NHTSA vehicle safety data

1998 Nissan Altima Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 1998 Nissan Altima has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 122 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 Nissan Altima, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

1998 Nissan Altima owner complaints

Owners have filed 122 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Nissan Altima, describing incidents dated September 1, 1997 to November 15, 2017.

Most-cited components

Fuel/Propulsion System 19 complaints
Air Bags 15 complaints
Electrical System 15 complaints
Service Brakes 14 complaints
Engine 13 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 10 complaints

Of the 122 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 122 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11051050 · Filed November 28, 2017
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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED ONCE IT…
ODI #11046434 · Filed November 16, 2017
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL
ODI #10862935 · Filed May 4, 2016
DRIVING IN SEMI HEAVY RAIN. VEHICLE IN MOTION WHILE TURNING ONTO A STREET, WIPERS WERE AT MEDIUM TO HIGH SPEED. DRIVERS WIPER STOPPED IN MID-STROKE; PASSENGER WIPER RAN OVER DRIVER WIPER. HAVE TAKEN TO SEE PROBLEM: NEEDING COMPLETE WIPER LINKAGE & SET UP.

Read all 122 complaints

AFTERMARKET FRONT STRUT MOUNTS

NHTSA #10E002000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice

Reported February 11, 2010 · RIDE CONTROL, LLC

Potentially affected: 12,657 vehicles

Owners notified March 15, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR FRONT STRUT MOUNTS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY GENERAL MOTORS, NISSAN, OR TOYOTA.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS/AMBER REFLECTOR

NHTSA #09E025000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported May 11, 2009 · DOPE, INC.

Potentially affected: 42,540 vehicles

Owners notified July 28, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY DOPE, INC.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AFTERMARKET COMBINATION LAMPS

NHTSA #09E012000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported April 7, 2009 · SABERSPORT

Potentially affected: 16,270 vehicles

Owners notified May 11, 2009

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.IN ORDER TO DETERMINE IF YOUR AFTERMARKET LAMP ASSEMBLY IS AFFECTED BY THIS NONCOMPLIANCE, PLEASE REVIEW THE LIST OF MODEL NUMBERS PROVIDED TO US BY SABERSPORT.THE LIST CAN BE FOUND UNDER "DOCUMENT SEARCH" LOCATED AT THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SCREEN.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

1998 Nissan Altima 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 2

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

122 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Nissan Altima.

Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #11051050

Crash 1 injury

Incident: October 9, 2017 · Filed: November 28, 2017

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. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED ONCE IT CRASHED INTO THE NEIGHBOR'S PARKED VEHICLE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CUT TO THE LEFT HAND THAT WAS BLEEDING, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PINE BELT NISSAN OF TOMS RIVER (229-245 NJ-37, TOMS RIVER, NJ 08753 (732) 349-3030) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD SEND A FIELD INSPECTOR TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

Air Bags

ODI #11046434

Incident: November 15, 2017 · Filed: November 16, 2017

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL

Visibility/Wiper

ODI #10862935

Incident: February 15, 2016 · Filed: May 4, 2016

DRIVING IN SEMI HEAVY RAIN. VEHICLE IN MOTION WHILE TURNING ONTO A STREET, WIPERS WERE AT MEDIUM TO HIGH SPEED. DRIVERS WIPER STOPPED IN MID-STROKE; PASSENGER WIPER RAN OVER DRIVER WIPER. HAVE TAKEN TO SEE PROBLEM: NEEDING COMPLETE WIPER LINKAGE & SET UP.

Suspension

ODI #10853157

Incident: March 30, 2016 · Filed: April 3, 2016

IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON MY DRIVE TO COOPER HOSPITAL, THE CAR VEERS ALL OVER THE ROAD, IT IS NOT A STEERING PROBLEM, IT IS UNDERNEATH THE CAR.....PLEASE HELP ME, I WILL GET KILLED IN THIS CAR......IT SEEMS TO WANT TO JUMP TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN EVER IT FEELS LIKE IT, NO MATTER THE SPEED. OF COURSE IT IS MORE DISTURBING WHEN ONE IS DRIVING ON A MAJOR ROAD LIKE 676.

Suspension

ODI #10851783

Incident: March 26, 2016 · Filed: March 26, 2016

MY CAR WAS ALL OVER THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT 55, 60 MPH. IT DOES IT AT SLOWER SPEEDS TOO BUT WE WERE ALMOST KILLED THIS TIME. IT SEEMS TO WANT TO GO TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT WHEN EVER IT FEELS LIKE IT. I JUST BOUGHT IT FROM A PRIVATE PERSON NOT TOO LONG AGO.

Tires

ODI #10511080

Incident: May 7, 2013 · Filed: May 8, 2013

I WAS DRIVING MY 98 NISSAN ALTIMA THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THE SIDE WALL OF MY DOUGLAS PERFORMANCE TIRE BLEW OUT DOT #PJAE1YLR0712. I PUT THE DONUT ON MY CAR AND TOOK THE TIRE BACK TO WALMART. IN SPEAKING TO THE SALES PERSON HE SAID THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT WORN DOWN ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. SO THE HAD NO WARRANTY, THESE TIRES WILL ONLY BE 7 MONTHS OLD ON MAY,9,2013. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THEIR WARRANTY BECAUSE I DIDN'T BUY THEIR ROAD HAZARD WARRANTY AT AN ADDITIONAL $10 PER TIRE. THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED ON 9/9/12 I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT THEY ARE 95/65R15. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10502489

Incident: March 7, 2013 · Filed: March 12, 2013

TRIED TO FILL GAS TANK, ONLY ACCEPT SMALL AMOUNT BEFORE SPILLING ON GROUND. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

Power Train; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #10501920

Incident: September 19, 2012 · Filed: March 7, 2013

GAS GOES IN VERY SLOWLY WHEN ADDED TO VEHICLE, THEN THERE IS AN OVERFLOW FROM BACK OF PUMP BEFORE THE TANK IS FILLED. I WAS TOLD I HAVE PROBLEM WITH EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM VENT CONTROL CIRCUIT. *TR

Suspension

ODI #10493396

Incident: December 1, 2012 · Filed: January 18, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL GRINDING NOISE AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO ADVISED THAT THE STRUT WELD BECAME DISLODGED FROM THE MOUNTING. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SWAY BAR, BUSHINGS, MOUNTS AND THE STRUT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10E002000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 169,500.

Visibility

ODI #10344215

Incident: June 14, 2006 · Filed: July 20, 2010

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.

Other Nissan Altima model years

Check your 1998 Nissan Altima VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Altima at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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