Nissan · Known Issues

1998 Nissan Altima Problems: 1 Known Issue

1998 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated October 2026

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Nissan Altima has 1 documented issue. None of the listed issues is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $80 to $300. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

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On the 1998-2001 Nissan Altima 2.4L KA24DE I4, on the second-generation Altima the vacuum cut valve bypass solenoid lives just inside the rear wheel well, beside the fuel tank and the spare tire well, bolted to a small steel bracket under the body. It is one of the most rust-exposed electrical components on the car, and in the salt belt the bracket assembly typically corrodes badly — owners in the Northeast describe having to soak the fasteners for a day before the bolts will come out without snapping. The solenoid is normally closed and opens only when the ECM grounds it to admit intake manifold vacuum to the fuel tank for the on-board EVAP leak diagnostic. P1490 is the circuit-side complaint: the ECM drove the valve and the electrical feedback was wrong, which on this car is nearly always either a dead solenoid coil or a corroded connector, not a leak. The companion code P1491 is set when the valve is electrically fine but the tank does not respond to the test, so which of the two codes you have narrows the search considerably before you touch anything. Drivers notice essentially nothing beyond the check engine light — no stumble, no hard start, no smell of fuel — and the car will drive indefinitely with the code present. The consequence is an emissions failure and a MIL that hides any more serious code that might follow, and because the EVAP monitor only runs under specific fuel-level and temperature conditions, clearing the code buys a few days of a dark dash before it returns.

This issue also affects: Infiniti QX4, Nissan Frontier, Nissan Pathfinder

Common Symptoms

Check engine light on, car drives normally
Solenoid does not click when 12V is applied at the terminals
Heavily rusted bracket and hardware at the rear of the car
Emissions inspection failure
Code reappears within days of being cleared

How to Fix

The diagnostic that settles this takes ten minutes. Jack the rear of the car, find the solenoid just inside the wheel well next to the tank, and unplug it. Apply battery voltage directly across the two terminals: a good valve clicks audibly and you can feel or hear the air passage open, and it should close again the instant power is removed. If there is no click, the solenoid is dead and needs replacing. If it clicks properly, put the meter on the harness instead — check for continuity from the solenoid connector back to the ECM, check the ground, and inspect the connector for the green corrosion and water intrusion that is endemic at this location. Cleaning the pins and sealing the connector with dielectric grease resolves a meaningful share of these without any parts at all. When the valve itself is bad, the part is the Nissan 14933-54U0A cut valve solenoid shared across Altima, Maxima and Pathfinder of this era; owners have sourced good used units for well under $50, and aftermarket replacements are widely available, while the genuine Nissan part runs considerably more. Before you start, soak the bracket bolts with penetrating oil the day before — rusted-in hardware, not the valve, is what turns this into a long job. Replace the short rubber hoses at the valve while you are there, since they crack at this age. Clear the code afterward and drive the car through a proper cold-start-plus-cruise cycle with a partly filled tank so the EVAP monitor can run and set to ready.

Typical repair cost:$80 - $300

Research This Issue

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Community Reported

High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Oct 27, 2026

NHTSA Recalls6 recalls

SUSPENSION

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 FRONT STRUT MOUNTS DID NOT CONTAIN A WELD JOINT BETWEEN THE BEARING HOUSING AND THE RATE PLATE.

Campaign #10E00200011/02/2010

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Campaign #09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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 REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Campaign #09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Campaign #06E02600023/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTAIN EAGLE EYES HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. DS517-B001L AND DS517-B001R, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE OPTICEL SURFACE OF THE REFLECTOR IS CORRODED INHIBITING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE UPPER AND LOWER BEAMS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM TO THE PHOTOMETRIC REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Campaign #07E07400014/09/2007

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Nissan Altima problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1998 Nissan Altima has 1 documented issue. The documented issue is: Rear-Mounted Vacuum Cut Valve Bypass Solenoid Rusts Off Its Bracket. None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.

Is the Nissan Altima reliable?

The 1998 Nissan Altima has 1 known issue compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. None of the matching records is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Nissan Altima problems?

Repair costs for known Nissan Altima issues range from $80 to $300, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1998-2001 Nissan Altima Rear-Mounted Vacuum Cut Valve Bypass Solenoid Rusts Off Its Bracket?

On the second-generation Altima the vacuum cut valve bypass solenoid lives just inside the rear wheel well, beside the fuel tank and the spare tire well, bolted to a small steel bracket under the body. It is one of the most rust-exposed electrical components on the car, and in th… Repairs typically run $80-$300. Severity: low.

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.