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.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Sep 24, 2016
AFTER REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION, THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPUTTER ANYTIME I WAS DRIVING FOR MORE THAN A FEW MILES. MY MECHANIC FIGURED OUT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS OVERHEATING TO ABOUT 600 DEGREES WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NO MORE THAN 250 DEGREES, CAUSING PARTS OF THE ENGINE TO BEGIN MELTING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON TO ALERT ME OF THIS ISSUE, AND I MAY NOW HAVE PERMANENT ENGINE DAMAGE.
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$.
Service brakes, Sep 15, 2016
BRAKES FELT AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO IN FIRST GEAR AND IF I LET OFF THE GAS THE CAR WOULD COME TO A HALT. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR MASTER CYLINDER CHANGEOUT. NISSAN CLAIMS MY VEHICLE ID WAS NOT A PART OF A KNOWN SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS VEHICLE 2007-2012. I THINK THIS MATTER WARRANTS FURTHER LOOKING INTO AS MY SON IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER
Other or unspecified, Sep 14, 2016
MY DASH-BOARD BECAME SHINER AND WHEN SUN SHINES IT IS HIGHLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE CAUSE THE SUN RAYS IT ACTUALLY BLINDS ME . I HAVE SPOKE TO NISSAN AND THEY WOULD ONLY FURNISH A NEW DASH BOARD BUT I MUST PAY FOR THE DASH-BOARD, WHICH I FIND IT VERY UNFAIR. PLEASE HELP??
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2016
MELTING AND STICKY DASH BOARD & AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON
Structure, Aug 30, 2016
THE DASH OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING OR DETERIORATING. IT HAS BECOME SO SHINY THAT WHEN THE SUN OR STREETLIGHTS REFLECT ON MY WINDSHIELD, IT IS ALMOST A COMPLETE WHITE-OUT EFFECT. I NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING THE STREET BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE THEM. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED REPEATEDLY AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THEM. A LOCAL DEALER SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT, BUT I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STICKINESS I COULD LIVE WITH, BUT THE WAY IT REFLECTS OFF MY WINDSHIELD IS DANGEROUS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2016
MY NISSAN ALTIMA HAS THE DASHBOARD MELTING WHICH MAKES IT VISIBLE THRU THE WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I'VE ALMOST HAD 4 NEAR CAR ACCIDENTS WHERE THE MELTING DASHBOARD WAS THE ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Aug 26, 2016
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A MELTING DASHBOARD. VISIBILITY IS BLINDING BY GLARE FROM SHINY DASHBOARD. COST TO REPLACE DASH IS ALMOST $2000.
Structure, Aug 24, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THERE WAS A REFLECTION ON THE DASHBOARD THAT OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VISION. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2016
THE FACTORY SOUND SYSTEM FACE PLATE IS BLISTERING. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY RADIO OVERHEAT OR SOME TYPE OF SHORT. THE RADIO WORKS FINE
Power train, Aug 16, 2016
CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND IN SERVICE 7/12/2008. CAR HAS GONE THROUGH 4 TRANSMISSIONS WITH LAST TRANSMISSION PUT IN 7/27/2016. CAR ONLY HAS 129K MILES. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AS CAR HAS SHUTTERED AND STALLED AND I HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION. NISSAN DOESN'T SEEM TO BE TOO CONCERNED - MY HUSBAND AND I TRIED TO CONTACT THE CEO OF NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ([XXX]) BUT COULDN'T GET PAST "[XXX]" IN THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. SHE TOLD MY HUSBAND AND I ON A RECORDED LINE THAT SHE REPORTS TO [XXX]. BUT ONLY LATER, AFTER CONTINUING TO PRESS THE ISSUE, SHE ACKNOWLEDGED SHE DOESN'T REPORT TO HIM. ADDITIONALLY, SHE LAUGHED AT MY HUSBAND AND I AS WE DISCUSSED THIS VERY REAL ISSUE (AGAIN...ON A RECORDED LINE....YOU SHOULD SUBPOENA THE TAPES). NO VEHICLE, UNLESS YOU ARE IN A DEMOLITION DERBY, SHOULD HAVE TO GO THROUGH 4 TRANSMISSIONS IN 129K MILES. WE ASKED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA TO PROVIDE US WITH OUR CAR'S SERVICE HISTORY AND THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY CANNOT ACCESS THIS AND THE NEVER PROVIDED IT TO US. I DON'T BELIEVE WHAT THEY TOLD ME. I TRIED TO ATTACH A PDF OF MY LETTER TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA/[XXX] ...BUT IT IS 6.7M (TOO BIG). NONETHELESS....I'LL BE HAPPY TO SHARE IT WITH YOU UPON REQUEST.. ALSO ATTACHED IS THE CAR'S COMPLETE SERVICE HISTORY WHICH WAS PROVIDED ONLY THROUGH THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REPRESENTATIVE WAS ALOOF AND DID NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED THAT THEIR PRODUCT WENT THROUGH 4 TRANSMISSIONS. PLEASE PULL ALL 2008 ALTIMA'S OFF THE ROAD FOR SAFETY'S SAKE. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Structure, Tires, Wheels, Aug 11, 2016
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA (VIN# [XXX]). I HAVE TO TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU: 1) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE DASHBOARDS TOWARDS THEIR STICKINESS & MELTING? ESPECIALLY SINCE TOYOTA RECALLED THEIRS BECAUSE OF THAT. 2) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE TPMS? IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. WITH IT ON ALL THE TIME, HOW ARE SUPPOSED TO TELL WHEN THE AIR IS LOW. IF I TURN IT OFF, IT WON'T COME BACK ON EVEN WHEN THE TIRES ARE LOW. IF I REPLACE ONE, I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM. NTB HAS EVEN TRIED PUTTING NITROGEN IN THE TIRES. BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Other or unspecified, Aug 9, 2016
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT STARTED TO MAKE "GRINDING" MOVEMENTS AND STOPPED MOVING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T CRASH. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS CVT TRANSMISSION -- INCLUDING WHEEZING NOISES AND SHIFTING PROBLEMS AND NOW COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CALLED NISSAN THEY REFUSE TO HELP BECAUSE MY CAR HAS 132K MILES AND THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY ONLY GOES TO 120K. I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 5 YEARS. IT'S ONLY 8 YEARS OLD. THEY INSTITUTED THIS EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO SO MANY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT. BUT I'M OVER THE WARRANTY AND NOW I'M ON THE HOOK FOR 4K IN TRANSMISSION REPAIR. I FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR AS I HAVE MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE.
