The Lemon Index

All cars · Nissan Altima · 2018

2018 Nissan Altima. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index63100 = average car
Complaints144NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold209,146U.S. model year
Per 100K sold69complaints
Year rank#13 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.5L 4-cylAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD27 / 38 / 31Regular$2,000
2.5L 4-cylAuto (AV-S7)FWD26 / 37 / 30Regular$2,100
3.5L 6-cylAuto (AV-S7)FWD22 / 32 / 26Regular$2,400

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 14,200 and 48,200 miles. Median 36,000, from 110 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Brakes31,00014,500–45,00039
Electrical31,70021,000–47,60020
Airbags46,50030,200–69,0006
Transmission & drivetrain12,1003,800–32,2006
Automatic emergency braking18,000100–69,7009

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes32%
Electrical19%
Automatic emergency braking10%
Stability control8%
Steering8%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
2261105011

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 2

  • 20V315000 May 2020 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Hood / Latch

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. Corrosion to the secondary latch may cause it to bind and remain in the unlatched position when the hood is closed. If the primary latch is inadvertently released again and the secondary latch is not engaged, the hood could unexpectedly open while driving, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy. 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 Owner’s 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 1-800-8

  • 19V654000 Sep 2019 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

    Defect. 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, thes

    Risk. The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenHertz/vehicles rented with open recalls2022–
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–
ClosedRear suspension control arm failure20192025
ClosedRear suspension control arm failure20182019

Manufacturer communications 192

Nissan filed 192 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardNo

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2013–2018 Nissan Altima, 17.2M views.

TopicVideosViews
Transmission & shifter81.9M
Gauges, lights & wiring71.1M
Brakes & ABS4857K
Infotainment, battery & electrical5842K
Oil changes & service2688K
No-start: theft light, key & ignition4611K
Starter, alternator & belts2321K
Intake, EGR & engine sensors3293K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
201586284333,398Airbags
201666209307,380Transmission & drivetrain
201752148254,996Transmission & drivetrain
201863144209,146Brakes
201950106209,183Brakes
20205174137,988Electrical
20213034103,777Automatic emergency braking

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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