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, Sep 27, 2019
THE DASHBOARD AREA ON THE CAR IS COMPLETELY BREAKING DOWN AND MELTING. THIS MELTING HAS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SHINE AND REFLECTION ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD (ALONG WITH AN ODOR). ITS BECOME SO BAD THEN ON MANY DAYS ITS DIFFICULT TO SEE THE CAR OR OBJECTS IN FRONT OF YOU OR YOU SIMPLY CANNOT SEE ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CLEARLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND IN SOME STATES WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. IT NEEDS TO BE A NATIONAL RECALL! SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT AND THE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE THAT PROVES THIS IS A BLATANT PROBLEM. IT IS THE VEHICLE SAFETY AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBILITY TO FORCE A REMEDY FOR THIS ISSUE BEFORE AN INNOCENT INDIVIDUAL IS KILLED. NISSANUSA HAS REFUSED TO REMEDY OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EXPENSIVE ISSUE WHEN CONTACTED. LIVES ARE AT RISK! THE CONSUMER IS BEING IGNORED. MY CAR IS PREDOMINATE GARAGE KEPT WITH UNDER 100K ON IT, THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY. CLEARLY BUSINESS INTERESTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THEN CONSUMER SAFETY.
Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2019
MY DASH BOARD IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND IS VERY SOFT AND STICKY ALL AROUND. MY FINGERNAILS GOUGE THE DASH MATERIAL VERY EASILY WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT. THE STICKINESS OF MY HANDS NEGATIVELY AFFECTS MY GRIP AND RELEASE OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD AND MY CAR DIED I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP BUT IT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING I CAN'T TURN ON ANY LIGHTS UNLOCK OR LOCK THE CAR NOTHING. SHOWS A LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE THE KEY FOB AND LOOKED IT UP AND IT SAYS THAT SOMETHING UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN CAN CAUSE THE ISSUES AND HAS A RECALL
Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, AND FORTUNATELY SUN SHADE CLOSED SO GLASS DID NOT FALL IN ON ME. READING MANY OTHERS WITH NISSAN CARS DEALIGN WITH THIS. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, SO NOT DEBRIS HITTING COULD HAVE CAUSED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2019
BOUGHT MY ALTIMA FROM A NISSAN DEALER AND IT WAS NEARLY NEW, AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. WELL ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO I NOTICED THE PAINT FADING AND NOW IT'S FADED ALL OVER DUE TO CLEAR COAT PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL. HOWEVER, THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE DASH IS MELTING! LITERALLY! SO WHEN I'M DRIVING THE GLARE CAUSED BY THE DASH ONTO MY WINDSHIELD IS LITERALLY BLINDING! THE DASH HAS MELTED ALL THE WAY ACROSS! THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS MY PHOTOS CLEARLY SHOW. I NEARLY RAN INTO A LADY WALKING ON THE CROSSWALK BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE HER!!! PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN SUED OVER IT BUT DID NOTHING. I HAVE TALKED TO THEM BUT NOTHING! THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AS I LIVE IN NASHVILLE, THEIR HEADQUARTERS HOME, AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME!!!
Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2019
THE DASH IS MELTING AND CAUSES A VERY BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHETHER DRIVING OR PARKED GOING INTO THE SUN.IT IS SO BAD YOU CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU.THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2019
THE DASHBOARD OF MY VEHICLE IS MELTING AND CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE ESPECIALLY IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN MY VEHICLE FOR YEARS. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A LAWSUIT THAT WAS SETTLED IN FLORIDA WHERE I PREVIOUSLY LIVED BUT NOTHING WAS SENT OUT TO INFORM DRIVERS OF THIS. THE TIME FRAME FOR THAT SETTLEMENT HAS NOW PASSED AND I HAVE MOVED TO ANOTHER STATE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 16, 2019
MELTING NISSAN DASHBOARD , DUE TO THIS ISSUE UNABLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING UNDER SUN , LOT OF GLARE IS COMING AND IMAGE REFLECTION ON SCREEN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2019
THE FRONT DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND VERY STICKY TO THE TOUCH. A GLARE RESULTS ON THE WINDSHIELD DURING SUNNY DAYS, WHICH IS AN EXTREME HAZARD. I CAN'T SEE LARGE PORTIONS OF WHAT'S IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO THE GLARE. THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE WEB AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2019
MY CAR IS MAKING A BANGING NOISE WHEN ITS STARTED. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. OTHER ALTIMA VIN#S HAVE BEEN RECALLED, WHY HASNT MINE?
