MYRModel Year Report

2018 Nissan Altima

● Typical for this model
2018 Nissan Altima
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Altima Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2018 highlighted. 1993: 122 complaints 1993 1994: 106 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1091 complaints 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1028 complaints 2008 2009: 1547 complaints 2010: 380 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2012: 423 complaints 2013: 2303 complaints 2013 2014: 1111 complaints 2015: 941 complaints 2016: 544 complaints 2017: 382 complaints 2018: 223 complaints 2018 2019: 223 complaints 2020: 172 complaints 2021: 67 complaints 2022: 28 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2023 2024: 39 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025
2018: 223 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1993122
1994106
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021047
2003883
2004276
20051091
2006824
2007471
20081028
20091547
2010380
2011241
2012423
20132303
20141111
2015941
2016544
2017382
2018223
2019223
2020172
202167
202228
202328
202439
20256

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES 22%

22% of complaints: service brakes — 48 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

AFTER HITTING BREAKS MANY TIMES AND SLAMMING THEM THE CAR WOULD STILL NOT STOP

NHTSA ODI report, 20190118

CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE AND HIT A POLE. THE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE EMERGENCY BRAKES, BUT DID NOT WORK. OFTEN WOULD GET A MESSAGE ACROSS MY DASHBOARD SAYING IT WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20181215

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%

16% of complaints: electrical system — 36 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20230918

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 35 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20230918

POWER TRAIN 9%

9% of complaints: power train — 21 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230914

ENGINE 6%

6% of complaints: engine — 13 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20181201 — PE (closed 20190821)

Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

I 20190729 — EA (closed 20250616)

Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure

R 20191111 — back over prevention

Nissan North America, Inc.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V654000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210630 — latches/locks/linkages

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.

Remedy: 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 Owner’s Manual addendum card with instructions on how to lubricate and maintain the...

Campaign 20V315000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20221216 — AQ (open)

Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2018 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (48 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (35 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 19V654000 (back over prevention) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V315000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 2021 ▲ 1999

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2009 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2018 Nissan Altima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Nissan Altima is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Altima?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Altima have?

2 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.