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 2, 2016
I PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN MARCH 2015 AND SHORTLY AFTER THAT I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD APPEARED TO BE MELTING.
Other or unspecified, May 24, 2016
THE DASHBOARD HAS A DEFECT FROM GLUE SURFACING TO TOP AND CAUSING GLARE AND STICKY, SHINY THAT REFLECTS ON WINDOW A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN WILL NOT PAY AND NOT A RECALL. THIS REALLY SAD MISTAKE AND NO ONE WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 10, 2016
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE I HEAR A LOUD WHINING NOISE WHEN ACCELERATING AT B ALL TIMES. AND WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL THE WHINING DRIVETRAIN NOISE FROM TRANSMISSION GOES AWAY. I ALSO HEAR A RATTLING NOISE FROM CENTER EXHAUST AT IDOL AND NOTICE CATALYTIC CONVERTER PIPE HAS RUSTED OUT NEAR ENGINE FLEX PIPE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, May 3, 2016
THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR HAS MELTED, PRESUMABLY FROM THE HOT SUN. IT HAS BECOME STICKY AND MESS. HOWEVER, IT HAS ALSO BECOME VERY SHINY. THE SHINE REFECTS DANGEROUSLY INTO THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING, OBSCURING OBJECTS, INCLUDING CARS AND PEDESTRIANS, ON THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM FIRST BEGAN ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO BUT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE ATTACHED PHOTO, TAKEN TODAY, SHOWS HOW THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE A LARGE SUV RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSED BY THE MELTED DASHBOARD.
Other or unspecified, Apr 27, 2016
UPON MY DAUGHTER ARRIVING AFTER A 300 MILE DRIVE, I SEE AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CHEMICAL/GLUE?? SEEPING FROM HER FRONT DASHBOARD. ITS AS IF DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IN TURN THE MELTED DASHBOARD REFLECT A HUGE AMOUNT OF SUNLIGHT UP TO WINDSHIELD WHICH IN TURN CAUSES LIGHT BLINDNESS WHILE DRIVING NOT TO MENTION POSSIBLE TOXICITY ISSUES. VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTALLY HARMFUL. NISSAN CORP. SHOULD BE MADE TO REMEDY THIS FOR LIFE AND HEALTH ISSUES.
Other or unspecified, Apr 24, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND A STICKY SUBSTANCE IS CAUSING A SERIOUS GLARE THAT OBSCURES THE VISIBILITY THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. THE MELTING DASHBOARD IS SPREADING DUE TO SUN SLIGHT EXPOSURE AND HEAT. THE DEFECTIVE DASH BOARDS HAS BEEN REPORTED WIDELY BY MANY AUTO OWNERS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING AND RESULTING IS VISIBILITY GLARE/OBSTRUCTION.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 23, 2016
I BOUGHT A 2008 NISSAN ALTMAN COUPE , IN OCTOBER 2014. MY DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO MELT IN SEVERAL AREAS. NOT ONLY IS THERE A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSED BY THE DASHBOARD, BUT MY CAR HAS STARTED TO SMELL LIKE BURNING RUBBER WHEN I TRY AND USE MY DE FROST. MY CAR IS KEPT IN THE GARAGE, AND I LIVE IN ILLINOIS.
Other or unspecified, Apr 22, 2016
DASH MELTING AND SPLITTING.
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2016
THE DASH IN THE CAR IS MELTING AND CREATING A VERY BAD GLARE WHEN DRIVING. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE AND VERY DANGEROUS.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 11, 2016
THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD HAS 'MELTED,' BECOMING STICKY AND VERY SHINY. IT CREATES SIGNIFICANT REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD, REDUCING VISIBILITY.
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2016
MELTING DASHBOARD THAT CAUSES GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD AND MAKES IT UNSAFE TO SEE AND DRIVE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2016
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2.5S - DASHBOARD IS MELTING, TO A POINT THAT THE REFLECTION OF IT ON THE GLASS IS AFFECTING BY ALMOST 90% MY VISIBILITY. PUTTING MYSELF, MY FOUR YEARS OLD DAUGHTER, AND OTHER (PEDESTRIANS) AT RISK.
Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2016
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY DASHBOARD MELTING. THE STICKINESS OR SHINE FROM THE TACKY DASHBOARD CREATES A BAD GLARE WHEN DRIVING IN SUNLIGHT AND AT TIMES CAN BE BLINDING. QUITE FRANKLY, DRIVING MY CAR WHEN IT'S SUNNY IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I TRIED BRINGING MY CAR IN TO NISSAN AND SHOWING THEM MY DASH, BUT BASICALLY WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE DASH AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I WENT ON LINE AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE MODELS. EVEN MORE SURPRISING IS THAT NISSAN HASN'T MADE THIS ISSUE A RECALL DUE TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF NISSAN CARS. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT!! WHAT CAN I DO? CAN ANYONE HELP? ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS FORM IT ASKS WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT DATE BUT MY DASH STARTED MELTING OVER A YEAR AGO AND PROGRESSIVELY HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT STARTED AT THE PART NEAREST THE WINDSHIELD AND NOW THE STICKY TACKINESS COVERS ALMOST THE ENTIRE DASH.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2016
DASH MELTING AND CRACKING
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2016
RECENTLY, I FACED A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE DRIVING MY NISSAN ALTIMA. I WAS HEADING BACK TO KC FROM COLUMBIA. IT WAS WINDY MORNING AT 3 AM ON 70 W AND SUDDENLY MY CAR'S CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, AND MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE ITS ACCELERATION (WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY 70).WITH A DOUBLE TRAILER TRUCK BEHIND MY CAR A FEW OTHER TRUCKS LINED BEHIND IT, MY CAR LOST ACCELERATION AND IT FELL UNDER 40 MILES IN A FEW DREADFUL SECONDS ON A NATIONAL HIGHWAY. MY CAR CONTINUOUSLY WIGGLED AS IT KEPT DROPPING SPEED WITH A WHISTLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AS I PRAY TO GOD TO SAVE ME, IT STRUCK MY MIND TO TURN ON THE PARKING LIGHTS, THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS QUICK TO REALIZE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH A CAR AHEAD OF HIM AND CHANGED LANES AND SPED AWAY AND SO DID THE OTHERS. I DECIDED TO KEEP DRIVING UNTIL I REACH SAFETY. MY CAR'S SPEED DROPPED TO 40 MILES AN HOUR AS MY HEARTBEAT WENT UP. WITH ANOTHER 20 MILES TO AN EXIT, I WAS PRAYING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN. I WAS NOT SURE IF I SHOULD HIT THE BRAKES AND BE STRANDED OR TAKE A CHANCE AND DRIVE UNTIL I REACH SAFETY. MY GAS MILEAGE FELL RAPIDLY, IT WENT DOWN FROM 100 MILES REMAINING TO 40 MILES AS I CHECKED. AS A MIRACLE, MY CAR STARTED TO RESPOND AFTER DRIVING FOR NOT SURE HOW LONG BUT IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I WAS BOTH GLAD AND TERRIFIED THAT MY CAR IS RESPONDING AND WITH BIG FEAR THAT IT MAY FAIL AGAIN. I MAINTAINED A UNIFORM SPEED UNTIL I TOOK AN EXIT ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE ITS ACCELERATION AGAIN, AFTER RUNNING OVER A LIGHT IN A FAILING CAR AS I PRAYED WITH TENS OF CARS ON THE ROAD BEHIND ME, I REACHED A GAS STATION AND CONFIDENT THAT NONE OF MY FRIENDS OR FAMILY WILL FIND ME DEAD ON A HIGHWAY. I WILL NEVER EVER TRUST MY CAR AGAIN. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS AT A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER, I FOUND THAT A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS THE ROOT CAUSE
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2016
DASHBOARD IS MELTING,GETTING STICKY AND SHINY AND CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2016
