VehicleVerdict

1998 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1998 Nissan Altima sits mid-pack among Altima years: 141 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 320, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (21), electrical system (17), and airbags (15), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

141

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted2,976 complaints1993: 150 complaints1994: 120 complaints1995: 216 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 141 complaints1998: 141 complaints1999: 110 complaints2000: 199 complaints2001: 202 complaints2002: 1,321 complaints2003: 1,099 complaints2004: 334 complaints2005: 1,364 complaints2006: 1,043 complaints2007: 598 complaints2008: 1,376 complaints2009: 2,150 complaints2010: 541 complaints2011: 320 complaints2012: 577 complaints2013: 2,976 complaints2014: 1,391 complaints2015: 1,197 complaints2016: 781 complaints2017: 507 complaints2018: 320 complaints2019: 344 complaints2020: 278 complaints2021: 111 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 37 complaints2024: 60 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System2115%
Electrical System1712%
Airbags1511%
Engine1410%
Brakes1410%
Visibility & Wipers107%
Suspension96%
Tires & Wheels86%
Body & Structure75%
Transmission64%
Speed Control43%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)32%
Latches & Locks32%
Steering32%
Seats21%
Seat Belts21%
Other11%
Lighting11%
Child Seat11%

Does the 1998 Nissan Altima have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10E002000SuspensionFebruary 11, 2010 · 12,657 units

Defect

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Consequence

THE ABSENCE OF THE WELD CAN ALLOW THE STRUT TO COME OUT OF ITS MOUNTING POSITION UNDER CERTAIN EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING VEHICLE COMPONENTS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-248-458-1396.

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

09E012000LightingApril 7, 2009 · 16,270 units

Defect

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND NOTHING WAS DONE. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 7, 2005 · fire

“AFTER ARRIVING HOME SAFELY FROM A LONG HIGHWAY DRIVE (7 HRS), OUR CAR SAT FOR ABOUT 5 HOURS. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, I SMELLED SMOKE AND HEARD A UNUSUAL RUBBING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. AFTER POPPING THE HOOD, I SAW SMOKE POURING OUT OF THE ALTERNATOR. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, WENT INSIDE TO GET A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 20, 2005 · fire

“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.A NISSAN DEALER STATED THE BECAUSE THE SENSORS ARE LOCATED ON THE LEFT/RIGHT AND CENTER OF THE FRAME AND NOT ON THE BUMPER .THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY EVEN WITH $5,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · April 19, 1999 · crash

“A CAR RAN A RED LIGHT AND TURNED IN FRONT OF ME I TRIED TO STOP BUT THE CAR BRAKES LOCKED AND THE CAR STARTED SKIDDING. I COULDN'T CONTROL THE CAR AND IT SKID INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR THAT PULLED IN FRONT OF ME. THE COLLISION WAS HARD ENOUGH TO FOLD MY HOOD IN HALF BUT THE AIRBAG NEVER DEPLOYED. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 30, 2000 · crash

“CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. IT INTERMITTENTLY STALLED. DEALER HAD VEHICLE ON 3 DIFFERENT DIAGNOSTIC MACHINES, AND IT JUST SHOWED THAT #4 CYLINDER NEEDED SERVICING. CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS HAD BEEN CHECKED A NUMBER OF TIMES AND STILL NOT REPAIRED.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 12, 2004

1998 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 1998 Nissan Altima reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 141 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Altima year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1998 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (21 complaints), electrical system (17 complaints), airbags (15 complaints).

Does the 1998 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.