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: power train
80 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Sep 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES IT RESTARTED RESUMING NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES, ALL WHILE DRIVING ON HILLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PERFORMANCE WAS REDUCED DUE TO THE CVT FLUID TEMPERATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88, 408.
Power train, Aug 25, 2014
I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN MY CAR. I HAD TO REPLACE AT 63000 MILES AND NOW I NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AT 149000. THIS 2ND TRANSMISSION HAS ONLY ABOUT 85000 . NISSAN WON'T OWN UP TO THEIR PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. I AM NOT REPLACING AGAIN FOR A 3RD TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR. *TR
Power train, Jul 31, 2014
WHEN I ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE IT STARTS JERKING. ISSUES WITH THE TIRE LIGHT IT WON'T COME OFF AND SEAT BELT LIGHT. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH P0744 CODE. *TR
Power train, Jun 19, 2014
IN FEBRUARY 2014 I HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN MY VEHICLE TO REPLACE ONE THAT WAS PART OF A RECALL BY NISSAN. ON JUNE 13, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 6PM WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN DELAWARE, MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT SAFELY OFF THE ROAD DESPITE BEING IN THE FAST LANE DURING HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER THAT REPLACED THE RECALLED TRANSMISSION. ON THE MORNING OF JUNE 16, 2014 THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT THE NISSAN DEALER ADVISED ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE ONE I RECEIVED WAS A 'BAD APPLE". LATER THAT SAME DAY, HE CALLED BACK TO ADVISE ME THE ISSUE WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION BUT IT WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT WAS NOT INSTALLED WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED IN FEBRUARY. THE SOFTWARE HAS BEEN UPDATED; HOWEVER WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHES A SPEED OF 60-80MPH THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND ACTS JUST AS IT DID WHEN IT SHUT DOWN ON JUNE 13, 2014. *TR
Power train, Jun 2, 2014
5/31/2014, AS I WAS TRAVELING DOWN 75 NORTH TOWARDS CHATTANOOGA GOING 80 MILES PER HOUR TO MAINTAIN SPEED OF TRAFFIC I NOTICED THAT MY VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY PUT MY EMERGENCY SIGNAL ON IN ORDER TO MERGE OVER TO THE FAR RIGHT EMERGENCY LANE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS NOT TOO HEAVY IN ORDER TO MOVE OVER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE IF SO IT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I ALLOWED THE CAR TO SIT FOR A BIT AND THEN DROVE BACK TO HOME TO SEE IF I COULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHERE I PURCHASED A VEHICLE AND TO FIND OUT THE ISSUE. AS I AM DRIVING THE VEHICLE BACK HOME I HAVE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE NO MORE THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR IN A 70 MILES PER HOUR ZONE WITH MY HAZARDS SIGNALS FLASHING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO NO FASTER THAN 40 MILES PER HOUR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED THAT I WOULD NEED TO BRING MY VEHICLE IN ON MONDAY BECAUSE THEY CLOSE SERVICE AT 12 O'CLOCK ON A FRIDAY. THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE WANT ME TO PAY A FEE IN ORDER FOR ME TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE LESS THAN A YEAR, ONLY 8 MONTHS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS SITUATION WHERE NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA AND HAVE THIS ISSUE CHECKED OUT BECAUSE I'M SURE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
Power train, May 31, 2014
