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
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 15, 2014
I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2008 2-DOOR AND MY DASH IS MELTING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND NOW THE GLARE OF THE DASH MELTING IS PUTTING A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND IS BEGINNING TO BE A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. TODAY I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND I AM WAITING TO HERE BACK. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 9, 2014
THE DASHBOARD STARTED MELTING ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. FIRST IT WAS STICKY, AND NOW IT IS HAS MELTED TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS BECOME SHINY AND PUTS A GLARE ON OVER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS SO INTENSE THAT THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE WHAT IS IN THE PATH OF THE CAR. THE MELTING IS ALSO RELEASING SOMETHING INTO THE CAR THAT IS CAUSING A RESIDUE ON ALL OF THE WINDOWS THAT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. THE RESIDUE ALSO CREATES A GLARE WHEN THE SUN IS LOW IN SKY THAT DECREASES VISIBILITY. I DRIVE THROUGH METRO AREAS AND IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT THE SEE PEDESTRIANS DUE TO THE GLARE CAUSED BY THE MELTING DASHBOARD. THIS CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, BUT ALSO FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD AND PEDESTRIANS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 2, 2014
DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT AROUND THE A/C VENTS AND IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 2, 2014
THE FRONT DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THERE IS A PUDDLE OF MELTED MATERIAL THAT REFLECTS LIGHT INTO THE DRIVERS EYES EFFECTING THE DRIVERS VISION. THE COMPANY REFUSES REPAIR THE PROBLEM STATING THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. BELIEVE THE MATERIAL USED IN THE DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BEYOND WARRANTY DATES AND MILEAGE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 24, 2014
SECTIONS OF MY DASHBOARD ARE MELTING. THIS CONDITION MAKES VISIBILITY VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO THE GLARE OFF OF THE MELTED DASHBOARD ON SUNNY DAYS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 20, 2014
VEHICLE DASH MELTING. THIS MAKES VISIBILITY VERY LIMITED. GLARE IS STRONG. STICKY, SHINY AND DANGEROUS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY NISSAN IS MELTING, WHICH CAUSES SEVERE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE ROADWAY WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING AWAY CAUSE OF THE SUN. I HAVE READ BLOGS ONLINE SAYING IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DURING THE DAY BECAUSE OF THE REFLECTIVE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IM AFRAID IT MAKE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I LIMIT DRIVING DURING THE DAY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 13, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING. THE MATERIAL HAS BECOME VERY SHINY AND STICKY CREATING A HORRIBLE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND I CANNOT SEE WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THE MELTING MATERIAL IS EMITTING FUMES. THE WINDSHIELD ALSO HAS A CONSTANT FILM ON IT FROM THE MELTING MATERIAL, WHICH COMBINED WITH THE GLARE IS HAZARDOUS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2014
DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING. CAN'T CLEAN IT. GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AFFECTS SAFE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 11, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CREATES A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF. IT COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 7, 2014
DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND THE GLARE FROM THE SUN REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND YOU CANNOT SEE PROPERLY. ONLY THING YOU CAN SEE IS THE DASHBOARD REFLECTING OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 4, 2014
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S DASH PANEL/DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE DASH PANEL SOFT-TOUCH COATING MATERIAL FIRST TURNED STICKY AND EVENTUALLY DISINTEGRATED INTO A VISCOUS SUBSTANCE. SURFACE FINISH TURNED FROM MATTE TO HIGH GLOSS. THE NOW REFLECTIVE DASH SURFACE CAUSES A LARGE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTS DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 2, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING AND CREATES AN EXTREMELY REFLECTIVE SURFACE THAT PREVENTS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD, WHILE DRIVING IN SUNNY CONDITION. THE MELTING/STICKY STARTED WITH A SMALL SPOT ON THE DASH THEN THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND SPREAD OVER THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. THE GLARE CAUSED BY THE MELTING DASHBOARD IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 31, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS STICKY I HAD BROUGHT IT IN AT 42000 MILES WESTON NISSAN TOLD ME TO USE ALCOHOL AND THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME ABOUT IT....I WENT BACK AGAIN AT 52000 MILES AND AGAIN SAID THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ...MY VISION IS AT RISK IT IS BLINDING OFF THE WINDSHIELD I HIT A STOP SIGN IN MY COMPLEX WHICH I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF THE BLINDING SUN ON MY WINDSHIELD, SO NOW THE FRONT OF MY CAR HAS A DING....I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS NISSAN HAS DONE NOTHINGI HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE OF NISSAN MORE THAN TWICE.... *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 25, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS BEEN MELTING, THIS CAUSES SOME SEVERE GLARE SPECIALLY HERE IN SUNNY SOUTH FLORIDA, PLEASE DON'T WAIT UNTIL THERE'S A LIFE LOST TO RECALL THIS ISSUE. SOME CITIZENS CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THIS MANUFACTURED DEFECT CORRECTED OUT OF POCKET. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE CORRECT THE ISSUE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Jul 22, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE DASHBOARD THAT REFLECTED TO THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING THE CONTACTS FRONTAL VIEW TO BECOME IMPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 18, 2014
I PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA BRAND NEW IN 2007, AND CURRENTLY THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. I RECENTLY VISITED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AS I WAS TOLD TO DO BY NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOR A DIAGNOSTICS. THERE THE DEALERSHIP ALSO AGREED THE DASHBOARD IS PEELING AND MELTING. I WAS QUOTED A TOTAL COST OF $1860 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I THEN CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS REGARDING THE MATTER AND THEY CREATED A CASE# AND SAID THEY WOULD GET BACK WITH ME ON THE ISSUE. A WEEK LATER THEY CONTACTED ME TO SAY THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR THE PARTS BUT NOT THE LABOR BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I CANNOT POSSIBLY UNDERSTAND WHY I SHOULD BE PENALIZED OR HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY OF THIS WHEN IT IS COMPLETELY NOT MY FAULT. THIS IS THE FIRST I HAVE EVER SEEN OF A MELTING DASHBOARD AND I'VE HAD TWO CARS PRIOR TO THIS ONE, ONE BEING A 1995 AND THERE WERE NO ISSUES OF A MELTING DASHBOARD. THIS MELTING DASHBOARD IS ALSO HAZARDOUS FOR ME, THE CHILD I'M CARRYING AND MY TWO YEAR OLD SON, AS IT DOES AFFECT MY VIEW WHILE DRIVING WHEN ITS SUNNY OUT, WHICH IS PRETTY MUCH ALL THE TIME WHERE I LIVE, THERE IS A REALLY BAD GLARE OF THE DASHBOARD ON MY WINDSHIELD. UNFORTUNATELY THIS CAR IS MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION AND BUYING ANOTHER CAR IS OUT OF THE QUESTION FOR ME FINANCIALLY. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 30, 2014
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS VERY STICKY AND MELTING. I CALLED NISSAN AND MAKE MY FIRST COMPLAINT 2 MONTHS TOO LATE WAS TOLD. SINCE THEN THE MELTING AND STICKINESS ON THE COMPLETE TOP OF THE DASH BOARD IS GETTING WORSE. INSIDE THE CAR NOW IT?S ALSO SMELLING LIKE MELTED TAR, WHICH MAY REPRESENT A HEALTH ISSUE WHEN BREATHING IT, AND WITH IT THE INTENSE GLARE, REFLECTION OF THE GLOSSY TAR ON THE FRONT WINDOW IT'S A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS ALSO COULD RESULT IN AIRBAGS BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. NISSAN REFUSES TO HELP REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE DASH BOARD. LAST WEEK I CALLED NISSAN AGAIN. THIS TIME BECAUSE THE A/C?S EVAPORATOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.I UNDERSTAND THE COST OF THIS WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY, BUT BECAUSE THIS IS UNDER THE DEFECTIVE DASH BOARD, THIS ONE WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE EVAPORATOR. ONCE REMOVED, THE MELTED DASH BOARD, NO GUARANTEE COULD BE INSTALLED AGAIN, I WAS TOLD BY SERVICE REP AT NISSAN. A NISSAN SUPERVISOR TOLD ME THE SAME AS OTHERS AND SUGGESTED FOR ME TO CALL NHTSA AND FILE A COMPLAINT, SO THEY WOULD WORK ON A RECALL FOR THIS. MY A/C NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I'M IN FL WHERE WEATHER CONDITIONS AND RAINY SEASON IT'S NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS DOWN. I'M AWARE THAT A/C REPAIR IS MY RESPONSIBILITY BUT I BELIEVE IT'S UNFAIR TO HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL 2,000 BECAUSE OF NISSAN'S DEFECTIVE MATERIAL USED ON DASHBOARDS. THIS IS A KNOWN CONCERN SINCE OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IF NISSAN DOESN'T DO RIGHT BY ITS CONSUMERS AND OR A RECALL IS ISSUE, THERE WOULD BE MANY CONSUMERS IN THE FUTURE WITH RISKS OF ACCIDENTS AND/OR POSSIBLE RESPIRATORY HEALTH ISSUES. A SIMPLE SEARCH ON YOUR PAGE YOU FIND MANY OTHER CONSUMERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN MAKES IT SOUND LIKE THESE ARE ISOLATED ISSUES. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 21, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, GETTING SHINY AND STICKY. THE SUN REFLECTS OFF THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, OBSCURING VISION. THIS CREATES A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, MY VISION WAS PRETTY MUCH BLINDED. HAD THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME ELECTED TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN AT THAT TIME, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 17, 2014
I NOTICED IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT. IT IS GETTING WORSE AND IT MAKES A GLARE OFF MY WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS SO BAD THAT I CAN BARELY SEE OUT MY FRONT WINDOW!! *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jun 9, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING A GLARE, THUS MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. ITS A SAFETY HAZARD. NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL MELTED DASHBOARDS. THERE ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. LINK: HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/MY-DASHBOARD-IS-MELTING-T569582-150.HTML. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, May 27, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2.5S IS MELTING. THE MELTING STARTED AROUND THE EDGES OF THE SPEAKER GRILL AND THE TOP PART OF THE DASHBOARD. I HAVE TRIED TO REMOVE THE RESIDUE WITH DIFFERENT PRODUCTS, BUT NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK. THE MELTING HAS PROGRESSED TO A POINT WHERE IT IMPAIRS MY VISION DUE TO THE REFLECTION OF SUN ON THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. I AM ONLY ONE OF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AFFECTED WITH THIS ISSUE. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE FOR THE WORDS "MELTING" "DASHBOARD" AND "ALTIMA" WILL POP UP MORE THAN A DOZEN THREADS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. MOST OF THEM ARE FROM SATES WHERE THE TEMPERATURES ARE REGULARLY HOT. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 24, 2014
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND THE GLARE FROM THE MOLTEN RUBBER/PLASTIC CREATES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN THE SUN AND IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 3000 $ TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD WHICH I DO NO INTEND ON DOING IT AS I FEEL LIKE IT IS NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. *TR
Air bags, Seats, Visibility/wiper, Mar 19, 2014
MY ALTIMA COUPE HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD THAT CAUSES VISIBILITY ISSUES BY GLARING INTO MY WINDSCREEN. IT IS MELTED AND BUBBLY. ALSO MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT LIGHT CUTS ON AND OFF DUE TO MY PASSENGER SEAT BRACKET BEING FAULTY. I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM NISSAN ON A WAY TO RESOLVE THESE SAFETY ISSUES. *TR