Skip to content

FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2018 Nissan Altima has 2 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 224 owner complaints, and gets about 30 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2018 Nissan Altima

  • Engine 4-cyl 2.5L
  • Drive Front-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Midsize Cars

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

2 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

6 injuries reported

6 of 224 reports (~3%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

5 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 20164recalls
  • 20173recalls
  • 2018 · this car2recalls
  • 20197recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
5 / 5 stars
Frontal
5 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2018 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD

Open safety recalls

2 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Latches/Locks/Linkages

    28/05/2020

    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.

    How they fix it: 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 1-800-867-7669. 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.

  2. Back Over Prevention

    12/09/2019

    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, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    How they fix it: 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.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 2016552reports
  • 2017390reports
  • 2018 · this car224reports
  • 2019227reports

224 owner reports on file

11 crash mentions 6 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 224 total reports.

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 46 of 224

    While driving at regular road speeds, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic safety component failure. The primary hood latch disengaged, and the secondary safety backup latch failed to catch or secure the hood. This caused the hood to violent

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 36 of 224

    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 yo

  • AIR BAGS 30 of 224

    The warning light on the dash is indicating that there is a problem with the airbag. I took it to a Nissan Dealership and was told that the side airbag needed to be replaced. I was quoted $3,241.41labor only. I was told there was no recall

  • POWER TRAIN 22 of 224

    I am currently experiencing CVT failure as of I have filed a case with the nissan consumer affairs unit, case number 56846043. I was advised that even though there was a class action suit in 2022 for CVT issues, my CVT Warranty Extension e

  • SERVICE BRAKES 16 of 224

    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

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12 of 224

    The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed at night, the halogen headlights failed to function as intended and were dimmed, which reduced the visibility of the roadway. There was no

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the SR version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2018.

  • 201626mpg
  • 201726mpg
  • 2018 · this car30mpg
  • 201932mpg

$2,050

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 26 mpg
Highway driving 37 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 30 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to save about $750 on fuel.

Spends more Saves more
Passenger space
102 cubic feet
Cargo space
15 cubic feet

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

4-cyl 2.5L

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (AV-S7)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
4-cyl 2.5L
Cylinders
4
Displacement
2.5 L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (AV-S7)
Body
Midsize Cars
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recalls were fixed

This model has 2 open NHTSA recalls (including the latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2018 Nissan Altima listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2018 Nissan Altima? +

    NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2018 Nissan Altima, including the latches/locks/linkages. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2018 Nissan Altima get? +

    The EPA rates the 2018 Nissan Altima at 30 mpg combined (26 city / 37 highway), about $2,050 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2018 Nissan Altima? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2018 Nissan Altima 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2018 Nissan Altima? +

    Owners have filed 224 complaints with NHTSA for the 2018 Nissan Altima, including 11 involving a crash. The most-reported area is unknown or other.

    OTHER ALTIMA YEARS

    FREE IN THE APP

    Comparing a few cars? Save the 2018 Nissan Altima and line it up against the others in the app.

    No account. Saving and comparing cars is free.

    FREE ON iOS

    Shopping for a 2018 Nissan Altima?

    Scan any VIN with your camera, save cars you’re comparing, and browse listings near you. All free. Same NHTSA and EPA data you see here, plus a camera-first VIN scanner.

    Research another car → Have the VIN? Decode it free →