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
1,029 reports, newest first.
Air bags, Sep 22, 2017
MY PASSANGER AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING WHEN SOMEBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT IT IS STILL OFF WHEN DRIVING, THEIR WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS BUT WHEN I CALL NISSAN ITS NOT MY MODEL
Other or unspecified, Sep 3, 2017
DASH MATERIAL IS DEFECTIVE. IT LOOKS LIKE IT MELTED AND BECOME SHINY, STICKY, AND REFLECTIVE WHEN EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT. THIS IS A DRIVING AND SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF THE REFECTION ON WIND SHIELD, VISION IS SEVERELY IMPAIRED. I CONTACT NISSAN AND THEY USED "PASSED WARRANTY" EXCUSE; EVEN AFTER I EXPLAINED IT HAPPEN YEARS AGO AND WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. WAS TOLD BY DEALER I PURCHASED CAR TO "CONTACT NISSAN". I DID, AND THEY ADVISED THAT WAS NOT COVERED.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Aug 24, 2017, fire
AT AROUND 11:50 PM MONDAY AUGUST 21, 2017 MY SON PARKED HIS NISSAN ALTIMA ON RESIDENTIAL STREET IN FRONT OF A FRIENDS HOUSE WHILE HE RAN IN FOR A BIT BEFORE HEADING HOME, ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER 2 LOUD "POPS" RATTLED THE HOME. THEY STEPPED OUT FRONT TO FIND THAT HIS 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES 20-30 FEET HIGH. AT 00:11 THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND WORKED TO EXTINGUISHED THE CAR, FINALLY FINDING IT SAFE TO LEAVE AT 01:17. THEY CAR IS OBVIOUSLY A TOTAL LOSS. I AM REQUESTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THIS RANDOM "EXPLOSION" OF THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED. THANKFULLY, NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO OTHER STRUCTURES WERE DAMAGED (POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE CITY ROAD), THIS VERY WELL COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A DEVASTATING OUTCOME.
Air bags, Seat belts, Engine, Aug 23, 2017, crash
TAKATA RECALL, GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. MY CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. WERE THERE ANY AIRBAGS IN THE CAR??????
Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2017
JUST LIKE MANY CUSTOMERS IN FLORIDA. WE IN TEXAS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH OUT DASHBOARD MELTING ON OUR 2008 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THE MAIN DIFFERENCE IS THE ONLY CUSTOMERS IN FLORIDA WERE OFFER REPLACEMENT AND NOT CUSTOMERS IN OTHER STATES LIKE TEXAS.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 19, 2017
THE POWER START KEY ISNT TURNING ON THE CAR, IT ALLOWS YOU TO ENTER THE CAR BUT THE START TAKES VARIOUS ATTEMPTS. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE LOCK STEERING FEATURE MALFUNCTIONS.
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, Structure, Aug 11, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER CROWN NISSAN LOCATED AT 5151 34TH ST N ST. PETERSBURG, FL 33714 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 # 27986750 BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,812. UPDATED 11/06/17*LJ *JS
Steering, Aug 11, 2017
ELECTRONIC STEERING LOCK COLUMN HAS FAILED ON MY VEHICLE. THIS PART IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR 2010 NISSAN ALTIMAS BURN 2008 HAS NOT BEEN EVEN ADDRESSED. THIS FAILED PART .HAD LEFT ME STRANDED. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE LOCK NO LONGER WORKED. FAILED UNIT HAD BEEN QUOTED AT $1100 REPAIR COST.
Vehicle speed control, Aug 8, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TT *JS
Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 2, 2017
GLUE IS BLEEDING THRU THE DASH ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. IT IS CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE, SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO LEAN OVER TO FIND A SPOT THAT DOES NOT AFFECT MY VISION OF THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF OR COMING TOWARDS ME. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD AND LEFT UNATTENDED WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A WRECK. I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER PROBLEMS, THE FRONT SEATS ARE LOOSE AND SLID WHEN I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKESFEEL AND I AM NOT AT ALL COMFORTABLE THAT IF I HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT THIS WOULD ATTRIBUTE TO ADDITIONAL INJURY. ALSO, I HAVE HAD THE LOW TIRE SCENSOR REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE TO ONLY HAVE IT COME BACK ON AT WHICH TIME I FOUND OUT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MODEL, WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE HAD THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, INSTEAD OF TAKING MY MONEY. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT ALL THREE OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY REPORTED TO NISSAN ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY ARE NOT RECALLS AND ARE EXTREMELY HIGH IN COST OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THEM FOR TWO YEARS TO NO AVAIL. THEY SENT ME TO A DEALER IN TOWN AT ONE POINT WHO REITERATED TO ME VERBATIM WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THEM ONLINE AFTER HE GAVE THE DASH A QUICK LOOK. I LIVE IN LOUISIANA, I TRAVEL TO TEXAS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. THAT IS WHEN THE PROBLEM WITH THE DASH STARTED. NO WAY TO CLEAN, IT IS ONE BIG STICKY MESS AND ONLY GETTING WORSE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THEY WERE HAPPY TO TAKE MY MONEY, THE LEAST THEY COULD DO IS FIX KNOWN PROBLEMS. TOYOTA RECALLED ONE OF THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME BLEEDING GLUE DASH PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD BE AS FORTHCOMING WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS, WON'T BUY ANOTHER, WILL SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE RESALE VALUE OF THIS ONE. SHAME ON NISSAN! MY FORMAL COMPLAINT SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED!
