Most common 1998 Nissan Altima problems
Share of the 123 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Altima complaints by model year
Best Altima years: 2022, 2025, 2023. Years to avoid: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2009, 2002. Compare all years →
What 1998 Nissan Altima owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
Whenever I try to fill my gas tank, the fuel backs up after filling 2-3 gallons and spills out. This is the 2nd summer season I am having this problem. Last summer my mechanic said the tank appeared fine. I have to fill the tank very slowly and I often still experience this backsplash of fuel. This happens 70% of the time.
Service engine soon light came on due to sensors in gas tank. I was unable to put gas in the tank because it would spit back out. When it was taken in for service I was told that this was a very common problem and that one part alone was $300.
Air bags
My car was struck by another driver while crossing an intersection. My bumper and headlights were both torn from the car, but the airbag in my Nissan Altima gxe (98) did not deploy. I was treated at an urgent care center for neck, back and arm pain that day.
Hi! I got in a small accident. Nothing even happened to the car, it has no dents at all. It was a crash at low speed the airbags got activated anyways which would be OK if the following didnt occur. I had my seat belt on. My friend was driving my car and I was in the passenger side. All I recall is the airbag releasing and soon after having intensive bleeding all around my face. I was taken immediatly to a hospital and had to get 8 stiches in my eyelid of my left eye. Also I got several scars in my cheeks and foreheads. The airbag seemed to have burned right threw my skin, also tearing my eye lid area. I have lost 5 vision in my left eye. And have a cut in my cornea, and retina. I use to have 20/20 vision and now have 15/20. I also have several scars till todays date which are noticible. My eye doctor told me my left eye pupil will remain large most certainly for the rest of my life. …
Electrical system
After arriving home safely from a long highway drive (7 hrs), our car sat for about 5 hours. When I started the car, I smelled smoke and heard a unusual rubbing noise under the hood. After popping the hood, I saw smoke pouring out of the alternator. I turned off the engine, went inside to get a fire extinguisher. The fire was still burning, but seemed to be inside the alternator. I extinguished it and hopefully saved serious engine damage. The car was towed to the dealer, and is awaiting service now.
July of 2002 (days before my vacation) my Altima would not start. I was under an third party service agreement and was towed 25 miles from work to the selling dealership. It was determined that wires in/ around the fuel pump had been severely damaged and needed to be replaced, the damage to the wires caused excessive strain on the fuel pump, in turn the fuel pump also had failed. Not all of the repairs were covered components. The exact same failure occurred again in October 2002, however the warranty had expired and all costs were now my responsibility in full. Now, May 2003 the exact failure again has occurred. Each failure has carried a minimum shop charge of approx $475.00 for parts and labor, not to mention the several times I have needed a tow. No failure codes are activated when the vehicle is hooked up to a diagnostics computer. …
1998 Nissan Altima engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Nissan Altima a good car?
Based on 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1998 Altima rates better than average: 71% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Altima at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Nissan Altima?
The fuel & propulsion system — 19 complaints, 15% of all complaints for this model year, most often about storage › tank assembly. Next are the air bags (15) and electrical system (15).
How many recalls does the 1998 Nissan Altima have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1998 Nissan Altima. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Altima?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2025 and 2023. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2009 and 2002. See the full Nissan Altima years comparison.
At what mileage do 1998 Nissan Altima problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 94,000 miles; 7% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.