2018 Nissan Altima problems
What owners report to NHTSA, grouped by component, with the recalls that cover them.
NHTSA has 225 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Nissan Altima, filed between 2018-09-13 and 2026-08-25. The most common problem areas are the service brakes (48, 21%), electrical system (37, 16%) and air bags (36, 16%). Owners reported 11 crashes and 6 injuries in these complaints. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for this model year.
Last updated: · Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases
2018 Nissan Altima complaints by component
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crashes | Fires | Injuries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 60 | 27% | 3 | 0 | 4 |
| Service brakes | 48 | 21% | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 37 | 16% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 36 | 16% | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Power train | 23 | 10% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 15 | 7% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 13 | 6% | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 13 | 6% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 12 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 5% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 11 | 5% | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 5% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 2% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Back over prevention | 3 | 1% | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 3 | 1% | 2 | 0 | 1 |
A complaint can name several components, so shares can add up to more than 100%. Crashes, fires and injuries are as reported by owners.
The top problem areas, in plain English
Each summary is built from the complaint counts and NHTSA recall notices, not from individual owner stories.
Service brakes: 48 complaints
- 48 complaints of 225 (21%) name the service brakes — the foot-brake system: pads, rotors, calipers, lines and ABS.
- 13 of them also name the unknown or other; owners reported 4 crashes in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Nissan Altima covers this system.
Electrical system: 37 complaints
- 37 complaints of 225 (16%) name the electrical system — wiring, battery and charging, fuses, control modules and in-car electronics.
- 11 of them also name the service brakes; owners reported 1 crash in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Nissan Altima covers this system.
Air bags: 36 complaints
- 36 complaints of 225 (16%) name the air bags — frontal, side and curtain air bags, their crash sensors and control module.
- 4 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 2 crashes in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Nissan Altima covers this system.
Power train: 23 complaints
- 23 complaints of 225 (10%) name the power train — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts and axles.
- 2 of them also name the service brakes; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Nissan Altima covers this system.
Forward collision avoidance: 15 complaints
- 15 complaints of 225 (7%) name the forward collision avoidance — forward-collision warning and automatic emergency braking.
- 3 of them also name the steering; none of these complaints reports a crash, fire or injury.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Nissan Altima covers this system.
Engine: 13 complaints
- 13 complaints of 225 (6%) name the engine.
- 3 of them also name the electrical system; owners reported 1 injury in these complaints.
- No NHTSA recall for the 2018 Nissan Altima covers this system.
When the complaints were filed
| Year filed | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 57 |
| 2020 | 47 |
| 2021 | 34 |
| 2022 | 18 |
| 2023 | 14 |
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2025 | 18 |
| 2026 | 12 |
What is counted
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the model names ALTIMA, model year 2018. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is NHTSA's confirmed safety defect. See the 2018 Nissan Altima recalls.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Altima?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the 2018 Nissan Altima's most common problem areas are the service brakes (48 of 225 complaints), electrical system (37 of 225 complaints) and air bags (36 of 225 complaints).
How many complaints does the 2018 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA has 225 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Nissan Altima, including 11 reported crashes.
Is there a recall for the 2018 Nissan Altima's problems?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 Nissan Altima; 0 of the top 6 complaint areas have a matching recall. Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN for open recalls.