2018 Nissan Altima MPG
EPA ratings for the 2018 Nissan Altima run from 22–27 mpg in town to 32–38 on the highway, or 26–31 combined, depending on which of its 3 versions you look at.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive, at 31 mpg combined. At the other end, the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive manages 26 mpg combined, 5 mpg less. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2017 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 27 | 38 | 31 | Regular · 287 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima SR | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 | 37 | 30 | Regular · 296 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Regular · 347 g CO₂/mi |
2018 Nissan Altima fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2018 Nissan Altima costs about $2,110 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (31 mpg combined), or roughly 14 cents a mile.
The thirstiest priced version (26 mpg combined) comes to about $2,510 a year, $410 more.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2018 Nissan Altima specs
The EPA lists 2 engine choices for the 2018 Nissan Altima: 2.5 L 4-cyl and 3.5 L 6-cyl. It came with a CVT, with front-wheel drive. For fuel-economy purposes it sits in the EPA's "Midsize Cars" class.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 3.5 L | 6 | Automatic (AV-S7) | Front-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2018 Nissan Altima problems
As of October 2026, NHTSA (the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) holds 226 owner complaints about the 2018 Nissan Altima.
Service brakes are the most-reported area (15% of component mentions), followed by air bags (11%) and electrical system (11%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 25 complaints a year: fewer than the 2017 (39 a year) and the 2019 (29 a year).
That ranks 10th of 17 Nissan Altima model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 226, 11 mention a crash and 5 an injury, and none report a fire.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 60 | 18% |
| Service brakes | 48 | 15% |
| Air bags | 37 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 37 | 11% |
| Power train | 24 | 7% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 19 | 6% |
| Engine | 14 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 4% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 13 | 4% |
| Steering | 12 | 4% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 11 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 3% |
| Suspension | 4 | 1% |
| Back over prevention | 3 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 3 | <1% |
| Seats | 3 | <1% |
| Structure | 3 | <1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 2 | <1% |
| Lane departure | 1 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 1 | <1% |
| Tires | 1 | <1% |
| Visibility | 1 | <1% |
| Wheels | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The problem of delayed acceleration. The problem occurs when the vehicle does not seem to accelerate for a short period of time. When I'm at a stop. and I depresses the pedal. The vehicle does not rev. …
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. …
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... …
2018 Nissan Altima recalls
The 2018 Nissan Altima has been the subject of 2 recall campaigns.
The most recent, campaign 20V315000 from May 2020, concerns latches/locks/linkages.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Altima years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V315000 | May 28, 2020 | Latches/locks/linkages | 2013–2018 |
| 19V654000 | September 12, 2019 | Back over prevention | 2018–2019 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 1 version of the 2018 Nissan Altima; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-door FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Nissan Altimas can be compared fairly. Among other 2018 models in the EPA's midsize cars class, the 2018 Chevy Malibu (30 mpg), 2018 Nissan Sentra (32 mpg) and 2018 Toyota Camry (34 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 31 | 955 | 79 | 10 |
| 2016 | 31 | 554 | 50 | 4 |
| 2017 | 31 | 393 | 39 | 3 |
| 2018 | 31 | 226 | 25 | 2 |
| 2019 | 32 | 233 | 29 | 7 |
| 2020 | 32 | 160 | 23 | 6 |
| 2021 | 32 | 70 | 12 | 2 |
Every Nissan Altima model year compared →
Similar 2018 models
FAQ
Is the 2018 Altima a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2018 Nissan Altima has 25 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (10th most of 17 model years), 2 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 31 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2018 Altima problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are service brakes (48), air bags (37) and electrical system (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2018 Altima have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Altima get?
The EPA rates the versions at 26–31 mpg combined (22–27 city, 32–38 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Altima per year?
About $2,110 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, up to about $2,510 for the thirstiest version, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).