again.
Air bags, Seats, Dec 5, 2021
My car's airbag light came on and would not go off. I took it to the dealership and was told that the sensor in my passengar seat that detects the weight of some one in the seat is not working. Because of this sensor failing, my air bags will not deploy if the car is involved in an accident. It puts me at a safety risk because air bags will not provide protection to me or passengars riding in my vehicle if I am in a accident. This problem has been confirmed by the dealership. I don't know if the manufacter has inspected the issue or not. There were no other warning lights, messages, or other symptoms prior to this issue.
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 24, 2021
The airbag safety system has failed in my car. When a passenger or driver is in the car. The weight sensors and seatbelt sensors that activate the the airbag system fail to activate. This is something that I caught and mentioned it to a Nissan dealer when my car was in for service on another recall for hood latches. This is something that not only puts risk to passenger and driver in my car. But puts others at risk as well. Nissan and the extended warranty company have failed to correct the issue. As my safety is now at risk if I get into an accident and my airbags do not deploy. The issue is that the weight sensors and modulator have gone bad. The total cost just for those two things is around $585, by the time you add in airbag system replacement it comes to around $5000 to $7000. I would like this looked at due to the cause it is a preventative measure that be taken if we take that action now. This is on the 2018 model. I am willing to help in anyway I can with the investigation.
Air bags, Jun 30, 2021
Airbag light is on & I had a diagnostic completed. The diagnostic indicated problem with front passenger seat sensor. Nissan has a safety recall on some Airbags, however not on my 2018 model.
Air bags, Mar 25, 2021
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAYING THEY CHECK EVERYTHING WITH THE WIRES AND SENSORS AND DID FIND ANYTHING WRONG THERE SO I PAID FOR A TEST TO BE DONE. WAS TOLD THEY ERASE THE CODE BUT IF THE LIGHT COME BACK ON NEED TO REPLACE THE PANEL SO I'M NOT UNDER WHY I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR A DEFECT IN A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT MY FAULT.
Air bags, Mar 22, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD YET TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 79,000.
Air bags, Jan 2, 2021
DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG MALFUNCTIONING. THIS SAFETY FEATURE IS OFF. I SPOKE WITH OAK RIDGE NISSAN AND RUSTY WALLACE NISSAN. BOTH DEALERSHIPS HAVE ADVISED THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY ON THIS ITEM. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, WITHOUT THIS FEATURE, IT COULD CAUSE DEATH. MY PLAN IS TO LET NISSAN HAVE THE CAR BACK. THIS CAR HAS HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. IT IS A LEMON
Air bags, Jul 21, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PREMIER NISSAN OF METAIRIE LOCATED AT 6636 VETERANS MEMORIAL BLVD, METAIRIE, LA 70003, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN UNKNOWN OBJECT UNDERNEATH THE SEAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT A COIN WALLET UNDERNEATH THE SEAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN USED A SCAN TOOL TO CLEAR THE FAILURE AND RESET THE COMPUTER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,955.*DT CONSUMER STATED FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT CONSUMER DID NOT TAKE IT TO THE DEALER LIGHT WENT OFF AFTER REBOOT.*JB
Air bags, Mar 24, 2020
WE WERE DRIVING AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE WERE NOT IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, HAD PASSENGER GET OUT OF CAR AND BACK IN THEN RESTARTED THE CAR. LIGHT WENT OFF LIKE NORMAL. SHORTLY AFTER DRIVING IT CAME BACK ON AND NOW NO LONGER TURNS OFF, DISABLING MY AIR BAGS. HAVE TRIED TO NOT HAVE PASSENGERS, HAVE PASSENGERS, NOT HAVE SEAT BELT, HAVE SEAT BELT AND NOTHING FIXES IT. CHECKED THE AIRBAG FUSE AND FUSE IS INTACT. CHECKED THAT FRONT BUMPER SENSOR WAS CLEAN AND HAD NO DAMAGE. DISCONNECTED BATTERY, WAITED 15 MINUTES AND RECONNECTED. LOGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED. TRIED TO LET THE CAR RUN FOR 20 MINUTES AND LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. RAN CAR SELF DIAGNOSTIC AND NOTHING SHOWED. UNSURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH TO TURN THE LIGHT ON AND CAUSE IT TO NO LONGER TURN OFF. I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NEED TO FIND A CERTIFIED REPAIR PLACE TO HAVE IT FIXED PROPERLY.
Air bags, Oct 28, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROSSROADS NISSAN WAKE FOREST (11120 CAPITAL BLVD, WAKE FOREST, NC 27587, (877) 331-9055) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT EITHER THE SPIRAL CORD INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.*DT