MYRModel Year Report

2018 Nissan Altima

● Typical for this model
2018 Nissan Altima
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
226
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2018

Investigations
4

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1998 1999: 87 complaints 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1,047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1,029 complaints 2008 2009: 1,547 complaints 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2013 2014: 1,114 complaints 2015: 954 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2018: 226 complaints 2018 226 2019: 231 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 70 complaints 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 1 complaint
1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1996: 92 complaints 1996 1997: 108 complaints 1998: 123 complaints 1999: 87 complaints 1999 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2002: 1,047 complaints 2002 2003: 883 complaints 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2005 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2008: 1,029 complaints 2008 2009: 1,547 complaints 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2011 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2014: 1,114 complaints 2014 2015: 954 complaints 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2018: 226 complaints 2018 226 2019: 231 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2020 2021: 70 complaints 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2026: 1 complaint 2026
1993: 125 complaints 1993 1994: 113 complaints 1995: 180 complaints 1995 1996: 92 complaints 1997: 108 complaints 1997 1998: 123 complaints 1999: 87 complaints 1999 2000: 160 complaints 2001: 159 complaints 2001 2002: 1,047 complaints 2003: 883 complaints 2003 2004: 276 complaints 2005: 1,091 complaints 2005 2006: 824 complaints 2007: 471 complaints 2007 2008: 1,029 complaints 2009: 1,547 complaints 2009 2010: 381 complaints 2011: 241 complaints 2011 2012: 426 complaints 2013: 2,310 complaints 2013 2014: 1,114 complaints 2015: 954 complaints 2015 2016: 553 complaints 2017: 391 complaints 2018: 226 complaints 2018 226 2019: 231 complaints 2020: 178 complaints 2021: 70 complaints 2021 2022: 30 complaints 2023: 29 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2025: 6 complaints 2025 2026: 1 complaint

2018: 226 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1993125
1994113
1995180
199692
1997108
1998123
199987
2000160
2001159
20021,047
2003883
2004276
20051,091
2006824
2007471
20081,029
20091,547
2010381
2011241
2012426
20132,310
20141,114
2015954
2016553
2017391
2018226
2019231
2020178
202170
202230
202329
202441
20256
20261

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

22% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing air.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

After hitting breaks many times and slamming them the car would still not stop

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-01-18

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, 2018-12-15

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)

Electrical system

16% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing ignition.

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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-09-18

Also filed under Air bags

Air bags

16% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing occupant classification.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The passenger‑side airbag warning light first appeared within the first year of ownership. During that visit, the dealership did not repair the defect. They only reset the warning light and told me it was not a problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-25

Power train

11% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing cvt and automatic transmission.

Show complaint excerpts

While operating my 2018 Nissan Altima on September 19, 2026, at approximately 9:20 a.m., during daytime highway traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of propulsion, leaving me entirely immobilized on a highway ramp with no ability...

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-04

Also filed under Engine

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, 2023-09-14

Forward collision avoidance

8% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing warnings and automatic emergency braking.

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2018-12-01Preliminary evaluationClosed 2019-08-21 Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
  2. I
    2019-07-29Engineering analysisClosed 2025-06-16 Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
  3. R
    2019-11-11Back over prevention19V654000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2021-06-30Latches/locks/linkages20V315000 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...

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2021-09-17Engineering analysisOpen Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
  6. I
    2022-12-16Audit queryOpen Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls

Buy-smart checklist

2018 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 49 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 37 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 19V654000 · Back over prevention
  • Recall 20V315000 · Latches/locks/linkages
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.