2018 Nissan Altima Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 224 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 2 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2018 Nissan Altima receives a 6.2/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 224 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 2 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports with a median failure point at 25,000 miles (IQR: 10,000 – 39,000 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $350 – $1,100 .
17.9 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
2 Active / Free Remedies
Top Reported Problem Clusters (6)
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“While driving at regular road speeds, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic safety component failure. The primary hood latch disengaged, and the secondary safety backup latch failed to catch or secure the hood. This caused the hood to violently slam completely open against the f...”
“I’ve had to replace the break sensor a few times and it’s unusual… My check engine light came on and it reads the code for the catalyst converter.., the auto part store saw a recall on this for my make and model but not seeing it here . The code was cleared and hasn’t came bac...”
“It seems to be the transmission intermittently. I'd stop, push down on the accelerator and would go like a few MPH. Then it would lunge forward and I'd have to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting the vehicle in front of me. The other thing was it didn't seem to shift from firs...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“While driving my Nissan Altima 2018 on Sunday 2-1 the indicator light came on. I looked it up in the manual to the car and it stated it was something with the air bag. I took it to the Larry Miller Nissan Mesa AZ. Wednesday, 2-4. According to them I was told the light indicate...”
“Didn't know what the list this one but at a certain speed on the highway the hood latch comes loose unlocks, and my backup camera All of a sudden doesn't always work, sometimes the screen is completely black... Also the sensor that tells you that a car is too close to you keep...”
“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 ...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“While driving at regular road speeds, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic safety component failure. The primary hood latch disengaged, and the secondary safety backup latch failed to catch or secure the hood. This caused the hood to violently slam completely open against the f...”
“The warning light on the dash is indicating that there is a problem with the airbag. I took it to a Nissan Dealership and was told that the side airbag needed to be replaced. I was quoted $3,241.41labor only. I was told there was no recall. I certainly don't want there to be a...”
“While driving my Nissan Altima 2018 on Sunday 2-1 the indicator light came on. I looked it up in the manual to the car and it stated it was something with the air bag. I took it to the Larry Miller Nissan Mesa AZ. Wednesday, 2-4. According to them I was told the light indicate...”
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“I am currently experiencing CVT failure as of I have filed a case with the nissan consumer affairs unit, case number 56846043. I was advised that even though there was a class action suit in 2022 for CVT issues, my CVT Warranty Extension expired on 12/09/2024 for this class ac...”
“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”
“The problem is I have that transmission in my car that nissan was sued for . Yes I received a extended warranty 85 months or 85,000 miles . My transmission started going out as soon I rolled over 85,000. Dealer told me the warranty was no good. Now it's sitting in the yard. Al...”
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“So I have the 2.5L QR25DE engine with the exact exhaust failure from campaign PC717, and I need Goodwill Assistance because the part failed identically.”
“NISSAN ALTIMA TORQUE STRUT MOUNT AND PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE”
“Suddenly airbag light has steady on when start engine. Scanner shows has failed code L4 and failed to reset.”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“NISSAN ALTIMA TORQUE STRUT MOUNT AND PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE”
“For the transmission I was driving at normal speed in the freeway when out of no where the car started to jerk and lost power I almost got hit by the car behind me it was a traumatizing experience for me and my son I haven’t gotten my car to get repaired because as a single mo...”
“The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the hood latch inadvertently unlatched, and the hood raised up and fell onto the windshield and cracked the windshield. The contact was able to drive a short distance to the residence...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (2)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Summary: 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Summary: 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."
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2018 Nissan Altima
Before purchasing a used 2018 Nissan Altima, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2018 Nissan Altima
Is the 2018 Nissan Altima a reliable used car?
The 2018 Nissan Altima earns a 6.2/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 224 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2018 Nissan Altima?
The leading complaint category is Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports, with a median failure point around 25,000 miles (IQR: 10,000 – 39,000 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2018 Nissan Altima?
Yes, the NHTSA records 2 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.