--- title: "2018 Nissan Altima Parts and Specs" description: "Everything for the 2018 Nissan Altima: oil type and capacity, battery group size, tire sizes, wiper blades, filters, service schedule, and common problems, verified, sourced, and in one place." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2018" updated: "2026-08-20" --- # 2018 Nissan Altima parts and specs Everything you need to own and maintain this exact model year. Verified specifications, part numbers, and the problems that recur, in one place. L33 (5th generation), 2013-2018, Mid-size sedan. ## Quick facts | Quick fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Engine oil | 0W-20, 4.9 qt (base engine) | | Battery | Group 35, 640 CCA | | Tire size | 215/60R16 (base trim) | | Wiper blades | 28" / 16" | | Cabin filter | Nissan 27277-3JC1A | | Key fob battery | CR2032 (Intelligent Key) | ## Specifications for the 2013-2018 Altima ### Oil & filter Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/oil). ### Battery BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/battery). ### Tires & wheels Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/tires). ### Wiper blades Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/wipers). ### Air & cabin filters Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/filters). ### Bulbs Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/bulbs). ### Brakes Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/brakes). ### Fluids Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/fluids). ### Service schedule What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/service-schedule). ### Problems & reliability Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/common-problems). ### Oil light reset Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/oil-reset). ### Key fob battery Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/key-fob-battery). ### Specs Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018/specs). These specifications are shared across every Altima of the L33 (5th generation) generation. See the [2013-2018 Nissan Altima overview](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013-2018) for the full picture, or the [Nissan Altima guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima) to compare every generation. ## What changed for the 2018 Nissan Altima | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2018 | Final year for the L33 and for the 3.5L V6 Altima | | 2016-2018 | Major facelift: new fascias and hood, SR sport trim added (2.5 and 3.5), available Predictive Forward Collision Warning and Emergency Braking. Mechanical service specs (oil, filters, wipers, battery) carry over. | ## Known problems with the 2018 Nissan Altima 4 of the 5 issues we track for the 2013-2018 generation are documented against the 2018 model year. ### CVT judder, overheating and failure, warranty extended by class actions (major) The defining problem of this generation: the Jatco CVT can shudder or 'judder' on light acceleration, whine, overheat into limp mode on long hot climbs, and ultimately fail, often between 60,000 and 120,000 miles. Nissan issued judder/TCM-reprogram TSBs and replaced thousands of units. Class-action settlements extended the powertrain warranty on the transmission from 60 months/60,000 miles to 84 months/84,000 miles for 2013-2016 cars (2020 settlement) and 2017-2018 cars (Martinez v. Nissan, effective 2022), with reimbursement for prior repairs. Those windows have now closed for most cars, so buy used examples with a documented fluid history and drive them before purchase. Class settlements (bbbprograms.org 'Nissan CVT' / Martinez v. Nissan); multiple judder TSBs. Typical cost: $3,500-$5,000 (replacement CVT installed) out of warranty; free/reimbursed under the extended-warranty settlements. ### Hood can fly open while driving, repeated hood latch recalls (major) Dust and corrosion can bind the secondary hood latch so it stays unlatched; if the primary latch is accidentally released, the hood can fly up at speed. Nissan recalled these cars four times for the same issue, culminating in a June 2020 recall of about 1.8 million 2013-2018 Altimas. Dealers modify or replace the hood latch free. Check your VIN, because many cars never had the final fix done. NHTSA 20V-315 (supersedes 14V-566, 15V-846, 16V-244). Typical cost: Free under recall. ### Halogen headlights grow dim over time (class-action settlement) (moderate) The halogen projector low beams on 2013-2018 Altimas dim badly as the reflector coating degrades from heat, leaving poor night visibility even with new bulbs. There was no NHTSA recall, but a class-action settlement (effective January 2022) provided extended headlamp warranty coverage and reimbursement for replacements. Out of pocket, the fix is new headlamp assemblies, not bulbs. Class settlement, altimaheadlightsettlement.com. Typical cost: $250-$700 for a pair of aftermarket assemblies installed. ### QR25DE whine/rattle and mounts (minor) High-mileage 2.5s commonly develop a cold-start rattle (timing chain tensioner) and clunky engine mounts that transmit vibration at idle in gear. Both are wear items rather than defects; mounts are the usual culprit when the cabin buzzes at a stoplight. Typical cost: $150-$400 per mount; $600-$1,200 for a chain/tensioner job. 1 more issue is reported in other 2013-2018 years: Passenger airbag deactivates with an adult seated (OCS recall) (2013-2014). Full detail, costs and sources on the [Nissan Altima problems and years to avoid](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/common-problems) guide. ## Which engines were offered in the 2018 Altima? | Engine | Trims | Oil | Oil capacity | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2.5L 4-cylinder (QR25DE) | 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SV, 2.5 SL (2016+: S, SV, SL, SR 2.5) | 0W-20 | 4.9 qt | | 3.5L V6 (VQ35DE) | 3.5 S, 3.5 SV, 3.5 SL (2016-2018: 3.5 SR, 3.5 SL) | 5W-30 | 5.1 qt | ## About the Nissan Altima The Nissan Altima is a midsize sedan whose 2012-2025 run is really a story about engines and one transmission. 5L VQ35DE V6, both on 5W-30 oil and an early Jatco CVT (NS-2 fluid). 8-million-car hood-latch recall and a dim-headlight settlement. 0L KR20DDET VC-Turbo, which was dropped after 2024 and later swept into a 444,000-vehicle engine-bearing recall (NHTSA 25V-437). 3 bolt pattern, 83 ft-lb lug torque, CR2032 key-fob battery, and cheap, shared service parts, the famous 15208-65F0E oil filter fits nearly every engine here. 2025 is the Altima's final model year. For how the specifications changed across every generation, see the [full Nissan Altima guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima). ## Other Nissan Altima years - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2019) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/nissan/altima/2012) Data confidence for this generation: Verified. ## Sources - [AMSOIL product lookup, 2013 Altima 2.5L QR25DE (0W-20, 4.9 qt)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2013/nissan-datsun/altima/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-qr25de-e/) - [Nissan parts, 15208-65F0E oil filter fitment (parts.nissanusa.com)](https://parts.nissanusa.com/parts/nissan-oil-filter-1520865f0e) - [Nissan OEM parts, 22401-JA01B spark plug fitment](https://nissan.oempartsonline.com/oem-parts/nissan-spark-plug-22401ja01b) - [NHTSA recall 20V-315, hood latch (2013-2018 Altima)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V315-7737.PDF) - [NHTSA recall 14V-138, occupant classification system](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2014/RCONL-14V138-3030.pdf) - [BBB AUTO LINE, Nissan CVT / Martinez class-action warranty extensions](https://bbbprograms.org/programs/dr/class-action/nissan-cvt2) - [Nissan Altima headlight settlement (2013-2018 halogen dimming)](https://www.altimaheadlightsettlement.com/) - [2013 Nissan Altima Sedan specifications (Nissan USA Newsroom)](https://usa.nissannews.com/en-US/releases/2013-nissan-altima-sedan-specifications) - [TirePressure.org, 2013 Nissan Altima placard pressures](https://tirepressure.org/nissan/altima/2013) - [fueleconomy.gov, 2013 Nissan Altima EPA ratings](https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/bymodel/2013_Nissan_Altima.shtml) - [HID Nation, 2015 Nissan Altima bulb sizes (H11 low / 9005 high)](https://www.hidnation.com/pages/2015-nissan-altima) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.