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: structure
312 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2024
The dashboard of the car melted that causes a very bright glare.
Structure, Aug 11, 2024
My 2008 Nissan Altima's dash is degrading and has caused a sticky residue to form on it. This stickiness is very shiny and causes a glare to occur on the windshield. I live in Kentucky and when the sun is shining, and actually basically anytime driving, the glare makes it nearly impossible to see. I almost hit another vehicle because I could not see but instead went off the road to avoid a collision. This is very unsafe.
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 13, 2023
The dashboard of this vehicle has become sticky to the touch and excessively shiny, and appears to be melting in spots, causing glare on the windshield that obstructs vision while driving.
Other or unspecified, Structure, Oct 24, 2022
2008 Nissan Altima: Noticed this year a shiny gleam on the dashboard. This windshield gets hazy. The dashboard is melting, it is sticking and shiny. When a fingernail is pressed, it will actually sink into the dashboard and leave a mark. The dashboard cannot take any cleaning or friction. When the dashboard is touched it leaves fingers sticky. Became more of an issue this year now that I have a grandchild. MY other vehicle is a mini cooper 2 door which is not feasible to hold a car seat and baby. I now have the carseat in the Nissan and now it has become more of a problem because i cannot use the other car as alternative transportation when I have my grandchild. It is very difficult to drive with the glare it causes, and it is a safety issue not only for me but for others. When the sun is out and it is hot (this summer) it is worst and causes the windshield to get hazy. Not sure if it is leaking chemicals as the dashboard is now soft, shiny and cannot be removed by cleaning. The glare is very dangerous and difficult to drive under the conditions. Thank You, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Structure, Sep 14, 2022
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard had melted and was sticky. There were also cracks on the dashboard. The failure caused a glare on the front windshield, which obstructed her view of the roadway while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the dashboard needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 19, 2022
The dashboard in this vehicle similar to other Nissan models that have already been recalled is cracked, sticky, shiny and glossy. It’s dangerous to have cracks in the dashboard in case of airbag deployment. The glossy shiny dashboard creates a blinding glare and is extremely dangerous while driving. It creates a glare that makes the front windshield appear black and unable to see through.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2022
Problem - Car dashboard is melting and becoming sticky due to heat. Safety - Severe glare from the black dashboard on the windshield makes it a safety risk to drive on the roads during day time. Potential health hazard due to melting dashboard material and any harmful gases from dashboard material while driving the car with heater or AC ON. This is a known issue to Nissan and a class action lawsuit was filed and settled in the state of FL.
Structure, Jun 16, 2021
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard was melting due to extreme heat. The contact stated that there was a glare reflecting off the dashboard and onto the windshield which would obstruct her vision while driving. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and it was stated that they could repair the dashboard. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
Structure, Aug 30, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING WHEN IT REACHES A CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES FARENHEIT.
Structure, Aug 21, 2020
THE DASHBOARD OF VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A SHINE TO IT THAT REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING IN SUN LIGHT OBSTRUCTING VISION OF ROAD. THE DASH ALSO FEELS LIKE IT HAS BECOME STICKY AND SOFT LIKE IT IS MELTING.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Structure, Jul 18, 2020
DASHBOARD IS MELTING GIVING OFF A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO THE GAS GAUGE IS DEFECTIVE ... DOES NOT SHOW THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF GAS TANK ... NEEDLE FLUCTUATES FROM F, 1/2, E.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 1, 2020
NOT A SINGLE EVENT... DASHBOARD HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN SOFTER/STICKIER OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. IT IS NOW CRACKED AND IS MELTING NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS OFF-GASSED AN UNREMOVABLE FILM ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE GLASS, AND THE CAR HAS SUCH A NOXIOUS SMELL FROM THE FUMES WE NO LONGER FEEL IT'S HEALTHY TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE WINDOWS DOWN. *TR
Structure, Jun 24, 2020
DASH MELTING AND STICKY AND CAUSING A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2020
THE DASHBOARD HAS BEGUN TO MELT AND THE GLARE IS VERY DISTRACTING. IT IS VERY STICKY AND GETS WORSE AT THE WEATHER GET WARMER. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTED. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER THE YEARS. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD SO I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT IS STATIONARY FOR NOW. THE CAR ALSO HAS A FOUL ODOR FROM THE MELTED DASH. *TR
Structure, May 21, 2020
