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: visibility/wiper
168 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 23, 2023
Glare off dash board is blinding on sunny days. Dashboard is melting, the melted dash reflection is distraciton/ binding on sunny days, and smell from dash is not pleasant. Not knowing actual product that is melting is concerning since melting plastics and vinyl can be toxic. Took car out for ride on sunny day had to pull over because of glare dashboard. Tried to contact Nissan about any products to resurface and contain the melted mess an smell. They offered no solutions besides take in to local dearliship. Not shelling out 500 dollars for nationally known defective material. You can contact any quality managment firm or producer that have working knowledge with plastics and vinyl to confirm that this is a major quality defect. I can not even find out what actual material was used to cover for soft dash.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2023
The dash as a sticky substance that causing a bad glare.Back rear window as a film on it blocking vision.And car as foul Oder when you get in it.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 19, 2022
The dashboard in this vehicle similar to other Nissan models that have already been recalled is cracked, sticky, shiny and glossy. It’s dangerous to have cracks in the dashboard in case of airbag deployment. The glossy shiny dashboard creates a blinding glare and is extremely dangerous while driving. It creates a glare that makes the front windshield appear black and unable to see through.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 7, 2022
My vehicle was purchased used in North Carolina October 2015 and after about 3 years I noticed my dash became very sticky. In the last year there is now I glare from the dash on my windshield. I just recently discovered this is a manufacturer's defect that was only covered in FL.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 6, 2021
The dashboard covering has deteriorated to the point it is sticky and shiny. Sun glare on the dash reflects off the windshield making it difficult to see. This is a known defect of this Make, Model and Year. State of Florida settled with the manufacturer and owner's cars were repaired.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 15, 2021
The dashboard is defective and breaking down chemically. The chemical compound that the dashboard is made of is not resistant to sunlight causing it to crack break down and become very shiny. Not only does this admit harmful toxins that can be breathed in by the passengers, more dangerously it creates a glare on the windshield making it difficult to see through the window. This can impair vision resulting in an accident by the driver. In addition from what I understand the airbag is under this piece of equipment which is degrading and faulty.
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
Visibility/wiper, Jan 2, 2021
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTMAN IS MELTING AND IS CAUSING EXTREMELY IMPAIRED VISIBILITY DUE TO THE GLARE THAT IS PRODUCED FROM REFLECTION OF LIGHT. ON VERY SUNNY DAYS, I FEEL NERVOUS DRIVING BECAUSE IT IS SO DIFFICULT TO SEE. ALSO, WHEN I INITIALLY START THE CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME EACH DAY, IT GIVES OFF THIS NOXIOUS ODOR THAT CAUSES MUCH CONCERN ABOUT THE TOXICITY OF THESE FUMES. THE ISSUE FIRST BECAME APPARENT IN APPROXIMATELY 2016, BUT HAS PROGRESSIVELY BECOME WORSE.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 28, 2020
THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED CAUSING DANGEROUS SUN GLARE. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY, GOODY LIQUID LIKE REFLECTIVE SURFACE. THE EXTREME REFLECTIVENESS OF THE MELTED SURFACE MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING IN SUNSHINE.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 7, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS LITERALLY MELTING AND IT STARTED JUST 6 YRS INTO OWNING THE CAR. WHEN I CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND SHOWED THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND HOW IT CAN AFFECT MY VISIBILITY DUE TO REFLECTION THEY ADVISED THAT WHAT THEY WERE SEEING IN THE PICTURES WAS DUE TO "ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE" AND THAT REPAIR WOULD NEED TO BE COVERED BY ME. HONESTLY, I FOUND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE CONSIDERING THE COMPANY HAS TWO EXISTING CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST THEM IN OTHER STATES FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE, AND HAVE HEARD OF COMPETITORS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ACTUALLY DOING A RECALL ON THEIR VEHICLES. THIS COMPANY HOWEVER, DOES NOT SEEM LIKE IT WANTS TO TAKE THE BLAME FOR THEIR OWN POOR MANUFACTURING. SO IN THE MEAN TIME I COVER IT WITH FABRIC IN ORDER TO DIFFUSE THE PROBLEM IN THE MEAN TIME.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 5, 2020
MELTING DASH CAUSING UNSAFE GLARE REFLECTING OFF WINDSHIELD.
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.
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
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
Visibility/wiper, Mar 9, 2020
DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. GLARE MAKES IT HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 21, 2020
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN MELTING ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO HOWEVER RECENTLY IT STARTED TO MELT MORE AND BECOME STICKY TO THE TOUCH. EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE, THE GLARE THAT SHINES ONTO MY WINDSHIELD FROM THE DASHBOARD IS TERRIBLE, SO BAD THAT IT IS HARD TO SEE AT TIMES. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TROUBLE IDENTIFYING THINGS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND WILL CHARGE $2500 FOR A NEW DASHBOARD.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 6, 2020
DASHBOARD MELTING AND PRODUCES GLARE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING IN SUNLIGHT.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 23, 2019
THE VISIBILITY IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE MELTED -STICKY DASHBOARD. THE GLARE BLINDS YOU WHEN THE SUN HITS YOU. THERE IS NO REASON THE DASHBOARD SHOULD JUST "MELT"
Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2019
VISIBILITY IS NOT CLEAR DUE TO THE "STICKY" DASH BEING REFLECTIVE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN IT'S SUNNY OUTSIDE IT'S EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. WIPING THE DASH WITH CLEANER ONLY MAKES IT WORSE. WEARING SUNGLASSES DOES NOT HELP EITHER.
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.
Air bags, Visibility/wiper, Oct 12, 2019
PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR FREQUENTLY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT. WAS TOLD THIS WAS A RECALL AND THAT IT WAS REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE, BUT IT CLEARLY HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTED TO THE POINT THAT WHEN IT'S BEING DRIVEN IT REFLECTS UP ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 19, 2019
DASH BOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING. RESIDUE CLOUDS THE WINDSHIELD. GLARE MAKES IT HARD TO SEE. THIS IS HAPPENING AT ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
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.