Nissan Altima / 1998
1998 Nissan Altima problems
Owners have filed 141 complaints about the 1998 Nissan Altima with NHTSA. Fuel system, gasoline accounts for 11.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 10.6%.
Complaints141
Crashes20
Fires3
Injuries11
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Fuel system, gasoline 11.3% · 16
Air bags 10.6% · 15
Electrical system 10.6% · 15
Engine and engine cooling 9.9% · 14
Service brakes, hydraulic 8.5% · 12
Suspension 6.4% · 9
Visibility 6.4% · 9
Tires 5.0% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash, 3 describe a fire and 11 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 29 model years of the Nissan Altima in this data, 1998 sits 25th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 11 in the last three years against 7 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 120,000 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Fuel system, gasoline · reported at 68,450 miles
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. Fuel system, gasoline · reported at 73,990 miles
1998 Nissan Altima developed problems with the check engine light illuminated, problems with the gas tank, and the oxygen sensor needed to be replaced.*Mr when the consumer attempted to fill the tank, gas would spill out. Fuel system, gasoline
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…