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
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2020
BACKUP CAMERA WORKS ON AND OFF. SOMETIMES NOTHING BUT BLACK
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2020
FOWARD EMERGENCY BRAKING (FEB) SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING OR INOPERABLE/UNAVAILABLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. WHEN THIS OCCURS, AN ORANGE SYMBOL LIGHT IN THE DASH ILLUMINATES AND I AM UNABLE TO USE THE CRUISE CONTROL OR THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM. THE FEB SEEMS TO RETURN TO NORMAL WHEN I STOP THE VEHICLE AND RESTART THE ENGINE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jun 11, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED WHEN HE WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE FOR BACK PAINS AND FACIAL INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF INJURES TO THE OTHER VEHICLE OCCUPANTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER HERITAGE NISSAN (1500 VETERANS MEMORIAL HWY NE, ROME, GA 30161 706-291-1981) AND THEY SAID THE DAMAGE WOULD COST OVER $10,000 TO FIX. THEY WELDED THE FRAME BACK TOGETHER EVEN THOUGH THEY SHOULD HAVE TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE WITH USED PARTS AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THE SUBPAR WORK WHEN HE GOT HIS VEHICLE BACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS LEFT A MESSAGE TO CALLBACK THE CONTACT BUT NO RETURN CALL HAD OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE PERFORMS POORLY WITH THE REPAIRS BY THE DEALER. THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAD NOT RESPONDED TO THE CONTACT'S ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS WERE MADE BY THE REPAIR SHOP NOT THE DEALER. *TR
Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2020
CRASH WARNING RADAR KEEPS GOING IN AND OUT OF DETECTION. IT WILL START IN MODE CORRECTLY AND THEN BECOME UNAVAILABLE ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS OR AT HIGH SPEEDS. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 27, 2020
CAR IS #1 OF THE TOP 10 STOLEN CARS. CONSUMER WAS NOT ALERTED TO THAT PRIOR TO PURCHASE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 22, 2020
I LEASED A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA (FROM NISSAN) ON 3/24/18. APPROX 12K MILES INTO LEASING THE VEHICLE I HAD A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH/BRAKE LAMP SWITCH (BRAKE SWITCH) GO BAD. THE VEHICLE IS A PUSH TO START VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE SWITCH IS A SENOR ABOVE THE BRAKE THAT WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE BRAKE, IT TELLS THE VEHICLE THAT YOUR PRESSING THE BRAKE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE PART WAS BACK ORDERED SO NISSAN AS A WHOLE HAD ZERO BRAKE SWITCHES TO REPLACE MY BAD ONE. I EXPLAINED TO THE NISSAN SERVICE REP THAT IM IN THE MILITARY AND I NEED MY VEHICLE TO DRIVE ME TO DIFFERENT DUTY LOCATIONS AND ALSO I HAVE COURT ORDERED CUSTODY IN WHICH I HAVE TO DRIVE 424 MILES TO GO SEE MY DAUGHTER AND THAT PARTICULAR WEEKEND I NEEDED MY VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO SEE HER. THE REP ADVISED ME THAT HE WOULD TAKE ONE FROM A NEW VEHICLE AND PLACE IT INTO MINES SO I COULD GO SEE MY DAUGHTER. BECAUSE HE DID THAT, THE MAINTENANCE WAS UNDOCUMENTED. AT 21,254K MILES THE PART FAILED AGAIN. CAUSING MY VEHICLE NOT TO START (IT WAS START RANDOMLY). WHEN IT DID START, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SHIFT MY VEHICLE OUT OF PARK OR SOMETIMES IF I DID GET IT INTO PARK, I COULDNT SHIFT IT FROM DRIVE OR REVERSE, CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE CARS ANTI-COLLISION BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH WAS INCORPORATED WITH THE SWITCH, WOULD SUDDENLY CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO BRAKE (EVEN WHILE DRIVING 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY). SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO OVER 30MPH. I WAS ABLE TO GET THAT FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. THE PART FAILED AGAIN AT 62,155K MILES AND AT 129,025K MILES. THE LAST TIME THE PART FAILED I ASKED THE NISSAN SERVICE REP IF THERE ANYTHING NISSAN CAN DO BECAUSE I CANT KEEP PAYING FOR THIS PART TO KEEP FAILING. I NEED MY VEHICLE TO SEE MY DAUGHTER AND TO TRAVEL FOR THE MILITARY. HE ADVISED ME TO CALL THE NISSAN CORPORATE, I CALLED AND THEY STARTED A CASE BUT THE NEXT DAY I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2020
