Problems · NHTSA complaints

2018 Nissan Altima problems

Owners filed 226 complaints about the 2018 Nissan Altima with NHTSA between Sep 2018 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (48).

Complaints
226
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
11
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
6
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes48
  2. Electrical system37
  3. Air bags36
  4. Power train24
  5. Forward collision avoidance15
  6. Engine14
  7. Exterior lighting13
  8. Latches/locks/linkages12
  9. Steering12
  10. Vehicle speed control11
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)11
  12. Suspension4
  13. Structure3
  14. Seats3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20186
201957
202047
202134
202218
202314
202419
202518
202613

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

48 reports4 crashes
“I’ve had to replace the break sensor a few times and it’s unusual… My check engine light came on and it reads the code for the catalyst converter.., the auto part store saw a recall on this for my make and model but not seeing it here . The code was cleared and hasn’t came back on yet but I’m anticipating it will .. these two issues need to be further looked into please”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 30, 2025Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11664048

Electrical system

37 reports1 crash
“Didn't know what the list this one but at a certain speed on the highway the hood latch comes loose unlocks, and my backup camera All of a sudden doesn't always work, sometimes the screen is completely black... Also the sensor that tells you that a car is too close to you keeps turning itself off and then when you check the radar sensor to make sure that it's clear of debris there's no debris but yet this thing just keeps turning itself off while you're on the highway or local road... I will list when the first problem started happening and then we know when the other ones start happening consecutively afterwards.. electrical issue front passenger door will not open automatically Putting my passenger at risk”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2026Electrical system, Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11710419

Air bags

36 reports2 crashes
“The passenger‑side airbag warning light first appeared within the first year of ownership. During that visit, the dealership did not repair the defect. They only reset the warning light and told me it was not a problem. No diagnostic documentation or repair explanation was provided, and the underlying issue was not addressed. The warning light returned in April 2026, showing the same unresolved defect. The dealership stated the repair would cost approximately $2,000 and said neither the Certified Pre‑Owned warranty nor the extended warranty would cover the airbag system. This contradicts the nature of the failure and the prior visit, where the defect was dismissed instead of repaired. This is a repeat failure involving a federally regulated safety component. The airbag system may not deploy properly, and the vehicle has been operating with an unresolved safety defect since the initial visit. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership, and the warning lamp continues to illuminate. The defect has not been corrected by the manufacturer, despite multiple attempts to seek assistance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 25, 2026Air bagsODI 11759463

Power train

24 reports
“While operating my 2018 Nissan Altima on September 19, 2026, at approximately 9:20 a.m., during daytime highway traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden and complete loss of propulsion, leaving me entirely immobilized on a highway ramp with no ability to accelerate or move out of danger. I was stranded in an extremely hazardous location with vehicles, including large commercial trucks, traveling nearby at highway speeds. I feared for my life because I had no way to move my vehicle to safety or protect myself from a potential collision. The situation was so dangerous that a State Trooper with Highway Patrol had to intervene and arrange assistance to have my disabled vehicle removed from the highway. Had Highway Patrol not arrived, I genuinely believe I could have lost my life. This was not a minor inconvenience or an ordinary vehicle breakdown. It was a potentially fatal safety incident caused by the vehicle's sudden and complete inability to move. Following the incident, an independent repair facility inspected the vehicle and determined that the transmission requires replacement. The diagnostic findings included P17F0 (CVT Judder), P0776 (Pressure Control…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 4, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11768824

Forward collision avoidance

15 reports
“I bought my car in February 2021 and me not knowing anything about vehicles I first heard the popping noise when I backed my car out of the driveway.I thought it was something to do with the steering wheel. I recently had someone to look at the car and they said it was my front axles going bad, this could be a safety issue. I have to work with mentally challenged people and I have to transport them back-and-forth to doctors appointments. Is there anyway that there could be a recall on those axles because I know someone else who has an Altima just like mine and hers does the same thing . It’s very embarrassing to hear that popping noise and I’m afraid that my car will break down because of it and my front crash light stays on constantly. Please help me resolve this issue. I’ve been dealing with it since I bought the car..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2023Power train, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11536492

Engine

14 reports
“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?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 3, 2025EngineODI 11671170
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.