1998 Nissan Altima

▲ Better than typical

1998 Nissan Altima
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:49:12.835Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

1998: 123 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1993	125
1994	113
1995	180
1996	92
1997	108
1998	123
1999	87
2000	160
2001	159
2002	1047
2003	883
2004	276
2005	1091
2006	824
2007	471
2008	1028
2009	1547
2010	380
2011	241
2012	425
2013	2308
2014	1114
2015	952
2016	553
2017	391
2018	225
2019	230
2020	178
2021	70
2022	30
2023	29
2024	41
2025	6

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AT 30/35 MPH ,VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. TS

NHTSA ODI report, 20030123

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. HOWEVER, CONSUMER HIT HEAD ON WINDSHIELD HARD ENOUGH TO SPIDER CRACK IT.

NHTSA ODI report, 19980504

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL

NHTSA ODI report, 20171116

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and wiring.

FIRE INJURY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%

11% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN ALTIMA. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE AS IT TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171128

Also filed under VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%

11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 14 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

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.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100315 — suspension

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

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.

Campaign 10E002000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1998 Nissan Altima — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for air bags issues (15 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (15 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (14 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 10E002000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 2009 ■ 2014

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1998 Nissan Altima reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1998 Nissan Altima is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Nissan Altima?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1998 Nissan Altima have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.