CarModelProblems.com

2018 Nissan Altima Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes — runs 2.9× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
223Complaints
2Recalls
11Crashes
0Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes (21.5% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Service Brakes complaints here are 2.9× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

An open NHTSA investigation (EA21002, opened Sep 2021) covers Air Bags, but no recall has been issued for it yet.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes48 · 21.5%No official action
Electrical System36 · 16.1%No official action
Air Bags35 · 15.7%Under investigationEA21002
Power Train21 · 9.4%No official action
Engine13 · 5.8%No official action
Steering12 · 5.4%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

Unspecified / other60 · 26.9%
SERVICE BRAKES48 · 21.5%
AIR BAGS35 · 15.7%
POWER TRAIN21 · 9.4%
ENGINE13 · 5.8%
STEERING12 · 5.4%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)11 · 4.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11 · 4.9%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS10 · 4.5%

Percentages are the share of the 223 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 2 campaigns

Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch

NHTSA campaign 20V315000 · 2020 · reported 05/28/2020

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

NHTSA campaign 19V654000 · 2019 · reported 09/12/2019

The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“AUTOMATIC BREAKING WILL SHUT OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES ON OCCASION; ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING TOWARDS AN EMBANKMENT (I.E. MAKING A LEFT TURN AND THERE'S AN…”NHTSA complaint 11343851 — filed 08/07/2020 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER
“THE START STOP BUTTON THAT YOU PRESS TO START THE CAR MESSES UP AND DOES NOT START THE CAR . EVEN IF YOU DO IT…”NHTSA complaint 11343673 — filed 08/06/2020 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER
“FOWARD EMERGENCY BRAKING (FEB) SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING OR INOPERABLE/UNAVAILABLE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. WHEN THIS OCCURS, AN ORANGE SYMBOL LIGHT IN…”NHTSA complaint 11328829 — filed 06/15/2020 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

72018832019732020522021252022222023242024212025142026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Nissan Altima?

Unknown or other issues are the most-reported category, cited in 60 of 223 NHTSA complaints (26.9%), followed by service brakes (48), electrical system (36), air bags (35). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2018 Nissan Altima have?

223 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 11 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2018 Nissan Altima have any recalls?

Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 20V315000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2018 Nissan Altima's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. NHTSA has an open investigation (EA21002) into air bags that has not led to a recall. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.