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
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2016
STICKY SUBSTANCE ON DASH/ 2ND TRANSMISSION IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS
Steering, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 24, 2016
DASHBOARD, STEERING WHEEL, AND SHIFT HANDLE HAVE ALL MELTED FROM HEAT. THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME ALMOST LIQUIFIED, AND THE GLARE FROM THE NOW SHINY SURFACE CREATES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD, CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. THE STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME GUMMY, MAKING STEERING UNSAFE, AND THE RUBBERY MATERIAL ON THE SHIFT HANDLE HAS BECOME GUMMY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SAFELY SHIFT GEARS ACCUARATELY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 23, 2016
DASH BOARD IS MELTING... CAUSING EXTREME GLARE WHILE DRIVING.
Visibility/wiper, May 25, 2016
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD
Visibility/wiper, May 8, 2016
DASHBOARD MELTING RESULTING IN STICKY GOO TO THE TOUCH THUS RESULTING IN VISIBILITY ISSUES. TERRIBLE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD CAUSING SEVERE VISIBILITY ISSUES - UNABLE TO SEE THRU THE GLARED WINDSHIELD TO DRIVE SAFELY. ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS THE SEVERITY OF THE GLARE AS LIGHT SHINES THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD.
Visibility/wiper, May 5, 2016
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 ULTIMA HAS MELTED INTO A SHINY RUBBER CAUSING SERIOUS VISIBILITY ISSUES WHILE DRIVING DURING SUNNY BRIGHT DAYS. I RESORTED TO PUTTING A PLASTIC RECTANGLE TO COVER THE REFLECTION ON MY MORNING COMMUTE, BUT NOW THAT PLASTIC IS STUCK AND SEMI-PERMANENTLY ATTACHED TO THE DASHBOARD FROM THE STICKINESS. THE ATTACHED PICTURES WERE TAKEN ON MY DRIVEWAY. NOTICE THE REFLECTION OF THE ROCK WALL AND WHITE GARAGE ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. DURING MORNING OR AFTERNOON SUNNY CONDITIONS, THE GLARE BECOMES UNBEARABLE. THIS ISSUE SEEMS TO BE VERY PREVALENT SPECIFICALLY WITH A 2008 MODEL YEAR ALTIMA. NOT 2007 AND NOT 2009 SO CLEARLY IT'S A DEFECT AND A HAZARDOUS ONE TOO VISUALLY. ALSO THERE ARE UNKNOWN CONSEQUENCES OF THE FOWEL TAR LIKE ORDER WITHIN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR MOST PROMINENTLY PRESENT AFTE THE CAR SITS CLOSED FOR A WHILE.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Apr 26, 2016
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS STARTED MELTING. THE GLARE FROM THE SUN ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE ON A SUNNY DAY IN LATE AFTERNOON. I KNOW THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT FOR THIS IN FLORIDA, BUT I LIVE IN TENNESSEE.
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, Visibility/wiper, Apr 11, 2016
THE VEHICLE DASHBOARD HAS 'MELTED,' BECOMING STICKY AND VERY SHINY. IT CREATES SIGNIFICANT REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD, REDUCING VISIBILITY.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 27, 2016
THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING. THE DASHBOARD APPEARS VERY SHINY AND IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH. THE SHINY DASHBOARD CREATES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES VISIBILITY. THE STICKINESS ALSO TRAPS DUST, DIRT, ETC. ADDING TO THE REFLECTION ON THE GLASS.
