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#BS-2018-NISALT-73F42018 Nissan AltimaProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 325 owners and 2 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·checked October 21, 2026 · NHTSA complaints through October 19, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 325 complaints, 16 crashes, 0 fires, and 2 recalls. Complaint rate is 2.5x the class average.
Top reported problems
low beams are extremely dim
4 complaints • Severity 9.5/10
automatic braking system activating at random times
3 complaints • Severity 5.3/10
radar unavailable due to obstruction
2 complaints • Severity 6/10
car wont start
2 complaints • Severity 9/10
hiccups in speed wont accelerate when needed
2 complaints • Severity 6/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
48 owners reported brakes issues — failures commonly reported around 36K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 30–60K miles (81 reports) • Median: 36K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Brakes (48 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2018 Nissan Altima: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 15% of all reports filed for the 2018 Nissan Altima, with 48 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 36,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 36K-mile mark.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2018 Nissan Altima, with 36 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2018 Nissan Altima, with 36 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2018 Nissan Altima, with 22 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2018 Nissan Altima. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (2 recalls)
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
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."
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
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.
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2018 Nissan Altima NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★4 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
NHTSA Defect Investigations (4)
2 investigations still open: NHTSA is examining whether a defect warrants a recall.
Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
SUSPENSION:REAR
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Rear Suspension Control Arm Failure
SUSPENSION:REAR
The worst model year for the Nissan Altima is the 2013 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is engine.
2018 Nissan Altima vs. Class Average (Midsize Cars)
This vehicle
325
Class avg
129
2.5x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical midsize cars vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 325 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 2 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated (checked October 21, 2026). NHTSA complaints received through October 19, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
Other Nissan Altima Model Years
2018 Nissan Altima: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2018 Nissan Altima Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 325 owner reports. Know before you buy.