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2017 vs. 2018 Nissan Altima: What Changed

EPA lists the same engines, transmissions and drive types for the 2017 and the 2018 Nissan Altima. Check the individual trims for equipment and production changes these records do not cover.

One campaign covers both years. Two campaigns (latches/locks/linkages and structure) cover the 2017 and not the 2018, while one campaign (back over prevention) covers the 2018 and not the 2017.

Fewer campaigns do not establish better reliability. Confirm each car's coverage and repair status by VIN.

The campaigns that separate them

Imported NHTSA recall campaigns that name one of these two model years but not the other, with their component labels. Campaigns covering both years are left out of this list.

Only the 2017

  • 17V040000 latches/locks/linkages
  • 18V915000 structure

Only the 2018

  • 19V654000 back over prevention
A campaign may cover only part of a model year's production. Use the campaign number to ask an authorized dealer whether the car's VIN is included and what work remains. Our recall tool finds model-year campaigns; this guide explains the vehicle-specific check.

Side by side

2017 2018
Engines listed 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L V6 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.5L V6
Drive types Front-Wheel Drive Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel types Regular Gasoline Regular Gasoline
Combined MPG 26–31 26–31
Recall campaigns 3 2
Complaints on file 390 225
Investigations 3 4
Complaint totals reflect different time on the road, sales and reporting. They cannot rank these years for reliability. The categories below identify symptoms to read about, not failure odds. How reporting time affects the comparison.

What owners reported, by system

2017

Drivetrain 131 (34%)
Other 98 (25%)
Airbag 69 (18%)

2018

Other 70 (31%)
Electrical 36 (16%)
Brakes 32 (14%)

Full reports

Open each year's report to read the recall, investigation, manufacturer communication and EPA variant records on file:

2017 Altima full report 2018 Altima full report Every Altima year compared

Sources and methodology