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: other or unspecified
60 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 28, 2026
Transmission stopped working on me in the highway cvt code that comes up is P17f0 was in the highway going 45 mph then dropped 5 mph very dangerous. Almost crashed
Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2026
In 2022, there was a recall on the hood latch system. At that time the dealership was able to spray a substance on the latch and close out the recall instead of replacing the latch. Now my car is having issues with the latch that should’ve been replaced from the start. Therefore, the solution during the recall only prolonged the issue and did not fix the issue. There hasn’t been an accident, as of now. However, this could cause an extreme situation and put everyone’s safety at risk.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2025
My Nissan Altima's power door locks failed making entry and egress sometimes impossible. While the key will unlock the driver's door, rear seat passengers have been unable to exit the vehicle without assistance due to the door being locked. Premature power door lock actuators in Nissan vehicles is reportedly a very common problem according to my research.
Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2025
Anytime I pull my hood release, my hood never opens & I hear no click .
Other or unspecified, May 14, 2025
Took car for inspection check engine light on will not pass mechanic said same issueue as recall PC716. Said was under recall nissan recall does not include the vin so would not repair need to add vin to recall since it is same issue. Can not drive until repaired.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2024
Cvt transmission, yes its available for inspection. Loss complete horsepower on highway after it jerked. Kids in car at time. Took it to the autozone to get printout after check engine light came on, then took it next morning to dealership which did confirm that my transmission is in failure. Have printout confirming my concern. No lights were on I had just an oil change before getting on the highway.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2024
As I was driving on a highway, my sunglasses and light compartment on my roof completely fell out of my roof in front of my windshield view. I contacted Nissan and they stated that they could do absolutely nothing for me. Did not have any concerns regarding the fact that it almost caused me to get into an accident as it came swinging right in front of me and almost hit me and my head. This is also a very common issue when you look it up online with these vehicles.
Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2024
The system that’s got the issue is the backup camera. When I’m backing up periodically, all of a sudden it’ll go black or really dim to where I’m not able to see anything. I never know when it’s going to go black or dim, but it will happen when I’m backing up. I noticed that there was a recall while looking at credit carma. It stated that it had a recall, but when I called the Nissan customer service, I was told my car doesn’t have any recalls. My car has this same issue, but for some reason my car wasn’t included in the recall, when it should’ve been. I feel that this is a hazard for me, but yet for some reason Nissan doesn’t think so, since my vehicle wasn’t included in that recall. I don’t have any pictures because I don’t know when or where it may happen— for instance out shopping when I’m backing into a parking space using my camera it’ll go black or really dim. Then this scars me because I’m in the middle of backing and not knowing how close I’ve gotten to the vehicle behind me.
Other or unspecified, Jan 4, 2024
When backing up, often times my rear camera screen goes black and I’m unable to see anything. It is not consistent and sometimes it appears to be distorted like a tv channel trying to clear. There have been no accidents and the most recent incident was on 1/3/24. I see there is a recall for cars as early as 2019 for the same issue, however, my 2018 vehicle is experiencing the same thing.
Other or unspecified, Jan 3, 2024
I was riding down the road and the interior overhead dome light just fell out and was hanging. It was hanging right by my head. I researched this issue and it seems to be a REGULAR occurrence in these cars and the dealer wanted to charge me to fix it even though I have a warranty.
Other or unspecified, Jan 11, 2023
When pressing the brakes the push button does not start the car. The car also will not shift from park to drive even if the brakes are pressed. There are no warning lights and the problem has been “fixed” once by a Nissan dealership already but it is a recurring issue. This problem is ongoing since October 2022
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2022
Battery cables corrosion is awful. I have replaced my battery three times since buying this car in 2018
Other or unspecified, Oct 3, 2022
My transmission began shuddering then next couple days when I put the car in reverse it would stick and when I put it in drive it would hesitate to move. Then when it did move it wouldn’t get up to at least 55 miles per hour. Took it to Nissan, put it on the rack ($170) test indicated that transmission was shot
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2022
Gear shift will not leave park when car is first started, usually when vehicle is cold.
Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2021
Just bought the car
Other or unspecified, Jul 8, 2021
The brake light switch fails which will not allow me to start vehicle with push start. Already replaced switch once while vehicle under warranty. Now around 60,000 miles it started failing intermittently. I have been stranded numerous times, sometimes in dangerous situations with car not starting. I have been stranded in parking lots in bad neighborhoods and in airport parking lots. There is no alternative to starting the car without engaging the brake, so when this switch fails you have no way to start vehicle. You get no warnings that it has failed or to tell what the problem is. I have spoken with dealer and described what vehicle is doing and they agree that the problem is the brake light switch again.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Forward collision avoidance, May 10, 2021
THE FRONT END COLLISION WARNING GOES OFF LESS THAN A MILE AFTER I BEGIN DRIVING. IT WAS REPAIRED AFTER AN ACCIDENT (UNRELATED) & WAS FINE UNTIL MY STATE HAD SNOWFALL THAT COVERED THE ROAD, THAT'S WHEN IT BEGAN AGAIN! MY CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING & THE METAL PIECE THAT PROPS UP THE HOOD SNAPPED OFF WHEN CHECKING THE OIL, LUCKILY I SEEN IT SNAP AND WAS ABLE TO JUMP BACK! GEAR SHIFT STICKS IN PARK & SOMETIMES EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BAKE IT WONT START!
Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2021
I TOOK IT TO GET MY INSPECTION AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TWO RECALLS
Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 13, 2021
LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT EFFECTIVE IN SEEING AT NIGHT. KNOWN ISSUES IN NISSAN ALTIMA MODELS WHERE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY REFLECTIVE PARTS BECOMES FOGGY AND DISTORTED/MELTS DUE BUILD UP OF HEAT FROM HALOGEN LIGHT BULBS LOCATED IN THE ASSEMBLY. CREATES DANGEROUS ROAD CONDITIONS NOT ONLY FOR THE DRIVER BUT FOR OTHERS AS WELL. NISSAN CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE ONGOING ISSUES AND HAS YET TO ISSUE AN ALTERNATIVE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2020, crash
FRONT END T BONE COLLISION CAR IS TOTALED OUT.*DT*JB
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 13, 2020
BASICALLY I WAS AT THE STORE CAME OUT TO GO HOME AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START THEN AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED UP BUT THEN WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN IT WAS GIVING ME A HARD TIME TO START AND AFTER I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED AGAIN IT STARTED UP BUT WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS OUT OF PARK AT ALL AND IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM I WENT TO NISSAN AND WHEN I GOT THERE THEY TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE KEY FOBS IN WHICH I DID AND IT STARTED UP WITH NO PROBLEM BUT AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THEN IT FEES LIKE THE VEHICLE STALLS TO DRIVE OFF WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS. AND WHEN IT WOULDN'T START IT KEPT SHOWING MY BRAKE PEDAL AND KEY FOB TOGETHER. I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND ACTUALLY HAD TO END UP CALLING MY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START UP AND THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING COMING UP ON MY DASHBOARD OK TOP OF THAT I JUST HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE CHECKED AT NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG
Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2020, crash
2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. *LD*JS
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 7, 2020
AUTOMATIC BREAKING WILL SHUT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES ON OCCASION; ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING TOWARDS AN EMBANKMENT (I.E. MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THERE'S AN ISLAND THERE).
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 6, 2020
THE START STOP BUTTON THAT YOU PRESS TO START THE CAR MESSES UP AND DOES NOT START THE CAR . EVEN IF YOU DO IT MULTIPLE TIMES , AND THE (PARK REVERSE NEUTRAL DRIVE) PRND LEVER WON'T MOVE
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 4, 2020
SINCE I PURCHASED THIS 2018 ALTIMA (I HAD PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN A 2016 ALTIMA WITHOUT AEB), I HAVE GOTTEN FALSE POSITIVES FROM THE FRONT SENSOR, STOPPING MY CAR AT RANDOM TIMES IN CLEAR DAY LIGHT TRAFFIC, ON DRY PAVEMENT, WITH NO LEAVES OR OTHER ROAD DEBRIS. FRONT SENSOR HAS CONTINUOUSLY REPORTED THE "FRONT SENSOR NOT AVAILABLE" ALERT MULTIPLE TIMES IN MY CARS SHORT LIFETIME, FOLLOWED BY THE CRASH ICON AT RANDOM TIMES OF THE DAYS, AND ALL SPEEDS INCLUDING IN THE STOPPED POSITION. THE SENSOR GOES OUT REGARDLESS OR WHETHER THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. I REPORTED THESE ISSUES BEGINNINGIN OCTOBER 2018 (THE SAME MONTH I PURHCASED MY CAR). NO NISSAN VEHICLE SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH THE TECHNOLOGY WHERE DRIVER'S HAD NO CLUE WHEN THE VEHICLES WILL COME TO A HALT AND LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THIS COMMONLY HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE CARS AROUND ME AND THERE IS A CHANGE IN SPEED (ANTICIPATED OR NTO), WHICH IS COMMON IN LA. MY FRONT SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED SEVERAL TIMES AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES, SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 50MPH. MY CAR ALSO SEEMS TO LUG AT TIMES WHEN I BRAKE FROM A DISTANCE AND NORMALLY WHICH CONCERNS ME. I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUES TO TECHNICIANS AND HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED WITH NO PROBLEMS FOUND SO I HAVE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO WAIT FOR THE ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES AND CAR TO COMPILE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL ADMITS AEB SYSTEMS DO "NOT FUNCTION IN ALL DRIVING, TRAFFIC, WEATHER, AND ROAD CONDITIONS" BUT THE MANUAL LEAVES OUT THE PART ABOUT HOW THE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE VEHICLES TO SUDDENLY STOP EVEN WHEN NO OBJECTS ARE IN THE DRIVING LANE. I ORIGINALLY REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO STEVE YAEGER ON OCTOBER 19, 2018--THE SAME MONTH I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HAVE BROUGHT IN MY VEHICLE INTO TO NISSAN VARIOUS TIMES IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS BUT TECHNICIANS ALWAYS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND JUST SHAKE OFF MY CONCERNS/TRY TO GIVE EXPLANATIONS.