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: other or unspecified
199 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Jun 23, 2021
An incident has not occurred yet, thankfully. The dashboard in my 2008 Nissan Altima is melting and causes a glare on the dash and a horrible smell in my car. This is a safety concern not only for myself but for everyone. When the sun hits the dash and causes a glare, the glare can impair my vision on the road. I had a close call and do not want another close call.
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2021
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A STICKY DASHBOARD. THIS CAUSES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING ON A SUNNY DAY. I HAVE READ THAT NISSAN HAS A RECALL IN FLORIDA ONLY. WHAT ABOUT OTHER HOT CLIMATE STATES!! I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA, WHAT GIVES.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 25, 2021
THE DASHBOARD IS ACTUALLY MELTING AND BECOMING STICKY NOTHING IS ABLE TO CLEAN IT THIS CAUSES A VERY SHINY REFLECTION OF THE SUN THAT BOUNCES BACK ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE AT TIMES THEREFORE BEING A HAZARD
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 9, 2020
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2.5S' DASHBOARD IS MELTING GIVING OFF TOXIC FUMES AND MAKING MY VISIBILITY TERRIBLE WHILE DRIVING BECAUSE THE MELTING/STICKY DASHBOARD REFLECTS INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX IT FOR FREE. THE REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD IS PARTICULARLY WORSE WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN TO THE POINT WHERE I CANNOT SEE ANYTHING WHILE DRIVING. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DASHBOARD LIKE THAT BECAUSE I FIGURED THAT GOOEY GONE COULD FIX IT BUT IT DIDN'T. AGAIN NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Sep 21, 2020
THE TRANSMISSION IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2020
MELTING DASHBOARD, VERY STICKY, EVERYTHING STICKS TO IT AND THE TOP LAYER (VINYL?) THAT IS MELTING COMES UP WHEN SOMETHING STICKS TO IT AND IS REMOVED. THE DASH IS VERY SHINY, CAUSING EXTREME GLARE ON WINDSHIELD. GLARE VERY BAD, LOWERS VISIBILITY, DANGEROUS. THE HOTTER THE DAYS, THE STICKIER, MORE SHINY THIS GETS. EVEN WHEN PUTTING UP A SUNSHADE, THE DASH GETS WORSE AND WORSE. PHOTO TAKEN ON 9/7/2020 ATTACHED SHOWS HOW BAD GLARE IS.
Other or unspecified, Sep 5, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IN THE CAR IS MELTING
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST DIRTY, BUT IN FACT, WHEN I TRIED CLEANING IT, A STICKY GLUE TYPE SUBSTANCE CAME UP. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE SHINY GLARE SHINES ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE. I DID A BASIC SEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 10, 2020
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE WITHIN THE LAST TWO (2) YEARS. I HAVE TROUBLE SEEING THE ROAD WHEN IT IS SUNNY BECAUSE I GET A BIG GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE REFLECTION OF THE MELTING DASHBOARD. ALSO, I NOTICED I HAVE BEEN GETTING DIZZY, UPPER RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND HEADACHES RIGHT AFTER I GET IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE SUN, DESPITE A CAR WINDOW SHIELD I PUT ON IT TO PROTECT IT FROM THE SUN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2020
TOP OF DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING. IT CREATES A BAD GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE SHINY NATURE OF THE AREAS WHERE THE DASHBOARD HAS DETERIORATED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING! I CAN'T BE THE ONLY 2008 ALTIMA OWNER IN NY WITH THIS ISSUE. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED A FEW YEARS AGO IN FLORIDA FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS SAME CAR. I NEED THIS PIECE REPLACED AND THE COST TO BE COVERED BY NISSAN BECAUSE THEY INSTALLED MATERIALS THAT ARE UNSAFE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HOLD UP.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2020
TRANSMISSION REVS OUT AND SLOW TO ACCELERATE
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, 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
Other or unspecified, May 6, 2020
WHEN I GET INTO THE CAR AND PUSH THE START BUTTON, THE CAR TURNS ON BUT THE READY IS NOT SIGNALING AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE. THE CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY THE DAY BEFORE AND NOW THE CAR WON'T MOVE. THERE ALSO A WEIRD BUZZING TYPE SOUND WHEN I PRESS THE BREAK. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 4, 2020
STICKY DASHBOARD IS CAUSING SEEING INVISIBILITY
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2020
HELLO MY CAR IS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING GET IN THE POINT THAT IS DIFFICULTY TO SEE BECAUSE THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN, IS GETTING SO BAD NOW CAN SOME ONE HELP ME. I WHEN TO THE NISSAN WERE I BOUGH IT THEY TELLL ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY 2,000 TO 3000 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE DASHBOARD I THINK THIS IS A MATTER OF THE DEALERS OR THE CORPORATE OF NISSAN PLEASE CAN SOME ONE HELP ME CUZ I CAN AFFORD THO BUY ANOTHER CAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'M ABOUT TO GO TO THE MEDIA SEE IS SOMEONE CAN HELP ME.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 7, 2020
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND WHEN THE SUN HIT IT YOU CANT SEE FROM THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASHBOARD YOU COULD HIT SOMEONE OR RUN OVER A CHILD
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2020
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS STICKY. THERE IS A SUBSTANCE SEEPING OUT FROM THE SEAMS IN THE DASHBOARD THAT CAN NOT BE REMOVED. IT CREATES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING AND GETS WORSE IN THE HOT SUNNY WEATHER.
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IN MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 IS MELTING, CRACKING AND VERY STICKY WITH A BRIGHT SHINING GLARE THAT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE.
Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2019
MY CAR HAS A STICKY,CLEAR SUBSTANCE ALL OVER IT FROM WHERE THE VENTS ARE TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CAUSES A GLARE AND WHEN THE SUN IS OUT ESPECIALLY IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO SEE. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET IT OFF AND NOTHING IS WORKING. I DIDN'T SPILL ANYTHING ON IT EITHER FOR IT TO BE THIS WAY. IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 21, 2019
OUR 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD HAS MELTED LEAVING IT STICKY AND SHINY CAUSING DISTRACTING AND GLARING REFLECTIONS OFF THEIR WINDSHIELDS. I'LL TAKING IT TO DEALERSHIP TWICE ABOUT DASHBOARD BUT THEY STATED THEY WAS UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE DASHBOARD. THE SECOND TIME I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE MULTIPLE LAWSUITS I FOUND ON-LINE AND THEY DIRECTED MY TO NISSAN CONSUME DEPARTMENT. NISSAN TOLD ME THE UNIT WAS OUT WARRANTY AND WILL NOT ASSIST.
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2019
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND SPREADING TO THE WINDSHIELD IT IS CAUSING THE LIGHTS AND SUN TO GLARE OFF THE MELTING PLASTIC IMPAIRING EMU VIEW.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2019
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE STICKINESS FROM THE MELTED DASHBOARD CREATES A GLARE THAT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT TIMES. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.