RoadVitals

2018 Nissan Altima Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
37
Latest Jan 12, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
17%
of 223 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2018 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 37 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

The 25 most recent of 37, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 12, 2026

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... Also the sensor that tells you that a car is too close to you keeps turning itself off and then when you check the radar sensor to make sure that it's clear of debris there's no debris but yet this thing just keeps turning itself off while you're on the highway or local road... I will list when the first problem started happening and then we know when the other ones start happening consecutively afterwards.. electrical issue front passenger door will not open automatically Putting my passenger at risk

NHTSA ID
11710419
Incident
Oct 12, 2025
Electrical
Filed Oct 14, 2025

My Nissan Altima's power door locks failed making entry and egress sometimes impossible. While the key will unlock the driver's door, rear seat passengers have been unable to exit the vehicle without assistance due to the door being locked. Premature power door lock actuators in Nissan vehicles is reportedly a very common problem according to my research.

NHTSA ID
11693275
Incident
Jul 3, 2024
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 30, 2025

The driver's side door lock actuator stopped working around June 2024. Haven't replaced it yet, but bought another part. Read where others are having same issue. Just in the last couple of weeks, around June 15th, 2025, my rear driver's side door actuator stopped working as well. I have to crfrawl in from the other side and unlock the doors. Safety issue since the doors do not lock or unlock.

NHTSA ID
11670362
Incident
Jun 15, 2024
Electrical
Filed Oct 4, 2024

My back doors do not lock with the FOB or the interior door lock/unlock button. I have to manually unlock and lock my rear doors. This is a defect that Nissan is well aware of and seems to not care. My car only has 63,000 miles on it.

NHTSA ID
11618172
Incident
May 1, 2024
AirbagsElectrical
Filed May 30, 2024

Dealership sold me a car that had faulty air bags but neither the manufacturer nor a dealership is wanting to correct the problem. Please help.

NHTSA ID
11591624
Incident
Feb 6, 2023
Electrical
Filed Apr 10, 2024

As I was driving on a highway, my sunglasses and light compartment on my roof completely fell out of my roof in front of my windshield view. I contacted Nissan and they stated that they could do absolutely nothing for me. Did not have any concerns regarding the fact that it almost caused me to get into an accident as it came swinging right in front of me and almost hit me and my head. This is also a very common issue when you look it up online with these vehicles.

NHTSA ID
11582245
Incident
Apr 9, 2024
Electrical
Filed Nov 22, 2023

Vehicle turned off while driving. Battery disconnected as the battery terminal connector got lose. after a quick clean-up of the terminal corrosion, it was obvious that the terminal has completely deteriorated (corroded) and has no more strength to hold a good contact to the battery terminal.

NHTSA ID
11556400
Incident
Nov 18, 2023
AirbagsElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Sep 18, 2023

Occupant Sensor for Airbags is not working and airbag light is on, this is a safety issue which can cause loss of life in an accident this needs recalled immediately

NHTSA ID
11545182
Incident
Jul 3, 2023
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 20, 2023
Crash reported

Brake light switch went out 3 months after getting car. Car would not start then after it started it would not go in gear nor would the brake lights turn on dealership repaired it. The Brake light switch went out again one year later while driving causing my brake lights not to turn on resulting in me getting rear ended after. After I replaced the switch for the second time. It lasted maybe a year and a half or so and went out again leaving me stranded having to get a tow truck to bring car home and had to replace it a third time. I’ve had this car less than 5 years and I really believe it needs further review of the switch due to the safety risk it causes

NHTSA ID
11512915
Incident
Apr 23, 2021
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Sep 26, 2022

The airbag light keeps coming on in the dashboard. I’ve had it in the shop twice for the diagnostic test and both times they said there was nothing they could find! Now it’s the 3rd time I will need to take it in and leave it and it’s the only car I have. I want to know if indeed my airbags will work in the event of an accident! If they are just turning the light off, I have no idea what will happen if I got into an accident!!

NHTSA ID
11486491
Incident
Jul 1, 2021
BrakesElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 25, 2021

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. It does not do anything for a few seconds. Even with increased force on the pedal, the vehicle does not move. The second concern is that, once it does move, it does so significantly with a jolt. This means that, after a few seconds of not functioning, the vehicle will suddenly accelerate quickly. This can create an increased risk of an accident.

