Nissan · Altima · 2018
2018 Nissan Altima
2
Recalls
219
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2018 Nissan Altima has 2 recalls and 219 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: unknown or other (37 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2018 Nissan Altima page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is unknown or other with 37 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2018 Nissan Altima currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 219 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are unknown or other (37), air bags (23), power train (16).
- Vehicle
- 2018 Nissan Altima
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 219
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.3% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: StandardLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 20V315000May 28, 2020
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 19V654000September 12, 2019
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."
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
219 totalUNKNOWN OR OTHER
Mar 30, 2026
In 2022, there was a recall on the hood latch system. At that time the dealership was able to spray a substance on the latch and close out the recall instead of replacing the latch. Now my car is having issues with the latch that should’ve been replaced from the start. Therefore,...
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AIR BAGS
Feb 1, 2026
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 indicated...
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SUSPENSION,ENGINE
Jan 1, 2026
NISSAN ALTIMA TORQUE STRUT MOUNT AND PASSENGER SIDE MOTOR MOUNT FAILURE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Oct 12, 2025
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 keeps t...
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AIR BAGS
Sep 15, 2025
I purchased this vehicle last month from Anderson in cockeysville, Md. last week the airbag light came on. I was able to take it to them today 9-15-25 where they at first told me I was over the 1,000miles warranty so I’d have to deal with it on my own. After speaking with a manag...
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AIR BAGS
Sep 9, 2025
Suddenly airbag light has steady on when start engine. Scanner shows has failed code L4 and failed to reset.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Sep 4, 2025
The headlights on my 2018 Altima SL are INCREDIBLY dim. I have tried two different LED manufacturer's bulbs with the same result. It is beyond dangerous to drive my car at night. Sadly, my floodlights are FAR brighter than my low beams. There are countless complaints for this...
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AIR BAGS
Aug 29, 2025
See attached document for complaint.
AIR BAGS
Aug 15, 2025
1. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The driver seat airbag module is defective and requires replacement. It is available for inspection at Northlake Kia or any authorized Nissan service center upon request. 2. How...
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ENGINE
Jul 3, 2025
There is a recall for altimas from years 2019-2021 with an issue where the engine will not start after the battery light on the dashboard comes on. After a few minutes the car will start up and ride like normal. This also happens in the 2018 model of the altima. This happened ...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 219 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2018 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Nissan Altima Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Altima have?
The 2018 Nissan Altima has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2018 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has received 219 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Nissan Altima.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Nissan Altima?
The 2018 Nissan Altima received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Altima?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2018 Nissan Altima are unknown or other (37 reports), air bags (23 reports), power train (16 reports).
Does the 2018 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2018 Nissan Altima. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.