THE DASHBOARD ON THIS CAR IS MELTING AND CRUMBLING APART. IN EARLY 2012 IT STARTED GETTING SHINY AT THE EDGES ON THE VENTS OPENINGS NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS DEVELOPED INTO A STICKY, SEMI-LIQUID, VERY SHINY, SOFT RUBBER LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT STICKS TO ANYTHING PUT ON TOP OF IT AND COMES OFF AS A BLACK RESIDUE WHEN SEPARATED. THE DASHBOARD ALSO DEVELOPED FINE FRACTURE LINES THAT HAVE SINCE CREATED DEEP RIDGES ALL ALONG THE PART, ITS CRUMBLING, AND PIECES OF THE BLACK OUTER MATERIAL ARE JUST FALLING APART, REVEALING A FOAM MATERIAL BENEATH. THE CRACKING, CRUMBLING EFFECT COVERS THE WHOLE DASHBOARD, NOT JUST THE SECTION THAT IS EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT. THE SHINY SECTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECT SUNLIGHT INTO THE WINDSHIELD, CREATING A BLINDING PATTERN IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT PREVENTS GOOD VISIBILITY. IN SUNNY DAYS IT IS REALLY PROMINENT AND BLINDING, WHICH IS A CONSTANT IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD PROVOKE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED SHOWING IN EARLY 2012 AND HAS EVOLVED SINCE INTO A CRUMBLING, MELTING, STICKY, SHINY DASHBOARD. IN HOT DAYS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IT SMELLS LIKE MOLTEN PLASTIC. THE CHEMICAL FUMES FROM THIS DECAYING MATERIAL CAN'T BE GOOD TO HUMAN HEALTH, THESE ARE MOST PROBABLY TOXIC.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 13, 2016
DASHBOARD MELTING. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE PEDESTRIAN, ROAD, VEHICLES DUE TO GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTS FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE GLARE IMPAIRS THE VISION AND WE HAD MANY NEAR MISS INCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE COST LIVES, PROPERTY DAMAGE. WE REQUEST RECALL CONSIDERING THE SAFETY OF ALL ON THE ROAD.
Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2016
I RECENTLY BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING. THERE ARE SEVERAL SECTIONS THAT ARE MELTING AND HAVE BECOME STICKY. IT AFFECTS MY VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE GLARE REFLECTED ON THE FRONT WIND SHIELD. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2016
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD. IT HAS BECOME INCREDIBLY STICKY AND IS NOT ABLE TO BE CLEANED BECAUSE OF THIS. THE "SHEEN" THAT IS ON THE DASHBOARD NOW CAUSES A HORRIFIC REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILITY DRASTICALLY AND CAUSING A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. CONTACT WITH NISSAN HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN AT THIS TIME. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2016
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DETERIORATING. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE STICKY AND DISGUSTING. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S COMPLETELY MELTING OFF DUE TO THE MELTING IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SINCE IT IS SHINY AND THE GLARE HITS THE WINDSHIELD IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I'VE BEEN READING ARTICLES AND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I THINK THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2016
TAKATA RECALL MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT HAS BECOME VERY STICKY AND CAUSES A SEVERE GLARE ACROSS THE SPAN OF MY WINDSHIELD. THIS IS MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD AND IT IS VERY DISTRACTING.I HAVE NOTICED THE GLARE FOR MONTHS,BUT AS TIME PASSES IT IS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE CLEARLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE LIMITED VISIBILITY WILL HINDER MY ABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2016
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS MELTING STICKY DASHBOARD THAT IS SHINY AND REFLECTS THE SUN AND DISTORTS VISION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DESERVES A SAFETY BULLETIN ISSUES TO REPAIR. CAR OPERATES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. I TRIED TO SELL IT AND WAS TOLD $2000 WOULD BE DEDUCTED FROM THE OFFER DUE TO COST OF REPAIR OF DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2016
THE DASH BOARD HAS TURNED INTO A STICKY MESS, IT CAN'T BE CLEANED AND IS CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WIND SHIELD.