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, Jun 9, 2014
THERE WAS A PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF A RECALL IN MARCH, 2014 RELATED TO THE RELIABILITY OF GAUGES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT, THAT TELL THE PERSON, AS WELL AS THE MECHANICAL SYSTEM, THAT THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT AIRBAG IS "NOW ENGAGED" AND READY TO ACTIVATE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT/EMERGENCY.. FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT I TOOK MY 2008 ALTIMA TO THE DEALER TO ENSURE I WAS PART OF THE RECALL. THE DEALER IS AT 3275 SW 8TH STREET, ,MIAMI,, FLORIDA. AND IS CALLED AUTONATION NISSAN. THE SERVICE AGENT TOTAL ME, AFTER CURSORY RESEARCH IN HIS DATA BASE, THAT WHILE MANY, MANY NISSANS WERE RECALLED IN MY MODEL YEAR AND IN MY CAR GROUP, MINE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR INCLUSION WENT BY SUPPLIER, AND NOT JUST BY TYPE OF CAR AND MODEL YEAR. TO ASCERTAIN IF MY CAR HAD A FAULTY AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT SEAT, I WOULD THEREFORE HAVE TO PAY A $150 UPFRONT DIAGNOSTIC FEE, AND, IF DAMAGE WAS NOTED, I WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS MYSELF, AS MY CAR DID NOT HAVE THE AFFECTED PARTS WHICH WERE PROVIDED BY ONLY SELECT SUPPLIERS. THERE IS A PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTED FOR SOME TIME THAT WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE FRONT, RIGHT SIDE, SEAT, A BEACON LIGHT IN A SMALL SQUARE BOX ON THE DASH BOARD FLASHES ON AND CLEARLY STATES: "PASS. OFF - AIR BAG (X) PSG.. 2" THE REFERENCE FROM THE LIGHT LEAVES ONE WITH THE IMPRESSION THE AIR BAG, FOR THE PASSENGER IS NOT ACTIVATED. DURING A DRIVE, NO SET TIME PERIOD NOTED, THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF FOR A WHILE, AND LATER, COME BACK ON AGAIN. I AM CONVINCED THAT AT SOME CERTAIN POINTS THE SYSTEM IS TRYING TO TELL ME IT IS NOT ACTIVATED.. OF ALL THE CARS INVOLVED IN THE NISSAN RECALL, HOW COULD IT POSSIBLY BE THAT MINE IS EXCLUDED??? PLEASE, PLEASE TRY TO GET THIS CORRECTED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, May 16, 2014, fire
I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 610 IN HOUSTON, TEXAS WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CAUGHT FIRE. I HAD GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES INITIALLY FOR A START UP KEY ISSUE, THEN TIRES, HUB CAP, AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ON THE HWY JANUARY 25TH 2014, THE WARRANTY COMPANY NOTED THAT THERE WERE UNDERLYING ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS FIRST SOLD, MADE A PROPOSAL TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND DEALERSHIP EVENTUALLY PLACED AN ENGINE I WAS TOLD LATER BY A YOUNGER GENTLEMAN NAMED [XXX] THAT IS WAS A SUED ENGINE. I HAD TAKEN IT HOME, AND NEXT DAY HAD ISSUES AGAIN. TOOK IT IN TO GET SPARK PLUGS CHANGED, BUT THE END RESULT WAS FIRE ON THE HWY WAY MAY 12, 2014. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 20, 2014
HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT DEALERSHIP. UPON DRIVING BACK HOME THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I RECEIVED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH AND COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR START THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT IN A NEW BATTERY TO THE INTELLIGENT KEY AND ALSO JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE. STILL WOULD NOT START. NOTHING WARNS YOU OF THIS ISSUE AND GLAD THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR PART FAILED. ON THE FOLLOWING DATE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. ON MONDAY THE 7TH THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILURE. SAME DAY I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO FIND OUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS NOR WOULD THEY OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE OR RECALL THIS PART AS THEY HAVE ON OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE CAUSED ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TPMS WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 07V599000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Dec 29, 2013
