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, Nov 10, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS "MELTING" FROM THE SUN. THE DASHBOARD HAS BECOME STICKY AND CAUSES A PERMANENT GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2015
MY 2008 NISSAN ULTIMA DASH BOARD IS MELTING. THE VISIBILITY IS DIMINISHED IN THE SUNLIGHT WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS DANGEROUS. IT CAUSES A HARSH GLARE AND MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEEWHILE DRIVING IN THE DAY TIME. THE DASH BOARD IS VERY STICKY AND SHINEY. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED FOR DRIVERS SAFETY IMMEDIATELY.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 5, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD RESTRICTING MY VISION. THE VISION RESTRICTION CAUSED BY THIS GLARE MAKES DRIVING HAZARDOUS IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SERIOUSLY CONSIDERED TRADING IN THE VEHICLE FOR THIS SOLE ISSUE. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY REPLACE THESE DASHBOARDS OR AT LEAST PAY FOR 50 PERCENT OF THE COSTS. I HAVE ALSO CONSIDERED JOINING THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WHICH HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST NISSAN.
Fuel/propulsion system, Nov 3, 2015
MY VEHICLE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD.A TECHNICIAN FOUND EXHAUST MANIFOLD FRONT PIPE LEAKING. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO FOUND OIL COOLER LEAKING AND COVER OF THE ALTERNATOR BROKEN. THE DEALER REFUSED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THERE WAS RECALL ON SEVERAL 2008 NISSAN ALTIMAS. MAYBE MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.
Steering, Nov 3, 2015
CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START - WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL TO HAVE IT FLAT BEDDED TO A DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WAS PROVIDED EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PART SINCE IF A DEFECT, I WAS TWO WEEKS OVERDUE AND THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE WORK TO BE COMPLETED.
Visibility/wiper, Nov 1, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS ACTUALLY MELTING CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN PROPER AND SUFFICIENT VISIBILTY DUE TO EXCESSIVE GLARE REFLECTING OFF OF MELTING DASHBOARD. THIS IS MAKING IT DIFFICULT IN SEEING PEDESTRIANS, ANIMALS, TRAFFIC LIGHTS, AND SIGNS. I'VE HAD TOO MANY CLOSE CALLS OF NOT SEEING PEDESTRIANS FROM THIS GLARE UNTIL THE I WAS ALMOST ON TOP OF THEM.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 31, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT HAS BECOME SHINY WHICH CAUSES THERE TO BE A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAN HAMPER THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING ME TO LOOSE VISABILITY. THERE IS NO RECALL AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO STOP IT.
Structure, Oct 27, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS GOOEY, VERY SHINY AND CAUSES A GLARING IMAGE OF THE DASH TO PROJECT ONTO THE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD. IF TOUCHED, IT FEELS LIKE AN ADHESIVE OBJECT AND HAS A CHEMICAL SMELL ON HOT DAYS. THIS GLARING IMAGE IS CONTINUALLY PROJECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING THE CAR A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS GOOEY, VERY SHINY AND CAUSES A GLARING IMAGE OF THE DASH TO PROJECT ONTO THE WINDSHIELD OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE ROAD. IF TOUCHED, IT FEELS LIKE AN ADHESIVE OBJECT AND HAS A CHEMICAL SMELL ON HOT DAYS. THIS GLARING IMAGE IS CONTINUALLY PROJECTED ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING THE CAR A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE DRIVER AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD.
Other or unspecified, Oct 23, 2015
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE'S DASH IS MELTING CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING INTO THE SUN. THE GLARE IS DISTRACTING AND OBSCURES MY VISION. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2008, IT HAS APPROX. 80,000 MILES, IS KEPT IN THE GARAGE AFTER DAYTIME WORK HOURS. THE MELTING BEGAN THIS SUMMER.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2015
THE DASH SURFACE HAS SEVERE MELTING AND THE RESULTANT GLARE CAUSES VISIBILITY TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE RESULT OF THE MELTING DASH SURFACE CAN CREATE TEMPORARY BLINDING CONDITIONS AS THE VEHICLE ORIENTS TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND AFTER DARK STREET LIGHTING. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AND FIXED BY NISSAN.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 22, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND BEGINNING TO SPREAD DOWN TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I CAN BARELY SEE WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE THE GLARE IS TOO BAD. I ALMOST RAN OVER SOMETHING AND HAD TO SWERVE BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE IT...IT KEEPS HAPPENING. THERE SHE BE A RECALL BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST.
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 20, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED AND CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO BECOME EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,760.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 18, 2015
MY DASHBOARD HAS STARTED BECOMING GOOEY AND VERY SHINY. IF I TOUCH IT, IT FEELS LIKE I AM TOUCHING AN ADHESIVE USED FOR SOMETHING LIKE A BUMPER STICKER. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THIS IS VERY REFLECTIVE AND PROJECTS A GLARING IMAGE ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE PARTS OF THE ROAD AHEAD.
