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: electrical system
90 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V521000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The contact called the dealer and made an appointment; however, the contact was informed that the part might not be available for the appointment. The contact arrived for the appointment and was informed 3 hours later that the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact was informed by the dealer that several other dealers and was informed that parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and informed the contact that other dealers would be contacted for parts availability, and a case was filed. The contact stated that a week later, the contact called the manufacturer again and was informed that the part was found and sent to the local dealer. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there was no knowledge of parts being sent to the dealer location and that there had not been any communication with the manufacturer about parts. The contact stated that upon sitting in the passenger’s seat, the air bag sensor failed to recognize a passenger seated in the passenger’s seat. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown. Parts distribution disconnect.
Power train, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 26, 2024
Parked car due to electrical and transmission issues had left it for a couple hours to receive assistance and the car was gone it had no plates because I was attempting to register the car that same day
Electrical system, Jul 14, 2022
I’m having to replace at least 2 sensors every 6 or 7 months.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, May 23, 2022, crash
I pulled into Regions bank parking lot to use ATM machine and before I could even park my car accelerated for no reason. I had my foot on the brake but it just made it go faster. I crashed into the building and airbag deployed. This was the scariest driving experience I’ve ever had. The car is totaled and caused serious damage to bank. I escaped by the grace of God with sprained wrist and elbow and knee abrasions.
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 20, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while at a stop light the front passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side seat cushion sensor had failed. The dealer updated an unknown software; however, the failure reoccurred persistently. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side seat cushion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V521000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 22, 2021
While driving down the highway at about 60 mph the vehicle shut off and has not restarted in almost 2 weeks. There was no indication or warning of any engine trouble prior to it shutting off. Luckily, I was getting off an exit and nobody was injured. Had I NOT been exciting the highway, there would have most certainly been a MULTI vehicle accident with severe injuries and possibly even death because of the high speeds. Once the car was completely stopped and off towards the shoulder I tried to restart but got a fast clicking noise, but wouldn't start. Let the car sit for a little tried to jump start it, but now the key indicator was being displayed which means the car wasn't recognizing the key even in the slot. This leads me to believe the security system/ immobilizer could've been what caused it to shut off. The car has not been looked at yet. Still waiting for Nissan dealer to diagnose it.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Apr 15, 2021
I JUST PURCHASED MY NISSAN NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS AGO AND I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT IN THE 4-5 SHOPS BECAUSE NOBODY COULD FIGURE OUT WHY IT WAS GIVING THE CODE P0335. FINALLY FOUND OUT IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN. I CANT DRIVE MY OWN CAR BECAUSE OF IT AND I FEEL LIKE I GOT ROBBED OF MY MONEY. THE DAM CAR IS STUCK IN LIMP MODE. WE WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR JERKED REALLY HARD AN LOST POWER DIDNT HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS GOING ON.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2021
MY WIFE'S CAR SHUTDOWN ON HER LAST MONTH AND I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INDICATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD SO I ORDERED A NEW ONE AND THINGS WENT FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND NOW THE FUEL HAND JUST FLUCTUATS UP AND DOWN AND JUST SUDDENLY DROPS TO (E) WHEN IT HAS GAS OR FULL TANK OF GAS IN IT. ALSO THE MILEAGE DISPLAY IS SHOWING INACCURATE READINGS AND BLINKING ON THE DASH ON AND OFF AND MY WIFE IS SCARED NOW TO DRIVE HER 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA ON LONG DRIVES WITH THIS PROBLEM GOING ON!! IT HAPPENED WHILE IN MOTION ON A BUSY HWY 278 IN BATESVILLE,MS
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2020
THE CVT TRANSMISSION STEP SOLENOID AND THE ACCELERATOR PADDLE NOT WORKING WRITE IT WONT GO ANYWHERE SOMETIMES ONLY LIKE 20 MILES AN HOUR HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF AND WAIT 5 TO 10 MIN THEN IT'S OK FOR A LITTLE BIT IF I HIT A BUMP IT ALSO SHUTS OFF CAN U HELP PLEASE ITSBEEN DOING THIS SINCE BOUGHT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL
Suspension, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 21, 2020
PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE SLOWS/STALLS WHEN DRIVEN IN HIGH HEAT WEATHER DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW/STALL.
