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2018 Nissan Altima

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 models.

Nissan Altima
Pictured: 2024 Nissan Altima SR, front left, 05-05-2025. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Midsize Cars
Body styles
2.5 4dr Sedan, 3.5 4dr Sedan
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
31 combined · 27 city / 38 hwy
Length
191.7 in
Curb weight
3,203–3,470 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
2 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 31 similar 2018 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2018 Nissan Altima is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 3.5L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.

It measures about 192 inches long and 72 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,203 lb (2.5 4dr Sedan).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 31 MPG combined (27 city / 38 highway), 14% better than the 2018 midsize car average of 27.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,150 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.

It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 226 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Altima — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Altima →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–2.5L 4-cyl
Engine–3.5L
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Blind-spot monitoringStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Smyrna, Tennessee · Canton, Mississippi

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2018 Altima configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2.5 4dr Sedan191.7 in72 in57.9 in109.4 in62.6 / 62.2 in3,203 lb60/40
3.5 4dr Sedan191.7 in72 in58.3 in109.4 in62.2 / 62.2 in3,470 lb61/39

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Altima2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive27 / 38 / 31+14%$2,150287
Altima SR2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)Front-Wheel Drive26 / 37 / 30+10%$2,250296
Altima3.5L 6-cylAutomatic (AV-S7)Front-Wheel Drive22 / 32 / 26-4%$2,600347
7/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
7/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Save $1,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
27.2 MPG2018 Midsize Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2018 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD★★★★★★★★★★5★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★10.3%
StandardElectronic stability control
StandardForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2018 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD
Frontal crash test — 2018 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2018 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD
Side crash test — 2018 Nissan Altima 4 DR FWD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2018 midsize cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 Nissan Altima (this car)31 MPG★★★★★2
2018 Toyota Corolla34 MPG★★★★★3
2018 Ford Mustang25 MPG★★★★★3
2018 Honda Accord47 MPGNot rated6
2018 Chevrolet Impala25 MPG★★★★★1
2018 Toyota Camry52 MPG★★★★★8
2018 Chevrolet Camaro25 MPG★★★★★2

Recalls (2)

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Hood › Latch · May 28, 2020

NHTSA campaign 20V315000 · 1,831,818 vehicles

Problem
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 · Sep 12, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V654000 · 1,228,830 vehicles

Problem
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Nissan Altima is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

226Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
11Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
6Injuries reported
36,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other60
Service Brakes48
Electrical System36
Air Bags36
Power Train22
Engine14
Steering12
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)11
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/04: 224/05: 224/06: 424/07: 224/09: 224/10: 124/12: 125/01: 125/03: 325/05: 325/06: 325/07: 225/09: 325/10: 225/12: 126/01: 326/02: 126/03: 126/04: 126/05: 226/06: 126/07: 126/08: 226/10: 124/0424/0724/1225/0525/0926/0126/0426/07max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Nissan Altima buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Service Brakes — 48 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  3. Electrical System — 36 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Air Bags — 36 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 36,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Altima. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Altima years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Altima30192.9 inNot rated01
2025 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★27
2024 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★141
2023 Altima31192.9 in★★★★★030
2022 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★031
2021 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★270
2020 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★6161
2019 Altima32192.9 in★★★★★7234
2017 Altima31191.7 in★★★★★3393
2016 Altima31191.7 inNot rated4555
2015 Altima31191.7 inNot rated10952
2014 Altima31191.7 inNot rated81,025

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →