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, Jun 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION NISSAN LEWISVILLE (1601 S STEMMONS FWY, LEWISVILLE, TX, (972) 763-5527) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Structure, Nov 13, 2018
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN COHEN ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENT REQUESTING A RECALL ON HER 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA FOR SAFETY RELATED DEFECTS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND BECAME STICKY. THE DEFECT IMPAIRS THE DRIVERS VISION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED THE EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE. *JS
Structure, Aug 29, 2018
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREEHOLD NISSAN (4041 U.S. 9 N, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728, (732) 984-9080) WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. *BF *AS
Structure, Jun 7, 2018
TAKATA RECALL- VEHICLE DASHBOARD IS MELTING
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, May 6, 2018
MY DASH BOARD IS MELTING FROM THE HEAT AND CRACKING ALL AROUND. MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON ALONG WITH TIRE SENSOR. HAD SENSOR REPLACE SEVERAL TIME AND HAVE SAME ISSUE.
Power train, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2018
1) CLEAR COAT AND BLACK PAINT FADING TO PRIMER (YEAR 2017-2018) 2) 124,000 MILES - TRANSMISSION WHINING AS VEHICLE SPEEDS UP ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS (MARCH 22,2018) 3) BLACK DASH HAS MELTED, CANT SEE OUT WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING FACING THE SUN (2017-2018)
Structure, Mar 2, 2018
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CREATES GLARE AND RELEASES FUMES THAT ARE NOT SAFE.
Structure, Feb 13, 2018
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND VERY STICKY BOTH OF WHICH CAUSE A HORRIFIC GLARE IN THE SUN.
Structure, Jan 24, 2018
MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE. I NOTICED IT STARTED TO GET SHINY AND STICKY BY THE WINDOW AND IT IS NOW THE ENTIRE THING IS SO SOFT I CAN SLIGHTLY PRESS MY FINGER NAIL INTO THE PLASTIC AND IT WILL ACTUALLY CUT OR GOUGE THE PLASTIC. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CARS DASHBOARD DO THIS. I ONLY USE WATER AND A CLOTH TO CLEAN THE DASH AND CRACK MY WINDOWS IN THE SUMMER TO AVOID EXTREMELY HOT TEMPS. IT IS LIKE THE SUN HAS MELTED THE DASHBOARD BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW HOT OR COLD IT IS IT IS ALWAYS BRITTLE.
Structure, Jan 14, 2018
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING UNDER THE HOT GEORGIA SUN AND IS CAUSING SERIOUS VISIBILITY ISSUES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE SUNSHINE. IT CAUSES A HUGE GLARE TO APPEAR ON MY WINDSHIELD.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 11, 2017
DASHBOARD IS MELTING WHICH IS CAUSING SEVERE VISIBILITY ISSUES. I AM HAVING TO LEAN OUT OF THE WAY IN ORDER TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD, AND I TRY TO AVOID BEING IN MY CAR AS I AM SEVERELY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AS IT IS PROGRESSIVELY BECOMING WORSE
Structure, Dec 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE SUN PRODUCED A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, WHICH AFFECTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (HERITAGE NISSAN 1500 VETERANS MEMORIAL HWY NE, ROME GA 30161) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND REFLECTED ONTO THE REARVIEW MIRROR WHILE THE SUN WAS SHINING. THE ISSUE CAUSED VISIBILITY ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (WEST SIDE NISSAN, 1726 CASSAT AVE, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 904-359-8016), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAITED FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 19, 2017
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA AND LIVE IN GLASGOW KENTUCKY . A WHILE BACK I NOTICED A REAL STICKY SUBSTANCE ON MY DASH THAT WAS CAUSING A TERRIBLE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD. I GOOGLED THE ISSUE AND APPARENTLY THE 2008 AND 2009 ALTIMAS DASHBOARD WILL MELT. MAKES IT HARD TO SEE OUT AT TIMES
Visibility, Structure, Aug 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER CROWN NISSAN LOCATED AT 5151 34TH ST N ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33714 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE # 27986750 BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,812. UPDATED 11/06/17*LJ *JS
Structure, Jan 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED FROM EXPOSURE TO THE SUN, WHICH CAUSED A GLARE AND VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Structure, Dec 28, 2016
MELTING DASH BOARD CAUSING VISIBILITY TOO BE PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING TOWARD THE SUN NISSAN DEALER SAY THEY DO NOT COVER THIS ISSUE. THE GLARE COMING OFF WINDSHIELD FROM DASH BOARD IS A HAZARD TO DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 15, 2016
I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CLEANING SUBSTANCE PUT ON THE DASHBOARD. MY CAR SITS OUT IN THE SUN AS I DO NOT HAVE GARAGE OR CARPORT. THE GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD CREATES A HAZARD AS THERE IS A GLARE WHILE YOUR ARE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Dec 13, 2016
THE SOFT MATERIAL COVERING THE TOP AND FRONT OF MY DASH IS CRACKING AND THE CRACKS ARE STICKY. THE CAR IS GARAGE KEPT, AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 85,000 MILES. AS THIS MATERIAL FAILURE CONTINUES, IT WILL DESTROY THE USEFULNES OF THE CAR. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT NEEDS REPAIR OR CORRECTION, RIGHT AWAY.
Visibility, Structure, Engine, Dec 9, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION AFTER BEING STARTED AND WHILE BEING OPERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLT WAS STRIPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BOLT MISSING IN THE SUN ROOF AND, DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, CAUSED CORROSION OF THE SUN ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE SUN ROOF AREA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.
Structure, Oct 31, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
Structure, Oct 11, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS BLACK STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT REFLECTS A GLARE AND IS HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS SO DISTRACTING AT TIMES THAT IT IS HARD TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND THAT THE AREA AFFECTED WILL CONTINUE TO GROW WHICH WILL SERVERLY AFFECT THE ABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 5, 2016
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASH HAS BEEN MELTING FOR THE PAST 3-4 YEARS AND IS NOW CAUSING AN INABILITY TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A LARGE REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD DURING DAYTIME DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS AND OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE CORPORATE OFFICE AT NISSAN OFFERED 1/2 OFF THE PRICE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE DANGERS THAT IT'S CAUSING FOR MANY DRIVERS.
Structure, Sep 28, 2016
DASHBOARD IN 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA APPEARS TO BE MELTING, BECOMING VERY STICKY AND CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. UNABLE TO CLEAN IT WITH ANYTHING, DUE TO THE GUMMY TEXTURE OF THE DASH. HAS A SHINY APPEARANCE TO IT AND GETS WORSE EVERY DAY. THIS IS CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH VISION ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS WHILE DRIVING. AFRAID AS IT GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INSIDE OF THE DASH AREA.
Structure, Aug 30, 2016
THE DASH OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING OR DETERIORATING. IT HAS BECOME SO SHINY THAT WHEN THE SUN OR STREETLIGHTS REFLECT ON MY WINDSHIELD, IT IS ALMOST A COMPLETE WHITE-OUT EFFECT. I NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING THE STREET BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE THEM. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED REPEATEDLY AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THEM. A LOCAL DEALER SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT, BUT I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STICKINESS I COULD LIVE WITH, BUT THE WAY IT REFLECTS OFF MY WINDSHIELD IS DANGEROUS.