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, Feb 4, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Seats, Feb 3, 2016
THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE THAT IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE CAR COMPUTER.IT IS SHOWING A YELLOW LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN THE CAR IS ON. STATIONARY OR DRIVING.
Air bags, Tires, Feb 2, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,271.
Other or unspecified, Feb 2, 2016
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD. IT HAS BECOME INCREDIBLY STICKY AND IS NOT ABLE TO BE CLEANED BECAUSE OF THIS. THE "SHEEN" THAT IS ON THE DASHBOARD NOW CAUSES A HORRIFIC REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILITY DRASTICALLY AND CAUSING A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. CONTACT WITH NISSAN HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN AT THIS TIME. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2016
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DETERIORATING. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE STICKY AND DISGUSTING. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S COMPLETELY MELTING OFF DUE TO THE MELTING IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SINCE IT IS SHINY AND THE GLARE HITS THE WINDSHIELD IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I'VE BEEN READING ARTICLES AND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I THINK THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2016
INTELLIGENT KEY INDICATOR ON DASH INDICATES LOW BATTERY IN KEY FOB. AT STARTUP BATTERY REPLACED TWICE AND OTHER FOB USED. STILL LIGHTS ON DASH. CAR STARTS FOR NOW BUT AFRAID IT WILL NOT. HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLIANT ON OTHER 2008 NISSAN ALTIMAS
Other or unspecified, Jan 26, 2016
TAKATA RECALL MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT HAS BECOME VERY STICKY AND CAUSES A SEVERE GLARE ACROSS THE SPAN OF MY WINDSHIELD. THIS IS MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD AND IT IS VERY DISTRACTING.I HAVE NOTICED THE GLARE FOR MONTHS,BUT AS TIME PASSES IT IS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE CLEARLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE LIMITED VISIBILITY WILL HINDER MY ABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 20, 2016
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS MELTING STICKY DASHBOARD THAT IS SHINY AND REFLECTS THE SUN AND DISTORTS VISION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DESERVES A SAFETY BULLETIN ISSUES TO REPAIR. CAR OPERATES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. I TRIED TO SELL IT AND WAS TOLD $2000 WOULD BE DEDUCTED FROM THE OFFER DUE TO COST OF REPAIR OF DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 19, 2016
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, CRACKING AND CRUMBLING. THE MELTING HAS CREATED A SHEEN THAT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING VISIBILITY TO BE SEVERELY IMPAIRED. THE DASH IS VERY STICKY TO THE TOUCH. FURTHER, THE MELTING IS CAUSING A TOXIC CHEMICAL ODOR AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE POSSIBLE FUME DEPOSITS ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THESE ARE BOTH CLEARLY SAFETY HAZARDS THAT NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. THE EXTERIOR PAINT IS FAILING AS WELL. IT IS FADING, PEELING AND THE CLEAR COAT HAS DEGRADED ON MUCH OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN CONTINUED DEGRADATION.
Other or unspecified, Jan 14, 2016
THE DASH BOARD HAS TURNED INTO A STICKY MESS, IT CAN'T BE CLEANED AND IS CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WIND SHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2016
MELTING STICKY DASH CAUSES GLARE WHILE DRIVING AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE TRAFFIC LIGHT CHANGE, GLARE IS WORSE DURING SUMMER FLORIDA WEATHER. DEALER CLAIMS THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT AND OFFERED NO RESOLUTION EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT. I TRY TO KEEP MY CAR COVERED OR OUT OF SUN WHEN NOT IN USE, LEFT IT AT THE DEALER FOR UNRELATED SERVICE (3 DAYS). THEY MUST'VE HAD IT SITTING OUT IN THE SUN BECAUSE THE MELTING SPREAD, ALSO LOOKS LIKE THEY ATTEMPTED TO CLEAN IT BECAUSE THERE WAS WHITE RESIDUE LEFT ON THE DASH!
Structure, Dec 25, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE DURING THE DAY WITH THE SUN'S GLARE.
Structure, Dec 24, 2015
DASHBOARD CRACKING AND SEEPING STICKY FLUID ON TOP OF DASHBOARD MELTING
Child seat, Dec 16, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A BABY TREND EASY RIDE 5 (NA) CHILD SAFETY SEAT, MODEL NUMBER: TS40142 (NA). THE SAFETY SEAT WAS BEING UTILIZED IN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ONCOMING VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE RESULTING FORCE CAUSED THE CHILD SEAT TO DETACH FROM THE BASE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED SEVERE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CHILD DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY VISIBLE INJURIES, BUT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURED DATE, FAILURE MILEAGE, AND VIN WERE NOT AVAILABLE.....UPDATED 09/08/16 *BF *TR
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Dec 13, 2015
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET MY CAR COMPLETELY POWERED DOWN, I WAS SO SCARED, BECAUSE THERE WAS MOVING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. I TRIED STEPPING ON THE BRAKES AND THEN HITTING THE GAS AGAIN BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD TO QUICKLY PUT MY PARKING LIGHTS ON AND PRAY THAT NO ONE WOULD HIT ME. THEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON A COUPLE OF TIMES AND IT STARTED MOVING, ONLY TO POWER DOWN TWO BLOCKS LATER. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE THIS TIME AND I WAITED A WHILE AND THEN TURNED THE CAR BACK ON. THIS TIME THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK MY CAR TO AUTO ZONE AND CODES CAME UP FOR THE SPEED SENSOR AND THROTTLE SENSOR. THIS WAS SO SCARY AND HAZARDOUS, THANK GOD I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY BEFOREHAND BECAUSE THERE WAS TOO MUCH TRAFFIC!
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.
Air bags, Dec 11, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT 10 MPH, THE GLARE FROM THE SUN OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VISION. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CINDER BLOCK. AS THE CONTACT WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND CAUSED HEAD AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/10/18*JB *CN
Structure, Dec 7, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND STICKY. THE FAILURE PRODUCED A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE DASHBOARD REPLACED, BUT NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 02/05/16*LJ... UPDATED 05/03/18*JB
Air bags, Dec 4, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE DROPPED DOWN TO THE SIDEWALK ON TO THE CURB CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SIDE CURTAIN AND THE SEAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Other or unspecified, Dec 1, 2015
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WHERE THE DASHBOARD MATERIAL HAS FAILED. AS A RESULT, IT IS STICKY AND SHINNY, MOSTLY BY THE DASH VENTS. THE SHINNY HAS CREATED A GLARE THAT REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD DURING DAYLIGHT DRIVING OBSCURING VISIBILITY. THIS REFLECTION HAS A CREATED A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT IMPEDES VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING.
Structure, Nov 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS A GLARE WHICH OBSTRUCTED THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CHEMICAL ODOR EMITTING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED . THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
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.
Structure, Nov 18, 2015
MY PANEL IS MELTING
Seats, Nov 15, 2015
THE SEAT IS LIFTED AND SLIDING ESPECIALLY WHEN I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. IT IS UNSTABLE AND SWAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT I READ WITH NISSAN SEATS AND I AM AFRAID.
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2015, crash
I HAVE A MELTING DASHBOARD. THERE IS A GLARE THAT RADIATES FROM THE SHINE OF THE MELTING AREA THAT PRESENTS A VISIBILITY PROBLEM. I ALREADY HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, ON 10/17/2014, AND THE ISSUE IS ONGOING . NOW THERE IS EVEN MORE GLARE . I CONTACTED NISSAN. THEY OFFERED ONLY TO PAY HALF FOR REPLACEMENT. THAT CAME OUT TO OVER 1000.00 WHICH IS TOTALLY NOT RIGHT. THIS IS A DEFECT.