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: service brakes
92 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 27, 2010
MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS ON VEHICLE. HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING. HAS NOT CAUSED ANY MAJOR FAILURE AT THIS TIME, BUT DOES REQUIRE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO NEED A REFILL ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS (I.E. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTS TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Oct 25, 2010
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5- I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 9 TIMES WITH BRAKE ISSUES AND HAD MY MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED ONCE ALREADY IN 2009 UNDER WARRANTY. MY BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNING ON DURING ACCELERATION AND OFF WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND WAS TOLD THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE WORK IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO 12,000 MILE AGREEMENT. OBVIOUSLY, SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG HERE. I'M ON THE 3RD MASTER CYLINDER IN 2 AND 1/2 YEARS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS CYLINDER; MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 22, 2010
LOSING BRAKE FLUID CAUSING WARNING LIGHT TO FLASH. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 16, 2010
MY BRAKES ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HAVE BEEN MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE ALMOST 1 YEAR NOW. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHICH I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES WHEN THEY COMPLETED A VISUAL INSPECTION. I FEEL UNSAFE WITH THIS TYPE OF ONGOING NOISE AND THIS OCCURS EVERYDAY,ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HEAT UP,I WILL GET A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT DID ANYTHING TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES AND I DONE THINK ITS SUPPOSE TO BE TIME FOR A BRAKE CHANGE?? HAS ANYONE OR IS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE? *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 31, 2010
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A CHRONIC BRAKE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE IN MAY OF 2008. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD TO BRING IN THE CAR FOR REPAIRS RANGING FROM SQUEALING NOISES RIGHT DOWN TO OUT AND OUT GRINDING WHICH BEGAN ONLY 3-4K MILES AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. AFTER THE FIRST SEVERAL REPAIRS, WHICH DID ABSOLUTELY "NOTHING' AS I NOTICED THE BRAKES SQUEALING STILL JUST DAYS AFTER I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, THE CAR DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ISSUED WHICH REQUIRED THEM TO PERFORM A 'COMPLETE" BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT, WHICH INCLUDED BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND BRAND NEW REPLACEMENTS OF ALL OTHER PARTS THAT THE BRAKES USE. SINCE THAT TIME, THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS ANNOYING SQUEALING NOISE AND WHEN THE DEALERSHIP IS QUESTIONED ABOUT IT, THEY SIMPLY REVERT BACK TO WHAT THEY TOLD ME THE VERY FIRST TIME I CALLED THEM ABOUT THIS 3-4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, WHICH WAS THAT THIS SOUND WAS NORMAL WITH ALL CARS AND WAS NOTHING TO BE ALARMED ABOUT, WHICH SOUNDED TOTALLY PREPOSTEROUS TO ME AND WAS EVEN PROVEN INCORRECT MONTHS LATER AFTER THE INITIAL COMPLAINT WHEN THEY ADVISED ME THERE WAS THAT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED IN THE AFOREMENTIONED COMPLETE OVERHAUL REPAIR. IT WAS NOTED THAT, AMONG OTHER REASONS, THIS OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE SEMI-METALLIC PADS USED BY NISSAN AND/OR OTHER CHEAP OR POOR QUALITY BRAKE PRODUCTS USED. FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED THERE HAVE BEEN "THREE" TSB'S ISSUED RELATING TO BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA AS FOLLOWS: NTB07-003C MURANO AND ALTIMA; SQUEAK NOISE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. NTB08-047 ALTIMA: REAR BRAKE NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS NTB08-057 2007-2008 ALTIMA; FRONT BRAKE NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS. *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.
Service brakes, Air, Feb 1, 2010, crash
MY NAME IS FATIMA OWODUNNI, I AM REPORTING AN ACCIDENT I HAD WITH MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 ON 7/28/09. IT HAPPENED IN THE PARKING LOT OF BED BATH AND BEYOND @ OWINGS MILLS MD WHEN I TRIED TO PARK THE CAR. I PUT THE GEAR IN A REVERSE MODE TO BACK UP INTO A SPACE BUT INSTEAD OF THE CAR DRIVING BACKWARD IT WENT WITH SUCH AN UNIMAGINABLE SPEED FORWARD, I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR INSTANTLY BUT THE BRAKED FAILED. I THEN CRASHED INTO 3 OTHER CARS AND ONE PERSON INJURED DUE TO THE CRASH. I REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO NISSAN NA BUT THEY REFUSED TO ACCEPT NEGLIGENCE. I TOLD POLICE OFFICER WHAT HAD HAPPENED BUT DIDN'T BELIEVE ME AND HE WROTE IN HIS REPORT THAT MAYBE I PRESSED ON THE GAS PEDAL RATHER THAN THE BRAKE BUT I WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. NISSAN NA REJECTED MY CLAIM SAYING THE INVESTIGATION DIDN'T REVEAL THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR. PLEASE HELP, I'M STILL DRIVING THE CAR BUT I DRIVE IN FEAR ANYTIME I'M BEHIND THE WHEEL. THANK YOU! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 21, 2009
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. FAILED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AT 47,000 MILES. I TOOK MY 2008 ALTIMA 2.5SL TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. ONE COMPLAINT IS THAT MY BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON UNDER ACCELERATION. THEY ADVISED THAT MY MASTER CYLINDER HAS A LEAK. DUE TO THE MILEAGE ON MY CAR IT IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY SEE THIS OFTEN BUT MOST PEOPLE ARE COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BECAUSE THEY HAVE LESS MILEAGE. I FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD FIX THIS UNDER RECALL. *TR
