Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 225 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Nissan Altima, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 37 | 16% |
| Air bags | 25 | 11% |
| Power train | 17 | 8% |
| Service brakes | 14 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 12 | 5% |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 4% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 6 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 3% |
| Engine | 5 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
So I have the 2.5L QR25DE engine with the exact exhaust failure from campaign PC717, and I need Goodwill Assistance because the part failed identically.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Transmission stopped working on me in the highway cvt code that comes up is P17f0 was in the highway going 45 mph then dropped 5 mph very dangerous. Almost crashed
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The problem is I have that transmission in my car that nissan was sued for . Yes I received a extended warranty 85 months or 85,000 miles . My transmission started going out as soon I rolled over 85,000. Dealer told me
NHTSA complaint: Power train
In 2022, there was a recall on the hood latch system. At that time the dealership was able to spray a substance on the latch and close out the recall instead of replacing the latch. Now my car is having issues with the l
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Nissan Altima. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
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 OwnerÂ’s Manual addendum card with instruc
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. Additio
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
| Reliability | 79 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 82 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 64 | average |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 53 | average |
| Safety | 92 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 225 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and unknown or other is the most reported area with 37 of them (16%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2018 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.