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, Mar 19, 2017
THE DASH HAS A GUMMY FEELING AND IS SPLITTING AROUND ALL THE VENTS, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL AREAS, AND THE ENTIRE AREA ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 17, 2017
THE NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS MELTING, WARPING, CRACKING, AND PEELING AS A RESULT OF DAMAGE FROM THE SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUN. FROM READING, THE MATERIALS USED TO MANUFACTURE THE DASHBOARD WERE NOT MADE FOR EXTREME HEAT AND WEATHER CONDITIONS, THUS CAUSING GLARE AND VISIBILITY ISSUES AS WELL AS FUNES FROM MELTING PLASTICS. THIS PROBLEM WAS ALSO EVIDENT AMONGST CONSUMERS LIVING IN FLORIDA AND NISSAN HAS AGREED TO REPAIR THEIR DAMAGED VEHICLES AS PART OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT.
Other or unspecified, Mar 5, 2017
FAILURE OF ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK (ESCL) UNIT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DISABLED, WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, LEAVING ME STRANDED. NISSAN ISSUED LETTER IN 2013 STATING THAT DUE TO A MANUFACTURING IRREGULARITY THE ESCL MAY MALFUNCTION. THEIR SOLUTION WAS TO EXTEND WARRANTY TO 6 YEARS / UNLIMITED MILES. MY CAR HAS APPROX 61,000 MILES, BUT PAST THEIR TIME LIMIT. NISSAN DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND DEALER CHARGED $678.14 FOR THE PART WHICH IS READILY AVAILABLE FOR UNDER $400. TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR WAS $991.37, PLUS MY TOWING CHARGE OF $37. DEALER SERVICE DEPT HAD QUOTED A PRICE OF HIGH $800 TO $900. WHY WAS VEHICLE NOT RECALLED AND REPAIRED WHEN NISSAN KNEW THAT THE PART COULD FAIL WITHOUT ANY WARNING? I WAS FORTUNATE THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT DISABLED IN A MORE DANGEROUS AREA. WE HAD TWO VISITS FROM AAA BEFORE WE DISCOVERED THE LIKELY PROBLEM THROUGH THE INTERNET.
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2017
PURCHASED A USED 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. AFTER A COUPE MONTHS I NOTICED THE TOP OF MY DASHBOARD WAS REALLY SHINNY. WHEN I TOUCHED IT THE DASH WASH VERY STICKYAND MELTING. AS TIME AS GONE ON AND THE DAYS GETTING WARMER AND SUN BRIGHTER IT'S GETTING WORSE. THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASH HAS MADE ME UNABLE TO SEE AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING AND I'VE ALMOST BEEN IN 3 ACCIDENTS SO FAR DUE TO THIS.
Other or unspecified, Feb 24, 2017
MY DASH BECAME SHINY AND STICKY OVER A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. I FIRST TRIED SOAP AND WATER AND THEN GOOBEGONE. AND NOTHING WOULD HELP IT. IT LOOKS AS IF IT IS MELTING. IT IS PARKED IN THE GARAGE MOST OF THE TIME. THE SHINYNESS IS REFLECTING ON THE WINDSHIELD AT TIMES AND MAKES IT VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THROUGH IT VERY WELL.
Other or unspecified, Feb 13, 2017
THE DASHBOARD IS DETERIORATING AND HAS BECOME VERY SHINY. THIS CREATES GLARE ON SUNNY DAYS WHICH DEGRADES VISIBILITY TO THE POINT OF BEING A SAFETY CONCERN. AS EVIDENCED BY A CLASS ACTION SUIT IT FLORIDA, THIS ISSUE IS PERVASIVE FOR THIS MODEL. TOYOTA HAS ALREADY RECALLED THEIR CARS FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 13, 2017
DASHBOARD MELTING. DANGER REFLECTION FROM MELTING SHINE.
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
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Nov 29, 2016
WHEN DRIVING ON LONG AND SOMETIMES SHORT TRIPS, THE AIR FLOW STOPS BLOWING, LIKE A VENT WAS CLOSED. THE BLOWER FAN MOTOR IS STILL WORKING AND THE A/C IS STILL WORKING BECAUSE IT IS STILL COLD AT THE VENT BUT THERE IS NO AIR FLOW. *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 17, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. STARTED 3 YEARS AGO, WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP TO CLEAN IT. IT HAS INCREASED IN SIZE AND NOTHING CLEANS IT. THE GLARE ONTO THE WINDOW IS TERRIBLE, DANGEROUS. HAS A STRANGE SMELL TO IT.
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2016
MY LOCAL SERVICE GARAGE HAS LOCATED 2 HOLES IN MY EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE HOLES ARE A WELD POINTS. MY MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS A WARRENTY RECALL. WE REPAIRED IT ONCE AND WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE EXHAUST THIS TIME.
Other or unspecified, Oct 31, 2016
THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING. THE MATERIAL IS BECOMING STICKY AND CAN EASILY BE PEELED OFF, ALMOST LIKE PLAYDOUGH. ALSO IN SOME AREAS IT PRODUCES A GLARE AND IS VERY BOTHERSOME AND IF IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE WILL EVEN BECOME QUITE DANGEROUS AS IT SORT OF BLINDS THE DRIVER TO SOME DEGREE.
Other or unspecified, Oct 16, 2016
DASHBOARD IS CRACKING. CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE NEW. NEVER SETS OUTSIDE DURING DAYTIME IN SUN. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE SAME ISSUE. NISSAN DENIES THERE'S ANY PROBLEM, WON'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP TO FIX THE PROBLEM. COSTS ABOUT $2000 TO REPLACE THE DASH. HAPPENING MOSTLY WITH 2008 & 2009 MODEL YEARS.
