2008 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,029 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 53 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 33 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)Sep 10, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsOct 7, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Campaign 08V521000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionJul 31, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,018 MY 2008 ALTIMA VEHICLES. THE LEFT SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
IF THE BOLT WERE TO COME OUT, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT TO SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 08V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, moduleDec 28, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.
DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Campaign 07V599000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
142 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Aug 7, 2009
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING WITH MY GIRLFRIEND IN THE SEAT. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AT START UP, OR AT ANY OTHER REGULAR EVENT (I.E. - BRAKING, ETC.). I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER TWICE, AND THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE CHECKED AND THERE ARE NO STORED CODES. THEY DIRECTED ME TO NISSAN CORPORATE, WHO TURNED AROUND AND CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I WILL CHECK WITH THE DEALER AGAIN, BUT I DOUBT THEY DROVE WITH ANYONE IN THE SEAT, AND THIS COULD HAPPEN AFTER A FEW MILES OR NOT FOR MANY MILES. I AM EXTREMELY SCARED AND FRUSTRATED. THIS LIGHT TELLS ME THE AIR BAG IS SHUT OFF, AND I CANNOT GET ANYONE'S ATTENTION. I AM SUPPOSED TO WAIT UNTIL A CRASH AND THE BAG DOES NOT DEPLOY? THE DEALER TOLD ME TO RETURN WHEN THE LIGHT GOES ON WHICH IS NOT PRACTICAL. I CANNOT DRIVE CIRCLES AROUND THE DEALER UNTIL THE LIGHT GOES OFF, HOPE IT STAYS ON, AND THEN HOPE THEY CAN QUICKLY BREAK A TECHNICIAN FREE TO CHECK CODES. THIS SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN TO ME. I AM AN ENGINEER BY TRADE AND UNDERSTAND THE WORKINGS OF MANY SENSORS, TRANSDUCERS, ETC. THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME. IF THE PERSON SITTING IN THE SEAT STATICALLY BEFORE THE VEHICLE MOVES DOES NOT CAUSE THE LIGHT TO GO ON, IT SHOULD NOT THEN GO ON *SHUTTING AIR BAG OFF) RANDOMLY. RANDOMLY COULD BE IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. I REALLY NO LONGER WANT THIS VEHICLE UNLESS SOMEONE CAN SHOW CARING AND UNDERSTANDING TO THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP! *TR
Air bags, May 22, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS BEEN FAILING EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. SHE NOTICED THAT WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WILL DISPLAY OFF WHEN IT SHOULD DISPLAY ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE AIR BAG MODULE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK BY MAY 26, 2009. SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,106.
Air bags, May 20, 2009
THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE INDICATOR SAYING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF IS LIT WHEN THERE IS A FULL SIZE 150 LB PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS A RECALL OUT RIGHT NOW FOR 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPES BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ONE OF THOSE BEING RECALLED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 4+ TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. I HAVE TALKED TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS UPSETS ME GREATLY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A PASSENGER AIRBAG FOR FULL SIZE PASSENGERS. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG, I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD SEND A VIDEO OF MY DRIVING WITH A FULL SIZE PASSENGER AND HAVING THE AIRBAG DISABLED. THERE IS NO WAY TO OVER-RIDE THIS FUNCTION. SO I AM STUCK WITH EITHER HAVING A ONE PERSON CAR OR TELLING MY PASSENGER THAT IF WE GET IN A WRECK THAT HIS AIRBAG WONT DEPLOY. THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME MY CAR IS UNDER THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS BUT I HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS DOUBLE WHAT THE SENSOR WEIGHT NEEDS TO BE IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE ENABLED. I AM STUCK WITH A ONE PERSON CAR, BECAUSE I REFUSE TO DRIVE ANYONE KNOWING THAT IF I DO GET IN AN ACCIDENT THEY WILL DIE. I JUST WANT THE PROBLEM FIXED. BOTH NISSAN AND THE SERVICE SHOPS BELIEVE MY STORY FULLY BUT THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THAT UNTIL THEY CAN FIND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM THAT IT CANNOT BE FIXED. SO AGAIN, I AM STUCK. THEY RAN ALL OF THEIR TESTS AND THEY CAME BACK "OK". I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR NISSAN TO BUY BACK MY CAR BUT THEY OF COURSE REFUSED. I CANT DRIVE A CAR WITH NO PASSENGER AIRBAG AND YET THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING I CAN DO! I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED AND UPSET BECAUSE I HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED BUT YET I CANNOT FIX IT. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE RUN OUT OF OPTIONS. *TR
Air bags, Jan 25, 2009
WHEN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT GOES ON, EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER IS SITTING UPRIGHT IN THE SEAT WITH LEGS EXTENDED IN FRONT OF THEM AS THEY SHOULD BE. PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED BY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH 2009 MODEL SEAT. THIS IS THE THIRD SEAT REPLACEMENT. *TR
Air bags, Jan 25, 2009
WHEN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT GOES ON, EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER IS SITTING UPRIGHT IN THE SEAT WITH LEGS EXTENDED IN FRONT OF THEM AS THEY SHOULD BE. PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED BY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SECOND TIME. *TR
Air bags, Jan 25, 2009
WHEN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT GOES ON, EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER IS SITTING UPRIGHT IN THE SEAT WITH LEGS EXTENDED IN FRONT OF THEM AS THEY SHOULD BE. PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED BY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2009
TO MANY RECALLS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seats, Dec 31, 2008
