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
225 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Engine, Nov 9, 2023
1- el motor esta partido 2- foco trasero derecho las conexiones están malas y los cables podridos. 3-el carro dejo de acelerar en carretera perdiendo totalmente el control. 4- lo lleve a un mecanico y el diagnostico fue que el motor esta partido porque al carro nunca le hicieron sus mantenciones ni cambios de aceite y esto deterioro el motor. 5- el banco no y el dealer me dice que todo lo que le pase al carro luego de su compra no tiene nada que ver con ellos. 6- el carro lo compre y tenia varias lamparas encendidas pero en el dealer me dijeron que estaban fallando los censores pero que todo estaba bien. Lo que era todo mentira. El dealer cuando compre el carro me dijo que tenia garantia por 6 meses, como no hablo ingles ellos me explicaron las condiciones del contrato y firme un papel sin saber que era que no tenia garantia, y cuando compre el auto venia con fallas pero ellos mismo la revisaron y dijeron que era solo una goma. Luego de esto empieza con mas fallas pero descubro que el dealer lo cerraron y no contestan los llamados para reclamos ni nada.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Sep 18, 2023
Occupant Sensor for Airbags is not working and airbag light is on, this is a safety issue which can cause loss of life in an accident this needs recalled immediately
Power train, Sep 14, 2023
The transmission would shift into neutral while driving down the road, loosing power to the drive train. This happened multiple times on the interstate at higher speeds in the left lane. Cars following came close to hitting me because of the sudden loss of power and speed. Talking with multiple transmission shops and a dealership they stated it was a common problem in the Nissan Altimas. Brought it into a independent transmission repair. First try was a flush and fluid replacement, after a day the issue returned. Next they replaced the transmission with only about 75,000 miles. No warning lights or messages about the failure.
Power train, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 4, 2023
I bought my car in February 2021 and me not knowing anything about vehicles I first heard the popping noise when I backed my car out of the driveway.I thought it was something to do with the steering wheel. I recently had someone to look at the car and they said it was my front axles going bad, this could be a safety issue. I have to work with mentally challenged people and I have to transport them back-and-forth to doctors appointments. Is there anyway that there could be a recall on those axles because I know someone else who has an Altima just like mine and hers does the same thing . It’s very embarrassing to hear that popping noise and I’m afraid that my car will break down because of it and my front crash light stays on constantly. Please help me resolve this issue. I’ve been dealing with it since I bought the car..
Air bags, Forward collision avoidance, Jul 27, 2023
My airbag light recently came on after driving through some standing water and I have tried filing through my insurance company and they have stated that due to the fact that water wasnt submerged inside my car, it was due to the age of my vehicle (which is only 5 years old). I am concerned about this obviously as it is my driver side airbag. They are trying to tell me in insurance that it is a Nissan issue so I’m wondering if anything can be done so that I can feel safe to drive my vehicle.
Air bags, Jun 12, 2023
Airbag warning light comes on and off. Vehicle has 33,000 miles and side airbag spring / module is faulty
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Jun 9, 2023
AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT IS ON DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG MODULE REPLACED AIR BAG COULD HAVE DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING
Air bags, Jun 8, 2023
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the passenger’s side air bag warning light was turned off, and the contact was informed that the front passenger’s side air bag was adjusted; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 13,000.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 20, 2023, crash
Brake light switch went out 3 months after getting car. Car would not start then after it started it would not go in gear nor would the brake lights turn on dealership repaired it. The Brake light switch went out again one year later while driving causing my brake lights not to turn on resulting in me getting rear ended after. After I replaced the switch for the second time. It lasted maybe a year and a half or so and went out again leaving me stranded having to get a tow truck to bring car home and had to replace it a third time. I’ve had this car less than 5 years and I really believe it needs further review of the switch due to the safety risk it causes
Engine, Feb 21, 2023
First thing in the morning the car makes a rattling noise when cold and smell of fumes coming thru car vents. Took car in Jan. 30, dealership bent heat shield. Bought car back Feb. 20 for now clicking noise was told heating shield needs to be replaced! This had to be preexisting and this car was sold to me in this condition! Now I have to pay over $1,000.00 that I don't have?!?
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
Power train, Jan 9, 2023
The CVT transmission failed at the light in mid drive. The car started to roll backwards down a highway exit in traffic. I had to blow the horn and scream out the window to keep from hitting other cars. As the car ascended down the hill, it completely stopped midway and I was unable to remove it from the street. I had to place my hazardous lights on, and push the car off the ramp. I had a Nissan dealership review the vehicle and in return they stated that the actual belt in the CVT was worn down or completely gone and that the entire CVT transmission would have to be fixed. There was no warnings that happened to notify me that there was an actual issue with the vehicle. In addition, I do have a 2015 Nissan Altima who is now showing possible issues with the CVT transmission and it has less than 90,000 miles
Steering, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 8, 2023
While I was driving my power steering went out completely on the interstate right when I went to turn almost causing an accident where I could have been severely injured or injured others around me. Prior to the failure my front vehicle obstruction light has been coming on and off multiple times while driving but other than that no warning signs of power steering going out.
Power train, Dec 18, 2022
With a little under 68,000 miles on my 2018 Nissan Altima the transmission started shuttering and slipping. No lights came on the dash but the car was difficult to control. After going to get some dry gas and see if it was motor related the car made a loud squealing noise, the check engine light came on and then the car shuttered the rest of the way home . The car goes in to the Nissan dealership in two days. They told me that I hadn't brought it in to have the transmission for it's 60,000 mile flush but I never recieved a notification. in addition, the car went in for a hood latch replacement at that time but nothing was said then. The car could easily be dangerous if this happened while driving in traffic or trying to pull into traffic.
Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 14, 2022
2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HOOD LATCH SAFETY RECALL.
Vehicle speed control, Oct 11, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while his son was idled, he depressed the accelerator pedal, but the engine failed to engage. No warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
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
Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 26, 2022
The airbag light keeps coming on in the dashboard. I’ve had it in the shop twice for the diagnostic test and both times they said there was nothing they could find! Now it’s the 3rd time I will need to take it in and leave it and it’s the only car I have. I want to know if indeed my airbags will work in the event of an accident! If they are just turning the light off, I have no idea what will happen if I got into an accident!!
Exterior lighting, Sep 12, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a left turn on a dark road, the low beam headlights were significantly dim, causing the contact to miss her turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. Additionally, the contact stated that the low beam headlights were being blown very quickly. The driver's side low beam headlight was replaced twice and the passenger's side low beam headlight was replaced once within the past 6-months. The contact received an unknown notice from the manufacturer for the repair of the parts. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the low beam headlights needed to be replaced; however, the parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 20, 2022
The driver seat airbag seems to be disabled. I am seeing a airbag warning light for driver airbag in the dashboard. The dealership doesnt see to car and a 4yr old car should not have airbag issues when it has never been in an accident. The driver seat seatbelt also seems to be disabled, if i step on the break the seatbelt doesnt seem to be gripping me its still freely moving which it shouldnt be. This is a big safety issue and seems to be a manufacturing defect.
Power train, Jul 16, 2022
My 2018 Nissan Altima just now reached 100,000 miles on it. I was heading home from work on the interstate when my RPMs started revving up and down and it felt I lost power when I was hitting the gas. My transmission started sputtering, vibrating, slipping. When I place it in drive or reverse now it takes time to go in gear. I took my car to get regular maintenance such as oil change and fluids to see if it was the transmission fluid. The dealership maintenance department did the maintenance and fluids and my car is still doing the same. I asked of the transmission fluid was low I was told it wasn't and I stated about the transmission acting up and was told by the worker yeah I could tell when I took it back and brought it up. The worker stated it was probably the CVT in my car and it costs $5500 to fix and stated this was an issue on models before mine that got extended warranties and the issues was taking place in the model of my vehicle but no extended warranty. This CVT is something that continues to mess up in Nissan and in the 2018 and current models. Either there needs to be a recall or extended warranties or both.
Air bags, Seat belts, May 1, 2022, crash
I was rear-ended in my car while at a red light. The car hit me 35 mph plus., Pushing me into the Tahoe in front of me. My shoulder strap driver side DID NOT restrain me and NONE of the air bags deployed. I flew forward towards the steering wheel and dash. Do to me being very short I didn't get hurt, just stiff neck, shoulders. The collision company who did my work stated that the seatbelt should have restrained me and at least 1 airbag should have deployed. I contacted Nissan and I was told that the air bags and seatbelts are only suppose to work in a roll over to prevent from being thrown from the vehicle and that the airbags and seatbelts are working properly. Nissan never offered to check to make sure that the safety components are working properly. There were no warning lights on before or after the accident. Over $10,000 worth of damage was done.
Power train, Mar 29, 2022
2018 Nissan Altima and Sentra cars have faulty continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) that cause juddering, shuddering, clunking, jerking and acceleration problems. This happen while driving on the highway at a speed of 75 mph. This caused me swerve and almost rear ended by another car.
Structure, Mar 11, 2022
The rear trunk latch will not close and latch so the trunk is left wide open