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.
Other or unspecified, Mar 11, 2022
Gear shift will not leave park when car is first started, usually when vehicle is cold.
Exterior lighting, Mar 7, 2022
the lighting isn’t good on the car! if I don’t have them on bright I cannot see
Visibility, Feb 28, 2022
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while the vehicle had been parked in the driveway for three months, however, a crack developed on the windshield. The contact stated that no object had impacted the windshield to cause the crack. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 12,846.
Air bags, Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 19, 2022
i can be driving down the road and pass a guard rail or some other thing on the side of the road but usually a guard rail near my house and it knocks out the emergency braking system. sometimes, it may work my whole trip, other days, i may only go a mile or two before it goes out.
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.
Power train, Feb 1, 2022
On several occasions my vehicle fails to accelerate putting passengers and myself in grave danger. Nissan mechanics say they cannot replicate my incidents however they are aware that the problem exists with CVT engines made by Nissan. Nissan of America refuses to acknowledge that there is a problem although thousands of people have posted exact issue on owners forums for years.
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.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 25, 2021
The problem of delayed acceleration. The problem occurs when the vehicle does not seem to accelerate for a short period of time. When I'm at a stop. and I depresses the pedal. The vehicle does not rev. It does not do anything for a few seconds. Even with increased force on the pedal, the vehicle does not move. The second concern is that, once it does move, it does so significantly with a jolt. This means that, after a few seconds of not functioning, the vehicle will suddenly accelerate quickly. This can create an increased risk of an accident.
Power train, Dec 17, 2021
The car doesn't move and the car shakes above 55 miles and I can smell smoke under the hood.
Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2021
Just bought the car
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.
Power train, Sep 17, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power without warning. The contact coasted to the side of the road and was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
Power train, Aug 29, 2021
CVT transmission failure while in transport. It put my family at risk being stranded on busy highway. No warning lights or indication of issue except vehicle stopped performing effectively. The dealer acknowledged issues in this and other models and had transmission repaired at my cost. Vehicle was diagnosed by dealer which using OBD they found transmission failure codes..
Power train, Jul 14, 2021
According to Nissan dealership My 2018 Nissan Altima CVT failed. They were able to determined the failed cvt with a diagnosis code P17F0. I have 73,694 miles on my car and my warranty ended at 60,000 miles. In previous years model of the Nissan Altima there were recalls on CVT transmissions for the Nissan Altimas. Nissan stated being that my car is out of warranty the only thing they can do is give me 50% good will because my VIN number is different from the other Nissan Altima that had a failed CVT. I don’t feel that it was good will being that my car did not reach 100,000 miles and I’m already having an issue that has been a problem In the past. I keep up with the maintenance of my vehicle very well and this problem occurred out of the blue. I also spoke with Nissan about the current recall on my car being that I have to drive a car around and my hood could possibly fly off at any giving time. Me being a Nissan customer with such a dangerous vehicle that Nissan continues to have issues with is more good will than they’ve offered. I honestly would not recommend such an unsafe vehicle to anyone who is interested in purchasing a Nissan Altima. My car is fairly new and I’m having CVT issues. My car literally stopped in the middle of the road and would not accelerate because of a mechanically failing CVT. I highly recommend that Nissan Recall any vehicles that have CVT issues especially since it’s been a repeating cycle. I hope this doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle, the ignition switch failed to operate as designed. The contact was unable to start the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the brake pedal switch needing to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they would escalate the claim. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.
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.
Forward collision avoidance, Jul 7, 2021
2018 Nissan Altima 24,864 miles. Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) system keeps turning on and off. Contacted dealership and they said it was a dirty bumper/sensor, clean sensor location and continue to use vehicle. If issue persisted set up appointment with dealership to have looked at. Cleaned front bumper and continued to operate. FEB lamp continued to indicate error and turn itself on and off. Set up appointment of have vehicle inspected. Dealership confirmed that sensor was bad and needed to be replaced. The FEB sensor was not covered as warranty expired 18 days before dealership diagnosed problem. Informed them that contacted the dealership prior to the warranty expiration and was told it was a dirty bumper and sensor. Contacted previous owner of vehicle and confirmed that they had reported issue and dealership and informed them to just clean bumper and sensor location. Nissan did not see the FEB sensor error as a concern but there were two other factory recalls (hood latch and back up camera) that were safety concerns and recalls for. With FEB being faulty, the safety feature is disabled and would not help prevent injury in an emergency braking situation!!!
Service brakes, Air, Jul 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle, but the vehicle would not start. The contact pressed the start button and depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to start-up. After multiple attempts the vehicle eventually started however, the failure recurred several times. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer who inspected the vehicle and diagnosed the failure as a faulty brake sensor. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 36,000.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 21, 2021
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V315000 (Latches/ Locks/ Linkages) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact contacted two dealers Route 46 Nissan (440 US-46, Totowa, NJ 07512) and another dealer but was informed by both dealers that parts were not available. The contact had not experienced a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. Vin tool confirms parts not available.
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!
Latches/locks/linkages, May 7, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. ROCKLAND NISSAN SERVICE (608 NY-303, BLAUVELT, NY 10913, (845) 358-4010) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 25, 2021
I TOOK IT TO GET MY INSPECTION AND THEY TOLD ME I HAVE TWO RECALLS
Forward collision avoidance, Apr 17, 2021
JUST PURCHASED USED FROM NISSAN AND WARNING FOR AFB FAILURE KEEPS COMING ON. AFTER A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH I AM CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY.