SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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

Steering complaints

3 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 2002
SteeringSuspension

CONSUMER STATED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO PERFORM A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WHEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS APPEARED TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE AN ALIGNMENT COULD OCCUR, INSTEAD OF AN ALIGNMENT THEY SUGGESTED TIRE MAINPULATIONS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL…

Read full complaint

CONSUMER STATED A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IS REFUSING TO PERFORM A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, WHEN AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE, THE INNER AND OUTER TIE RODS APPEARED TO BE DEFECTIVE, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE AN ALIGNMENT COULD OCCUR, INSTEAD OF AN ALIGNMENT THEY SUGGESTED TIRE MAINPULATIONS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JG *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003527

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2001
Steering

I FEEL AS THOUGH I HAVE NO STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT 60 MPH + THE VEHICLE DRIFTS LEFT AND RIGHT WHILE AT THOSE SPEEDS BUT ITS TOUGH TO CORRECT SINCE THE STEERING IS SO LOOSE. IT RECENTLY HAD AN ALIGNMENT AND NEW TIRES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS

NHTSA ODI #742485

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 1998
SteeringCrash

DRIVING 60-65MPH THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE; LOT OF PLAY. WOULD HAPPEN ON STRAIGHT ROADWAY. VEHICLE WOULD DRIFT EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT. HAD AN ACCIDENT. WILL BE TAKING TO DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ODI #826688

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 →