There are 5 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2018 Nissan Altimain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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 to us multiple times. The battery is good, and there is no reason for the engine not to start right aqay. Why is there no recall for the 2018 models?
Vehicle turned off on a red light. The vehicle was on drive, my foot on the brake waiting for the green light, the car then died while waiting. Check engine light is on.
First thing in the morning the car makes a rattling noise when cold and smell of fumes coming thru car vents. Took car in Jan. 30, dealership bent heat shield. Bought car back Feb. 20 for now clicking noise was told heating shield needs to be replaced! This had to be preexisting and this car was sold to me in this condition! Now I have to pay over $1,000.00 that I don't have?!?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVAILING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY CEASED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO HIT HIS HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO HIS NECK AND BACK BUT HE DID NOT SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE FLIP INDICATOR AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHTS BOTH ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SOUTH AUSTIN NISSAN (4914 S IH 35 FRONTAGE RD, AUSTIN, TX 78745) WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A PISTON SENSOR FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD ALSO BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED THAT THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABRUPTLY CEASE. THEY REFERRED HIM BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DISPUTE THE CLAIM THAT WAS MADE BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED OUT OF POCKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,171.
7000 MILES AND VEH INTELLIGENT KEY WILL NOT START CAR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026