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2018 Nissan Altima Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2018 Nissan Altima carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering latch and camera. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Hood latch failure and secondary latch defect.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

Campaign #20V315000 · May 28, 2020

Issue: 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 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.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA

Campaign #19V654000 · Dec 9, 2019

Issue: 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."

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 may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2018 Nissan Altima.

2 active NHTSA investigations

Source: NHTSA

  • Hertz/Vehicles Rented with Open Recalls

    Action #AQ22003 · opened Dec 16, 2022

    NHTSA is opening this audit query to investigate whether The Hertz Corporation (Hertz) has complied with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (Safety Act). The Safety Act requires, among other things, that a rental company shall not rent a vehicle…

    View on NHTSA →

  • Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

    Action #EA21002 · opened Sep 17, 2021

    From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 200…

    View on NHTSA →

Reported to NHTSA

Hood latch failure and secondary latch defect

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

14 NHTSA complaints · 2020-07 → 2026-08

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11757342
“The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the hood latch inadvertently unlatched, and the hood raised up and fell onto the windshield and cracked the windshield”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11595112
“2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO HOOD LATCH SAFETY RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11493445

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

CVT transmission failure and juddering

POWER TRAIN

20 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2026-07

“2018 Nissan Altima and Sentra cars have faulty continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) that cause juddering, shuddering, clunking, jerking and acceleration problems. This happen while driving on the highway at a speed of 75 mph”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11458752
“The CVT transmission failed at the light in mid drive. The car started to roll backwards down a highway exit in traffic. I had to blow the horn and scream out the window to keep from hitting other cars”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11500889
“The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power without warning. The contact coasted to the side of the road and was unable to restart the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11433309

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Low-beam headlight dimming and delamination

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

9 NHTSA complaints · 2019-07 → 2025-12

“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 warning light illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11708109
“The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the headlights on the driver's and passenger's side of the vehicle had identical stress fractures. The fractures allowed water to enter the headlight housings”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675351
“LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ARE DANGEROUSLY AND INADEQUATELY LOW, NOT ALLOWING DRIVER TO SEE ROADWAY AT NIGHT WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11230538

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front radar false obstruction alerts disabling AEB

SERVICE BRAKES

48 NHTSA complaints · 2019-06 → 2022-02

“A WARNING IN THE DASH THAT SAYS, 'FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION.' THE VEHICLE DOES THIS WHILE IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE HAS 52190 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME. THE WARNING WILL RESET WHEN TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11289934
“I HAVE 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA SR SPECIAL EDITION WITH ABOUT 25,000 MILES ON IT. FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS THE INDICATOR FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION HAS BEEN GOING OFF CONSTANTLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11235213
“2018 NISSAN ALTIMA - FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE. THIS VEHICLE WILL HAVE THE INTELLIGENT BRAKE ASSIST UNEXPECTEDLY BE DISENGAGED. A WARNING LIGHT AND SOUND WILL BE ACTIVATED INDICATING THAT THE THE BRAKE ASSIST HAS BEEN RENDERED USELESS AS WELL AS THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11244949

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Push-button start failure from brake switch fault

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

18 NHTSA complaints · 2019-08 → 2024-04

“The brake light switch fails which will not allow me to start vehicle with push start. Already replaced switch once while vehicle under warranty. Now around 60,000 miles it started failing intermittently”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11423918
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STAND STILL AND THE IGNITION FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11390529
“THE CAR WILL NOT START IF THE BREAK IS SOMEHOW "STUCK". YOU HAVE TO PUMP ON THE BREAKS TO RELEASE IT FOR THE CAR TO START”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11244659

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear-view camera blackout while reversing

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

6 NHTSA complaints · 2020-04 → 2024-02

“The system that’s got the issue is the backup camera. When I’m backing up periodically, all of a sudden it’ll go black or really dim to where I’m not able to see anything”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11573546
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK OVER PREVENTION CAMERA WAS BLANK. THE CAMERA WAS OBSTRUCTED AND INOPERABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11397953
“THE BACKUP CAMERA WOULD NOT WORK. CAMERA SCREEN WAS BLACK IN REVERSE MODE. SOMETIMES THE SCREEN GET STATIC LINES AND THEN BLACKS OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11322609

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and occupant sensor fault

AIR BAGS

29 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2026-05

“I’m getting an Air Bag warning light showing up on my dash. i took it to the Nissan dealer and its error code B0020-13 which comes up as a Left seat side air bag open error”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11649572
“My car's airbag light came on and would not go off. I took it to the dealership and was told that the sensor in my passengar seat that detects the weight of some one in the seat is not working”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11442741
“WE WERE DRIVING AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WE WERE NOT IN ANY KIND OF ACCIDENT. PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, HAD PASSENGER GET OUT OF CAR AND BACK IN THEN RESTARTED THE CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11319186

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 2 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

146 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

11

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2018 Nissan Altima reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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