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2020
ORANGE KEY LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON AND CAR WILL NOT START UP.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD AND MY CAR DIED I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP BUT IT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING I CAN'T TURN ON ANY LIGHTS UNLOCK OR LOCK THE CAR NOTHING. SHOWS A LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE THE KEY FOB AND LOOKED IT UP AND IT SAYS THAT SOMETHING UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN CAN CAUSE THE ISSUES AND HAS A RECALL
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 3, 2018
I CAN DRIVE THE CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS THEN AFTER SEVERAL HOURS THE CAR SHUTS DOWN SLOWS DOWN AND THEN CUTS COMPLETELY OFF TRIES TO RESTART THE CAR IT COMPLETELY DIES HAVE TO GET A JUMP START. COULDN'T GET A READING ON THE CAR NO CODES WOULD SHOW UP IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL JUST SHUT OFF ON ME AND MY DAUGHTER.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, May 6, 2018
MY DASH BOARD IS MELTING FROM THE HEAT AND CRACKING ALL AROUND. MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON ALONG WITH TIRE SENSOR. HAD SENSOR REPLACE SEVERAL TIME AND HAVE SAME ISSUE.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2018
CAR STOPPED, WOULD NOT START, YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE LEFT DASHBOARD STAYS ON. CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 19, 2017
THE POWER START KEY ISNT TURNING ON THE CAR, IT ALLOWS YOU TO ENTER THE CAR BUT THE START TAKES VARIOUS ATTEMPTS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE LOCK STEERING FEATURE MALFUNCTIONS.
Electrical system, Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 5, 2017
THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DEPARTMENT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED. HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE? I AM REQUESTING A FULL REFUND FROM NISSAN AS THE ISSUE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED IN 2008. I APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN HELPING ME ACCOMPLISH IT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, May 3, 2017
THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DEPARTMENT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED. HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE? I AM REQUESTING A REFUND AS THE ISSUE WAS A SAFETY RECALL IN 2008.
Electrical system, Feb 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START THE INTELLIGENT KEY FOB AND THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000. UPDATED 06/01/17*LJ THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 10/19/2017*JS
Electrical system, Air bags, Jan 6, 2017
I HAVE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. I NOTICED THAT MY PASSENGER SIDE STATUS LIGHT REMAINS OFF WITH NO PASSENGER IN IT. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME ISSUE AS MENTIONED IN THE LINK BELOW. HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOAD/DOC/ACM10619386/RCRIT-08V521-7546.PDF PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS TO FIX THE ISSUE WITHOUT CHARGE. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND THEIR REPLY WAS AS BELOW: THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REGARDING YOUR 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. A REVIEW OF OUR SYSTEM INDICATES THAT THE ABOVE-REFERENCED VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN ANY RECALL OR SERVICE CAMPAIGNS.CASE # [XXX] HAS BEEN CREATED TO DOCUMENT YOUR INQUIRY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2016
MY TPMS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE SYSTEM IS READING ZERO PSI IN ALL TIRES. THEY SAID IT WAS A PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT AND DOESN'T WANT TO ADDRESS IT. SO IF I WANT IT FIXED ITS GONNA COST ME OVER $200. MY WIFE WHO HAS A 2009 MURANO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TPMS LIGHT BEING ON AND READING ZERO PSI IN ALL TIRES.
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 6, 2016
MY CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. A YELLOW LIGHT WITH A KEY APPEARED IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE DASH. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. WE RESEARCHED THE WARNING LIGHT AND TRIED EVERYTHING SUGGESTED SUCH AS DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, DISCONNECTING THE NEGATIVE BATTERY, ETC. WITH NO LUCK. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO A CONFERENCE 4 HOURS AWAY TOMORROW AND NOW HAVE NO CAR.
Electrical system, Jun 14, 2016
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING RECURRING ISSUES INVOLVING THE GAS PEDAL FAILING TO WORK IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY, AT A STOP SIGN, OR MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY THE GAS PEDAL WILL UNEXPECTEDLY FAIL TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. I WILL PRESS THE PEDAL WITH ABSOLUTE NO ACCELERATION FROM THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND EACH TIME THE SAME CODES APPEAR. THE CODES ARE P0223, P0123, P2135. RESPECTIVELY, EACH CODE MEANS ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR FAULT, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR FAULT AND FAILED THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE CODES IS TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTIMA'S THROTTLE BODY TWICE AND THE AFTER EACH TIME THIS ISSUE CONTINUES TO OCCUR. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE ISSUE STILL OCCURS AS WELL. I HAVE ALSO PERFORMED THE THROTTLE BODY RE-LEARN PROCEDURES AS DIRECTED BY NISSAN AND THE ISSUE PERSISTS AS WELL. BOTH MY WIFE AND I DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND WE HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO SERIOUS ACCIDENTS INVOLVING THIS FAULTY ISSUE WITH OUR ALTIMA. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A MAJOR ROAD OR HIGHWAY WHEN ABRUPTLY THE GAS PEDAL FAILS TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NISSAN MUST CORRECT THIS ISSUE. UPON, LOOKING AT THE INTERNET IT SEEMS NUMEROUS CONSUMERS OF NISSAN ALTIMA'S ARE EXPERIENCING THIS ACCELERATION ISSUE WITH THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT THIS FRIDAY WITH NISSAN BUT I AM NOT VERY HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIX THIS AFFORDABLY WITHOUT CHARGING AN ARM AND A LEG. THIS SEEMS LIKE AN ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER GLITCH WITH NISSAN ALTIMA(S).