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2019
MELTING DASHBOARD. SHINY AND STICKY. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AS IT REFLECTS AND CAN DRASTICALLY INCREASE CHANCES OF AN ACCIDENT.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2019
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY SUNROOF JUST SEEMED TO HAVE EXPLODED. WE JUST HEAD A LOUD POP AND SHATTERED GLASS. WE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING HIT IT AND THERE'S NO ROCKS OR ANYTHING YO BE FOUND
Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2018
I BOUGHT A USED 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, IT DRIVE FINE FOR THE TEST DRIVE I STARTED DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO BRING IT HOME IT STARTED JERKING REAL BAD AND THEN WHEN I GOT TO 40 MPH THE RPMS STARTED DROPPING SO I COULDN'T GO FASTER THEN 20MPH SO I TOOK IT TO A SHOP IT SAID THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON IT , I STARTED DOING SEARCHES IN IT SAID THAT FOR THOSE MAKE IN MODELS OF CARS IT SAID THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE BAD IN TO HAVE A RECALL DONE
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2018
THE DASHBOARD IN MY CAR IS SLOWLY BREAKING DOWN. THE COMPOSITION OF THE MATERIALS HAS DEGRADED, OVER TIME, SO BAD THAT IT HAS LOST ITS SURFACE TEXTURE IN AREAS AND IS NOW SMOOTH AND HIGHLY SHINY/REFLECTIVE. THE SUN IS NOW REFLECTED ON TO MY WINDOW SHIELD AND I AM COMPLETELY BLINDED AND UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD, PEDESTRIANS AND CARS IN FRONT OF ME.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2018
DASHBOARD IS MELTING DUE TO HEAT AND SUN IN TEXAS. MELTING GLUE IS CREATING A SEVERE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AS IT'S HARD TO SEE HOW THE WINDSHIELD. VISIBILITY IS EXTREMELY LIMITED. DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND CANNOT BE CLEANED OR WIPED OFF.
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2018
FOUND DASHBOARD MELTING AND CRACKING AROUND FLAT SURFACE AREAS AND A/C VENTS. EXTREME GLARE WHEN DRIVING!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 3, 2018
I CAN DRIVE THE CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS THEN AFTER SEVERAL HOURS THE CAR SHUTS DOWN SLOWS DOWN AND THEN CUTS COMPLETELY OFF TRIES TO RESTART THE CAR IT COMPLETELY DIES HAVE TO GET A JUMP START. COULDN'T GET A READING ON THE CAR NO CODES WOULD SHOW UP IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL JUST SHUT OFF ON ME AND MY DAUGHTER.
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2018
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2018
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL DASHBOARD MELTING AND CRACKING, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE SUNLIGHT BECAUSE IT WILL SHINE ON WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2018
DASH BOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKING NOW FALLING APART
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 28, 2018
DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING
Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2018
MY DASHBOARD IS IS FALLING APART THE GLARE ON IT IS HIGH ..I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IN FLORIDA NISSAN LOST OR GAVE IN TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS ISSUE ..TOYOTA ASSISTED ITS CUSTOMERS WITH A RECALL WHY IS NISSAN NOT DOING THE SAME ?
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2018
DASH BOARD IS MELTED CAUSING GLARING WHEN DRIVING FROM DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, May 9, 2018
THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR HAS CRACKED AND BECOME STICKY. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.
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)