HELP (CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION) NISSAN APPARENTLY HAS A "EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE CVT ON CERTAIN VEHICLE MODELS INCLUDING ALTIMA BETWEEN 2003-2010 YEAR. THE WARRANTY STATES THAT YOU MAY REPLACE PART TO 10YEARS/120,000 MILES WHICH EVER COMES FIRST. HERE'S THE PROBLEM NEVER GOT A LETTER WITH THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY INFORMATION SO I COULD OF HAD MY CVT REPLACED. TWO DAYS AGO AS I WAS DRIVING ON ONE OF FL. BUSIEST HWY WHERE SPEEDS ARE UP TO 70 MPH MY 08 NISSAN ALTIMA STARTS DECELERATE YES WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE GAS PEDAL THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE WITH OUT KNOW NOTICE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS NOT ON SO I WAS IN A STATE OF SHOCK BECAUSE I AM IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A THREE LANE HWY FREAKED OUT CARS COMING BEHIND ME AT HIGH SPEEDS I DID BUT MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS ON SO I COULD TRY TO FIND AWAY TO MANEUVER MY WAY OFF THE HWY WAIT IT GETS BETTER SO AS I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AT A SPEED OF 1 MPH THE CAR IS IN STALL MODE AKA PRESSING ON GAS AND JUST BARELY GOING. WELL AS I WAS GETTING IN THE OUTER LANE TO GET OFF THE HWY THE CAR WHEN FROM ONE MPH AND JUST ACCELERATED I ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR MVA I ENDED UP IN THE DITCH LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE CAR OFF. I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO A MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE THE FUEL INJECTOR BUT COULDN'T BE FOR SURE BECAUSE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON THEY COULDN'T DETECT THE PROBLEM WITH THE MACHINE, THE CAR SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON SOON AFTER REACHING OVER 120,000 MILES.I WANTED NISSAN TO HAVE RECALL THIS IS DANGEROUS AND IT IS NOT RIGHT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE IT BECOMES WORSE LIKE IT FOR FORD, GM ECT....THEY SHOULD HAVE SENT PEOPLE LETTERS OR EVER PUT A COURTESY CONSUMER REPORT THRU NEWS AS TO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THEY DIDN'T DO IT WHY?(MONEY)PLEAS THIS IS DANGEROUS I AM NOT THE FIRST PERSON WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Apr 16, 2014
MY CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 126K MILES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW. I STARTED HEARING THE INFAMOUS "WHINING NOISE" ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND 100K MILES. HAD I BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE WHINING A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS AND RESEARCHED IT. WELL, TOO LATE BUT AFTER THE FACT I FOUND MANY YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IF YOU HEAR THIS WHINING NOISE, IT'S YOUR TRANSMISSION. NISSAN KNOWS THEY PUT OUT A GARBAGE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS WHY THEY DOUBLED THE WARRANTY ON IT TO 10 YEARS OR 120K MILES. CONVENIENTLY, MINE DID NOT GO OUT UNTIL 126K. I BOUGHT THIS CAR THREE YEARS AGO WITH 17K MILES. YES, I DRIVE A LOT BUT IT'S FOR WORK AND IT'S PRIMARILY HIGHWAY MILEAGE. I WOULDN'T HAVE EVER EXPECTED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT IN A CAR THIS NEW. I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PIECE OF JAP CRAP FROM NISSAN AS I AM NOW DUMPING 4K TO GET THIS REPAIRED. I CHECKED WITH NISSANUSA AND THEY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY NOR DID THEY OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I AM 6K OVER THEIR EXTENDED (DOUBLED) WARRANTY. WHEN MY CAR BROKE DOWN I CALLED MY MECHANIC, WHO IS ASE CERTIFIED, AND SUPER TRUSTWORTHY. HE CAME AND TOWED IT, RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I CALLED NISSANUSA AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE UNTIL AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DIAGNOSED IT. I DID JUST THAT, PAID THE DEALER $150 TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNEW (BAD TRANSMISSION), ONLY TO HAVE NISSANUSA DENY ME ASSISTANCE AFTER THE DEALER CONFIRMED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THEN I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO MY MECHANIC AS THE DEALER'S QUOTE WAS OUTRAGEOUS. I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN AND I HOPE YOU WON'T EITHER! *TT
Power train, Apr 16, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR STALLED OUT . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES. VEHICLE TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS STATED CHECKED FOR CODED ALL OK, HOWEVER INTERNAL HARD FAILURE NEW TRANSMISSION . 4000.00 VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ALWAYS AT CROWLEY NISSAN BRISTOL CT AND SERVICED ON 3/28/2014 CHECKED A WEEK PRIOR . PAPER WORK INDICATED TRANSMISSION FLUID FULL AND EXCELLENT. NISSAN USA REFUSED TO ASSIST IN ANY MATTER AND DEALERSHIP WAS THE WORST. THIS VEHICLE HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST HAVING NUMEROUS ITEMS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY . NEVER BUYING A NISSAN AGAIN... *TT
Power train, Sep 24, 2013
ON 9/6 AT APPROX. 3:30PM MNT THE CAR BEGAN HAVING ISSUES ACCELERATING PAST 60 MPH ON I-70 E IN COLORADO. AT TIMES IT WOULD EVEN START DE-ACCELERATING. AROUND 4PM, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE FRONT HOOD. MY BOYFRIEND AND I THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES WE NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE MECHANIC ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY, HE WORKED ON THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND COMPLETED AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTIC. HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD OVERFLOWED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT WE COULD HAVE HAD A FIRE ON THE HIGHWAY. HE ALSO CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BLOWN AND THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. WE HAD TO STORE THE CAR IN THE MECHANIC'S PARKING LOT FOR THE NIGHT AND GET A RENTAL CAR. WE THEN HAD TO STAY IN A HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT IN GRAND JUNCTION, CO. THE NEXT DAY WE CALLED AROUND TO FIND A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER THAT WOULD BE OPEN TO ACCEPTING THE CAR AND COULD GET THE PARTS IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME GIVEN THAT WE WERE STRANDED IN COLORADO. WE FOUND A SERVICE CENTER IN AURORA ABOUT 250 MILES AWAY FROM GRAND JUNCTION. WE WORKED WITH AAA TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP JUST BEFORE THEY CLOSED. SINCE THEY WERE CLOSING THE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER DID NOT HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT THE CAR UNTIL MONDAY. I ENDED UP BEING STRANDED IN COLORADO FOR A 6 DAYS WITH MY BOYFRIEND, UNTIL THE CAR WAS FIXED. I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH NISSAN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. I CALLED SPECIALISTS FOR 3 DAYS WITH NO HELP. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE OTHER DAMAGES INCURRED BY THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THIS TRIP COST $2,000 IN UNEXPECTED COSTS DUE TO BE STRANDED,AND MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER BECAUSE NONE OF THE NISSAN SERVICE ADVISER'S TOLD ME ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION (I TOOK MY CAR TO BE CHECKED BEFORE THE ROAD TRIP IN MAY 2013 AND LATE AUGUST 2013). *JS
Power train, Sep 19, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTER-COOLER KIT FOR THE POWER TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Power train, Sep 18, 2013
TRANSMISSION WINES, AND WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO GEAR FROM PARK 2 TIMES FROMA PARKED SITUATION. NUMEROUS OTHER ONGOING SMALL PROBLEMS, WHICH I'VE READ ABOUT WITH CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE THEM ALSO. RADIO DISPLAY OUT, CENTER CONSOLE LOOSE, WITH WEIGHT, CAR BOTTOMS OUT ON SPEED BUMPS, FAILED STOP LIGHT/START BRAKE SWITCH,
Steering, Power train, Mar 22, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE BELTS THAT WERE USED IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. *TR
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Oct 4, 2012
MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE ABOUT 30 MINUTES NORTH OF SAN ANTONIO ON OUR WAY HOME TO DALLAS. IN AN INSTANCE MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE MPH DECLINED. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND IT WAS. I PULLED OVER AS TO NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND TURNED OFF MY CAR. IT TOOK A FEW TIMES TO START IT BACK AS IT WOULD START AND DIE. ABOUT THE 3RD TRY IT STARTED AND I REVVED THE GAS - IT SOUNDED NORMAL SO I DROVE TO AN AUTOZONE - IT WAS THE CLOSEST. I ASKED IF THEY WOULD CHECK THE COMPUTER TO SEE WHAT IT SAID AND THEY SAID IT WOULDN'T READ W/O A CODE. I TOOK THE CAR 10/1/12 TO BANKSTON NISSAN IN DALLAS (THE CAR DROVE FINE ALL THE WAY HOME) AND THEY SAID IT MAY BE TOO MUCH CVT FLUID. TOOK IT IN AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND THE FLUID WAS FINE - DID NOT NEED TO BE CHANGED OR ANYTHING. THE TECH SAID WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN TO PULL OVER AND HAVE IT TOWED TO A NISSAN - HE THINKS MAYBE SINCE I RESTARTED IT MAY