DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Nissan Altima steering problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN; DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION FOR DTC P161D This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014-2018 ALTIMA; HYDRAULIC ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES section has been revised. No other changes have been made. Please discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
2018 Altima steering complaints split into two main camps: power steering and mechanical looseness.
On the power steering side, owners report stiff steering wheels right out of the dealership, loud noises from the pump area, and in one case, complete loss of steering while turning on the interstate—a genuinely dangerous situation. The dealer replaced one pump for over $1,000. Another owner took the car to the dealership ten times with recurring steering and brake issues; Nissan offered a $2,000 settlement with a legal release. A third owner's power steering failed completely on an interstate turn with almost no warning.
Owners also describe the steering wheel itself as excessively loose—not just a new-car feel, but play that gets worse at highway speeds and on turns, requiring firm grip just to maintain control. One owner tried two wheel balances hoping that was the issue; it wasn't. On another car, the steering shakes when turning, a problem that appeared after purchase.
A few complaints mention clicking or popping noises when turning the wheel, possibly from steering linkage, though dealers found nothing repairable.
Finally, multiple owners mention false front radar obstruction warnings appearing randomly while driving—nothing's on the road, but the warning keeps blinking or flashing. One sensor replacement failed to stop the problem; a bracket replacement was tried next.
Same Nissan Altima steering reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Power Steering Pump Failure
Power steering pump fails, rendering the steering difficult or impossible to control. One owner reported complete loss of steering on the interstate during a turn.
When: Various mileages; one at 100 miles after lease start
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel very stiff when new; Loud noise from power steering area after 5 minutes of driving; Power steering goes out completely while turning on interstate; Steering difficult or impossible to control
Repairs/costs cited: One owner cited power steering pump replacement costing over $1,000. Another received a $2,000 settlement offer from manufacturer after repeated failures. Repeated repairs at dealer; failures recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan Corporate received complaints with no resolution. Manufacturer offered $2,000 settlement with legal release. No recalls or TSBs mentioned for this failure.
Steering Wheel Looseness and Play
Steering wheel exhibits excessive looseness or play, making the vehicle difficult to control, especially at highway speeds and during turns. Condition worsened over time despite wheel balancing attempts.
When: From purchase (February 2020, appearing by August 2020 on that vehicle); 3,400 miles on another
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel felt loose from purchase; Steering wheel loose and out of control on highway; Required firm grip to maintain control on turns; Steering wheel play increases with speed; Condition worsens over time; Car feels lopsided
Repairs/costs cited: Two wheel balances performed with no resolution. No repair completed by dealers.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented. Dealers claimed nothing to repair after inspection.
Steering Noise (Clicking/Popping)
Clicking and popping noises emanate from the steering wheel when turned, possibly originating from steering linkage. Dealers inspected but found nothing to repair.
When: Apparent at 3,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking noise when steering wheel is turned; Popping noise when steering wheel is turned
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed. Dealers stated nothing to repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented.
Steering Vibration/Shaking on Turns
Steering vibrates or shakes when turning, particularly when turning left. Not present initially but developed over vehicle ownership.
When: Developed during ownership; not specified at purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Steering shakes when turning left or right; Not present when car was new; Limits ability to drive long distances
Repairs/costs cited: No repair completed or cost cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response documented.
Front Radar Obstruction Sensor Malfunction
Front collision avoidance radar sensor repeatedly triggers false warnings indicating obstructions that do not exist. Sensor was replaced but malfunction recurred within one month.
When: First failure in October; recurrence within one month
Symptoms owners cite: Front radar obstruction warning on display with nothing in front of vehicle; Warning blinks steadily without cause; Warning appears 5-6 times during drive at random; Takes 10 minutes for warning to clear; Warning says 'Unauthorized Object in View' with no obstruction present
Codes mentioned: UNAVAILABLE FRONT RADAR OBSTRUCTION
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replaced in October. Bracket replacement attempted in follow-up visit. No cost cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response documented; customer advised to return to dealership.
General Steering Uncontrollability
Steering becomes uncontrollable at highway speeds during turns. One rental vehicle became uncontrollable at 70 mph between guard rail and tractor trailer.
When: Various; one at 33,876 miles on rental
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle becomes uncontrollable while turning at 25 mph; Vehicle becomes uncontrollable at 70 mph on highway; Difficult to control vehicle; No control of car when sliding on snow/ice due to low tire (tire issue, not steering)
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs completed on documented uncontrollable incidents.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response on uncontrollable steering incidents.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2018 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2018 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 21,000 and 65,450 miles, with the median around 43,714. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 65,450. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.