1998 Nissan Altima Electrical system 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 electrical system 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. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10126110, filed 2005-06, 67,200 miles“The car was idle at a red light when it shut down completely (engine, radio, lights, etc). It would not start again. I got a jump and it started. The next day it started fine. I let it idle for about 15 minutes and it was okay. I drove it for a few minutes and it died again. I had it towed to a repair shop. None of the diagnostic tests showed anything wrong (battery, alternator, etc. Were okay). They drove it and it did not die again. I took it to a Nissan dealer and they cannot find any problems either.”
NHTSA complaint #10093897, filed 2004-10, 70,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10017114, filed 2003-05, 86,000 miles“Several times the vehicle wouldn't start, I had to have it jump started. Usually happened after it had been driven for a short time, stopped and then tried to restart. One time it wouldn't start even with a jump. Battery was replaced and it continued to happen. Dealership could not duplicate the problem. All readings for battery and alternator came back normal.”
NHTSA complaint #10014032, filed 2003-04, 55,000 miles“Upon starting the engine, the car battery exploded. As a result, I had to purchase a new battery. The car also suffered hood damage. I notified nissans consumer affairs dept. And they said that they will respond within three working days.”
NHTSA complaint #714022, filed 1999-10Related service bulletins
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192192Jun 7, 2013As part of an enhanced emissions test for Inspection & Maintenance (I/M), some States may require the System Readiness Test (SRT) status be checked. - The SRT is used to indicate…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Nissan: the 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay connected when the engine is running. To prevent damage to vehicle…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 3 | 7% |
| 2023 | 11 | 37% |
| 2022 | 7 | 23% |
| 2021 | 21 | 30% |
| 2020 | 46 | 25% |
| 2019 | 58 | 25% |
| 2018 | 37 | 16% |
| 2017 | 27 | 7% |
| 2016 | 42 | 8% |
| 2015 | 56 | 6% |
| 2014 | 71 | 6% |
| 2013 | 159 | 7% |
| 2012 | 44 | 10% |
| 2011 | 32 | 13% |
| 2010 | 74 | 19% |
| 2009 | 466 | 30% |
| 2008 | 90 | 9% |
| 2007 | 37 | 8% |
| 2006 | 72 | 9% |
| 2005 | 97 | 9% |
| 2004 | 32 | 12% |
| 2003 | 89 | 10% |
| 2002 | 77 | 7% |
| 2001 | 19 | 12% |
| 2000 | 25 | 16% |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% |
| 1998 | 15 | 12% |
| 1997 | 14 | 13% |
| 1996 | 11 | 12% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 14 | 13% |
| 1993 | 7 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Nissan Altima
19 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsEngine cooling
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsTires
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsLatches, 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 28, 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