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.
Electrical system, Apr 16, 2021
MY PUSH START HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS SINCE 2020. WHENEVER I HAVE THIS PROBLEM, I EITHER HAVE TO START IT WITH THE FOB OR PRESS THE PUSH START MULTIPLE TIMES. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR AND WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG. I JUST DROPPED IT OFF AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
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.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 12, 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. THE CONTACT CALLED CORAL SPRINGS NISSAN (9350 W. ATLANTIC BLVD, CORAL SPRINGS, FL 33071, (954)388-2344) WHERE 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 NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Back over prevention, Forward collision avoidance, Apr 8, 2021
I WILL SEE A WARNING NOTICE IN MY DASHBOARD WHILE I'M DRIVING ON CITY STREETS AND SOMETIMES ON THE HIGHWAY, DURING CLEAR WEATHER AND RAINY WEATHER THAT SAYS 'FRONT END COLLISION UNDETECTABLE' AND MY REAR COLLISION CAMERA WILL SOMETIME EITHER HAVE VERTICAL LINES OR GO COMPLETELY OUT. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED BY MUSICCITY AUTOPLEX IN NASHVILLE, TN IN LATE OCTOBER OF 2019.
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 2, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED GREENVILLE NISSAN (3615 S MEMORIAL DR, GREENVILLE, NC 27834, (252) 756-1738) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER 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.
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.
Steering, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Mar 15, 2021
SEVERAL TIMES WHILE NORMAL DRIVING AND NOTHING IN ROADWAY THE DISPLAY WILL SAY UNAUTHORIZED OBJECT IN VIEW AND THERE'S NOTHING THERE HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY SCARES ME AT FIRST CAUSE I THINK SOMETHING WRONG AND TAKES 10 MINUTES FOR DISPLAY WARNING LIGHT TO TURN OFF
Steering, Wheels, Service brakes, Mar 8, 2021, crash
WHILE DRIVING HOME AND JUST ENTERING MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I NOTICED A LOW TIRE WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD. I LOOKED AT THE PRESSURE AND THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26 POUNDS STILL IN THE TIRE AND THE CLOSEST PLACE TO FILL UP WAS AT MY HOUSE. WHILE APPROACHING A RIGHT TURN IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND BECAUSE OF THE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS OF SNOW AND ICE ON THE ROAD, I SLOWED DOWN TO A CRAWL AND APPLIED MY BRAKE PRIOR TO AND WHILE TURNING. WHILE IN THE BEGINNING OF MY TURN, I INSTANTLY REALIZED THAT I HAD NO CONTROL OF MY CAR AND I SLID INTO A SNOW BANK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT I WAS GOING TOO SLOW FOR MY CAR TO SLIDE. I WAS RIGHT DOWN THE ROAD FROM MY HOME SO I CONTINUED HOME THINKING I COULD NOT HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE; HOWEVER, AS I WAS DRIVING, MY RIDE DID NOT FEEL NORMAL EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRAVELING AT A VERY SLOW PACE. WHEN I GOT INTO MY GARAGE, I FOUND MY TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT AND THE DAMAGE WAS SIGNIFICANT TO MY FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. THE NEXT MORNING I REMOVED MY TIRE TO SEE WHERE THE PUNCTURE WAS AND IF IT WAS REPAIRABLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AND WHILE FILLING THE TIRE WITH AIR, I REALIZED THERE WAS NO HOLE IN THE TIRE BUT THERE WAS A FAST AIR LEAK AT THE RIM. ON MONDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 15, 2021 I BROUGHT MY TIRE IN FOR REPAIR. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT A DEFECT EXIST IN MY TIRE AND WHEN I LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL, I REALIZED THAT THE SAME TIRE I HAVE ON MY VEHICLE IS SHOWN ON THE RECALL LIST BUT IT IS FOR 2019 TIRES AND NOT 2018. PLEASE LOOK INTO MY COMPLAINT AND CONCERN. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY, I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER MY VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR WENT OUT AT THE RIM. MY TIRE IS A CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT P215/60R16 94T ALL SEASON DOT 6YX8 3YD 2018. THE TIRE SAYS MADE IN SLOVAKIA. OTHER NUMBERS ON THE TIRE WERE 3-979 84579 230385 E4 0231843.
Back over prevention, Feb 25, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK OVER PREVENTION CAMERA WAS BLANK. THE CAMERA WAS OBSTRUCTED AND INOPERABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS LIKE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V654000 (BACK OVER PREVENTION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Suspension, Forward collision avoidance, Feb 23, 2021
DISPLAY ON MY VEHICLE KEEPS SAYING FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION ALTHOUGH NOTHING IS EITHER ON THE ROAD NOR IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. THIS DOES THIS WITHOUT WARNING AT LEAST 5-6 TIMES WHILE I'M DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAY OR JUST TURNING. AT RANDOM THE WARNING WILL SHOW AND THE LIGHTS WILL COME UP ON MY DRIVER PANEL THEN A FEW MINS LATER IT GOES OFF.
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 5, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000(LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED NEW CITY NISSAN (2295 N KING ST, HONOLULU, HI 96819, (808) 524-9111) WHERE 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.
Power train, Service brakes, Jan 28, 2021
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AND THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER FIESTA NISSAN (5001 S 169C, EDINBURG, TX 78539, (956) 348-1408) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING AN UNKNOWN BRAKE SWITCH TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 11, 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 NOT YET AVAILABLE. SHERIDAN NISSAN (114 S DUPONT HWY, NEW CASTLE, DE 19720) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
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
Forward collision avoidance, Dec 30, 2020
EVERY TIME I AM DRIVING, THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING LIGHT ILLUMINATES AT AROUND 55MPH AND IT STAYS LIT CONSTANTLY. THE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY BRAKES WHEN NOTHING IS IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE ALMOST CAUSING THE PERSON BEHIND ME TO HIT ME. THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO SET IT AFTER TURNING IT ON EITHER.
Service brakes, Nov 16, 2020, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE FEB AUTOMATIC COLLISION NOTIFICATION ILLUMINATED THEN UNILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AT 500 FEET, WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD CAUSING THE DISTANCE TO BE EXTENDED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CAME ACROSS THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL OF THE OTHER VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOR THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAINED INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE POLICE OFFICE WAS TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MICHAEL JORDAN NISSAN, 3930 DURHAM-CHAPEL HILL BLVD, DURHAM, NC 27707, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED BUT COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE WITH THE BRAKES BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THEY WOULD KEEP THE VEHICLE A LITTLE LONGER TO INVESTIGATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
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
Electrical system, Oct 12, 2020
THE AIRBAG LIGHT OF THE VEHICLE COMES IN AND OFF. IT STARTED FROM A LONG DRIVE AND SINCE THEN THE LIGHT STAYS CONSTANTLY ON OR FLICKERS.
Steering, Sep 29, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY ANNOYING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE UNITED NISSAN DEALER LOCATED AT 3025 E SAHARA AVE, LAS VEGAS, NV 89104, WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SOUND WAS NORMAL AND NO FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 23, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, A VIBRATION AND SHAKING OCCURRED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE LOCAL DEALER JIM CLICK NISSAN LOCATED AT 800 W. AUTO MALL, TUCSON, AZ 85705, WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT YET NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,100.
Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 8, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V315000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER GREENVILLE NISSAN (991 GREENVILLE BLVD SW, GREENVILLE, NC 27834) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 7, 2020
WHEN TRYING TO PUSH START THE BRAKES FEEL HARD AND UNABLE TO PUSH DOWN SO THE PUSH START WILL WORK. HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO GO DOWN AND ABLE TO START THE CAR.
Electrical system, Sep 7, 2020
MY FRONT CRASH SENSOR DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME. PERIODICALLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS IT WILL TURN OFF AND GIVE ME A WARNING. HOWEVER A LOT OF TIMES IT IS NICE AND SUNNY OUT AND IT CUTS OFF. THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AS WELL AS THE HIGHWAY.