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
Visibility/wiper, Jun 24, 2019
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, PRODUCING A BLINDING GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, May 20, 2019
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING THAT CAUSES THE SURFACE TO BE EXTREMELY SHINNY WHICH IN RETURN WHEN THE SUNLIGHT GLARES THROUGH IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I DO KNOW THAT FLORIDA OWNERS WON A CASE AGAINST NISSAN TO HAVE THERE DASHBOARD REPLACED THAT COST THEM $250.00. BUT THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA STATES THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS IS ONLY 7 YEARS. I TALKED WITH AN ATTORNEY ABOUT TAKING ON A CASE AGAINST NISSAN TO HAVE OURS REPLACED, BUT NO TAKER BECAUSE OF THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS. ALSO, I NOTICED THAT TEXAS HAS A PENDING SUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR THE RESIDENTS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. I HAVE 2 PICTURES ATTACHED FOR YOUR REVIEW. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE AND I HOPE I HAVE AN ANSWER WITHIN 30 DAYS. THANK YOU.
Visibility/wiper, Jan 14, 2019
I HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT ANYBODY THAT GOT A CRACK IN THEIR WINDSHIELD ON I10 IS TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THAT PART OF THE HIGHWAY IS RIDICULOUS, I HAVE CRACKS. IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS RAINING STONES ON I10.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2018
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND THE DASH IS MELTING AND STICKY. IT IS BLACK AND THE GLARE FROM THIS DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE SAFELY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 28, 2018
DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING
Visibility/wiper, Jun 11, 2018
MELTING DASHBOARD. ITS SO BAD, THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND GIVING OFF THIS SHINY STICKY RESIDUE. I CANT GET IT OFF AND ITS SO SHINY I CANT HARDLY SEE OUT MY WINDSHEILD WHEN IM DRIVING DURING THE DAY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2018
DAILY DRIVEN 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN SOUTH FLORIDA. VEHICLE DASH HAS MELTED CAUSING THE DASH TO BE STICKY AND REFLECTING A MASSIVE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. ENTIRE DASH HAS STARTED TO CRACK AND PIECES FALLING OFF DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF DASH. DEFOGGER FOR WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN AFFECTED DO TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE DASH CHANGING AND BECOMING STICK. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AND DO NOT SEE ANY CURRENT RECALLS FOR THE CAR OR DASH.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 8, 2018
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKED. THE DASHBOARD PRODUCES A GLARE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN IT IS SUNNY. MATERIAL FOR DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE.
Air bags, Visibility/wiper, Jan 10, 2018
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKING TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN SEE THE FOAM MATERIAL THAT THE DASH IS MADE OUT OF MAKE SEEING OUT THE WINDSHIELD VERY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING OUT OF A TUNNEL DURING THE DAY AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE MOMENTARILY MAKING DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT. BOUGHT A DASH COVER TO HOPEFULLY SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS AND SO I COULD SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD CLEARLY. ALSO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES LIGHTS UP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BOUGHT THE CAR, 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, IN NORTH FLORIDA AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND HAWAII, WHERE I CURRENTLY LIVE, YEAR ROUND. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS AND HAVE LESS THAN 75000 MILES.
Visibility/wiper, Dec 31, 2017
THE SUN VISORS ON THE ALTIMA COUPE BREAK AND HANG STRAIGHT DOWN IN THE FIELD OF VISION. I JUST ORDERED MY SECOND SUN VISOR AND I AM WAITING FOR IT TO ARRIVE. THEY MUST BE HELD UP OUT OF THE WAY WITH ONE HAND WHILE DRIVING WITH THE OTHER HAND (UNTIL YOU CAN GET IT REMOVED). WHEN I SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, THE NISSAN PARTS MAN SAID " I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU". I THINK THAT MEANS IT HAPPENS A LOT.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 31, 2017
THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE IS MELTING WHICH CAUSES A REFLECTIVE GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD, THIS GLARE MAKES THE VISIBILTY VERY DIFFICULT AT CERTAIN TIMES OF DAY. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS REPAIRED THESE VEHICLES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THIS DAMAGE IS GRADUAL AND WE FIRST NOTICED THE MELTING DASH AROUND 2014. THE VEHICLE WAS IN TENNESSEE FROM 2008 TO MARCH OF 2017. WE MOVED TO NEW MEXICO IN MARCH 2017 AND THE AFFECTS OF THIS GLARE SEEM TO BE MORE OBVIOUS HERE. NISSAN REFUSES REPAIR MY VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THEY OBVIOUSLY (BASED ON THEM PAYING TO REPAIR VEHICLES IN FLORIDA) KNOW THAT THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS..
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 26, 2017
SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2014, THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY MELTING AND CRACKING TO THE POINT WHERE THE GLARE FROM THE BLACK MELTED DASHBOARD HAS SEVERELY DECREASED VISIBILITY. ADDITINALLY, AS MORE CRACKS HAVE APPEARED THE CAR NO LONGER RECOGNIZES WHEN A PASSENGER IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND SHOWS THE AIRBAG AS 'OFF.'
