Is the 2018 Nissan ALTIMA reliable?

The 2018 Nissan ALTIMA has 320 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Nissan ALTIMA?

Top problems: OTHER (60 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (49 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (37 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Nissan ALTIMA?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Nissan ALTIMA?

The 2018 Nissan ALTIMA gets 29 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1655. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Nissan ALTIMA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Nissan ALTIMA is approximately $1,737/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2018 Nissan ALTIMA

Q: Is the 2018 Nissan ALTIMA often stolen?

The Nissan ALTIMA was the #4 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 15,200 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: high.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Nissan ALTIMA has 320 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 344. The most common issue is other problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: while driving during rain conditions, the forward radar repeatedly disables itself with an "obstruction" warning, which also disables the automatic emergency braking function. this issue does not present during dry weather conditions, and does not happen while transiting through a car wash. this pr. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

11 crash reports 5 injuries

320

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

60 complaints

19%

• WHILE DRIVING DURING RAIN CONDITIONS, THE FORWARD RADAR REPEATEDLY DISABLES ITSELF WITH AN "OBSTRUCTION" WARNING, WHICH ALSO DISABLES THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING FUNCTION. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT PRESENT DURING DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WHILE TRANSITING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THIS PR
• SOME UNAUTHORIZED PERSON OPENED THE TRUNK BY A REMOTE DEVIC E. CAR WAS PARKED, ENGINE OFF.
• THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING LIGHT ARBITRARILY COMES ON AND STAYS ON. I CAN BE AT A FULL STOP AND THE LIGHT COMES. SEE THE ATTACHED PICTURE. I CAN BE DRIVING AND THE LIGHT COMES AND STAYS ON. FOR THE MOST PART THIS HAPPENS IN JUST ABOUT ANY DRIVING CONDITIONS

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 3 crashes

“WHILE DRIVING DURING RAIN CONDITIONS, THE FORWARD RADAR REPEATEDLY DISABLES ITSELF WITH AN "OBSTRUCTION" WARNING, WHICH ALSO DISABLES THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING FUNCTION. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT PRESENT DURING DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WHILE TRANSITING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THIS PR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Nissan ALTIMA

Based on 168 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 36K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

Reported earliermedian 51K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Reported earliermedian 37K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

Reported earliermedian 12K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 33K mi · 40 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 37K mi · 35 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 20 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH28/05/2020

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.

Fix: 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 Owners 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 1-800-867-7669. Note: Recall 16V-029 remains open for any unremedied 2013-2015 Altimas and this recall applies to all vehicles covered by 16V-029 even if those repairs have already been performed.

High theft risk

#4 most stolen in 2025

The Nissan ALTIMA was the #4 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 15,200 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Widely available, high resale demand

Recommended protection: engine immobilizer verification, steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, and comprehensive insurance coverage. Higher theft risk usually translates to higher comprehensive-coverage insurance premiums.

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2018 Nissan ALTIMA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,656

Per month

$138

Per mile

13.8¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,263/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Nissan ALTIMA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,737

Full coverage / month

$145

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

+4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.15x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1737

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan ALTIMA Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2018 ALTIMA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 320 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: WHILE DRIVING DURING RAIN CONDITIONS, THE FORWARD RADAR REPEATEDLY DISABLES ITSELF WITH AN "OBSTRUCTION" WARNING, WHICH ALSO DISABLES THE AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING FUNCTION. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT PRESENT DURING DRY WEATHER CONDITIONS, AND DOES NOT HAPPEN WHILE TRANSITING THROUGH A CAR WASH. THIS PR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: CAR WOULD NOT BRAKE AND HIT A POLE. THE VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE EMERGENCY BRAKES, BUT DID NOT WORK. OFTEN WOULD GET A MESSAGE ACROSS MY DASHBOARD SAYING IT WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I PURCHASED A NEW 2018 NISSAN, THE FRONT END COLLISION SENSOR IS ALARMING AND HAS EVER SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY HAVE REFERRED ME TO NISSAN AND SAY THAT I SHOULD WAIT FOR THE RECALL. I THINK THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS MY CAR IS NOT SAFE WITH THE FRONT END
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CROSSROADS NISSAN WAKE FOREST (11120 CAPITAL BLVD, WAKE FOREST, NC 27587, (877) 331-9055) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT EITHER THE SPIRAL CORD INSIDE THE STEERING WHEE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)