Buyer Research

2018 Nissan Altima — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $11,000–$15,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.

Deciding between model years? Compare the 15 Nissan Altima years we've written up →

Kestrel Take

The last of the fifth-generation Altima and, by the numbers, the cleanest — 225 complaints, and the CVT is down to a tenth of them. What replaced it at the top is a $150 brake light switch that stops the push-button start from working, and a radar that cries 'obstruction' and disables the safety systems. Nissan recalled the same switch on the Sentra and not on this car. Cheap problems on an ageing design; a good buy if the transmission checks out.

What we checked

Reconciled against public records, 2026-09-25

NHTSA holds 225 owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Altima, and 2 recall campaigns.

A big number here usually means a lot of these were sold, not that it is a bad vehicle — popular models collect more complaints for the same rate of trouble. So the total on its own says little. What is worth reading is the shape of it. The largest single group is the brakes at 22%. That is notable without being overwhelming — worth checking, not worth panicking about.

2 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.

Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.

Known Issues for the 2018 Nissan Altima

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.

Brake light switch fails — brake lights out, push-button start refusesMedium

The largest cluster: the pedal feels hard, the car will not start until you pump the pedal, and the brake lights may be dead behind you. It is the brake lamp switch, and Nissan recalled the same part on 2016–2019 Sentras for exactly this failure — the Altima was left out. A $30 part; the danger is the car behind you.

Repair cost (estimate): $120–$300

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the brakes (49), electrics and electronics (37).

'Front radar obstruction' — emergency braking and cruise switch themselves offMedium

The forward radar behind the emblem reports itself blocked in rain, snow, or for no reason, and the automatic braking and adaptive cruise go offline until it clears. Sometimes it is dirt or a damaged emblem; sometimes the sensor. Nissan has software for the false readings. Check whether the warning appears on the test drive.

Repair cost (estimate): $0–$900

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the brakes (49), the driver-assist and automatic braking systems (15).

Airbag warning light — passenger sensor or driver seat-frame sensorMedium

36 complaints: the light appears within the first year, the dealer resets it, it returns, and the fix turns out to be a seat sensor or a driver's seat frame with the side airbag in it. Four figures at a dealer. No recall on this year.

Repair cost (estimate): $400–$1,500

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under airbags (36).

CVT hesitation and shudder — fewer than earlier years, same transmissionMedium

23 complaints, a tenth of the record. Same Jatco CVT as the 2013–2017 cars with the later software. Drive it uphill from a stop.

Repair cost (estimate): $3,500–$5,000 for a replacement — about 38% of what this car is typically worth

Source: NHTSA complaints filed under the transmission and drivetrain (23).

Backup camera may not display (recall) and hood latch corrosion (recall)Low

Recall 19V654: the rear camera image may not show in reverse — a software fix. Recall 20V315: the secondary hood latch. Both free.

Repair cost: $0 with the recall — verify it was performed

Source: 2 NHTSA recall campaigns on this model year.

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗A car that needs the pedal pumped before it will start
✗Brake lights that do not come on — check from behind
✗Radar obstruction warning on a clear day
✗Airbag light the seller "reset last week"

Good Signs

✓Brake light switch replaced
✓CVT fluid changed with a record
✓Both recalls closed
✓Emergency braking and adaptive cruise working on a highway test