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.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 26, 2016
ADHESIVE USED TO ASSEMBLE DASHBOARD IS DETERIORATING AND MIGRATING TO TOP SURFACE OF DASHBOARD CAUSING SEVERE GLARE WHICH IS IN DIRECT LINE OF SIGHT IMPAIRING SAFE OPERATION OF VEHICLE IN GOOD WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE STICKY SUBSTANCE FIRST APPEARED DURING JANUARY OF 2016
Visibility/wiper, Mar 24, 2016
MY NISSAN ALTIMA DASH HAS BECOME STICKY AND SHINY CAUSING A GLARE THAT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE AT TIMES. THIS ALSO PREVENTS IT FROM BEING CLEANED. IT HAS MELTED. THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
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.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Dec 12, 2015
08 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE THAT I PURCHASED NEW IN SOUTH FLORIDA FEBRUARY 08 THAT I'VE OWNED SINCE HAS A MELTED, STICKY, AND CRACKED DASHBOARD. ALSO, THE DASH IS CHANGING COLORS. THE DEFECTIVE AND MELTED DASHBOARD MAKES IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE SUN REFLECTS ON THE DASHBOARD MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. AS REFERENCED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT TRACY SANBORN V. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. MY CAR SHOULD BE COVERED. I SPOKE WITH A REP AT 1-800-NISSAN-1 AND THEY CLAIMED TO HAVE NO IDEA THIS EXISTING. I HAVE OPENED MY CASE AND WILL HOPEFULLY GET IT FIXED SOON.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 21, 2015
THE MATERIAL ON THE DASH IS MELTING, AND THERE ARE CHUNKS BREAKING OFF, GREATLY AFFECTING THE VALUE OF MY VEHICLE. THIS ALSO CAUSES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD. THERE IS A GLARE IN THE DIRECT LINE OF MY VISION AND WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. I HAVE HEARD OTHER MAKES OF THIS SAME YEAR HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS, AND HAD MANUFACTURE RECALL. HOPEFULLY NISSAN WILL FOLLOW SUIT. SOON.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 5, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD RESTRICTING MY VISION. THE VISION RESTRICTION CAUSED BY THIS GLARE MAKES DRIVING HAZARDOUS IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED TRADING IN THE VEHICLE FOR THIS SOLE ISSUE. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY REPLACE THESE DASHBOARDS OR AT LEAST PAY FOR 50 PERCENT OF THE COSTS. I HAVE ALSO CONSIDERED JOINING THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WHICH HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST NISSAN.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 1, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS ACTUALLY MELTING CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN PROPER AND SUFFICIENT VISIBILTY DUE TO EXCESSIVE GLARE REFLECTING OFF OF MELTING DASHBOARD. THIS IS MAKING IT DIFFICULT IN SEEING PEDESTRIANS, ANIMALS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, AND SIGNS. I'VE HAD TOO MANY CLOSE CALLS OF NOT SEEING PEDESTRIANS FROM THIS GLARE UNTIL THE I WAS ALMOST ON TOP OF THEM.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 31, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT HAS BECOME SHINY WHICH CAUSES THERE TO BE A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAN HAMPER THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING ME TO LOOSE VISABILITY. THERE IS NO RECALL AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO STOP IT.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2015
THE DASH SURFACE HAS SEVERE MELTING AND THE RESULTANT GLARE CAUSES VISIBILITY TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE RESULT OF THE MELTING DASH SURFACE CAN CREATE TEMPORARY BLINDING CONDITIONS AS THE VEHICLE ORIENTS TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND AFTER DARK STREET LIGHTING. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AND FIXED BY NISSAN.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND BEGINNING TO SPREAD DOWN TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I CAN BARELY SEE WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE THE GLARE IS TOO BAD. I ALMOST RAN OVER SOMETHING AND HAD TO SWERVE BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE IT...IT KEEPS HAPPENING. THERE SHE BE A RECALL BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 18, 2015
MY DASHBOARD HAS STARTED BECOMING GOOEY AND VERY SHINY. IF I TOUCH IT, IT FEELS LIKE I AM TOUCHING AN ADHESIVE USED FOR SOMETHING LIKE A BUMPER STICKER. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THIS IS VERY REFLECTIVE AND PROJECTS A GLARING IMAGE ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE PARTS OF THE ROAD AHEAD.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT BAD. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PROTECH IT WITH SUNSHADES BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO MELT. THIS IS CAUSING GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING OBSTRUCTION FOR MY DRIVING AND BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. NOT SURE WHY NHSTA IS WAITING FOR SOME ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. I WOULD REQUEST RECALL AND FIX THE DASHBOARD ISSUE