Structure, Engine, Oct 18, 2015
MANIFOLD, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE THE MANIFOLD OR GASKET, IS THERE A RECALL ON THAT PART, VERY UNSAFE CAR FILLS UP WITH THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IT ALSO RUSTING ON THE BACK BY THE WHEEL IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ITS TO EARLY TO BE RUSTING POOR PAINT
Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT BAD. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PROTECH IT WITH SUNSHADES BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO MELT. THIS IS CAUSING GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING OBSTRUCTION FOR MY DRIVING AND BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. NOT SURE WHY NHSTA IS WAITING FOR SOME ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. I WOULD REQUEST RECALL AND FIX THE DASHBOARD ISSUE
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2015
THE DASHBOARD MELTS AND IT'S AN SAFETY ISSUE. SOMETIMES I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD BECASUE THE MELTED DASHBOARD SHINES ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Structure, Oct 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING WITH A LIQUID SUBSTANCE CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD TO HAVE A GLARE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 30, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON MY ALTIMA IS MELTING AND IS EXTREMELY STICKY AND CANNOT BE CLEANED. THE DEFECT CAUSES A HORRENDOUS GLARE AND MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY WHEN IT IS SUNNY OUTSIDE WHICH IS QUITE OFTEN IN LOUISIANA. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULT IN THE HANDS OF NISSAN.
Other or unspecified, Sep 30, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING AND THE GLARE WHEN DRIVING IS MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CLEARLY. DRIVING THIS VEHICLE DURING THE DAY IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DUE TO THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASHBOARD. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY NISSAN, IT IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT DUE TO THE MATERIAL USED FOR THE DASHBOARD. MY TEENAGE SON DRIVES THIS CAR, AND HE IS NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE THE VIABILITY IS SO POOR NOW. IT GETS WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT AND REPLACE THE DASHBOARDS BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR WORSE DUE TO LACK OF VIABILITY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Sep 28, 2015
DASHBOARD MELTED AND CAUSES A SEVERE GLARE ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THIS GLARE LIMITS VIABILITY AND IS DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 28, 2015
THE DASHBOARD FOR MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING. IN SUNLIGHT (MOST OF THE DAY), MY VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD IS DECREASED TREMENDOUSLY DUE TO GLARE THE MELTING MATERIAL CAUSES TO REFLECT ON THE FRONT WINDOW. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. FROM ONLINE SEARCHES, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MANY NISSAN ALTIMA DRIVERS, AND NISSAN HAS FAILED TO RESPOND AND REPLACE THESE MELTING DASHBOARDS. A RECALL IS NEEDED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2015
WAS DRIVING DOWN MAJOR HIGHWAY IN NJ AND CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE COMPLETELY DYING. CAR WAS TOWED TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR PLACE AND COST 2000 TO REPAIR. NOW IN 2015 I HAVE THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. CAR NEEDED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AT THE TUNE OF 2000 MORE DOLLARS. THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE KNOWN FOR TROUBLE. IF SOMEONE'S GOING DOWN STREET IN FAST LANE AND THIS HAPPENS THEY CAN BE KILLED. IT GIVES NO WARNING AT ALL WHEN IT'S ABOUT TO FAIL. I DO BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD REPAIR/REPLACE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. COULD BE ME OR MY FAMILY. THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTS ABOUT THIS I HOPE SOMETHING IS DONE FAST. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON SAYING OFF WHEN AN ADULT PASSENGER IS IN CAR.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 21, 2015
I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 126,000 MILES! CAR BEGAN MAKING NOISE AS IF IT WAS STUCK IN A GEAR, IT BECAME SLUGGISH AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. DROVE IT TO SHEEHY NISSAN A FEW DAYS LATER AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO CALL CONSUMER AFFAIRS BECAUSE I WAS OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 120,000. MY MILEAGE WAS 126,000. RECEIVED CALL FROM SHEEHY SERVICE SPECIALIST LEO SAYING THAT IT WOULD BE FIXED FREE OF CHARGE. THE NEXT DAY RECEIVED ANOTHER CALL FROM SERVICE SPECIALIST AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT APPROVED BY CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOR REPAIR. I CALLED CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 18 FROM NISSAN'S REGIONAL SPECIALIST, QUINASHAY, THAT MORE INFORMATION WAS BEING GATHERED FROM SHEEHY NISSAN. RECEIVED CALL FROM QUINASHAY SAYING THAT THERE WAS NOTHING NISAN COULD DO FOR ME BECAUSE I WAS OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY PERIOD! THIS IS MY THIRD NISSAN PURCHASE FROM NISSAN STANZA TO A COUPLE OF NISSAN ALTIMAS, ALWAYS UPGRADING. I'VE BEEN A LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMER AND FOR WHAT! NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE TREATED THIS WAY.