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1998 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1998 Nissan Altima do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →
123Owner complaints

Model-year median: 231

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
180
199592
1996108
1997123
199887
1999160
2000159
2001
Compare all Altima years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Air Bags
15Electrical System
15Engine And Engine Cooling
14Fuel System, Gasoline
14Service Brakes, Hydraulic
12
All reported categories
Suspension
9Visibility
9Tires
7Power Train
6Structure
6Equipment
5Vehicle Speed Control
4Fuel System, Other
3Latches/locks/linkages
3Steering
3Fuel/propulsion System
2Seat Belts
2Seats
2Child Seat
1Exterior Lighting
1Service Brakes
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Visibility/wiper
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 29 of 123 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Visibility complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
135,000 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAD FALLEN DOWN AND BLOCKED THE CONTACTS VIEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135000 …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SUN VISOR HAD FALLEN DOWN AND BLOCKED THE CONTACTS VIEW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUN VISOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147000.

NHTSA ODI #10344215

71,223 miles · Mar 7, 2003
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL ASSEMBLY FELL APART ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE ONLY WIPER THAT WORKS IS PASSENGER SIDE NOW. IT WAS SNOWING HARD AND ALMOST CAUSED A ACCIDENT ON I81 IN SYRACUSE. I REMOVED ASSEMBLY AND INSPECTED IT. WHICH LOOKS LIKE THE CAUSE WAS LACK OF GREASE IN THE BALL AND SOCKET JOINT OF CONTROL LINKAGE.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10010100

Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2001
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WAS STRUCK BY A ROCK AND CAUSED BITS OF GLASS TO SHATTER ONTO DRIVER AND PASSENGER. DEALER / MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED, AND WERE NOT CONCERNED WITH PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #882602

Mileage unknown · Feb 20, 2000
Visibility

DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER FREEZES UP ALMOST IMMEDIATLEY DURING SNOW. CO-WORKER HAS 1999 ALTIMA AND HAS SAME COMPLAINT. VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IMPAIRES VISION. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719011

Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 1999
Visibility

WINDOWS.

NHTSA ODI #609434

Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 1999
Visibility

VISITED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND DIDN'T GET ANY HELP.TOLD ME THAT'S THE WAY IT IS.

NHTSA ODI #704320

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Visibility

SECURITY REMOTE CONTROL FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #609294

Mileage unknown · Feb 1, 1999
Visibility

WEATHER STRIPPING AND MOOD ROOF FAILED. YH

NHTSA ODI #608938

Mileage unknown · Apr 15, 1998
Visibility

WINDOWS RATTLE EXCESSIVELY WHEN FRIVING OVER 35 MPH.

NHTSA ODI #534303

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems

Nissan Altima electrical problems →Nissan Altima transmission problems →