NHTSA ID
11444956
Incident
Dec 21, 2021
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Sep 24, 2021

The airbag safety system has failed in my car. When a passenger or driver is in the car. The weight sensors and seatbelt sensors that activate the the airbag system fail to activate. This is something that I caught and mentioned it to a Nissan dealer when my car was in for service on another recall for hood latches. This is something that not only puts risk to passenger and driver in my car. But puts others at risk as well. Nissan and the extended warranty company have failed to correct the issue. As my safety is now at risk if I get into an accident and my airbags do not deploy. The issue is that the weight sensors and modulator have gone bad. The total cost just for those two things is around $585, by the time you add in airbag system replacement it comes to around $5000 to $7000. I would like this looked at due to the cause it is a preventative measure that be taken if we take that action now. This is on the 2018 model. I am willing to help in anyway I can with the investigation.

NHTSA ID
11434239
Incident
Sep 23, 2021
Electrical
Filed Jul 8, 2021

The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Altima. The contact stated upon entering the vehicle, the ignition switch failed to operate as designed. The contact was unable to start the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with the brake pedal switch needing to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they would escalate the claim. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11424003
Incident
Aug 12, 2019
Mileage
40,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2021

MY PUSH START HAS BEEN GIVING ME PROBLEMS SINCE 2020. WHENEVER I HAVE THIS PROBLEM, I EITHER HAVE TO START IT WITH THE FOB OR PRESS THE PUSH START MULTIPLE TIMES. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP LAST YEAR AND WAS TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG. I JUST DROPPED IT OFF AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11408330
Incident
Apr 15, 2021
Mileage
57,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 13, 2020

BASICALLY I WAS AT THE STORE CAME OUT TO GO HOME AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START THEN AFTER A WHILE IT STARTED UP BUT THEN WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN IT WAS GIVING ME A HARD TIME TO START AND AFTER I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED AGAIN IT STARTED UP BUT WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS OUT OF PARK AT ALL AND IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM I WENT TO NISSAN AND WHEN I GOT THERE THEY TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE KEY FOBS IN WHICH I DID AND IT STARTED UP WITH NO PROBLEM BUT AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED THEN IT FEES LIKE THE VEHICLE STALLS TO DRIVE OFF WHEN YOU PRESS THE GAS. AND WHEN IT WOULDN'T START IT KEPT SHOWING MY BRAKE PEDAL AND KEY FOB TOGETHER. I WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AND ACTUALLY HAD TO END UP CALLING MY ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T START UP AND THERE ARE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING COMING UP ON MY DASHBOARD OK TOP OF THAT I JUST HAD THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE CHECKED AT NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG

NHTSA ID
11364054
Incident
Oct 10, 2020
Mileage
61,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 12, 2020

THE AIRBAG LIGHT OF THE VEHICLE COMES IN AND OFF. IT STARTED FROM A LONG DRIVE AND SINCE THEN THE LIGHT STAYS CONSTANTLY ON OR FLICKERS.

NHTSA ID
11363888
Incident
Aug 15, 2020
Mileage
65,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 7, 2020

WHEN TRYING TO PUSH START THE BRAKES FEEL HARD AND UNABLE TO PUSH DOWN SO THE PUSH START WILL WORK. HAVE TO PLAY WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR IT TO GO DOWN AND ABLE TO START THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11353501
Incident
Sep 6, 2020
Mileage
31,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 7, 2020

MY FRONT CRASH SENSOR DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME. PERIODICALLY, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS IT WILL TURN OFF AND GIVE ME A WARNING. HOWEVER A LOT OF TIMES IT IS NICE AND SUNNY OUT AND IT CUTS OFF. THIS HAPPENS ON CITY STREETS AS WELL AS THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ID
11353498
Incident
Sep 4, 2020
Mileage
31,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 7, 2020

MY BACKUP CAMERA ALWAYS GOES BLACK AND DOESN'T ALWAYS PROVIDE VIDEO. BACKUP CAMERA SHOES BLACK/BLANK SCREEN WHEN TRYING TO BACK UP PERIODICALLY.

NHTSA ID
11353497
Incident
Sep 6, 2020
Mileage
31,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Aug 6, 2020

THE START STOP BUTTON THAT YOU PRESS TO START THE CAR MESSES UP AND DOES NOT START THE CAR . EVEN IF YOU DO IT MULTIPLE TIMES , AND THE (PARK REVERSE NEUTRAL DRIVE) PRND LEVER WON'T MOVE

