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All cars · Nissan Altima

2018 Nissan Altima.

The 2018 Nissan Altima is better than average by owner complaints: 144 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 63, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 26 to 31 mpg combined. The best Nissan Altima year is 2022.

63Lemon Index · 100 = average car

Better than average. 1.6× fewer complaints than average.

Best year 2022 · Worst year 2013

Nissan Altima
Photo shows a 2020 Nissan Altima. Mr.choppers, Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0 · background removed

Before you buy. What matters most for this car.

Most common problemBrakes32% of owner complaintsRecalls2Free fix at any dealerBetter year to buy20226.2× fewer complaints than averageGovernment investigation2 openOwners reported enough to trigger one
Owner complaints144first 3 years
Fuel economy26–31 mpgcombined, EPA
Crash test★★★★★NHTSA overall

Fixes owners look up most.

From 100 YouTube videos about the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima, 17.2M views. The 2018 is the same generation.

  1. Transmission & shifter1.9M views
    2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Failure - (Pt. 1) Breakdown and Failure2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Failure - (Pt. 1) Breakdown and FailureNissan CVT Fail · 502K views · 8 videos
  2. Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
    2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Headlight Aim2014 Nissan Altima 2.5 S Headlight AimJames Niece · 298K views · 7 videos
  3. Brakes & ABS857K views
    Nissan Altima Front Brake Pads Replacement 2014-2017 - 3 Minute DIY VideoNissan Altima Front Brake Pads Replacement 2014-2017 - 3 Minute DIY VideoMINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 467K views · 4 videos
  4. Infotainment, battery & electrical842K views
    How to Install a 9in Touch Screen Radio for a Nissan Altima (2013-2017)How to Install a 9in Touch Screen Radio for a Nissan Altima (2013-2017)Mcgurr Entertainment · 306K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Oil changes & service688K views
    Nissan Altima Oil & Oil Filter Change 2013-2017Nissan Altima Oil & Oil Filter Change 2013-2017MINUTE DIY VIDEOS · 421K views · 2 videos
  2. No-start: theft light, key & ignition611K views
    Nissan Won't Start Push Button Start 2018 Altima SR and Other Makes and Models Part 1 of 2Nissan Won't Start Push Button Start 2018 Altima SR and Other Makes and Models Part 1 of 2Al Young Cuda · 247K views · 4 videos
  3. Starter, alternator & belts321K views
    2013-2018 Nissan Altima Belt Replacement [2.5L QR25DE]2013-2018 Nissan Altima Belt Replacement [2.5L QR25DE]BeeCee Built · 196K views · 2 videos
  4. Intake, EGR & engine sensors293K views
    How to Replace Upstream O2 Oxygen Sensor 2012-2018 Nissan AltimaHow to Replace Upstream O2 Oxygen Sensor 2012-2018 Nissan AltimaTRQ · 118K views · 3 videos

Before you buy, watch

Top 5 Problems Nissan Altima Sedan 2012-2018 5th GenerationTop 5 Problems Nissan Altima Sedan 2012-2018 5th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 283K views2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Braking Slipping Failure Not Shifting Right Problems FIXED2013 Nissan Altima CVT Transmission Braking Slipping Failure Not Shifting Right Problems FIXEDZimaleta Motors Mobile Mechanic · 237K views2013 Nissan Altima vs Maxima 0-60 MPH Mashup Review2013 Nissan Altima vs Maxima 0-60 MPH Mashup ReviewThe Fast Lane Car · 783K views

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.

How serious. Out of 226 owner complaints, owners reported:

11crashes
5injuries
0fires
11tows
Under government investigation192 repair notes from Nissan

Every Nissan Altima year. 2018 is highlighted. Lower is better.

2000452.2× fewer complaints2001432.3× fewer complaints20021231.2× the complaints20031161.2× the complaints2004362.8× fewer complaints20051231.2× the complaints2006108about average2007521.9× fewer complaints2008651.5× fewer complaints2009861.2× fewer complaints2010333× fewer complaints2011175.9× fewer complaints2012342.9× fewer complaints20131941.9× the complaints201490about average2015861.2× fewer complaints2016661.5× fewer complaints2017521.9× fewer complaints2018631.6× fewer complaints2019502× fewer complaints2020512× fewer complaints2021303.3× fewer complaints2022166.2× fewer complaints202319early read · 5.3× fewer complaints202440early read · 2.5× fewer complaints2025–few complaints

What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.

brakes32%
electrical19%
automatic emergency braking10%
stability control8%
steering8%

Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.

Transmission problems in every Nissan Altima year →

When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.

half by 36K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 14K to 48K miles on the car (110 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.

  • brakes complaints mostly came at 14K–45K miles
  • electrical complaints mostly came at 21K–47K miles

Recalls 2

  • latches/locks/linkages 2020

    If the primary hood latch is inadvertently released, there is an increased likelihood that the secondary hood latch may corrode over time.

  • back over prevention 2019

    Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Problems Nissan told dealers about

Nissan sent dealers 192 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • DRIVERS POWER SEAT IS INOPERATIVE IF YOU CONFIRM The customer states that one or more of the…
  • NISSAN; SERVICE INFORMATION FOR DTCS B2EF0 AND B130C This bulletin applies only to vehicles…
  • Security alarm sounds after using mechanical key to unlock driver door service information…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Government investigations

  • OpenHertz/vehicles rented with open recalls2022
  • OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
  • ClosedRear suspension control arm failure2019–2025
  • ClosedRear suspension control arm failure2018–2019

NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningNot offered
NHTSA front crash test of the 2018 Nissan Altima
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $2050–2450 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

In owners' words

Front radar obstruction goes off. Recently it caused problems with my abs to not work and disengage at times. Could be driving on an empty road and it will go off.

2018 Nissan Altima owner · NHTSA complaint 11282711
More owner reports

Vehicle in motion and warning signal 'front radar unavailable due to obstruction'.

NHTSA complaint 11266085

2018 Nissan Altima has a defective push start and braking system. The car will not start with the push start and brake pedal. I was parked and when I got in the car the push start would not work.

NHTSA complaint 11252125

Quick answers

Is the 2018 Nissan Altima reliable?

Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 63; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Altima year by this measure is 2022.

What are the most common 2018 Nissan Altima problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (32%), electrical (19%) and automatic emergency braking (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2018 Nissan Altima have?

2 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Nissan Altima get?

26 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2018 Nissan Altima safe?

NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.

At what mileage do 2018 Nissan Altima problems start?

Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 14,200 and 48,200 miles. The middle report was at 36,000 miles, from 110 complaints.

Does the 2018 Nissan Altima have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2018 Nissan Altima cost in fuel a year?

About $2050 to $2450 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2018 Nissan Altima have?

2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.

What Nissan Altima year is better than the 2018?

By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2011 and 2021.

Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data