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, Oct 29, 2014
MY FRONT DASH IS MELTING WHERE THE SUN HITS. IT IS NOW LIKE GUM, STICKY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2014
MY DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING AND CAUSING A EXTREME GLARE WHILE DRIVING. I'VE GONE TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR MY MELTING DASHBOARD. THERE IS NO WAY TO REDUCE THE GLARE! THIS IS NOT THE CONSUMER'S FAULT... THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT! *TR
Structure, Oct 28, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE BEGAN MELTING AND CRACKING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. NOW THE AREAS THAT ARE CONTINUING TO MELT HAVE BECOME SHINY AND WHEN THE SUN HITS IT AT THE RIGHT ANGLE (EARLY MORNING, AND SUNSET) IT CAUSES A DISTRACTING GLARE TO BE CAST ON THE WINDSHIELD. AT CERTAIN TIMES IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT LOOKING OFF TO THE SIDE OR WEARING SUNGLASSES TO AVOID THE GLARE. SAFETY CONCERNS NOTWITHSTANDING, I AM NOT ENJOYING THE CONSTANT HEADACHES CAUSED BY THE GLARE I AM SUBJECTED TO DURING MY DAILY COMMUTE. PLEASE REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT! *TR
Structure, Oct 27, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING. IT HAS TURNED INTO A STICKY AND GOOEY SUBSTANCE. WHEN I TOUCH THE DASHBOARD MY FINGERS STICK AND TURN BLACK. EVERY TIME I GET INTO MY CAR I WORRY THE MELTING DASHBOARD WILL BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS THE SUN FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CAUSES A REFLECTION, SO IT SOMETIMES BECOMES HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION TO THE DASHBOARD MELTING, IT IS ALSO BEGINNING TO CRACK. THE ISSUE WAS FILED WITH NISSAN BUT THEY REFUSED TO FIX OR REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 26, 2014
DASHBOARD MELTING CAUSING GLARE MAKING VISIBILITY SOMEWHAT HAMPERED. *TR
Structure, Oct 25, 2014
DASHBOARD ON MY ALTIMA IS MELTING AND CAUSING DANGEROUS GLARE! *TR
Structure, Oct 24, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS PEELING AND CRACKING WHICH IS CAUSING VISION PROBLEMS WHILE I AM DRIVING DUE TO THE GLARING SUN. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND MY JOB INCLUDES LOTS OF TRAVEL DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY. THE PEELING DASHBOARD AND THE SUN CAUSES A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD WHICH HAMPERS MY VISIBILITY. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE A ACCIDENT IF IT IS NOT RECALLED. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 21, 2014
AFTER ABOUT 3 YEARS THE DASH STARTED MELTING. IT GETS WORSE EACH YEAR. THE MATTE FINISH ON THE DASH IS NOW A STICKY, SHINY MESS THAT SHINES A BAD GLARE ON WINDSHIELD IN SUNLIGHT AND UNDER STREET LIGHTS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN THE LIGHT HITS IT AT THE RIGHT (WRONG) ANGLE. SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE FOR THIS SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. NISSAN WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, OFFERED TO REPLACE FOR $1200 BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY CREATED BY NISSAN CHOOSING POOR MATERIAL TO CONSTRUCT THE DASH. SOMEONE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Visibility, Structure, Oct 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD MELTED AND BECAME STICKY. THE FAILURE CAUSED A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO VIEW THE ROAD DURING SUNNY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Structure, Oct 15, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IN MY ALTIMA IS MELTING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 14, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING. GLARE MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE . SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 8, 2014
DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING. IT IS STICKY AND SHINY AND PIECES LIFT OFF WITH ANYTHING THAT IS PLACED ON THE DASH. THE EFFECT CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT GLARE IN THE SUNLIGHT THAT AFFECTS DRIVER LINE OF SIGHT. DETERIORATION HAS ALSO CAUSED MULTIPLE CRACKS IN DASH SURFACE THAT MAY POTENTIALLY AFFECT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Structure, Oct 4, 2014
DASH IS STICKY AND CONTINUING TO COVER THE AREA.IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING LARGER EACH DAY.IT IS VERY BLINDING TO DRIVE IN SUNLIGHT. *TR
Structure, Oct 1, 2014
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND SOFT TO THE TOUCH AND STICKY. I'M AWARE THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING WORST! I'M AWARE THAT IT IS A MATTER OF TIME WHEN IT WILL BE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND WIFE THAT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WHO TO SPEAK TO; I'M LOOKING TO SEE IF NISSAN WILL BE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND PAYING FOR REPLACING MY DASHBOARD. I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Structure, Sep 27, 2014
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA AND ITS DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THIS PHENOMENON IS SIMPLY EMBARRASSING FOR A GOOD COMPANY SUCH NISSAN. *TR
Structure, Sep 23, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 08 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING. IT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT HAS GOT ALOT WORSE OVER TIME. IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY, BECAUSE IT PUTS OFF A BLINDING GLARE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, THE DASHBOARD SHOULD NOT BE MELTING AT ALL!! *TR
Structure, Sep 22, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING ON TOP NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO NEAR WHERE THE DEFROST VENTS ARE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING IN ALL OVER, THE MATERIAL IN THE DASHBOARD IS NOW VERY SHINY AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE ON A SUNNY DAY (IT'S FLORIDA). DEALERSHIP SAYS CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL BY NISSAN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT CAUSES A REFLECTION ON MY WINDSHIELD SEVERELY IMPAIRING MY VISIBILITY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 20, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING IN ALL OVER, THE MATERIAL IN THE DASHBOARD IS NOW VERY SHINY AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE ON A SUNNY DAY (IT'S FLORIDA). DEALERSHIP SAYS CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL BY NISSAN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT CAUSES A REFLECTION ON MY WINDSHIELD SEVERELY IMPAIRING MY VISIBILITY AND THERE IS A SOMEWHAT HAZARDOUS SMELL COMING FROM THE MELTING MATERIAL. *TR
Structure, Sep 19, 2014
I KEEP MY CAR IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. I WAS CLEANING MY DASH AND NOTICED A VERY STICKY SUBSTANCE. MY DASHBOARD IS SUPER SOFT AND SINKING. LIKE ITS MELTING. I HOPE NO TOXIC FUMES ARE BEING RELEASED AND MY DASHBOARD DOESN'T COLLAPSE OR CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR
Structure, Sep 17, 2014
AFTER ABOUT 5 YEARS OF OWNING MY CAR (NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 08), I BEGAN TO NOTICE A STICKY SUBSTANCE ON MY DASHBOARD. AFTER A LITTLE WHILE I REALIZED THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY MELTING. THE MELTING SPREAD TO COVER ABOUT 80% OF THE DASHBOARD. AS TIME PASSED, THE STICKINESS HAS CAUSED ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE DURING MID-DAY HOURS BECAUSE OF THE GLARE COMING OFF THE DASHBOARD AND HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. EVEN WITH HIGH END POLARIZED SUNGLASSES, I AM SCARED OF DRIVING BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY THINGS I CAN'T REALLY SEE ON THE ROAD. RECENTLY, IN ADDITION TO THE STICKY MELTING DASH IT HAS BEGAN TO CRACK ALONG THE EDGES. THE SIDE AND BACK WINDOWS HAVE BEEN TINTED SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 07 AND I USED TO USE A SUNSHIELD FOR THE FRONT UNTIL THE MELTING BEGAN BECOMING TOO MESSY TO KEEP USING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 15, 2014
I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2008 2-DOOR AND MY DASH IS MELTING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND NOW THE GLARE OF THE DASH MELTING IS PUTTING A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND IS BEGINNING TO BE A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. TODAY I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND I AM WAITING TO HERE BACK. *TR
Structure, Sep 11, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. I KNOW FIRST REPORTS WERE BACK IN 2009 AND NOTHINGS BEEN DONE ABOUT THESE DASHBOARDS. THE DEALERSHIPS (YES MORE THEN ONE) CLAIM THEY ARE HELPING BUT I DOUBT IT, IF PEOPLE ARE STILL COMPLAINING ABOUT IT TODAY IN 2014 MEANS NOTHINGS BEEN DONE TO HELP OUT THE CONSUMERS. MELTING DASHBOARDS CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TOO GO OFF WHEN IT GETS TO CLOSE, OR EVEN ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE THERE'S TONS OF WIRING IN THE DASH AND ALSO IT PUTS OUT A HUGE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD ON SUNNY DAYS MEANING IT CAN BE REALLY HARD TO SEE THE ROAD. I'M SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL OUT YET ON THIS SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOW. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE IT'S A MANUFACTURE DEFECT SO THOSE DEALERSHIPS SHOULD TAKE CHARGE OF THERE CONSUMERS CARS AND HELP US/THEM OUT WITH THIS SITUATION. OR ARE THEY NOT CONCERN FOR OUR SAFETY? IF SO THAT'S A HUGE NO-NO, COULD GET A LOT OF DEALERSHIPS IN TROUBLE AND LOSE BUSINESS THAT WAY, SO PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. NO ONE WANTS TO PAY 1500$+ FOR A NEW DASH WHEN THE MANUFACTURER IS AT FAULT HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 9, 2014
THE DASHBOARD STARTED MELTING ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. FIRST IT WAS STICKY, AND NOW IT IS HAS MELTED TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS BECOME SHINY AND PUTS A GLARE ON OVER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS SO INTENSE THAT THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE WHAT IS IN THE PATH OF THE CAR. THE MELTING IS ALSO RELEASING SOMETHING INTO THE CAR THAT IS CAUSING A RESIDUE ON ALL OF THE WINDOWS THAT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. THE RESIDUE ALSO CREATES A GLARE WHEN THE SUN IS LOW IN SKY THAT DECREASES VISIBILITY. I DRIVE THROUGH METRO AREAS AND IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT THE SEE PEDESTRIANS DUE TO THE GLARE CAUSED BY THE MELTING DASHBOARD. THIS CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, BUT ALSO FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD AND PEDESTRIANS. *TR
Structure, Sep 6, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS BASICALLY MELTING. IT BEGINS AS JUST STICKY, HOWEVER IT IS REALLY SLOWLY MELTING AND BREAKING DOWN. IT CREATES A BAD GLARE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND IT'S REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY NISSAN. *TR