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Air bags, Aug 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM TO GO TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER A RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THEIR AIR BAG RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 09/30/16*LJ *TR
Electrical system, Jul 27, 2016
MY TPMS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE SYSTEM IS READING ZERO PSI IN ALL TIRES. THEY SAID IT WAS A PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT AND DOESN'T WANT TO ADDRESS IT. SO IF I WANT IT FIXED ITS GONNA COST ME OVER $200. MY WIFE WHO HAS A 2009 MURANO HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TPMS LIGHT BEING ON AND READING ZERO PSI IN ALL TIRES.
Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2016
" TAKATA RECALL" MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIAM DASH IS SO STICKY AND CRACKING ALL THE WAY DOWN. I WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR NISSAN TO REPLACE IT ALL WITH WE PARTS!!!! IT IS HARD TO DRIVE WITH THE SUN COMIMG IN THE WIDOW HITTING THE DASH. PLEASE FIX THIS FOR EVERYONE. ALSO MY CAR IS ALWAYS OUTSIDE. ALSO I REALLY LOVE MY CAR. I WOULD HATE TO GET AWAY WITH IT BECAUSE OF THIS.
Electrical system, Jul 15, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2016
ANOTHER MELTING DASHBOARD; THIS TIME IN NORTH ALABAMA. IT'S STARTING FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN PICTURES THE NORMAL STARTING PLACES, WHICH IS AT THE DEFROST AIR VENTS, THE LEDGE BETWEEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DEFROST AIR VENTS (WHERE THE DASH APPEARS AS A TWO PIECE COMES TOGETHER) AND RIGHT ABOVE THE THREE AIR VENTS. THE GLARE IT CREATES ON MY WINDSHIELD IS UNBEARABLE, AND MAKING VISIBILITY VERY POOR.
Engine, Visibility/wiper, Jul 11, 2016
STICKY SUBSTANCE ON DASH/ 2ND TRANSMISSION IS GIVING ME PROBLEMS
Air bags, Jul 11, 2016
THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM IS DESIGNED TO CLASSIFY THE SIZE AND WEIGHT OF THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER AND, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, AUTOMATICALLY TURN OFF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG. THE SOFTWARE IS INCORRECTLY CLASSIFYING THE PASSENGER SEAT AS EMPTY WHEN IT IS OCCUPIED BY AN ADULT. IT HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND STATIONARY. IT HAPPENS ON A STREET AND ALSO ON THE HIGHWAY. IT IS INTERMITTENT WHEN IT HAPPENS AND IT CANNOT BE DUPLICATED UPON REQUEST BUT IT DOES HAPPEN CONSISTENTLY. I HAVE SUBMITTED OTHER REQUESTS IN THE PAST BUT WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE OTHER RECALLS AT THAT TIME. (JULY 2011). I ALSO OWN A 2013 NISSAN ALTIMA AND JUST RECEIVED A NHTSA RECALL 16V-244 RECALL NOTICE FOR THE SAME THING.
Structure, Jul 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDE CRACKED AND MELTED WITH A STICKY SUBSTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,815.
Steering, Electrical system, Jul 6, 2016
MY CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I TRIED TO START IT. A YELLOW LIGHT WITH A KEY APPEARED IN THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE DASH. THE CAR WOULDN'T START. WE RESEARCHED THE WARNING LIGHT AND TRIED EVERYTHING SUGGESTED SUCH AS DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, DISCONNECTING THE NEGATIVE BATTERY, ETC. WITH NO LUCK. I HAVE TO DRIVE TO A CONFERENCE 4 HOURS AWAY TOMORROW AND NOW HAVE NO CAR.
Vehicle speed control, Jun 29, 2016
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING RECURRING ISSUES INVOLVING THE GAS PEDAL FAILING TO WORK IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY, AT A STOP SIGN, OR MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY THE GAS PEDAL WILL UNEXPECTEDLY FAIL TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. I WILL PRESS THE PEDAL WITH ABSOLUTE NO ACCELERATION FROM THE VEHICLE. I HAVE TO FLOOR THE PEDAL TO GET MINIMAL EXCELERATION BEFORE THE CAR SUDDENLY PICKS UP SPEED. I HAVE ALMSOT BEEN REAR ENDED WHILE AWAITING FOR THE CAR TO ACCELERATE TO PROPER TAKE OFF SPEED. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED AND A TUNE UP DONE... STILL TRYING TO ASSESS WHATS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.
Structure, Jun 28, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY WHICH SOMETIMES CAUSES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. MY DAUGHTER IS 18 AND THE PRIMARY DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE. SHE HAS STATED THAT SOMETIMES ON SUNNY DAYS THERE IS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSED BY THE STICKY DASHBOARD. MY CONCERN IS FOR HER SAFETY WHEN DRIVING AND THIS CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. WE LIVE IN TEXAS WHERE THE HEAT AND SUN CAN BE EXTREME AT TIMES.