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND REFLECTED ONTO THE REARVIEW MIRROR WHILE THE SUN WAS SHINING. THE ISSUE CAUSED VISIBILITY ISSUES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (WEST SIDE NISSAN, 1726 CASSAT AVE, JACKSONVILLE, FL, 904-359-8016), BUT THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WAITED FOR INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 19, 2017
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA AND LIVE IN GLASGOW KENTUCKY . A WHILE BACK I NOTICED A REAL STICKY SUBSTANCE ON MY DASH THAT WAS CAUSING A TERRIBLE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD. I GOOGLED THE ISSUE AND APPARENTLY THE 2008 AND 2009 ALTIMAS DASHBOARD WILL MELT. MAKES IT HARD TO SEE OUT AT TIMES
Visibility/wiper, Aug 1, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND CAUSED A GLARE ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (SUTHERLIN NISSAN LOCATED AT 8125 E COLONIAL DR ORLANDO, FL 32817) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 27878588. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,450.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 16, 2017
NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 MELTING DASHBOARD. UNFORTUNATELY, MY CAR'S DASHBOARD IS MELTING; THEREBY, CREATING A DANGEROUS, HAZARDOUS GLARE ON THE FRONT WINDOW.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 12, 2017
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING SEVERE GLARE FROM THE SUN WHICH IS CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE (CANNOT SEE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WITH GLARE PRESENT). IT'S CONTINUING TO GET WORSE. THE GLARE IS SO BAD I'M BLINDED. IT IS COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAN.. RECALL!! PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS.
Visibility/wiper, May 1, 2017
THE DASH ON MY ALTIMA IS MELTED TO THE POINT THAT IF ANY LIGHT SHINES ON IT, THERE IS A HORRIBLE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD TO WHERE I CANNOT SEE. IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THESE CARS, ESPECIALLY IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 22, 2017
DASHBOARD IS MELTING. HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS. THE SHINY STICKY MESS CAUSES A HUGE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AND A SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL! I LOVE MY VEHICLE, BUT IT IS TERRIBLE THAT I HAVE TO PUT A CARPET DASHBOARD COVER ON IT TO BE ABLE TO SEE.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 11, 2017
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING AND IMPAIRING THE VISIBILITY. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT SEE WHAT IS IN THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU. IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM FOR YEARS BUT IS GETTING WORST. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN KNOWN TO NISSAN AND THE GOVERNMENT, BUT NEITHER THINKS IT WARRANTS A SAFETY RECALL. THERE ARE SEVERAL CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS BUT NONE SEEM TO APPLY TO RESIDENCES OF ALABAMA. MY LATE HUSBAND CONTACTED A LAYER IN CALIFORNIA INVOLVED IN ONE OF THE LAWSUITS BUT DID NOT PURSUE BECAUSE HE DID NOT TRUST LAWYERS. I HAVE BEEN BUSY FIGHTING CANCER BUT LOST THE BATTLE, AND MY HUSBAND. I CONTACTED NISSAN TODAY TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THEY CAN DO TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN TOLD ME THAT I NEED TO PAY A LOCAL DEALER $100-$200 TO FILE A REPORT, BUT BECAUSE OF THE AGE OF MY VEHICLE THEY PROBABLY WILL DO NOTHING TO REPAIR THIS SAFETY ISSUE. IMPAIRED VISIBILITY IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE CORRECTED! I HAVE ATTACHED SEVERAL PICTURES TO SHOW HOW MUCH THE VISIBLY HAS BEEN IMPAIRED. IN ONE OF THEM THERE IS AN ENTIRE HOUSE THAT IS OBSCURED, I HAVE ALSO INCLUDED A PICTURE OUT THE WINDOW TO SHOW THE HOUSE. I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY AND THERE ARE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE NEXT DOOR THAT RIDE THEIR SCOOTERS IN THE ROAD. IMAGINE IF THAT WAS A CHILD PLAYING IN THE ROAD THAT WAS NOT VISIBLE INSTEAD OF A HOUSE...
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.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 28, 2017
FRONT DASHBOARD HAS A MELTED, STICKY AND TACKY SURFACE FROM A COMBINATION OF DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND/OR HIGH INTERIOR HEAT TEMPERATURES. THE MELTED DASH HAS CREATED A HIGH SHINE SURFACE THAT REFLECTS SUNLIGHT DIRECTLY ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IN THE DRIVER'S FIELD OF VISION IMPEDING VISIBILITY AND MAKES DRIVING UNSAFE. DEBRIS AND DIRT ADHERES TO THE SURFACE, CLEANING IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE TACKY SURFACE. THERE IS PITTING AROUND THE LOCATION OF THE PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAG LOCATION DUE TO THE MELTED TEXTURE OF THE DASHBOARD. DASHBOARD HAS A PUTTY AND GUMMY LIKE TEXTURE.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 11, 2016
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT NISSAN IS DOING TO CORRECT THE MELTING DASHBOARD ISSUE. MY DASHBOARD HAS A STICKY FILM ON IT WHICH CREATES AN EXTREMELY BAD GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD. IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE DURING THE DAY. RECENTLY I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE THE PERSON DUE TO THE GLARE THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CREATING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN AT FAULT IF I HIT THAT PERSON? THE POLICE WOULD HAVE BLAMED ME FOR THE ACCIDENT BUT THE TRUE CULPRIT IN MY EYES IS NISSAN BECAUSE THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE. HOW THE HELL CAN NISSAN SAY IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN OBVIOUSLY I CAN'T SEE WHILE DRIVING?!?
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 5, 2016
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASH HAS BEEN MELTING FOR THE PAST 3-4 YEARS AND IS NOW CAUSING AN INABILITY TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A LARGE REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD DURING DAYTIME DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS AND OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE CORPORATE OFFICE AT NISSAN OFFERED 1/2 OFF THE PRICE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE DANGERS THAT IT'S CAUSING FOR MANY DRIVERS.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2016
THE DASHBOARD ON MY ALTIMA STARTED MELTING AND CRACKING. NOW ITS SHINING IN MY VIEW AS IM DRIVING UNDER THE SUN. I GOTTA WEAR SHADES MOST OF THE TIME ESPECIALLY IN THE MORNING WHEN MY EYES ARE STILL ADJUSTING. IVE CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THEY WONT PAY FOR A REPLACEMENT DUE TO IT BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. A NEW REPLACEMENT COSTS OVER 1000$.