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, Jan 6, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
Structure, Jan 3, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE APPEARS TO BE MELTING AND IT HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE IT CAUSES ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, INCLUDED A NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE METICULOUSLY (MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY). WE DID NOT PUT ANYTHING ON THE DASH (ARMORALL, ETC). THE NISSAN DEALER TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DASHES ON THE ALTIMA WITH THIS PROBLEM IN FLORIDA, BUT THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE INITIAL FACTORY WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM THE NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT. THROUGH THE NICO CLUB, I HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER FLORIDA RESIDENTS WHO OWN 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPES ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND HAS REALLY BECOME A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR HELP WITH THIS MATTER. *TR
Structure, Dec 23, 2013
MY DASH IS MELTING ALONG THE EDGES WHICH LEAVES A BAD GLARE AND WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN, VISIBILITY IS OBSCURED. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 20, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD WAS BLINDING TO THE CONTACT WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND NO REASON WAS PROVIDED FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Structure, Dec 20, 2013
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT'S HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING IT PUTS A VERY BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING YOU NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF WHEN SUN IT OUT OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC LIGHTS REFLECT ON THE WINDOWS . IT'S VERY STICKY AND THE DASHBOARD IS ABOUT TO FALL APART. KNOWING THAT THE AIR BAG IS IN THE DASH IS A VERY CONCERN DUE TO THE DASH MELTING AND POSSIBLE MAY CAUSE A FIRE OVERTIME DUE TO WIRES CONNECTED TO THE DASH. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONLINE EVEN ON NISSAN FACEBOOK PAGE AND COMPLAINTS SHOWN ON HERE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED OR FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT BY NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT THERE WINDOW DUE TO THE SHINY GLARE. NISSAN REFUSE TO FIX THIS DEFECT AS THE SERVICE MANGER SAID THAT THE DASH SHOULD NOT BE MELTING THE WAY IT IS. I HOPE THIS GETS FIXED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL NISSAN DRIVERS THIS SHOULD BE REVIEWED BY CORPORATE NISSAN. *TR
Structure, Dec 14, 2013
I HAVE NOTICED THAT OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS 4-5 MONTHS, THAT MY DASHBOARD OF MY NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2008 IS BEGINNING TO MELT. INITIALLY, THE DEFECT APPEARED AS A GLOSSY, SHINY HUE TO THE DASHBOARD ALONG THE EDGES BUT OVER TIME, ITS HAS NOW STARTED TO MELT WITH SEVERE GLOSSY AND STICKY RESIDUE - THE GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD ON MY WINDSHIELD IS DRAMATIC AND BECOMING UNSAFE DURING AFTERNOON DRIVING. IT INVOLVES ALL EDGES OF THE ANTERIOR DASHBOARD ALONG THE EDGE OF THE SPEAKERS AND AIR FILTER AND APPEARS TO BE MOVING POSTERIORLY. I HAVE NOT USED ANY CHEMICALS TO TRY TO IMPROVE THE ISSUE AND EVERYTHING I PLACE ON THE DASHBOARD STICKS SEVERELY. *TR
Structure, Dec 12, 2013
SECTIONS OF MY FRONT DASH ARE MELTING. THE DETERIORATION HAS LEFT THE DASH IN A TAR LIKE STATE THAT IS STICKY AND SHINY. THE REFLECTION FROM THE SUN IS SO BRIGHT THAT DRIVING IS DIFFICULT AROUND NOON. THE CAR IS PARKED IN A GARAGE 90% OF THE TIME SO THERE IS NO REASON OTHER THAN POOR QUALITY FOR THIS TO HAVE HAPPENED. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN DIRECTLY AND THEY BOTH ARE UNWILLING TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND THAT BUT IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AND I AM WORRIED THAT IF THE GLARE PREVENTS ME FROM SEEING ANOTHER CAR OR PEDESTRIAN SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED. NISSAN SHOULD ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR QUALITY AND RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR
Structure, Dec 12, 2013
MY WIFE AND I NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON HER 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WAS MELTED, LEAVING A STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE AND CAUSES AN INTENSE GLARE WHEN DRIVING IN THE SUN. WE CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD WHEN DRIVING AND HAVE CALLED NISSAN REGARDING THIS ISSUE BUT THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE AS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Structure, Dec 11, 2013
I LIVE IN ORLANDO, FL AND I HAD MY VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 5YRS. THIS YEAR THE DASHBOARD HAS SLOWLY BEGAN TO MELT. IT IS TACK AND IF YOU TOUCH IT BLACK GOO COMES OFF ON YOUR HANDS.THE CAR INSIDE SMELLS WEIRD NO MATTER HOW MUCH I CLEAN AND USE FEBREEZE AND ALSO PROVIDES A BLINDING GLARE WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 3, 2013
MY DASHBOARD HAS MELTED CREATING A TERRIBLE GLARE THAT IS NOT JUST DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING BUT DANGEROUS BECAUSE I CANNOT SEE THROUGH MY WINDSHIELD DURING THE DAY OR WHEN ON COMING HEADLIGHTS COME TOWARDS ME DURING THE NIGHT. NOT ONLY IS IT TERRIBLY DANGEROUS BUT THE MELTING IS MAKING MY DASH STICKY CAUSING PARKING PASSES TO STICK AND LEAVE RESIDUE. *TR
Structure, Nov 24, 2013
THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR IS MELTING. ITS CAUSING A GLARE OF THE SUN THAT MAKE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE DOING THE DAY. I HAVE ALMOST GOT INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE GLARE. *TR
Structure, Nov 22, 2013
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE'S DASHBOARD IS MELTING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND APPARENTLY NISSAN DIDN'T TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE WEATHER HERE WHEN USING MATERIAL FOR THEIR DASHBOARDS ON THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THE WHOLE TOP DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND LOOKS LIKE A WET SUBSTANCE. BECAUSE OF THIS IT CREATES AN INTENSE GLARE THAT IS A SEVER SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING. I CALLED 1800-NISSAN AND THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH THEY USED FAULTY MATERIAL. THIS IS A KNOWN CONCERN SINCE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IF U DO A GOOGLE SEARCH OF THIS ISSUE, YOU'LL FIND ITS A VERY COMMON PROBLEMS FOR NEARLY ALL NISSAN ALTIMA (2008) WHO LIVE IN SOUTHERN CLIMATES AND NISSAN WILL NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY OF THIS ISSUES, DOES SOMEONE HAS TO DIE IN A ACCIDENT OR GET DISMEMBERED ? THANK YOU *TR
Exterior lighting, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 8, 2013
DASHBOARD MELTED, CAUSING A BRIGHT VISION-AFFECTING GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. REDUCES VISIBILITY GREATLY, WILL LIKELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE TOO LONG. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2013
DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO MELT IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE THAT HAS GREATLY IMPAIRED MY VISION WHEN DRIVING ON THE ROAD ON A SUNNY DAY. THE GLARE REFLECTED FROM THE MELTING PORTION OF MY DASH IS REFLECTED ONTO MY WINDSHIELD. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS DUE TO THE LACK OF VISIBILITY. *TR
Structure, Oct 25, 2013
THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING CAUSING A HORRIBLE GLARE THAT IMPACTS VISION WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN NELAND, FL. *TR
Structure, Oct 22, 2013
THERE IS A CONSISTENT ISSUE WITH THIS PARTICULAR MAKER, MODEL AND YEAR. THE "MELTING DASHBOARD". THE MATERIAL USED TO MAKE THE RUBBER-TYPE DASHBOARD BEGINS TO "MELT". THE SURFACE IS STICKY AND CAUSES VERY BAD WINDSHIELD SUN GLARE, WHICH CAN BE DANGEROUS. MY WIFE WILL NOT DRIVE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE DOCUMENTED PHOTOS AND COMMENTS FROM OTHER CAR OWNERS. *TR
Structure, Oct 19, 2013