THE SWITCH THAT ALLOWS THE CAR TO START AND LIGHTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS IS STICKING, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF. THE CAR NOT STARTING IS ANNOYING, IF THE SWITCH STICKS AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, THAT IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR FAILS TO START WITH REGULARITY, IF THE SWITCH IS MANIPULATED IT STARTS, I DO NOT KNOW IF THE BREAK LIGHTS ARE FAILING BUT I ASSUME THIS IS OCCURRING. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE SWITCHES. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 30, 2013
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
Electrical system, Sep 20, 2013
MY CAR STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING...IT WAS INTERMITTENT...BUT WOULD START WITH A JUMP (MOST OF THE TIME), SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND HAD IT REPLACED. BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 9/17 AND THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS WAS THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT ALL 2009 MODELS HAD THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART EXTENDED TO 6 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST...BUT ONLY THE 2009 MODELS. I ALSO NOTICED DURING MY RESEARCH THAT MANY INSTANCES OF THIS SAME PART OCCURRING ON 2008 MODELS AS WELL. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME AS MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WANT TO KNOW WHY ONLY THE 2009 MODELS ARE INCLUDED? THE NISSAN TECHNICIAN WHO WORKED ON MY VEHICLE SAID THAT THE PART IS THE SAME FROM 2007-2009...AND IN HIS OPINION, ALL SHOULD BE INCLUDED. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS RESEARCHED FURTHER TO HAVE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INTELLIGENT KEY WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE DOORS FOR A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. AFTER THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE NO KEY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT THEN CHANGED THE BATTERIES IN THE KEY FOB BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 7, 2013
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT THE BRAKE RESISTS BEING PRESSED IN. I PRESS THE PUSH TO START BUTTON BUT THE CAR DOES NOT START, ONLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON (AS THOUGH I AM NOT PUSHING THE BREAK IN). I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY BRAKE SWITCH AND HARNESS FOR THE LOW, LOW PRICE OF $500. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT SO THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN IMMEDIATELY, AS I SEE ALL OVER THE WEB THAT EVERYONE WITH A 2007 OR 2008 ALTIMA IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHAT ARE RECALLS FOR EXCEPT FOR PRECISELY THIS TYPE OF ISSUE?? *TR
Electrical system, Jul 6, 2013
INTELLIGENT KEY SYSTEM LIGHT IS ON AND CAR WILL NOT START. BRAKE WILL NOT FULLY PRESS AND ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED. ALL DASH LIGHTS/INDICATORS COME ON, AS WELL AS LIGHTS AND RADIO. IT HAS COME TO MY ATTENTION THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN NISSAN ALTIMAS REGARDLESS OF THE YEAR MODEL. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 1, 2013
POWER DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING ON 3 OF THE 4 DOORS. DEPENDING ON DAY, SOMETIMES ONE OR MORE LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USING KEY FOB OR WHEN USING POWER LOCK BUTTON ON DRIVER DOOR. AT OTHER TIMES, ONE OR MORE LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN WHEN USING KEY FOB OR WHEN USING POWER LOCK BUTTON ON DRIVER DOOR. I AM FEARFUL THAT AFTER A CRASH I WILL TRY TO UNLOCK DOORS TO NO AVAIL. I HAVE ALSO FOUND MY DOORS UNLOCKED WHEN RETURNING TO MY VEHICLE, EVEN AFTER HITTING THE LOCK BUTTON WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE. I AM FEARFUL THAT A CAR THIEF OR MURDERER MAY HAVE ACCESS TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, I HAVE TRIED TO ACCESS MY VEHICLE QUICKLY IN DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOODS, BUT I'VE HAD TO TRY MULTIPLE TIMES TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 25, 2013
THE AUTOMATIC DOOR SYSTEM IN THIS CAR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL, ALL 4 DOOR DO NOT LOCK OR OPEN. IT HAS TO BE DONE MANUALLY. *TR
Electrical system, Visibility, Jun 17, 2013
DRIVER DOOR POWER WINDOW CONTROL PANEL NOT WORKING TO OPERATE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW AT ALL. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jun 14, 2013
I DROVE MY CAR YESTERDAY WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS. I HAVE NOTICED THIS "KEY" SYMBOL ON DASH WARNING LIGHT INDICATING I NEEDED TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE CAR IN ORDER TO START THE CAR FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC CODE AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP AT NISSAN THAT IT WAS JUST INDICATING LOW BATTERY ON THE KEY REMOTE (EVEN THO I JUST REPLACED THE BATTERY IN NOVEMBER). I WENT TO START MY CAR THIS MORNING AND ALTHOUGH THE DASH LIGHTS UP, THE CAR WILL NOT START. I TRIED TO JUMP START IT AND STILL WOULDN'T START. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE DASH LIGHTS UP, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. THERE ISN'T A FAST CLICKING SOUND LIKE IT COULD BE THE STARTER. THE KEY DOESN'T WORK TO UNLOCK THE DOORS OR THE TRUNK EITHER. APPARENTLY THIS IS AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY STEERING LOCK UNIT. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, May 9, 2013, crash
I HAD ONLY ONE ISSUE WITH MY 08 ALTIMA. THE CAR WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT RECOGNIZE EITHER OF THE KEY-FOBS FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE NO REASON. IT DID NOT SEEM TO MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY, TEMP., OR WEATHER. I EVEN REPLACED THE BATTERIES OF THE KEY-FOBS AND THE CARS BATTERY AS WELL. (WHICH WAS SUGGESTED AS THE FIRST TRY TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM). ON MAY 3, 2013 WITH ABOUT 66,000 MILES OR SO (STILL A BABY AS FAR AS CAR MILEAGE GOES) I HAD NO ISSUES STARTING THE CAR OR WITH IT RECOGNIZING THE KEY-FOB. THE 'ISSUE" HAPPENED AS I WAS MAKING A LANE CHANGE. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CONTROL THE CAR CAUSING US (2 CHILDREN AND MYSELF) TO CRASH. MY CAR WAS TOTALED... AND AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING OR RIDING IN ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. I'M CERTAIN HAD I BEEN ON A MAJOR HWY WHEN THIS OCCURRED WE WOULD HAVE DIED AND OTHERS INJURED/DEAD AS WELL. *TR
Electrical system, May 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO START VEHICLE WITH THE KEYLESS FEATURE OR BY USING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT A CERTAIN PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE BEING ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE BRAKE SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,750.
Steering, Electrical system, May 6, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH-TO-START SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE STARTED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT RAN AN INDEPENDENT DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Steering, Electrical system, Feb 9, 2013
DROVE CAR TO WORK. AFTER 3 HOURS OF WORK WENT TO START CAR, WAS ABLE TO OPEN DOOR BUT COULD NOT START CAR. CHANGED BATTERIES IN SMART KEY, STILL WOULD NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED US THAT IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM, A $1400 DOLLAR REPAIR. I CALLED 1-800-NISSAN1 AND ARGUED WITH THEM FOR DAY'S. THEY FINALLY AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS BUT I'M STUCK WITH $311 IN LABOR COSTS, AND WE LOST OUR CAR FOR NINE DAY'S..NISSAN REFUSED TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND PEOPLE NEED TO BE REIMBURSED. NISSAN WILL NOT GUARANTEE ME THAT THIS WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN AS IT IS THE SAME PARTS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!!!! *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Feb 5, 2013
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT ON" LIGHT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY FLASHING. IT NOW REMAINS LIT (PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF) WHEN THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED AND WHEN A FULL GROWN ADULT OR CHILD SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I CALLED NISSAN AND GAVE THEM ALL MY INFORMATION AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL OF CAMPAIGN 08V521000, EVEN THOUGH THE CONDITIONS FOR REPAIR FIT THE DESCRIPTION. I WANT NISSAN TO REPAIR THIS MALFUNCTION SO THAT NO ONE HIS HURT IN MY CAR. *TR
Air bags, Electrical system, Jan 6, 2013
THE "PASSENGER AIRBAG NOT ON" LIGHT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENTLY FLASHING. IT NOW REMAINS LIT (PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF) WHEN THE SEAT IS UNOCCUPIED AND WHEN A FULL GROWN ADULT SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IN NOVEMBER OF 2012, THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON THE DASHBOARD PANEL. I TOOK MY CAR INTO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AFTER READING ABOUT CAMPAIGN 08V521000. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS WERE RAN BY THE TECHNICIAN, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SRS SYSTEM WAS OFF, THE OCCUPANT SENSORY UNIT FAILED (DTC CODE B1018), AND A NEW SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY IS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE MALFUNCTION. NISSAN WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE MALFUNCTION AND DENIED COVERING THE REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL SINCE MY VIN DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THE CONDITIONS FOR REPAIR FIT THE DESCRIPTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. I WANT NISSAN TO REPAIR THIS MALFUNCTION SO THAT I, AND MY PASSENGERS, CAN FEEL SAFE IN MY CAR. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 1, 2012
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I WROTE THIS LETTER TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND TO THE CEO OF NISSAN: DEAR [XXX], MY NAME IS [XXX]AND I AM A CURRENT OWNER OF A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH NISSAN'S WEST COAST REGIONAL OFFICE IN REGARDS TO ISSUES I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN TREATED VERY POORLY AND I AM ASTONISHED AND DISGRACED BY BOTH ONE OF YOUR NISSAN DEALERSHIPS HERE IN LOS ANGELES AND BY YOUR CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES. AS A LEADER MYSELF FOR ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE COMPANY'S IN THE WORLD, I HAVE FOUND MYSELF AT A LOSS FOR WORDS. [XXX], A MAN WHO HAS BEEN EMPOWERED TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR NISSAN, STATED BY BRETT LOCHER, HIS SUPERVISOR, HAS DECIDED THAT NISSAN SHOULD NOT FIX THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SINCE THE FIRST DAY I LEASED THE CAR. I WAS LIED TO BY THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY VEHICLE HAD TEMPORARY BATTERY ISSUES. LATER ON IN THE YEAR, I EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES. I WAS ADVISED BY YOUR DEALERSHIP IN GLENDALE, CA TO PAY FOR A NEW BATTERY EXCHANGE. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN MY CAR BECAME INACTIVE TO THE THE START/STOP IGNITION SWITCH NOT RESPONDING WITH THE BRAKE HARNESS. ALTHOUGH I ADVISED YOUR REPRESENTATIVES THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WAY BEFORE MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY CONTINUED TO EXPLAIN TO ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THE CAR WITHOUT CHARGE BECAUSE NOW ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS AROUND 29,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER NEEDED SERVICE. I AM DISAPPOINTED FROM AN ETHICAL STANDPOINT AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED. IT'S TIME FOR NISSAN TO STOP SERVING CRACKERS AND CHEESE AND BEGIN TO SERVE CAVIAR FOR CUSTOMER RETENTION. [XXX] CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS NEEDED! MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS ALL OVER THE NET. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 14, 2012
I HAVE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S WHICH HAS PUSH BUTTON START. I.E. PERSON HAS TO PUSH BUTTON AND PRESS BRAKE AT SAME TIME TO START THE ENGINE. THERE IS A SWITCH / SENSOR NEAR BRAKE PEDAL WHICH SENDS SIGNAL THAT BRAKE HAS BEEN PRESSED (AND ALSO TURNS ON REAR BRAKE LIGHTS). ONE DAY, ALL OF SUDDEN, WHEN I TRIED TO START CAR IT DIDN'T START. IT KEEP SAYING PRESS BRAKE (ACCESSORIES / RADIO ETC ALL TURN ON). SO THE CYCLE OF ACCESSORIES - ON- OFF KEPT ON HAPPENING. I THOUGHT BATTERY IS WEAK AND EVEN TRIED JUMP START. SO, AFTER TRYING PUSHING BRAKE + BUTTON FOR 30MINUTES , CAR FINALLY STARTED. THIS HAPPENED 2-3 TIMES AND I GOT VERY FRUSTRATED....FINALLY I STARTED READING ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. MANY PEOPLE HAVE POSTED SAME COMPLAIN / ISSUE. THEY SUGGESTED TO CHECK WHETHER REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WHEN I PRESS BRAKE OR NOT.. IF NOT THEN THE SWITCH IS BAD .. I SAW MANY PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM BY REPLACING SWITCH ($50 EXPENSE). I DID THE SAME AND CAR HAS BEEN WORKING FINE SINCE THEN (2-3 MONTHS). DEALER TRIES TO CHARGE $150 ONLY FOR SWITCH AND THEN $500 FOR OTHER STUFF TO ELIMINATE ROOT CAUSE OF ISSUE.. AS MANY PEOPLE ARE EFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT NISSAN SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE AT THEIR COST. DEALERS ARE MAKING TONS OF MONEY OFF 2007-2008 ALTIMA OWNERS. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Sep 6, 2012
VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ALONG WITH OTHER NORMAL TRAFFIC WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STALLED ON AN INCLINE. DRIVER CAREFULLY STEERED VEHICLE TO A SAFE PLACE DOWNHILL AND CALLED A TOWING COMPANY TO TOW VEHICLE TO DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT, A RUBBER SEAL ON THE ECM WIRING HARNESS WAS FOUND BUCKLED UP. ON TRYING TO REMOVE AND RE-INSERT THE HARNESS, IT WAS FOUND THAT ECM TERMINALS HAD CORRODED AND SOME PIN CONTACT HAD ACTUALLY FALLEN OFF. UPON DOING SOME RESEARCH, THIS WAS FOUND TO BE AN ISSUE COVERED UNDER FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY. DRIVER/OWNER CALLED THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHO IMMEDIATELY, PRESUMABLY AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE, TOWED THE CAR TO THEIR FACILITY, CHECKED AND FOUND THE ECM TO BE FAULTY BUT BLAMED THE FAULTY WIRING HARNESS FOR THE FAILURE. AND FURTHER, THE DEALER CLAIMED SINCE THE HARNESS CARRIES A 3 YEAR WARRANTY AND WAS THE "CAUSE" OF THE ECM FAILURE, THIS WAS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY RESULTING IN A BILL OF $2,000+ FOR REPLACING THE FAULTY - CORRODED - WIRING HARNESS AND THE FAULTY ECM. ATTEMPTS TO HAVE THE DEALER DO MORE RESEARCH OR CONTACT NISSAN USA FOR ADVISE FELL ON DEAF EARS. IF THE CAR HAD STALLED ON HIGH SPEED AND CAUSED FATALITIES ON THE HIGHWAY, WOULD THESE REPAIRS THEN HAVE BEEN "PART" OF FEDERAL EMISSIONS WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR PUBLICITY PURPOSES? IT IS OUT OF SHEER LUCK THAT 1. THE CAR STALLED WHILE GOING DOWNHILL AND, 2. THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MILES PER HOUR. I DESPERATELY NEED ADVISE ON THIS WHILE I AWAIT FOR DELIVERY OF A SPECIAL ORDER FOR THE ECM AND HARNESS. IN THE MEANTIME, MY RENTAL CAR EXPENSES ARE PILING UP AND ARE NOT COVERED BY ANY WARRANTY. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 10, 2012
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENCES WHERE WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE & TRYING TO START THE CAR (BY THE PUSH START IGNITION) THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE WILL TURN ON (RADIO, POWER WINDOWS, AIR, ETC) BUT THE CAR WILL NOT START. I'VE HAD THE BATTERY TESTED NUMEROUS TIMES AND IT ALWAYS PASSES AS A GOOD BATTERY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, I FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2008 NISSAN ALTIMAS. FROM THE SOUNDS OF IT, IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH A BRAKE CABLE. WITH AS MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE SEEN ON THIS, HOW COME THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED? *TR
Electrical system, Apr 16, 2012
THIS VEHICLE IS A 2008, NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 45,500 MILES DRIVEN AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN EARLY 2008. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MY WIFE COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO START. THEN ON NOV. 4, 2011, I WITNESSED THE FAILURE MYSELF. AFTER CONTACTING THE TEXAS AAA MOTOR CLUB AND HAVING THEM COME AND VERIFY THAT THE CAR'S BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGED AND COULD RUN THE STARTER, THE CAR STARTED WITHOUT ANY CORRECTIVE ACTION BEING TAKEN. THE CAR WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THE SERVICE REPORT COMPLAINT WAS ENTERED AS: "CUSTOMER STATES VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT TIMES". ON THE INVOICE IT STATES "CAUSE: BRAKE LAMP SWITCH FAILED - NOT SENDING SIGNAL TO BCM FOR START".' THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS LISTED AS A "25320-AX00C SWITCH ASM"'. THE COST OF THE SWITCH WAS $39.17 WITH $52.50 LABOR. PRIOR TO REPAIR, I WAS GIVEN THE CHOICE OF THE $91.67 SWITCH INSTALLATION, OR THE INSTALLATION OF A DIFFERENT SWITCH ASSEMBLY AND A REPLACEMENT CABLE HARNESS FOR APPROXIMATELY $250.00. I CHOSE THE REPLACEMENT SWITCH OPTION BECAUSE THE FIRST SWITCH LASTED 45,500 MILES, AND IF THE SECOND SWITCH LASTED THAT MANY MILES, IT WOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED UNTIL AROUND THE 90 OR 95 THOUSAND MILE MARK. *JS