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.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2015
I AM ANOTHER VERY FRUSTRATED MELTING DASHBOARD OWNER AS THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SOME TIME AND IS GETTING WORSE. THE DASHBOARD IS VERY STICKY(IF YOU LEAVE SOMETHING ON THE DASHBOARD FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME IT BECOMES STUCK). THE DASHBOARD IS ALSO SHINY AND PRODUCES A GLARE. WHEN YOU DRIVE INTO THE SUN. THE GLARE MAKES IT VERY HARD TO SEE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IT IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. I'M ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUMES AND POTENTIAL CARCINOGENS BEING OMITTED THAT MAY POSE ADDITIONAL HEALTH RISKS TO MYSELF AND PASSENGERS. I STOPPED BY MY LOCAL SOUTH FLORIDA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT I WAS BASICALLY OUT OF LUCK AS IT IS PAST THE WARRANTY PROVIDED(?) BY NISSAN.
Other or unspecified, May 13, 2015
I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. AROUND 2013 I NOTICED THAT MY DASHBOARD STARTING MELTING. I REACHED OUT TO NISSAN, DID EVERYTHING THEY REQUIRED ME TO DO TO OBTAIN A ESTIMATE FROM A LOCAL NISSAN ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE SINCE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. THERE IS EVEN A PAGE ON FACEBOOK WITH THIS ISSUE. WHICH I WAS BLOCKED FROM BY NISSAN FOR COMPLAINING TOO MUCH. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A FAULTY MATERIAL ISSUE. THIS IS A HUGE CONCERN FOR ME AND I AM AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CAUSE AND ACCIDENT. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STILL DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET TO WORK. NOW 2015 THE DASHBOARD HAS GOTTEN SO BAD AND GLARES OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. HOPEFULLY YOU CAN ASSIST WITH THIS MATTER. THANK YOU
Power train, Other or unspecified, May 10, 2015
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE AND LOST DRIVE, I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID GETTING RUN OVER BY A 18 WHEELER . I JUST MADE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER . I WAS RIGHT NEXT TO AN EXIT, THE MOTOR WOULD REV BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO MORE THE 5 MPH. NISSAN SAYS MY CAR IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I HAD TO PAY 3000.00 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED.
Visibility/wiper, May 9, 2015
DASHBOARD HAS MELTED. THE GLARE HAS BRICKS SO BAD THAT IT S A SAFETY CONCERN WHEN DRIVING IN DAYLIGHT. SUNLIGHT REFLECTS AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE TRAFFIC AHEAD.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, May 7, 2015
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SHOWING A RESIDUE ON FRONT DASH ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS WORSENED TO POINT WHERE A GLARE FROM SUNLIGHT REFLECTION DISRUPTS FIELD OF VISION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DASHBOARD MELTING IN WARMER CLIMATES WITH HIGHER QUANTITY OF SUNLIGHT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 3, 2015
THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHEN DRIVING ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AT 20 MPH ON LOCAL ROADS, CAR SUDDENLY STALLED AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH AND AGAIN WHEN DRIVING AT 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AFTER EACH EVENT. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO 3 SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS FOR EVALUATION BUT NO CAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN DETERMINED. *TR
Structure, May 3, 2015
A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 ALTIMA WAS MELTING ESPECIALLY AROUND THE AIR VENTS. THERE'S ALSO A BURN SMELL COMING FROM THE SHINY AREA. IT'S BECOMING HARD TO SEE DURING THE DAY DUE TO GLARE FROM THE SHINY AREA. ALSO I DID NOTICE MY AC SYSTEM WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES AND WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE WHEN I TURNED IT ON. SOMETIMES IT BLOWS WARM AIR AND HAS COMPLETELY DIED RECENTLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO MENTIONED THAT HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE A MELTING DASHBOARD IN HIS 20+ YEARS OF REPAIRING CARS. HE RAN A DYE TEST ON THE AC AND STRANGELY THERE WAS NO FREON LEAK. HE HAD TO DRAIN ALL THE FREON SO THAT I CAN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF IN CASE I TRIED TO START THE AC. I WILL HAVE TO SPEND $1000 JUST FOR THE AC ALONE..... MECHANIC RECOMMENDED I CONSULT NISSAN REGARDING THE MELTING DASHBOARD. *TR
Structure, Apr 25, 2015
DASH HAS BEEN MELTING AND 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. *TR
Structure, Apr 23, 2015
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S STARTED SHOWING A RESIDUE ON FRONT DASH ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS WORSENED TO POINT WHERE A GLARE FROM SUNLIGHT REFLECTION DISRUPTS FIELD OF VISION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DASHBOARD MELTING IN WARMER CLIMATES WITH HIGHER QUANTITY OF SUNLIGHT. I'VE RESEARCHED SOME OF THE REASONS WHY AND IT APPEARS IT IS DUE TO LOWER GRADE FORMULATION OF PLASTIC USED IN THIS MODEL AS WELL AS OTHER MANUFACTURERS. *TR
Structure, Apr 19, 2015
THE DASHBOARD HAS BEGAN TO SEEP LIQUID OUT OF THE RUBBER THAT THEY USE AND IS MAKING THE GLARE FROM THE DASH ON THE WINDSHIELD EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE DURING THE DAY WITH THE GLARE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Structure, