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.
Structure, Apr 11, 2016
MY DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND CRACKING IN MANY PLACES. IT ALSO GETS SO HOT IN THE SUMMER THAT I WAS REMOVING SOMETHING FROM IT AND MY FINGERNAIL TOOK A PIECE OF THE DASH. MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT AND WHEN PARKED IN THE SUN, SUN SHIELDS ARE USED. I NOTICED THIS ISSUE IN JULY OF LAST YEAR. NISSAN DEALER SAID WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER IT AND THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE.
Structure, Apr 4, 2016
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE DASHBOARD MELTING/ STICKY CREATING VISIBILITY ISSUES FROM SUN REFLECTION WHILE DRIVING. *SMD
Structure, Apr 2, 2016
DASH BOARD IS MELTING. BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2012 AND NOTICED TACKINESS IN PLACES AND ASKED DEALERSHIP ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID IT WASN'T A PROBLEM. WELL LESS THAN A YEAR LATER THE DASH WAS NOTICEABLE MELTING AND CRACKING IN MANY PLACES. I HAVE A CHILD THAT RIDES IN THE CAR WITH ME. I GET NERVOUS WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN. THESE CARS SHOULDN'T BE DOING THIS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED AND NISSAN FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS IN A FATAL ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY COULD T SEE.
Structure, Apr 2, 2016
MY ALTIMA FRONT DASH BOARD ARE STARTING TO MELT UNDER THE SUN, IT BECOMES REALLY STICKY AND IT SMELLS REALLY BAD. SOMETIMES ITS REALLY HARD TO SEE BECAUSE THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASH BOARD. ITS BOTH A SAFE AND HEALTH ISSUE, THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR AND THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE IT CAUSE A PERMANENT DAMAGE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 1, 2016
MELTING DASHBOARD THAT CAUSES GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD AND MAKES IT UNSAFE TO SEE AND DRIVE.
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.
Service brakes, Mar 27, 2016
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AND SUDDENLY THE ABS VDC AND SLIP ILLUMINATED. THEN I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. THAT GUY TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKING LIGHT IS NOT WORKING. LUCKILY I WAS INSIDE MILITARY BASE AND PEOPLE WERE ALERT. IT HAPPENED ON THE STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING.
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.
Power train, Mar 23, 2016
DRIVING 75 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN AGES 1 & 3 MY CAR LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I FIND THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT IN AN ACCIDENT. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, BUT SEE NO RECALL FOR IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED.
Air bags, Mar 21, 2016
I HAVE TAKEN MY ALTIMA TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON A FEW OCCASIONS AND EVERYTIME I GO THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. ATM I HAVE NO AIRBAGS AND I DO A LOT OF DRIVING WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS.
Other or unspecified, Mar 15, 2016
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE AND HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY DASHBOARD MELTING. THE STICKINESS OR SHINE FROM THE TACKY DASHBOARD CREATES A BAD GLARE WHEN DRIVING IN SUNLIGHT AND AT TIMES CAN BE BLINDING. QUITE FRANKLY, DRIVING MY CAR WHEN IT'S SUNNY IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I TRIED BRINGING MY CAR IN TO NISSAN AND SHOWING THEM MY DASH, BUT BASICALLY WAS TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE DASH AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I WENT ON LINE AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE MODELS. EVEN MORE SURPRISING IS THAT NISSAN HASN'T MADE THIS ISSUE A RECALL DUE TO THE MANY COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF NISSAN CARS. IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT!! WHAT CAN I DO? CAN ANYONE HELP? ON THE BOTTOM OF THIS FORM IT ASKS WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT DATE BUT MY DASH STARTED MELTING OVER A YEAR AGO AND PROGRESSIVELY HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT STARTED AT THE PART NEAREST THE WINDSHIELD AND NOW THE STICKY TACKINESS COVERS ALMOST THE ENTIRE DASH.
Other or unspecified, Mar 14, 2016
DASH MELTING AND CRACKING
Electrical system, Air bags, Seats, Mar 11, 2016
WHEN AN ADULT IS SETTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL PERIODICALLY GO ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR YEARS. ST. CHARLES NISSAN TECH FOUND OCCUPANT SENSOR FAILURE TO BE CAUSING THE ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL INVOLVING THIS ISSUE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V521000. MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT PART OF THE OPEN RECALL, HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME YEAR VEHICLE, I WONDERED IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. I HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED AT WHAT VIN THEY STOPPED IN THE RECALL.
Structure, Mar 11, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND REFLECTING ON THE GLASS. IT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE WHATS IN FRONT OF YOU WHEN THE SUN IS HITTING ON YOUR CAR.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Mar 7, 2016
RECENTLY, I FACED A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE DRIVING MY NISSAN ALTIMA. I WAS HEADING BACK TO KC FROM COLUMBIA. IT WAS WINDY MORNING AT 3 AM ON 70 W AND SUDDENLY MY CAR'S CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT STARTED BLINKING, AND MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE ITS ACCELERATION (WHILE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY 70).WITH A DOUBLE TRAILER TRUCK BEHIND MY CAR A FEW OTHER TRUCKS LINED BEHIND IT, MY CAR LOST ACCELERATION AND IT FELL UNDER 40 MILES IN A FEW DREADFUL SECONDS ON A NATIONAL HIGHWAY. MY CAR CONTINUOUSLY WIGGLED AS IT KEPT DROPPING SPEED WITH A WHISTLING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. AS I PRAY TO GOD TO SAVE ME, IT STRUCK MY MIND TO TURN ON THE PARKING LIGHTS, THE TRUCK DRIVER WAS QUICK TO REALIZE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH A CAR AHEAD OF HIM AND CHANGED LANES AND SPED AWAY AND SO DID THE OTHERS. I DECIDED TO KEEP DRIVING UNTIL I REACH SAFETY. MY CAR'S SPEED DROPPED TO 40 MILES AN HOUR AS MY HEARTBEAT WENT UP. WITH ANOTHER 20 MILES TO AN EXIT, I WAS PRAYING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN. I WAS NOT SURE IF I SHOULD HIT THE BRAKES AND BE STRANDED OR TAKE A CHANCE AND DRIVE UNTIL I REACH SAFETY. MY GAS MILEAGE FELL RAPIDLY, IT WENT DOWN FROM 100 MILES REMAINING TO 40 MILES AS I CHECKED. AS A MIRACLE, MY CAR STARTED TO RESPOND AFTER DRIVING FOR NOT SURE HOW LONG BUT IT STARTED TO ACCELERATE. I WAS BOTH GLAD AND TERRIFIED THAT MY CAR IS RESPONDING AND WITH BIG FEAR THAT IT MAY FAIL AGAIN. I MAINTAINED A UNIFORM SPEED UNTIL I TOOK AN EXIT ON THE HIGHWAY. MY CAR STARTED TO LOSE ITS ACCELERATION AGAIN, AFTER RUNNING OVER A LIGHT IN A FAILING CAR AS I PRAYED WITH TENS OF CARS ON THE ROAD BEHIND ME, I REACHED A GAS STATION AND CONFIDENT THAT NONE OF MY FRIENDS OR FAMILY WILL FIND ME DEAD ON A HIGHWAY. I WILL NEVER EVER TRUST MY CAR AGAIN. AFTER DIAGNOSTICS AT A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER, I FOUND THAT A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS THE ROOT CAUSE
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2016
DASHBOARD IS MELTING,GETTING STICKY AND SHINY AND CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2016
THE DASHBOARD ON THIS CAR IS MELTING AND CRUMBLING APART. IN EARLY 2012 IT STARTED GETTING SHINY AT THE EDGES ON THE VENTS OPENINGS NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS DEVELOPED INTO A STICKY, SEMI-LIQUID, VERY SHINY, SOFT RUBBER LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT STICKS TO ANYTHING PUT ON TOP OF IT AND COMES OFF AS A BLACK RESIDUE WHEN SEPARATED. THE DASHBOARD ALSO DEVELOPED FINE FRACTURE LINES THAT HAVE SINCE CREATED DEEP RIDGES ALL ALONG THE PART, ITS CRUMBLING, AND PIECES OF THE BLACK OUTER MATERIAL ARE JUST FALLING APART, REVEALING A FOAM MATERIAL BENEATH. THE CRACKING, CRUMBLING EFFECT COVERS THE WHOLE DASHBOARD, NOT JUST THE SECTION THAT IS EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT. THE SHINY SECTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECT SUNLIGHT INTO THE WINDSHIELD, CREATING A BLINDING PATTERN IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT PREVENTS GOOD VISIBILITY. IN SUNNY DAYS IT IS REALLY PROMINENT AND BLINDING, WHICH IS A CONSTANT IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD PROVOKE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED SHOWING IN EARLY 2012 AND HAS EVOLVED SINCE INTO A CRUMBLING, MELTING, STICKY, SHINY DASHBOARD. IN HOT DAYS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IT SMELLS LIKE MOLTEN PLASTIC. THE CHEMICAL FUMES FROM THIS DECAYING MATERIAL CAN'T BE GOOD TO HUMAN HEALTH, THESE ARE MOST PROBABLY TOXIC.
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.
Air bags, Feb 12, 2016
PASSENGER AIR BAG: LIGHT STAYS ON WHEN PERSON IN THE SEAT. NISSAN VOLUNTARY RECALL:PB090/P8242-DEALER WILL CHECK EACH VEHICLE FALLING BETWEEN 07-08 ALTIMA; FAULT IN SEAT CUSHION, DEALER INSTRUCTED TO REPLACE EACH VEHICLE FALLING WITHIN THAT RANGE. NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE OR CHECK PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Feb 11, 2016
I RECENTLY BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING. THERE ARE SEVERAL SECTIONS THAT ARE MELTING AND HAVE BECOME STICKY. IT AFFECTS MY VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE GLARE REFLECTED ON THE FRONT WIND SHIELD. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Feb 10, 2016
HOLA ME LLAMO[XXX] TENGOI UN NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 CUYO LO COMPLE CON 81 MILLAS E CUAL AH EMPESADO A TENER PLOBLEMA LA PISARRA ESTA DERETIDA COMPLETA RAJADA TIENE OLOR A PLASTICO DERRETIDO CUANDO EN LA TARDE SALGO DEL TRABJO TIEN UN OLOR SUPER FUERTE NO PUEDO ANDARCON MI NINA EN EL AUTO ME DIRIGI ALA NISSAN Y ME TRATARON SUPER MAL QUE PAGAR 4.000 MIL DOLARES CREO QUE NO ES JUSTO CUANDO LA CULPA ES DE ELLOS VI EN TELEMUNDO LO CASOO PERO LA MARCA DE MI CARRO NO ESTA INCLUIDA SO POR FAVOR SI PUDIERAN AYUDARME SE LO AGRADESERIA SE LE PUEDO ENVIARE FOTOS SIN PLOBLEMA ESTOY BASTANTE DIJUSTADO CON EL FABRIVCANTE ALTUALMET ESTOY PAGANDO EL CARRO CON EL BANCO ES ESTRESANTE ANDAR ASI EN LA CALLE EH VISTO BARIOS MODELO 2008 IGUALES CON LA PISARRA DERETIDA HABLE CON LO DUENO Y LE COMENTE QUE YO HABIA IDO AL DILE QUE ERAS PLOBLEMA DE FACTORIA QUE EL DILE ME AVIAN TRATDO SUPER MAL PERO BUENO ESPERO QUEALGUIEN LEA ESTO GRACIAS 'INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
Air bags, Feb 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING AN AIR BAG REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Structure, Feb 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED IN THE SUN AND PRODUCED A GLARE, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT FOR THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THE SUN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.