REFLECTIVE DASHBOARD THAT IS MELTING FROM THE SUNLIGHT CAUSING IT TO BE VERY STICKY, GUMMY, & SHINY. CAUSING A BLINDING GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD & EFFECTING MY VISIBILITY TO SEE WHERE I'M DRIVING & I CAN NOT SEE OTHER PERSONS OR VEHICLES. IT A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME OTHER PEOPLE I MEET IN THE ROAD & ALSO A HEALTH HAZARD TO ME FROM HAVING TO BREATH, INHALE THE TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THE MATERIAL OF THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE HELP ME WITH VEHICLE THAT I AM HAVING DRIVING HAZARDS WITH. MY NAME IS [XXX], MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX] & MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS [XXX]. I NEED TO GET HELP GETTING THIS DASHBOARD FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE IT CREATES AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD KILL ME , MY PASSENGERS & WHOM EVER I MEET ON THE HIGHWAY. THANK YOU! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Apr 11, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND TURNING TO GOO AND NOW IS ALSO CRUMBLING. I STARTED CONTACTING NISSAN CORP APPROX 3 YEARS AGO . I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FILE 3 CLAIMS AND ALL HAVE BEEN DENIED. THE DEALERSHIP AGREES THAT THE DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE BUT STATES SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY CAN'T HELP. THE DASHBOARD PUTS OFF A GLARE THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY ON SUNNY DAYS. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT A LAWSUIT FILED IN TEXAS AND FLORIDA RESULTED IN THE DASHBOARDS. THERE IS ALSO AN ODOR AT TIMES AND THE VAPOR LEAVES A FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD. YOU CAN'T CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE RAGS OR PAPER TOWELS STICK TO THE GOO. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN DENIED BY NISSAN. THE NISSAN REP WOULD NOT EVEN ALLOW ME TO SPEAK WITH HER SUPERVISOR OR ANYONE IN CHARGE. SHE SIMPLY SAID I HAVE PRESENTED YOUR INFORMATION AND OUR DECISION IS FINAL GETTING REPLACED. BASICALLY I WAS TOLD THAT I AM NOT PART OF THE FLORIDA OR TEXAS SUIT SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK. NISSAN DID SAY THAT IF I WANTED TO BUY A NEW CAR THEY WOULD OFFER ME A SPECIAL DEAL. REALLY WHY WOULD I BUY SOMETHING FROM A COMPANY THAT KNOWS THE DASHBOARDS ARE DEFECTIVE.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 21, 2020
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN MELTING ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO HOWEVER RECENTLY IT STARTED TO MELT MORE AND BECOME STICKY TO THE TOUCH. EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE, THE GLARE THAT SHINES ONTO MY WINDSHIELD FROM THE DASHBOARD IS TERRIBLE, SO BAD THAT IT IS HARD TO SEE AT TIMES. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TROUBLE IDENTIFYING THINGS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND WILL CHARGE $2500 FOR A NEW DASHBOARD.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 6, 2020
DASHBOARD MELTING AND PRODUCES GLARE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING IN SUNLIGHT.
Structure, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 14, 2019, fire
WHILE DRIVING ON I95 THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WAS STEERED VERY DIFFICULTLY TO THE OFF RAMP AND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND I EXITED THE CAR AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO BE ENGULFED IN FLAMES BURNING THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR TO THE FRONT SEATS. FIRE RESCUE ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.1116
Structure, Nov 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND THE MATERIAL CREATED A GLARE FROM THE SUN. THE DASHBOARD WAS ALSO FRACTURED. THE CONTACT CALLED NISSAN VAN NUYS (LOCATED AT 5425 VAN NUYS BLVD, SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91401, 818-787-8400) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,316. *LN *TR
Structure, Oct 30, 2019
MY DASHBOARD HAS MELTED. IT WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY, IN THE SUN, ON A COLD WINTERS DAY, WHILE THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND, IN NEW JERSEY. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? ASIDE FROM HOW TERRIBLE IT LOOKS, IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN. THE SURFACE IS STICKY + GLOSSY, THE FUMES + ODOR ARE TOXIC & THE REAL DANGER IS THE BLINDING GLARE REFLECTING UP ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN THE DAYTIME. WE READ ABOUT THE RECALL IN FLORIDA ONLY, BUT LAST WE CHECKED, THE SUN SHINES ACROSS ALL 50 STATES.
Structure, Oct 15, 2019
THE DASH OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS MELTED SO SEVERELY THAT IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN THE DAYTIME. THE MATERIAL ONCE MELTED BECOMES EXTREMELY STICKY AND DANGEROUSLY REFLECTIVE. WHAT I MEAN BY REFLECTIVE, IS THAT WHEN THE SUN SHINES, IT REFLECTS SO MUCH LIGHT FROM THE DASH TO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD RIGHT INTO MY, THE DRIVER, EYES. THE REFLECTIONS ARE EXTREMELY AND DANGEROUSLY BLINDING WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD OR ANYTHING ELSE FOR THAT MATTER! NOT TO MENTION THE GLUE LIKE SURFACE THAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE DASHBOARD TO TRY REDUCING THE DEADLY REFLECTIONS! THE MANUFACTURE'S DEFECTIVE PRODUCT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE DIRECT SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AND EVERY OTHER MOTORIST, PEDESTRIANS, ANIMALS ETC.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2019
THE DASHBOARD OF MY VEHICLE IS MELTING AND CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE ESPECIALLY IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN MY VEHICLE FOR YEARS. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A LAWSUIT THAT WAS SETTLED IN FLORIDA WHERE I PREVIOUSLY LIVED BUT NOTHING WAS SENT OUT TO INFORM DRIVERS OF THIS. THE TIME FRAME FOR THAT SETTLEMENT HAS NOW PASSED AND I HAVE MOVED TO ANOTHER STATE.
Structure, Jun 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND CREATED A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS AFFECTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.