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Air bagsPart report

1998 Nissan Altima Air bags Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
12%of 123 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Nissan Altima, 12% of the 123 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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.”

NHTSA complaint #10049467, filed 2003-12, 146,200 miles

“A car ran a red light and turned in front of me I tried to stop but the car brakes locked and the car started skidding. I couldn't control the car and it skid into the rear of the car that pulled in front of me. The collision was hard enough to fold my hood in half but the airbag never deployed. I went to the emergency room with chest pain and a numb left arm and hand. The airbag failed to deploy.”

NHTSA complaint #720848, filed 2000-03

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10045561, filed 2003-11

“Consumer was driving at approximately 45 MPH and rearended another vehicle, but dual airbags did not deploy.a Nissan dealer stated the because the sensors are located on the left/right and center of the frame and not on the bumper .the airbags did not deploy even with $5,000 worth of damage to the front end.”

NHTSA complaint #837148, filed 1999-06

“Vehicle was involved in a 73 MPH frontal collision hitting a guardrail and trees. Upon impact, driver/ passenger air bags did not deploy, cause unknown. Driver sustained injuries. Please give any further details.”

NHTSA complaint #8004251, filed 2002-02

Related service bulletins

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025114%
202425%
2022310%
202123%
202095%
2019115%
20183616%
20177419%
20167213%
201517719%
201420819%
201351422%
20125713%
2011229%
20106116%
2009916%
200814214%
20076313%
2006435%
2005474%
2004114%
2003283%
2002343%
2001159%
2000149%
19991315%
19981512%
19973532%
19963740%
19956134%
19944038%
19931916%

Other parts of the 1998 Nissan Altima

Fuel system
19 complaints
Electrical system
15 complaints
Brakes
14 complaints
Engine cooling
14 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaints
Suspension
9 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
6 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
4 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 Nissan Altima

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology