1998 Nissan Altima Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 1998 Nissan Altima. Part of Generation 2 — 1998–2001.

19971999
Complaints
141
Crashes
20
Fires
3
Injuries
11
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0

Worst 1998 Nissan Altima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#19 complaints

Air Bags:Frontal

Avg mileage:106,100 mi
Crash-related:9
#27 complaints

Tire Defects

Avg mileage:187,000 mi
#35 complaints

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1998 Nissan Altima.

Air Bags:Frontal
9
complaints
Crashes
9
Fires
—
Avg Miles
106,100
Tire Defects
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
187,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Alternator/Generator/Regulator
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Horn
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Frame And Members
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1998 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Nissan Altima Years

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1998 Nissan Altima — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 1998 Nissan Altima reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 1998 Nissan Altima has 141 NHTSA complaints, 20 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Air Bags:Frontal with 9 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1998 Nissan Altima?
Top reported problems: Air Bags:Frontal (9 complaints, avg 106,100 mi); Tire Defects (7 complaints, avg 187,000 mi); Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (5 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1998 Nissan Altima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 141,494 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1998 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA complaints for the 1998 Nissan Altima include 20 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1998 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1998 Nissan Altima as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1998 Nissan Altima?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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