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.
Steering, Jul 29, 2017
I WENT TO ANOTHER COUNTY WITH MY KIDS TO VISIT MY MOM AND WHEN I TRIED TO LEAVE THE CAR WOULDN'T START AND THERE WAS A LIGHT IN THE DASHBOARD THAT INDICATED A KEY IN AN AMBER COLOR, I TRIED GIVING IT A JUMPSTART TO SEE IF THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AND CHANGING THE BATTERY OF THE SMART KEY AND NOTHING WORKED. I ENDED UP HAVING TO LEAVE MY CAR PARKED IN THE STREET WHERE MY MOM LIVES AND SPENT THE NIGHT WITH MY MOTHER AND THE NEXT DAY I CALLED MY NEAREST NISSAN DEALER WHO TOLD ME THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK BUT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED IN THE RECENT RECALL.
Power train, Jul 27, 2017
DRIVING ON I 25,PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL,CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE,BEGAN LOSING POWER,WOULD ONLY GO 20-30 MPH. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP IN CHEYENNE,WYOMING. WAS TOLD THAT WAS TRANSMISSION WAS OUT.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 19, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONYERS NISSAN IN CONYERS, GA WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO CONYERS NISSAN IN CONYERS, GA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 17, 2017
MY VEHICLES DASH IS MELTING AND IT CRATES AREAS THAT HAVE A VERY DANGEROUS GLARE WHEN DRIVING IN SUNLIGHT. THE DASH HAS ALSO BECOME EXTREMELY STICKY AND HARD TO CLEAN. THE REAL ISSUE IS IN THE GLARE AS IT CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. UNFORTUNATELY THE DASH WAS ALREADY LIKE THIS WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE SO I AM UNAWARE OF WHEN IT HAPPENED.
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.
Engine, Jul 14, 2017
TAKATA RECALL THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS A LARGE CRACK IN IT, LEAKING FUMES INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE PART 6 MONTHS AGO. I'M ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW PART. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS NISSAN ALTIMA'S ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME PROBLEM (VERY LOUD EXHAUST). THERE MUST BE A DESIGN FLAW THAT CAUSES THE METAL TO WEAKEN AND BREAK.
Other or unspecified, Jul 10, 2017
THE DASH IS MELTING, AND HAS BEEN FOR YEARS, FORMING SOME KIND OF STICKY, SHINY RESIDUE. THIS RESIDUE CAUSES THE DASH TO REFLECT OFF THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING.
Engine, Jul 9, 2017
"TAKATA RECALL" LOUD NOISE ON THE OUTSIDE OF CAR AND WHINING NOISE WHEN RIDING BRAKES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 6, 2017
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKING, CREATING A GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT IS DANGER TO ALL.
Engine, Jun 20, 2017
TIMING CHAIN
Air bags, Seats, Jun 14, 2017
MY PASSANGER AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING WHEN SOMEBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT IT IS STILL OFF WHEN DRIVING, THEIR WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS BUT WHEN I CALL NISSAN ITS NOT MY MODEL
Other or unspecified, Jun 14, 2017
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD DUE TO USE OF LOW QUALITY MATERIALS. WHEN THE DASHBOARDS BECOME EXPOSED TO HEAT AND SUNLIGHT IT CONVERTS INTO A VICIOUS, STICKY AND REFLECTIVE SURFACE THAT PROJECTS A GLARE ONTO WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING THE DRIVER'S VIEW, THUS ENDANGERING EVERYONE ON THE ROAD. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MISSOURI BUT CAME SPECIAL ORDER FROM TEXAS ACCORDING TO MY SALESMAN. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED AND SETTLED IN FLORIDA BECAUSE OF THIS REASON, BUT NISSAN WILL NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR INFERIOR QUALITY PRODUCT FOR THOSE LIVING OUTSIDE OF FL STATING THESE ARE ISOLATED INCIDENTS.
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.