HAVE CLEARED THE CODES. I ASKED IF HE THOUGHT IT WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN AND HE SAID YES. LOOKING ONLINE I SEE THIS SAME DESCRIPTION AND ISSUE OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I EVEN CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND RECEIVED A CALL BACK... THIS DID NOT HAPPEN BEFORE WHEN I HAD A MASTER CYLINDER ISSUE THAT WAS RECALLED 6 MONTHS LATER. NISSAN AT THAT TIME JUST SAID SORRY. THIS TIME I GOT A CALL BACK INQUIRING, BUT THEN STILL GET A SORRY. I THINK SOMETHING IS UP. THEY ALL SEEM TO KNOW THE ISSUE BUT W/O A CODE THEY WONT REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY. WHAT IF THERE IS NEVER A CODE??!!! *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
Power train, Dec 19, 2011
I HAVE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO I NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN "DRAGGING" IN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR. I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY PROBLEM WITH THE CLUTCH. THE GEARS SHIFT AS NORMAL BUT THERE IS A SQUEAKING NOISE. EVEN IN 3-6 GEARS THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED AS IT SHOULD. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME IT IS THE CLUTCH THAT IS WORN OUT. THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY WARNING SIGN SHOWING. NORMALLY A CLUTCH BURNS OUT AND THE PEDAL WILL FALL FLAT TO THE FLOOR. IN THIS CASE NONE OF THAT HAS HAPPENED. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN 2009 WITH 11000 MILES ON. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A JETTA WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION SINCE JANUARY 2005 WITH NO SUCH PROBLEMS. MY RESEARCH ON INTERNET INDICATE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH NISSAN MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Steering, Power train, Nov 1, 2011
CAR HAS DEVELOPED A TERRIBLE WOBBLE OR SHIMMY BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. NISSAN MAINTAINS IT IS IN THE CVT TRANSMISSION . I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO DEALER MANY, MANY TIMES.. NO SOLUTION. BUT, ALL AGREE THE CAR WOBBLES AND SHIMMIES AT 30-40 MPH. I HAVE HAD NISSAN ENGINEERS DRIVE CAR, SAME RESULT;.NOTHING. I HAVE WRITTEN TO NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICES, NO SOLUTION. TOLD BY NISSAN THAT MY DRIVING STYLE MAY BE TOO CONSERVATIVE FOR CAR. TOLD BY NISSAN EXECS TO DRIVE CAR HARDER AND FASTER AND AVOID SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. HOW ABSURD. NISSAN SAYS THERE IS NO SOLUTION, SO LIVE WITH IT. THIS CAR IS A DANGER. WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON SNOW AND ICE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. UPDATED IVOQ 12/08/11 *TR
Power train, Jul 26, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM LOS ANGELES TO LAS VEGAS. WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO CROSS THE CALIFORNIA LINE INTO NEVADA, MY CAR STARTED SOUNDING LIKE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE. WE LOST SPEED AND I TRIED SHIFTING MY CVT TRANSMISSION INTO MANUAL MODE. THE SPEEDS WOULD NOT CHANGE. AFTER MAKING AN EMERGENCY STOP. I PUT THE CAR ON REVERSE AND THEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE AGAIN. THE CAR WOULD MOVE, BUT THE SPEED WOULD NOT CHANGE. AS SOON AS I ARRIVE TO VEGAS, MY CAR LOST ALL SPEED AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE IN DIRECT OR REVERSE. SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE CAR. I PARKED THE CAR AND TURNED IT OFF. WHEN I CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY TO TOW THE CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER, THE CAR WOULD TURN ON, THE ENGINE WAS WORKING, BUT THE DASHBOARD WOULD NOT TURN ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE EITHER IN DIRECT OR REVERSE. I BOUGHT THE NISSAN ALTIMA BRAND NEW FROM THE BUENA PARK NISSAN DEALER IN CALIFORNIA. THE CAR HAS HAD ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND I EVEN TOOK THE CAR TO GET THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED AT 48,000 MILES. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS 72,345 MILES IN IT. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER IN VEGAS, ANOTHER PERSON CAME IN WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. HER VEHICLE HAD 75,000 MILES AND IT HAD BEEN SERVICED AT THE VEGAS DEALER DAY PRIOR TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING. *TR