NHTSA ID
11343673
Incident
Aug 3, 2020
BrakesElectrical
Filed Aug 4, 2020

SINCE I PURCHASED THIS 2018 ALTIMA (I HAD PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN A 2016 ALTIMA WITHOUT AEB), I HAVE GOTTEN FALSE POSITIVES FROM THE FRONT SENSOR, STOPPING MY CAR AT RANDOM TIMES IN CLEAR DAY LIGHT TRAFFIC, ON DRY PAVEMENT, WITH NO LEAVES OR OTHER ROAD DEBRIS. FRONT SENSOR HAS CONTINUOUSLY REPORTED THE "FRONT SENSOR NOT AVAILABLE" ALERT MULTIPLE TIMES IN MY CARS SHORT LIFETIME, FOLLOWED BY THE CRASH ICON AT RANDOM TIMES OF THE DAYS, AND ALL SPEEDS INCLUDING IN THE STOPPED POSITION. THE SENSOR GOES OUT REGARDLESS OR WHETHER THERE ARE OTHER VEHICLES AROUND. I REPORTED THESE ISSUES BEGINNINGIN OCTOBER 2018 (THE SAME MONTH I PURHCASED MY CAR). NO NISSAN VEHICLE SHOULD BE EQUIPPED WITH THE TECHNOLOGY WHERE DRIVER'S HAD NO CLUE WHEN THE VEHICLES WILL COME TO A HALT AND LOCK WITHOUT WARNING. THIS COMMONLY HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE CARS AROUND ME AND THERE IS A CHANGE IN SPEED (ANTICIPATED OR NTO), WHICH IS COMMON IN LA. MY FRONT SENSOR HAS MALFUNCTIONED SEVERAL TIMES AND ENGAGED THE BRAKES, SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 50MPH. MY CAR ALSO SEEMS TO LUG AT TIMES WHEN I BRAKE FROM A DISTANCE AND NORMALLY WHICH CONCERNS ME. I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUES TO TECHNICIANS AND HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED WITH NO PROBLEMS FOUND SO I HAVE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO WAIT FOR THE ISSUES WITH MY BRAKES AND CAR TO COMPILE. THE OWNER'S MANUAL ADMITS AEB SYSTEMS DO "NOT FUNCTION IN ALL DRIVING, TRAFFIC, WEATHER, AND ROAD CONDITIONS" BUT THE MANUAL LEAVES OUT THE PART ABOUT HOW THE SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE VEHICLES TO SUDDENLY STOP EVEN WHEN NO OBJECTS ARE IN THE DRIVING LANE. I ORIGINALLY REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO STEVE YAEGER ON OCTOBER 19, 2018--THE SAME MONTH I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. HAVE BROUGHT IN MY VEHICLE INTO TO NISSAN VARIOUS TIMES IN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS BUT TECHNICIANS ALWAYS TOLD ME THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AND JUST SHAKE OFF MY CONCERNS/TRY TO GIVE EXPLANATIONS.

NHTSA ID
11343267
Incident
Aug 4, 2020
Mileage
53 mi
Electrical
Filed May 1, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH TO START FEATURE FAILED TO OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS DEPRESSING THE PUSH TO START BUTTON THE VEHICLE STARTED AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GRAND BLANC NISSAN (8346 HOLLY RD, GRAND BLANC, MI 48439, (810)893-6510) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE STOP LAMP SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,344.

NHTSA ID
11322980
Incident
Nov 6, 2019
Mileage
32,344 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 29, 2020

THE BACKUP CAMERA WOULD NOT WORK. CAMERA SCREEN WAS BLACK IN REVERSE MODE. SOMETIMES THE SCREEN GET STATIC LINES AND THEN BLACKS OUT. I NEED THE BACKUP CAMERA VERY MUCH BECAUSE I HAVE LIMITED TWISTING AT MY WAIST.

NHTSA ID
11322609
Incident
Apr 24, 2020
Mileage
48,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 15, 2020

RADAR SENSOR FOR AEB AND FCW MALFUNCTIONING, TURNING OFF AT RANDOM SITUATIONS, BRAKING WHEN NO VEHICLE IS NEAR, FALSE ALERTS CROSSING RAIL ROAD TRACKS, ETC. TOOK TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY BUT ISSUE WAS NOT FIXED SINCE THEY CLAIM TO BE BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL PRIOR CRASH. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED IN A CRASH, AND AEB IS MALFUNCTIONING CONSTANTLY TO THE POINT WHERE IT MAY BE UNSAFE INSTEAD OF A SAFETY FEATURE.

NHTSA ID
11318157
Incident
Mar 15, 2020
Mileage
35,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Jan 22, 2020

THE CAR WILL NOT START USING PUSH TO START WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CAR IS AN AUTOMATIC AND THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A FAULTY STOP LIGHT SWITCH. THE SAFETY CONCERN IS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE CAR IS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD.

NHTSA ID
11301051
Incident
Jan 22, 2020
Mileage
50,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .