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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 22, 2012
BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AT 10000 (APRIL 2009) AND 43000 (JANUARY 2012) MILES, AND REPLACED. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHICH IS A HAZARD THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. BECAUSE BRAKE MUST BE APPLIED FOR ENGINE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO NOT START. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Oct 4, 2011
I RECENTLY HAVING ISSUE WITH MY BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF AT RANDOM TIMES. WHICH AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE FOR MANY OTHERS, WITH BRAKE LEAKS. I HAVE NOTICED A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE IN THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS, WHICH CAUSES CONCERN FOR ME. I HAVE AN 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SE WITH ROUGHLY 56,000 MILES. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH ONLY 22K MILES ROUGHLY IN 2009 AND HAVE OTHER ISSUES WITH ELECTRICAL WORK IN THE RADIO. THE RADIO HAS ALREADY BEEN REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP WHEN IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN WHERE MY VOLUME DIAL DOESN'T TURN THE VOLUME UP OR DOWN IT LOCKS BETWEEN THREE VOLUME NUMBERS AND AT TIMES THE SCREEN FADES IN AND OUT. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 19, 2011
I RECENTLY HAD A SERVICE CALL WITH MY NISSAN DEALER TO FIX A INTERMITTENT STARTING ISSUE (PUSH BUTTON START) ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. IT TURNS OUT THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT SINCE NISSAN DOES NOT BELIEVE IT WARRANTS A RECALL. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE INTERMITTENT STARTING PROBLEM I WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN THAT MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. GIVEN THAT THIS IS INTERMITTENT THE VEHICLE DOES HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO START YET LATER NOT HAVE BRAKE LIGHTS FUNCTIONING. WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SWITCH THE ISSUE HAS GONE AWAY. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2011
MY 2008 ALTIMA WITH PUSH BUTTON START HAS FAILED TO START TWICE. ONCE AT 25,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 50,000 MILES. BOTH TIMES THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SWITCH WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER TOOK THE SWITCH APART AND THE CONTACTS WERE PITTED. *TR
Electrical system, May 20, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE KEYLESS IGNITION PUSH BUTTON START AND REMOTE KEYLESS FOB FAILED TO OPERATE APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES. IN ADDITION, BOTH KEY AND BATTERY WARNING SYMBOLS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REPLACED TWO KEY FOB BATTERIES AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETECT A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHICH RESULTED IN NO RESOLUTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
Electrical system, Jun 24, 2010
2008 ALTIMA HAS PUSH START BUTTON THAT WON'T WORK AT RANDOM TIMES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO STOMP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL REAL HARD WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE SENSOR SO THE CAR WOULD START. STILL UNRESOLVED AND I'M UNHAPPY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Mar 2, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10-15 MPH ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. WHEN BRAKING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS THE ROADWAY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE POLICE WAS NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR BODY DAMAGE REPAIRS. IN ADDITION, THE DAY BEFORE THE FAILURE THE "VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL OFF" (VDC) AND "SLIP" WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2010
WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A DEFECT THAT I BELIEVE NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED IN AT LEAST SOME, IF NOT ALL, OF NISSAN, LATEST ALTIMA VEHICLES. THE PROBLEM OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS LEFT RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE DOORS ARE CLOSED WITH THE REMOTE "KEYLESS". THIS PROBLEM COULD CREATE A SERIOUS SAFETY & HEALTH ISSUE IF A DRIVER FORGETS TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BEFORE USING THE REMOTE KEY TO CLOSE THE VEHICLE DOORS. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 3, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V521000 AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 21,000. UPDATED 06/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Apr 26, 2009, fire
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WOULD FILL THE INSIDE OF CAR ALSO HAD SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE INSIDE CAR TOOK IT TO PAUL BARNETT NISSAN IN BROOKHAVEN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM CAR WAS SLUGGISH WHILE DRIVING AND THE RADIO WENT OUT TWICE . THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD BECOME VERY BRIGHT AND DIM WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 24, 2009
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. TO TURN THE CAR ON/OFF IT UTILIZES A PUSH BUTTON RATHER THAN AN ACTUAL KEY. THE OTHER MORNING I DROVE TO WORK AND PARKED IN THE PUBLIC GARAGE @ 8:00 AM. I MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN TO PUSH THE OFF BUTTON BECAUSE WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE THAT EVENING 4:30 PM IT WAS RUNNING AND HAD BURNED 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS. BESIDES FEELING REAL STUPID, I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN. BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING THE DOORS DID NOT LOCK, THEREFORE THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND UNLOCKED ALL DAY. THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN RANSACKED, STOLEN OR WORSE, IF THIS HAD TAKEN PLACE IN SOMEONE'S HOME GARAGE, OR DRIVEWAY OR ON A STREET, A CHILD COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE VEHICLE, ENGAGED IT IN DRIVE AND CAUSED DAMAGE OR INJURY TO SOMEONE OR PERSONAL PROPERTY. VEHICLES WITH THIS "SMART KEY" TECHNOLOGY SHOULD HAVE A BUILT IN SAFETY/ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM THAT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AFTER 15 MINUTES OF IDLE. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE RUN 8-1/2 HOURS. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 20, 2008, fire
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED ALL NIGHT AND AT 330 A.M. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT HAD NEVER BEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE. THEY SAID THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 13, 2008, crash
I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. IT HAS A PUSH BUTTON STAR/STOP SWITCH AND NO KEYS ARE NEEDED. I ACCIDENTALLY LEFT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND PUSHED THE OFF BUTTON AND LEFT THE CAR. THE CAR TURNED OFF AND ROLLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THEN RESTARTED SOON AFTER. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SOON AFTER. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILED COMPONENT AND THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Equipment, Aug 28, 2008
FIRST DAY FOR PICK UP, HEADLIGHT POP, FIX IT THE NEXT DAY, TOOK 90 MINUTES JUST TO FIX ONE HEADLIGHT, AFTER 6 WEEKS, CAR TURNS OFF WHEN DRIVING ONE OF THE MOST BUSIEST HWY AND THE STEERING LOCKS; ONLY WAY TO START IT IS BY PUTTING IT TO "PARK" HOLD BRAKES DOWN ALL THE WAY THEN PUSH THE BUTTON AND COMING FROM THAT, IT WAS NOT SAFE AT ALL, DRIVERS WERE HONKING AND SWERVING JUST TO MANEUVER AWAY FROM ME, CALLED DEALERSHIP TO WHERE I PURCHASE CAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM, TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF 4 TIMES ON THE SAME HWY AND THANK GOD IT TURNED OFF ON A STRAIGHT AWAY NOT WHILE TURNING, SHOWED THEM A VIDEO IN WHICH I INTEND TO HOLD FOR EVIDENCE. DROP IT OFF 7:00AM, DEALERSHIP HAD SAID ABOUT CODES; THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND HAD REPLUG EVERY PLUG THAT WAS ON THE CAR IN WHICH IT WOULD BE RESET, GAVE CAR BACK WITHIN 9 HOURS SAYING THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF AGAIN AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT BACK. AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF, THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF PLUS WITH THE GAUGES(NOT KNOWING THE SPEED I WAS GOING) AND RADIO DISPLAY WENT OUT AND THIS IS WHEN IT WAS RAINING HECTIC AND I WASN'T ABLE TO USE HIGH BEAMS AUTOMATICALLY TO WHERE IT LOCKS FORWARD BUT TO PULL IT TOWARDS ME MANUALLY WHILE DRIVING. ALREADY TOLD DEALERSHIP THAT THIS CAR IS A BIG CONCERN ON THE ROAD FOR SAFETY BECAUSE WHEN IT TURNS OFF I BECOME A CRASHING INCIDENT IN WHICH IF THAT HAPPENS I WILL BLAME NISSAN FOR THAT. *TR