I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 08 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007. I LIVE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, AND FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, MY DASHBOARD HAS TURNED SHINY, STICKY, AND IS QUITE LITERALLY MELTING. THE LAST 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR, I NOTICED THAT THE PART AROUND THE RADIO UNIT HAS BEEN CRACKING AND "SOFTENING". IN THE DAYTIME, THE SHINY MELTING PART OF THE DASH REFLECTS ONTO MY WINDSHIELD AND CREATES A BLINDING GLARE THAT MAKES IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO EVEN SEE THE ROAD. I HAVE TRIED VARIOUS CLEANING SOLUTIONS UNTIL I REALIZED THAT WASN'T THE PROBLEM. I HAVE COME ACROSS MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM, MOST IN FLORIDA, AND ALL 2008 ALTIMAS. I WILL ENCLOSE A LINK TO THE FORUM WHERE MANY ALTIMA OWNERS HAVE FOUND THANKS TO GOOGLE WITH THE ISSUE. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND SOME PICTURES OF THE DASHBOARD IF NECESSARY. HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/MY-DASHBOARD-IS-MELTING-T569582.HTML. *TR
Structure, Oct 11, 2013
IT APPEARS AS IF MY DASHBOARD IS "MELTING." THE FINISH ON THE DASHBOARD IS DISAPPEARING AND IT HAD BECAME VERY STICKY AND THERE IS A GLARE ON THE DASH THAT IS HINDERING VISIBILITY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS TO BE COMMON ON 2008 NISSAN ALTIMAS AND MY CONCERNS THAT IT WILL ONLY GET WORSE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS PROBLEM AWARE NOW BEFORE IT GETS WORSE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 9, 2013
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LIMITED VISIBILITY. *TR
Structure, Oct 3, 2013
THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING. THE CAR IS GARAGE PARKED AND I USE SUN SHADES WHEN IT IS PARKED OUTSIDE. THE DASH IS MELTING SO BADLY THAT THE GLARE IS BLOCKING MY ABILITY TO SEE THINGS ON THE ROAD. *TR
Structure, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Engine, Oct 2, 2013, crash
I PULLED IN A PARKING SPACE, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND BEFORE I COULD PUT IT IN PARK THE CAR ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I WENT ABOUT TWENTY FEET, OVER CURBS, SIDEWALK, ANOTHER PARKING SPACE, AVOIDING CARS, SKID MARKS MADE, AND FINALLY DIRECTED THE CAR TOWARD A DUMPSTER AND IT STOPPED. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT SOMEONE IN MY PATH WASN'T KILLED. THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BACK AND SO THE BODY SHOP CONNECTED WITH NISSAN CONSIDERED IT A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Structure, Sep 27, 2013
DASH APPEARS TO BE MELTING. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN TULSA IN 2011 WHILE I WAS LIVING IN ARKANSAS...MOVED TO KANSAS IN JULY 2013 AND NOTICED IN AUGUST THAT MY DASH APPEARS TO BE MELTING. CAR HAS BEEN MOST EXCLUSIVELY PARKED IN GARAGE....THIS SLICK, WET LIKE APPEARANCE CAUSES GLARE ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE....I TOOK THE CAR TO STATE LINE NISSAN IN KANSAS CITY, MO LAST WEEK AND THEY DISMISSED THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH I AM STILL COVERED BY A NISSAN WARRANTY. *TR
Structure, Sep 25, 2013
MY DASH HAS STARTED TO MELT. ITS UGLY BUT THE MAIN ISSUE IS DRIVING IN THE SUN. THE SPOTS THAT ARE MELTING ARE VERY SHINNY AND AT TIMES CAUSES ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *JS
Structure, Sep 20, 2013
DASHBOARD MELTS IN HIGH TEMPERATURE CLIMATES. GLARE FROM MELT IS SO BAD THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE ROAD. VISIBILITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AT THIS POINT AND NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE OR ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 19, 2013
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE STARTED MELTING AROUND MAY, 2013. AT FIRST IT WAS NOT NOTICEABLE BUT NOW THERE ARE BIG SHINY, STICKY PATCHES ON MY DASHBOARD. THIS WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM BUT WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY THE SUN REFLECTS OFF OF THE MELTED AREAS AND CAUSES A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD THAT GREATLY REDUCES MY VISIBILITY. BECAUSE OF THAT I TEND TO NOT DRIVE IT OFTEN. ALSO ITS GIVING OFF THE SMELL OF BURNED PLASTIC. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I FOUND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS COMMON IN PLACES LIKE TEXAS, FLORIDA, AND CALIFORNIA. HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/NISSANUSA/POSTS/10152938385130375 HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/MY-DASHBOARD-IS-MELTING-T569582.HTML. *TR