Power train, Jul 19, 2011, crash
I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY CLUTCH STICKS TO THE FLOOR AND I HAVE TO MANUALLY PULL IT UP. EACH TIME THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT THEY HAVE PROVIDED NO REMEDY. I EXPRESSED SEVERAL TIME OF HOW IT HAS PUT ME IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WHILE DRIVING AND GOT THE SORRY BOUT YOUR LUCK TUNE. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED IT RESULTED IN MY WIFE HAVING A WRECK IN THE CAR. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND HAVE FILED TWO COMPLAINTS WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND GET THE SAME TREATMENT. *KB
Power train, Jul 19, 2011, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED. THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IN THE CONTACTS VEHICLE SUSTAINED BRUISES TO THE RIBS AND A CONTUSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A COLLISION CENTER. THE MALFUNCTION WITH THE CLUTCH OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY ON EIGHT SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
Power train, Jun 27, 2011, crash
FROM A COMPLETE STOP, PLACED FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, PUT TRANSMISSION INTO FORWARD, RELEASED FOOT FROM BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE ACCELERATED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT INTO A PARKED CAR. TEN DAYS LATER, FROM A COMPLETE STOP, PLACED FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL, PUT TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE, RELEASED FOOT FROM BRAKE PEDAL, VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING AN ACCIDENT INTO A TREE. EACH INCIDENT OCCURRED WITH DIFFERENT DRIVERS. TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AT 42K MILES. CAR IS UNRELIABLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Power train, Jan 11, 2011
MY NISSAN SHAKES AND FLUTTERS WHEN I TAKE OFF., I THINK THAT THERE IS A MAJOR DEFECT IN THESE NEW TRANSMISSIONS. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ASSURED ME THAT THIS WAS A NORMAL OPERATION. I'VE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT A CAR SHOULDNT HESITATE FROM 20-55 MPH.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION WHILE DEPRESSING THE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THEY ALSO REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE LEVER ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 11/05/10 THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, HE THEN PUT THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE BEYOND 5 MPH. AFTER ABOUT 100 FEET OF A SLOW ROLL AND TRYING TO ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR, IT CAUGHT WITH A LURCH. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERFILLED WITH FLUID, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. UPDATED 12/22/10*JB
Power train, Jul 30, 2010, crash
2008 ALTIMA 2.5S WAS ON 35-35 DEGREE INCLINE WITH FRONT FACING UPHILL. AS I WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT POPPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL. BEFORE I COULD STOP IT, THE DRIVER DOOR CAUGHT ON NEIGHBORING YARD/HILL AND BENT FORWARD. DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER AS WELL. DAMAGE TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $3700. NISSAN SAID THEIR FILED TECH COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE FOUND 7 OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE OR PARK FOR THAT MATTER. *TR
Power train, Jul 10, 2010
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 4 CYLINDER WITH CVT TRANSMISSION, WHEN PULLING OUT ON HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY AT FIRST (0 TO 25 MPH) BUT THEN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND COASTED INTO TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE MORE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO A NISSAN DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN LACK OF ACCELERATION HAPPENED 3 TIMES AND TWICE THE DEALER RESET THE CODE, CHANGE THE FLUID AND REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT WAS JUST A FLUKE AND THAT IT FOUND NO HARDWARE PROBLEMS. THE NISSAN CVT TRANSMISSION CONTROL ELECTRONICS ARE UNRELIABLE, UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THIS RECURRING PROBLEM VERY NEARLY RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT TODAY. *TR