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, Aug 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A REFLECTION ON THE DASHBOARD THAT OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VISION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Tires, Wheels, Aug 11, 2016
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA (VIN# [XXX]). I HAVE TO TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU: 1) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE DASHBOARDS TOWARDS THEIR STICKINESS & MELTING? ESPECIALLY SINCE TOYOTA RECALLED THEIRS BECAUSE OF THAT. 2) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE TPMS? IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. WITH IT ON ALL THE TIME, HOW ARE SUPPOSED TO TELL WHEN THE AIR IS LOW. IF I TURN IT OFF, IT WON'T COME BACK ON EVEN WHEN THE TIRES ARE LOW. IF I REPLACE ONE, I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM. NTB HAS EVEN TRIED PUTTING NITROGEN IN THE TIRES. BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Jul 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE CRACKED AND MELTED WITH A STICKY SUBSTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,815.
Structure, Jun 28, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY WHICH SOMETIMES CAUSES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER IS 18 AND THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS STATED THAT SOMETIMES ON SUNNY DAYS THERE IS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSED BY THE STICKY DASHBOARD. MY CONCERN IS FOR HER SAFETY WHEN DRIVING AND THIS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. WE LIVE IN TEXAS WHERE THE HEAT AND SUN CAN BE EXTREME AT TIMES.
Steering, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 24, 2016
DASHBOARD, STEERING WHEEL, AND SHIFT HANDLE HAVE ALL MELTED FROM HEAT. THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME ALMOST LIQUIFIED, AND THE GLARE FROM THE NOW SHINY SURFACE CREATES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME GUMMY, MAKING STEERING UNSAFE, AND THE RUBBERY MATERIAL ON THE SHIFT HANDLE HAS BECOME GUMMY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SAFELY SHIFT GEARS ACCUARATELY.
Structure, Jun 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND CLINGING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Electrical system, Structure, Engine, Apr 19, 2016
5 YRS AGO THE SOUND OF MY ENGINE CHANGED AND UPON INSPECTION THE WELDING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. I WAS INFORMED BY PEMBROKE PINES NISSAN THAT SINCE CAR IS AT 38,500 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY DESPITE IT BEING A MANUFACTURE FAILURE IT WOULD SET ME BACK $975. I DIDN'T HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. FOR THE PAST 3 YRS, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT WILL TURN OFF AND ON EVEN IRREGARDLESS IF SOMEONE IS IN THE SEAT OR NOT. FURTHERMORE, THE RADIO WILL GO BLANK OR HAVE ILLEGIBLE CHARACTERS ON IT. I TOO HAVE THE MELTING DASH ISSUE AS WELL AS A COUPLE OF TIMES I SLIPPED AND MY FINGER NAIL HAS GOUGED OUT PIECES OF DASH BOARD. IT'S AMAZING THAT LEXUS HAS ISSUED A RECALL ON THEIR MELTING DASH BOARD ON THE IS250 & IS350 ISSUES BUT NISSAN COULD CARE LESS ABOUT ITS BRAND OR REPUTATION; I GUESS THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE COMPANY ISN'T WHOLE JAPANESE OWNED.
Structure, Apr 11, 2016
MY DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND CRACKING IN MANY PLACES. IT ALSO GETS SO HOT IN THE SUMMER THAT I WAS REMOVING SOMETHING FROM IT AND MY FINGERNAIL TOOK A PIECE OF THE DASH. MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND WHEN PARKED IN THE SUN, SUN SHIELDS ARE USED. I NOTICED THIS ISSUE IN JULY OF LAST YEAR. NISSAN DEALER SAID WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE.
Structure, Apr 4, 2016
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DASHBOARD MELTING/ STICKY CREATING VISIBILITY ISSUES FROM SUN REFLECTION WHILE DRIVING. *SMD
Structure, Apr 2, 2016
DASH BOARD IS MELTING. BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2012 AND NOTICED TACKINESS IN PLACES AND ASKED DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T A PROBLEM. WELL LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE DASH WAS NOTICEABLE MELTING AND CRACKING IN MANY PLACES. I HAVE A CHILD THAT RIDES IN THE CAR WITH ME. I GET NERVOUS WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN. THESE CARS SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NISSAN FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS IN A FATAL ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY COULD T SEE.
Structure, Apr 2, 2016
MY ALTIMA FRONT DASH BOARD ARE STARTING TO MELT UNDER THE SUN, IT BECOMES REALLY STICKY AND IT SMELLS REALLY BAD. SOMETIMES ITS REALLY HARD TO SEE BECAUSE THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASH BOARD. ITS BOTH A SAFE AND HEALTH ISSUE, THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE IT CAUSE A PERMANENT DAMAGE.
Structure, Mar 11, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND REFLECTING ON THE GLASS. IT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE WHATS IN FRONT OF YOU WHEN THE SUN IS HITTING ON YOUR CAR.
Structure, Feb 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED IN THE SUN AND PRODUCED A GLARE, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE SUN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, CRACKING AND CRUMBLING. THE MELTING HAS CREATED A SHEEN THAT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING VISIBILITY TO BE SEVERELY IMPAIRED. THE DASH IS VERY STICKY TO THE TOUCH. FURTHER, THE MELTING IS CAUSING A TOXIC CHEMICAL ODOR AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE POSSIBLE FUME DEPOSITS ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THESE ARE BOTH CLEARLY SAFETY HAZARDS THAT NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. THE EXTERIOR PAINT IS FAILING AS WELL. IT IS FADING, PEELING AND THE CLEAR COAT HAS DEGRADED ON MUCH OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN CONTINUED DEGRADATION.
Structure, Dec 25, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE DURING THE DAY WITH THE SUN'S GLARE.
Structure, Dec 24, 2015
DASHBOARD CRACKING AND SEEPING STICKY FLUID ON TOP OF DASHBOARD MELTING
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 12, 2015
08 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN SOUTH FLORIDA FEBRUARY 08 THAT I'VE OWNED SINCE HAS A MELTED, STICKY, AND CRACKED DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE DASH IS CHANGING COLORS. THE DEFECTIVE AND MELTED DASHBOARD MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE SUN REFLECTS ON THE DASHBOARD MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. AS REFERENCED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TRACY SANBORN V. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. MY CAR SHOULD BE COVERED. I SPOKE WITH A REP AT 1-800-NISSAN-1 AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NO IDEA THIS EXISTING. I HAVE OPENED MY CASE AND WILL HOPEFULLY GET IT FIXED SOON.
Structure, Dec 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND STICKY. THE FAILURE PRODUCED A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD REPLACED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ... UPDATED 05/03/18*JB
Structure, Nov 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A GLARE WHICH OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CHEMICAL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Nov 18, 2015
MY PANEL IS MELTING
Structure, Nov 10, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS "MELTING" FROM THE SUN. THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME STICKY AND CAUSES A PERMANENT GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Structure, Oct 27, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS GOOEY, VERY SHINY AND CAUSES A GLARING IMAGE OF THE DASH TO PROJECT ONTO THE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD. IF TOUCHED, IT FEELS LIKE AN ADHESIVE OBJECT AND HAS A CHEMICAL SMELL ON HOT DAYS. THIS GLARING IMAGE IS CONTINUALLY PROJECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING THE CAR A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.
Structure, Engine, Oct 18, 2015
MANIFOLD, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE THE MANIFOLD OR GASKET, IS THERE A RECALL ON THAT PART, VERY UNSAFE CAR FILLS UP WITH THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IT ALSO RUSTING ON THE BACK BY THE WHEEL IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ITS TO EARLY TO BE RUSTING POOR PAINT
Structure, Oct 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING WITH A LIQUID SUBSTANCE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO HAVE A GLARE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Structure, Aug 8, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT BAD. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PROTECH IT WITH SUNSHADES BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO MELT. THIS IS CAUSING GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING OBSTRUCTION FOR MY DRIVING AND BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD REQUEST RECALL AND FIX THE DASHBOARD ISSUE.