1998 Nissan Altima Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 8%of 123 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 103,112miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Nissan Altima, 8% of the 123 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 103,112 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Windshield wiper control assembly fell apart on the drivers side. The only wiper that works is passenger side now. It was snowing hard and almost caused a accident on i81 in syracuse. I removed assembly and inspected it. Which looks like the cause was lack of grease in the ball and socket joint of control linkage.”
NHTSA complaint #10010100, filed 2003-03, 71,223 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10344215, filed 2010-07, 135,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10862935, filed 2016-05“Windshield was struck by a rock and caused bits of glass to shatter onto driver and passenger. Dealer / manufacturer notified, and were not concerned with problem. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.”
NHTSA complaint #882602, filed 2001-03“Drivers side windshield wiper freezes up almost immediatley during snow. Co-worker has 1999 Altima and has same complaint. Very dangerous as it impaires vision.”
NHTSA complaint #719011, filed 2000-02Related service bulletins
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10012843Feb 25, 2005Auto-dimming electrochromic (ec) mirror diagnosis.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 2 | 5% |
| 2023 | 2 | 7% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 11 | 6% |
| 2019 | 15 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 12 | 2% |
| 2015 | 31 | 3% |
| 2014 | 25 | 2% |
| 2013 | 63 | 3% |
| 2012 | 18 | 4% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 28 | 7% |
| 2009 | 48 | 3% |
| 2008 | 188 | 18% |
| 2007 | 12 | 3% |
| 2006 | 6 | 1% |
| 2005 | 14 | 1% |
| 2004 | 6 | 2% |
| 2003 | 14 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 1% |
| 2001 | 13 | 8% |
| 2000 | 8 | 5% |
| 1999 | 8 | 9% |
| 1998 | 10 | 8% |
| 1997 | 6 | 6% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 3 | 3% |
| 1993 | 8 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1998 Nissan Altima
19 complaintsAir bags
15 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsBrakes
14 complaintsEngine cooling
14 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 29, 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