NissanAltima1998Overview/nissan/altima/1998/base/

1998 Nissan Altima

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Altima.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Nissan Altima is a passenger-car offering equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission, EPA-rated at 20 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, and specifies a 4.1-quart fill of 5W-30 API lubricant. Within the model’s 1993–2025 complaint history, the 1998 model registers only 128 total owner grievances—a fraction of the 2,304 complaints recorded at the line’s 2013 peak—placing it among the less problematic vintage years. Despite four recalls and air bags standing out as the leading complaint area, this relatively low complaint volume situates the 1998 Altima as a comparatively stable data point in the vehicle’s long-term reliability trajectory.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920181998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.1 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque72-87 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/28/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory front wiper blades is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165460Z000
Fuel filter1640072L15
Spark plug224011W615 alt 2240150Y07
Battery999M1NB24F
Front wiper blades288909E001 discontinued · alt 288909E000
Serpentine belt119209E0S5 alt 117209E001
Thermostat212000C82A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.5 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase103.1 in
Curb weight2875 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 58.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume94 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Altima of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

8.2–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 8.20 sec — 1998 SE
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998SE 2.4L I-48.20 sec16.40 sec150 hpFWD
1998SE 2.4L I-48.80 sec16.90 sec150 hpFWD
1998SE 2.4L I-49.50 sec17.20 sec150 hpFWD
1999GXE 2.4L I-49.80 sec17.40 sec150 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.1 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 72-87 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.1 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts105-112 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts105-110 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts28-35 ft-lbs
Main Bearings34-41 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/StudsBolts: 8-11 ft-lbs, Screws: 4-7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts72-87 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub203 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub163 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance1.0 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,000 approx. ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14-22 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.55-1.76 lbs
Oil TypeNISSAN A/C System Oil Type R or equivalent
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test23 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature170 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)34.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance10-14 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance10-14 ohms
Engine Compression178-149 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs / 62 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle33 ft-lbs / 72-87 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0008 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.354 in / 0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17-9
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6510–12 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
259 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely.
418-25 ft. lbs.18–25 ft. lbs
586-91 degrees.86–91 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Linkage (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 Nissan Altima recorded 128 federal complaints, 4 recalls, and 70 technical service bulletins (TSBs), with top complaint areas concentrated in Air Bags (14), Fuel System, Gasoline (13), Electrical System (13), and Engine & Engine Cooling (11), though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Across its 1993–2001 generational arc, the Altima exhibited stable and relatively low complaint volumes—ranging from 100 to 193—before experiencing a massive spike in 2002. Within this stable arc, the 1998 model falls in the middle: its complaint volume is slightly higher than the preceding 1997 model (117) and succeeding 1999 model (100), while its TSB count is the highest of the pre-2002 era. This suggests that while the 1998 model had well-documented service remedies for its age, it still carries a notable frequency of air bag and fuel system concerns relative to its immediate neighbors. Ultimately, because it sits within the most reliable period of the vehicle's history and benefits from extensive TSB coverage, the 1998 Altima is a reasonable used buy as long as the 4 recalls and key complaint areas have been properly addressed.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
70
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
128
Owner complaints
17 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 128 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags14
Fuel System, Gasoline13
Electrical System13
Engine & Engine Cooling11
Tires9
Visibility9
Service Brakes, Hydraulic9
Suspension7

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

10E002000SuspensionReported 11/02/2010

RIDE CONTROL IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT STRUT MOUNTS BRANDED AS GABRIEL RIDE CONTROL OR ARVINMERITOR, P/NOS. 142435, 142193, 142305, 142303, SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE AFFECTED… Remedy: RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 70 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB08-097L2023-09-21SteeringDIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been…
NTB23-0492023-06-16Electrical System12 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service…
NTB23-0532023-06-16Electrical SystemSILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION…
NTB13-107F2023-04-27Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB16-003C2023-04-17Electrical SystemINTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Altima. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Altima take?

4.1 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Altima have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Altima get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.