Power train, Service brakes, Electric, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Nov 16, 2009
BRAKES WERE MAKING A NOISE FOR A 2ND TIME; ALREADY REPLACED ONCE WHEN I TOLD ABC NISSAN PHOENIX, AZ (WHERE PURCHASED) THAT AT SPEED LESS THEN 25 MPH MY BRAKES WERE MAKING A NOISE. THE OTHER DAY WENT TO BRAKE AT 14 MPH IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC ON THE FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR AND BRAKES LOCKED UP AND HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION (MIND YOU I WAS ONE CAR LENGTH BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME). I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY NISSAN ALTIMA NOW!! THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 9, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN IT RAINED THE BRAKES LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID. THE BRAKE FAILURE HAS CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE A CRASH HAS OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 0.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 18, 2009
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD SQUEAKY BRAKES FOR MONTHS BEFORE DEALERSHIP WOULD ADMIT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. FIRST TIME I TOOK CAR IN ABOUT BRAKES WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES SOMETIMES MAKE A NOISE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SECOND TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND BOTH CALIPERS ON FRONT.EVERYTHING WAS FIXED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN. I'VE NOTICED THAT MY TRANSMISSION MAKES A WHINNY NOISE WHEN DRIVING UP GRADES. TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE REPORTED PROBLEM. GO FIGURE.. I WISH SOMEONE WOULD DO US ALL A FAVOR AND RECALL THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE! WE ALL HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF BY NISSAN! CAR HAS HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE! REGRET BUYING IT!! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 21, 2009
I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A USED 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN. THE BRAKES ARE VERY SQUEAKY. THE BRAKES SQUEAK WHEN YOU PRESS ON THEM LIGHTLY GOING AROUND 10 MPH OR LESS. *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Wheels, Apr 2, 2009
VEHICLE RIDES UNSTABLE. SHARP TURNS CAUSES CAR TO BECOME UNSTABLE, LOSES CONTROLS OF TURN. TIRES OR RIMS UNBALANCED. HAVE VEHICLE SEEM MANY TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. NEITHER REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CONFIRM PROBLEM. TOLD BY AMERICAN TIRES SALE ASSOCIATE, NISSAN WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEMS. THEY REBALANCED THE TIRES, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ADVISE RIGHT FRONT TIRE PROBLEM, BUT THEY WOULD NOT GIVE A WRITE UP ON THE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD TOO MANY RECALLS. HANLEES RICHMOND HILLTOP NISSAN SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE MANY RECALLS, PRIOR TO SELLING THIS VEHICLE. MARCH 26, 2009 HAD CAR IN FOR SERVICING, DRIVER SEAT BROKEN, BRAKE HARDWARE DAMAGED - BRAKES REPLACED. MILEAGE AT TIME OF SERVICING 12,800. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE. I SPOKE WITH THE FINANCE ASSOCIATE ABOUT REPLACING THE CAR, BUT HE REFUSED.. I HAVE NOTED FROM SERVICING ORDER ON MARCH 26, 2009 - HEAT SHIELD PROBLEM - HIGH RPM ON INITIAL STARTUP. ANTIOCH SERVICE ADVISOR DID NOT ADDRESS THIS MATTER, BECAUSE NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A CORRECTION ORDER ON THIS AS OF TODAY. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR THAT HAS MANY PROBLEMS FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE! I HAVE TRIED SO MANY TIMES TO GET HELP FROM THE SERVICE CENTER AS WELL AS NISSAN CONSUMER SERVICES. NOT HELP!!! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 31, 2009
I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WITH 30K MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING NONSTOP. I TOOK THE PAD OFF ON ALL 4 SIDES AND THERE IS PLENTY OF PAD LEFT. I SANDED THE SYFACE OF THE PAD, CLEANED THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY AND STILL THEY SQUEAK NON STOP. THE ONLY TIME THEY WILL NOT SQUEAK IS IF I BRAKE SUPER HARD. *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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 22, 2008
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 7,000 MILES FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE TOO HARD. THEY CUT INTO THE BRAKE ROTORS AND CAUSE CAR TO STOP POORLY. THEY ALSO SCREECH. WHEN STOPPING. AT 7,500 SERVICE SHOP TURNED THE ROTORS BUT DID NOT REPLACE THE PADS, SO THE HARD PADS WILL CONTINUE TO CUT INTO ROTORS AND MAKE STOPPING DIFFICULT. MY 20005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND FORD RECALLED AND REPLACED PADS WITH SOFTER ONES AND CURED THE PROBLEMS. NUMEROUS OWNERS OF 2007 AND 2008 NISSAN ALTIMAS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 16, 2008
I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN MARCH OF 2008, AFTER 2000 MILES I HEARD THE BRAKES START TO SQUEAK, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AUGUST 8TH AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES, THEY DID AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CALIPERS REPLACED, I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS TOLD NO, THERE IS A BULLETIN THOUGH. I THOUGHT THAT OTHER OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION BEFORE THE WARRANTY IS UP AND THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. *TR