Other or unspecified, Oct 15, 2016
MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING FOR ABOUT TWO YEARS AND I CANNOT GET NISSAN TO REPLACE. I WAS TOLD I NEED TO PAY TO REPLACE IT FOR $1800.00. I FEEL THIS IS FAULTY EQUIPMENT AND NISSAN SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND DO THE REPLACEMENT. I LIVE IN TX AND THE GLARE IT CAUSE IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS WHEN THE SUN IS OUT AND THE SUN IS ALWAYS OUT.
Other or unspecified, Oct 4, 2016
DASHBOARD HAS OUTLINING LINES AROUND THE DEFROSTER THAT ARE TACKY OTHER SPOTS ON THE DASH ALSO WHAT GASES ARE BEING RELEASED FROM THIS MELTING DASHBOARD IS IT HARMFUL I CONTACTED NISSAN THEY ARE NOT HELPFUL SORRY IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY I NOTICED THE DAMAGE ABOUT A YEAR AGO SPRING OF 2015 IT IS GROWING SLOWLY ON MY DASH
Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2016
MY DASH-BOARD BECAME SHINER AND WHEN SUN SHINES IT IS HIGHLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE CAUSE THE SUN RAYS IT ACTUALLY BLINDS ME . I HAVE SPOKE TO NISSAN AND THEY WOULD ONLY FURNISH A NEW DASH BOARD BUT I MUST PAY FOR THE DASH-BOARD, WHICH I FIND IT VERY UNFAIR. PLEASE HELP??
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2016
MELTING AND STICKY DASH BOARD & AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2016
MY NISSAN ALTIMA HAS THE DASHBOARD MELTING WHICH MAKES IT VISIBLE THRU THE WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I'VE ALMOST HAD 4 NEAR CAR ACCIDENTS WHERE THE MELTING DASHBOARD WAS THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2016
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A MELTING DASHBOARD. VISIBILITY IS BLINDING BY GLARE FROM SHINY DASHBOARD. COST TO REPLACE DASH IS ALMOST $2000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2016
THE FACTORY SOUND SYSTEM FACE PLATE IS BLISTERING. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY RADIO OVERHEAT OR SOME TYPE OF SHORT. THE RADIO WORKS FINE
Other or unspecified, Aug 9, 2016
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT STARTED TO MAKE "GRINDING" MOVEMENTS AND STOPPED MOVING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T CRASH. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS CVT TRANSMISSION -- INCLUDING WHEEZING NOISES AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND NOW COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CALLED NISSAN THEY REFUSE TO HELP BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 132K MILES AND THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY GOES TO 120K. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 YEARS. IT'S ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. THEY INSTITUTED THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO SO MANY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT. BUT I'M OVER THE WARRANTY AND NOW I'M ON THE HOOK FOR 4K IN TRANSMISSION REPAIR. I FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR AS I HAVE MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2016
" TAKATA RECALL" MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIAM DASH IS SO STICKY AND CRACKING ALL THE WAY DOWN. I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR NISSAN TO REPLACE IT ALL WITH WE PARTS!!!! IT IS HARD TO DRIVE WITH THE SUN COMIMG IN THE WIDOW HITTING THE DASH. PLEASE FIX THIS FOR EVERYONE. ALSO MY CAR IS ALWAYS OUTSIDE. ALSO I REALLY LOVE MY CAR. I WOULD HATE TO GET AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE OF THIS.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2016
ANOTHER MELTING DASHBOARD; THIS TIME IN NORTH ALABAMA. IT'S STARTING FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN PICTURES THE NORMAL STARTING PLACES, WHICH IS AT THE DEFROST AIR VENTS, THE LEDGE BETWEEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DEFROST AIR VENTS (WHERE THE DASH APPEARS AS A TWO PIECE COMES TOGETHER) AND RIGHT ABOVE THE THREE AIR VENTS. THE GLARE IT CREATES ON MY WINDSHIELD IS UNBEARABLE, AND MAKING VISIBILITY VERY POOR.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 23, 2016
DASH BOARD IS MELTING... CAUSING EXTREME GLARE WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Jun 4, 2016
MY WIFE HAS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SHE BOUGHT 5 YEARS AGO. I HAVE NOTICED OVER THE YEARS THE DASH SEEMS TO BE METING. I HAVE TRIED CLEANING IT WITH A DAMP RAG. THIS ONLY MAKES THE DASH GUMMY AND STICKY. EVEN AFTER I ALLOW IT TO DRY FOR A BIT IT REMAINS STICKY AND DIRTY. SHE BOUGHT IT 5 YEARS AGO FOR JUST UNDER $19,000. I TOLD HER IF WE EVER WANTED TO SELL IT WE WOULD LOSE BIG TIME. THE CAR HAS EVERY AMENITY; LEATHER, MOONROOF, HEATED SEATS, BOSE SOUND, ET CETERA. IT'S VERY DEMORALIZING ACTUALLY. ALSO, PART OF THE STEERING WHEEL IS STICKY AND FALLING APART. THE LEATHER PART ON THE STEERING WHEEL IS FINE. ONE MORE THING... I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA AND MY DASH IS SOLID WITH NO PROBLEMS. WE BOTH HAVE ALWAYS LIVED IN MISSISSIPPI. IT GETS HOT AND HUMID HERE BUT NEVER HAD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS WITH MY 2006 NISSAN DASH OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. I AM 40 YEARS OLD AND HAVE OWNED PLENTY. EXAMPLE: A MONTH AGO I SOLD MY 1994 FORD TRUCK THAT HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN FOR 3 YEARS. DASH HAD A FEW CRACKS WHICH IS NORMAL BUT DIDN'T MELT. *2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS USED EVERYDAY AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED SEEMS STRANGE TO ME DANIEL