DRIVERS SEAT SQUIRMS MOVES AND IS NOT RIGID. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. EVERY TIME I TURN THE SEAT MAKES NOISE AND SOUNDS SQUIRMS LIKE ITS NOT PROPERLY SECURE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO COMES ON WHEN A FULLY GROWN ADULT IS SITTING IN IT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY ON AN AVERAGE OF 4-5 TIMES MONTHLY. WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED NOT PROTECTING THE INDIVIDUAL. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES WHEN PRESSED SOMETIMES THE BRAKES IN THE FRONT DO NOT GRAB PROPERLY AND THEY GRIND BADLY CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO STOP AS WELL . THE DEALERSHIP SAYS CAN NOT REPLICATE BUT STATED THEY ARE AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT NISSAN MAY ISSUE A RECALL. FOR THE TIME BEING THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
Air bags, Dec 31, 2008
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND AN ADULT PASSENGER (150 + POUNDS) IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES CORRECTS ITSELF AND SOMETIMES NOT. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED AND THEREFORE SUBJECT TO SERIOUS INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME I AM TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. I EVEN TOOK IT BACK WITH MY WIFE SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON SO THEY COULD SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO THEM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN DECEMBER 2007 AND CONTINUES TODAY. BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOUR FRONT PASSENGER WILL HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION WHEN RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Dec 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN OCTOBER OF 2008, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE IN NOVEMBER OF 2008. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CONTACT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Air bags, Nov 13, 2008
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN JULY 2008. I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT TURNING ON AND OFF WHILE I HAVE A PASSENGER WHO WEIGHS 125LBS. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS ON, THIS MEANS THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT NOR FIX IT. I'VE CALLED THE NISSAN CONSUMER HOTLINE NUMBER MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES AND JUST SEEM TO GET THE RUN AROUND. I'M TOLD MY FILE WAS "ASSIGNED" TO SOMEONE, BUT THIS "SOMEONE" CAN'T SEEM TO RETURN CALLS NOR ANSWER MY CALLS. I'M ASTOUNDED THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH MY AIRBAG IS NOT ELEVATED TO A PRIORITY STATUS AS THERE WILL BE A VERY LARGE LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN IF MY PASSENGER IS INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAG SENSOR. PLEASE HELP. I FEEL TOTALLY HELPLESS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Air bags, Sep 18, 2008
PURCHASED CAR NEW IN JULY 2008, AND HAVE SINCE NOTICED THAT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WILL INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAG IS "OFF" WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. LIGHT WILL ALSO INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAG IS "OFF" WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN THE SEAT. NOT A CONSISTENT PROBLEM, HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAG IS "ON" WHEN THERE IS ONLY A SMALL BAG OR BOOKS ON THE SEAT. TOOK TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED, THEY SAID MY AIRBAG IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR
Air bags, Sep 17, 2008
PASSENGER AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE SHOWS DISABLED WITH MY KIDS THAT ARE OVER 110 LBS IN THE SEAT. I HAD THE DEALER REVIEW THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ISSUE. WAS TOLD TO LOOK IN THE MANUAL AND THAT THE PERSON HAD TO SIT IN THE SEAT CORRECTLY OR THEY ARE TO LIGHT. THE SEATING WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG BLADDER IN THE SEAT IS VERY EASY TO MISS IF NOT SITTING FULLY IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT, WRONG THE PERSON IS SITTING FINE. IF I STOP THE CAR PUT IN PARK AND BACK IN DRIVE THE AIRBAG RE-ACTIVATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE MULTIPLE TIMES MOSTLY DURING THE FIRST DRIVE OF THE DAY. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Sep 12, 2008
DRIVER'S SEAT ON '08 NISSAN ALTIMA MOVES SIDE TO SIDE AS YOU GO AROUND TURNS; VERY DISCONCERTING. FIRST RESPONSE FROM DEALERSHIP WAS "WE CAN NOT REPLICATE, AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE WE'VE HEARD OF". NEXT VISIT I WAS TOLD "NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND SHOULD HAVE A FIX IN 30 DAYS OR SO". THAT WAS 45 DAYS AGO. 2ND PROBLEM, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON A LOT OF THE TIME MY WIFE IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. SHE'S ABOUT 150 POUNDS, SO THERE SHOULD NOT BE A WEIGHT PROBLEM. HAD IT IN TWICE FOR THIS, AND ANOTHER "CAN NOT REPLICATE". I'M CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, SHE WILL HAVE NO AIR BAG PROTECTION. *TR
Air bags, Aug 1, 2008
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN A PERSON OCCUPIES THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE OCCUPANT WEIGHS MORE THE 100LBS AND SITS IN A NORMAL FASHION ON THE SEAT. DEALER INSPECTED BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK FOR A PASSENGER IN THIS CAR. *TR
Air bags, Jan 25, 2008
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TURNS ITSELF OFF SPORADICALLY WHEN I (160 LBS) OR MY HUSBAND (190 LBS) SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT NISSAN STATED THAT MY AIRBAG SENSOR WAS OPERATING AS PER SPECIFICATION. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE SWITCH TO FORCE THE AIRBAG TO INFLATE DURING A CRASH. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY TURN ITSELF OFF WHEN SMALL ADULTS ARE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT OFFERS NO SOLUTION FOR THIS SITUATION. DOES THIS MEAN THAT NISSAN IS WILLFULLY DEPRIVING SMALL ADULTS (AND, IN OUR CASE, NOT SO SMALL ADULTS) OF THEIR AIRBAG PROTECTION? THIS IS A FATAL DESIGN FLAW. THERE MUST BE A RECALL TO INSTALL A MANUAL OVERRIDE SWITCH FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG. THE CAR'S COMPUTER MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DECIDE WHO GETS AN AIRBAG AND WHO DOESN'T. *TR
Air bags, Nov 5, 2007
PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN ALTMA SEPT 17,2007. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO OFF WHILE A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND RIDING IN THE AUTO. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE. WHEN MY WIFE IS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, HER LIFE IS IN DANGER. *TR