AIR COOLING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK. IT WILL NOT BLOW ANY COLD AIR. ATTEMPTED TO PUT FREON ONLY FOR IT TO BURST OUT A PIPE. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A LEAKAGE. WHEN DRIVING AND TRYING TO CHANGE GEARS TO DRIVE THERE IS A VERY UGLY GRINDING NOISE AND GEAR SWITCHING IS HARD. BACK UP CAMERA GOES IN AND OUT. SOMETIMES IT'S JUST A BLACK SCREEN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS WHEN REVERSING. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Mar 15, 2020
RADAR SENSOR FOR AEB AND FCW MALFUNCTIONING, TURNING OFF AT RANDOM SITUATIONS, BRAKING WHEN NO VEHICLE IS NEAR, FALSE ALERTS CROSSING RAIL ROAD TRACKS, ETC. TOOK TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY BUT ISSUE WAS NOT FIXED SINCE THEY CLAIM TO BE BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL PRIOR CRASH. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED IN A CRASH, AND AEB IS MALFUNCTIONING CONSTANTLY TO THE POINT WHERE IT MAY BE UNSAFE INSTEAD OF A SAFETY FEATURE.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Mar 8, 2020
THE FEB. FORWARD EMERGENCY BRAKING RADAR KEEPS DISABLING WITH THE RADAR CLEAR
Other or unspecified, Feb 18, 2020
VEHICLE DISPLAYS AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM NOT AVAILABLE WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2020
SINCE THE TIME THIS VEHICLE WAS NEW THE FRONTAL AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) SYSTEM TURNS ITSELF OFF RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING REGARDLESS OF WEATHER OR ROAD CONDITIONS. ON OTHER OCCASIONS IT GIVES FALSE WARNINGS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO AUTOMATICALLY APPLY THE BRAKES TO AVOID WHAT IT CONSIDERS AN IMMINENT COLLISION HAZARD. NISSAN HAS ALSO ISSUED SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH OTHER NISSAN MODELS EQUIPPED WITH THE AEB SYSTEM.
Other or unspecified, Jan 5, 2020
JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE FEB COLLISION LIGHT KEEP COMING ON WHILE DRIVING
Other or unspecified, Jan 4, 2020
WHEN DRIVING MY 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA, THE CAR BEEPS AND THE MESSAGE "FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION" APPEARS. THEN THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. IT GOES OFF AND COMES BACK ON LATER. THIS CONTINUES TO HAPPEN THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TRIP.
Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2019
FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION APPEARS APPROXIMATELY EVERY TEN MINUTES, FOR NO REASON.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Dec 3, 2019
INTERMITTENT FRONT RADAR. WARNING MESSAGE WILL APPEAR STATING "FRONT RADAR UNAVAILBLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION" WHEN THERE IS NOT AN OBSTRUCTION, THEN THE SYSTEM DEACTIVATES THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE "OBSTRUCTION" IS CLEARED AND THE SYSTEM RESUMES FUNCTIONALITY. THIS WILL REPEAT QUITE OFTEN. WHILE I OWN A NISSAN ALTIMA, IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ISSUE IN THE NISSAN SENTRA, AS WELL.
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 27, 2019
FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION GOES OFF. RECENTLY IT CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH MY ABS TO NOT WORK AND DISENGAGE AT TIMES. COULD BE DRIVING ON AN EMPTY ROAD AND IT WILL GO OFF.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2019
SECOND ISSUE WITH MY 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. WAS IN THE SHOP IN OCTOBER FOR THE FRONT COLLISION SENSOR MALFUNCTIONING. SENSOR WAS DETECTING OBSTRUCTIONS WHEN NOTHING WAS THERE. LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SENSOR IN OCTOBER. LESS THAN ONE MONTH OUT OF THE SHOP (THIS WEEK), THE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN. STATED FEB: UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION AND WAS STEADILY BLINKING AGAIN.AGAIN, NOTHING IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE TRIGGERED THE SENSOR. CONTACTED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN FOR REPAIR. DROPPED VEHICLE TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD LOOK AT THE SENSOR AND CHANGE OUT THE BRACKET THE SENSOR SITS IN TO SEE IF THAT CORRECTS THE ISSUE. VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THIS ISSUE. .
Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 14, 2019
THE FORWARD COLLISION WARNING COMPONENT BECOMES 'UNAVAILABLE' WHEN THERE IS NOTHING (NO DIRT OR RAIN, SNOW) BLOCKING THE SENSOR. I KEEP THE SENSOR WIPED CLEAN AND ON A NICE SUNNY DAY, WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY, BOULEVARD, RESIDENTIAL STREETS. THE SENSOR WARNING WILL TELL ME 'FCW UNAVAILABLE' WITH THE 'SYMBOL' OF TWO CARS CRASHING. IT GOES ON FOR A WHILE THEN OFF THEN BACK ON AGAIN. IN THE PHOTO BELOW, I'D JUST PULLED OVER TO TAKE THE PICTURE OF THE SYMBOL. (THIS WAS 08/20/19.10 DAYS AFTER MY CAR PURCHASE 08/10/19) AT THAT TIME THE SYMBOL ONLY IS SHOWING. I'D JUST TURNED OFF THE BOULEVARD FROM DRIVING 40MPH. CAN'T GET A PIC OF MESSAGE WHILE CAR IS IN MOTION, OF COURSE. THIS IS NOW A REGULAR OCCURRENCE FOR THE 3 MONTHS I'VE HAD MY CAR. TAKING INTO MECHANIC TO GET IT CHECKED END OF NOVEMBER 2019. THIS WARNING OCCURS AT VARIOUS SPEEDS.
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Nov 8, 2019
AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BREAKING TURNS OFF CONSTANTLY. WHEN A TRUCK TOWING A TRAILER PASSED ME A LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE FLASHED ON THE DASH. IT SAID THAT THE RADAR WAS UNAVAILABLE BECAUSE OF AN OBSTRUCTION. IT HAPPENED AGAIN AT AN INTERSECTION. IT SEEMS TO GO OFF SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WHEN IT SENSES CARS BESIDE ME, AT INTERSECTIONS, TURNING... I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH NISSAN SERVICE AT JEFF WYLER KONG?S NISSAN IN MASON OHIO. THEY FOUND DTC # C1A16 RADAR STAIN AND C1B55-97 RADAR BLOCKAGE. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE RADAR UNIT. IT STILL DIDN?T WORK. THEY SAID THE PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1637.86. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR SPECIFICALLY FOR THE AEB. WE RESEARCHED IT?S RELIABILITY THROUGH CONSUMER REPORTS. I CHECKED AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS ON THE VEHICLE?S HISTORY REPORT. I?D RUN A SMALL GENERAL OBD READER THAT DID NOT SHOW THE CODE BEFORE BUYING. WE ARE PRETTY MAD TO HAVE EXTENDED OURSELVES TO PAY MORE FOR SOMETHING THAT DOESN?T WORK. I?VE CALLED 1800NISSAN1 SO WE?LL SEE IF THEY FIX IT. SO FAR THEY?VE ONLY TOLD ME IT?S NOT COVERED, DESPITE HOW MANY NISSAN MODELS AND YEARS ARE ALL HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WE COULDN?T SEE IT BC THEY HAVEN?T RECALLED IT.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Nov 7, 2019
WHILE DRIVING A SENSOR LIGHT APPEARS AND READS OBSTRUCTION UNAVAILABLE AND STAYS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE TURNING OFF THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST 5 TO 6 TIMES A WEEK. ANOTHER PROBLEM IM HAVING IS A KNOCKING SOUND UNDER DRIVER FEET WHILE DRIVING AND TURNING I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND THE TECHNICIAN DROVE IT HEARD THE SOUND KEPT THE CAR A WHOLE DAY BUT SAID HE COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM IF HE AND I HEAR CAN HEAR THE NOISE. WHEN I PICKED THE CAR UP IT STILL MAKES THE SAME SOUND AND I'M AFRAID WHILE DRIVING SOMETHING MAY HAPPEN TO THE WHEELS. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THIS IS A ROTOR PROBLEM. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR IN TWICE REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM AND IT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. SINCE PURCHASING THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN IN SERVICE AT LEAST 10 TIMES WITH DIFFERENT PROBLEMS 3 TIMES FOR BRAKES, ONE TIME FOR NOT BEING ABLE TO PUSH BRAKE TO START TWO TIMES FOR EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE FROM WINDOWS HAD FRONT AND BACK BRAKES REPLACED TWICE AND NOW HAVING TO TAKE IT BACK TO REPLACE WINDOW SEALS AND KNOCKING NOISE THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. NISSAN REALLY DID A POOR JOB BUILDING THE PARTICULAR CAR NOT EVEN TWO YEARS FROM PURCHASE WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS VERY UNSATISFIED CUSTOMER
Other or unspecified, Oct 30, 2019
I PURCHASED A USED 2018 ALTIMA YESTERDAY. DURING THE TEST DRIVE AND DURING MY COMMUTE THIS MORNING, I RECEIVED AN ERROR MESSAGE "RADAR UNAVAILABLE FRONT OBSTRUCTION". UPON RESEARCH, THIS IS A PROBLEM KNOWN TO NISSAN WITH THE BOSCH SENSOR MOUNTED IN THE FRONT GRILL.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Oct 20, 2019
THE FRONT ELECTRONIC BRAKING SYSTEM FEB INTERMITTENTLY GOES OUT SAYING "FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION" EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. IF THE CAR IS TURNED OFF THEN BACK ON IT WORKS NORMALLY BUT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN WITHIN AN HOUR OR SO EVERY TIME IT'S DRIVEN, NO EXCEPTIONS.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Oct 17, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, NOTIFICATION OF "FEB: UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION" COMES ON AND STAYS ILLUMINATED FOR UPWARDS OF 5 TO 10 MINUTES BEFORE TURNING OFF. THIS OCCURS WHEN THERE ARE NO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF MINE AND NO ROAD HAZARDS THAT WOULD HAVE TRIGGERED IT TO TURN ON. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE WAY THE CAR IS DESIGNED TO STOP WHEN IT DETECTS A HAZARD. THIS STARTED OUT RANDOMLY OVER THIS PAST SUMMER AND IN THE LAST WEEK, HAS BEEN A DAILY OCCURRENCE. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT, THE SOONEST THEY HAD AN OPENING TO ADDRESS IT IS A MONTH AWAY. NO A HAPPY CAMPER, FEELS LIKE THEY ARE NOT AS CONCERNED AS I AM WITH THE SAFETY OF MY VEHICLE. BRAKE SWITCH FAILURE LESS THAN ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. UNABLE TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL IN TO START THE VEHICLE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE SWITCH TO RELEASE IS TO TAP ON IT WITH A HAMMER. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN OCCURRING FAIRLY REGULARLY FOR THE PAST WEEK BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY. (IS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED TOMORROW??) AT ONE POINT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ALTOGETHER. POPPED THE HOOD TO JUMP START IT, AND NOTICED BLACK POWDERY STUFF ON THE TOP OF THE BATTERY AS THOUGH THE BATTER HAD GOTTEN TOO HOT AND BOILED OVER POSSIBLY. THE DEALERSHIP TEST THE BATTERY AND TOLD ME THAT MY BATTERY IS FINE AND FULLY CHARGED. THIS WAS AFTER I HAD IT ON THE CHARGER FOR SEVERAL HOURS YESTERDAY SO THAT IT WOULD START FOR ME TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP.
Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2019
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE A NOTIFICATION OF 'FEB: UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION' IS CONSTANTLY COMING ON LCD SCREEN ON DASHBOARD WHILE A CHECK LIGHT OF 2 VEHICLES IN HEAD ON COLLISION CONSTANTLY SHOWS UP AND LEAVES THE DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 12, 2019
FRONT SENSOR KEEPS GOING OFF AND ON EVEN WHEN NOT AROUND ANY CARS... BACKUP CAMERA CUTS OFF AND ON WHILE REVERSING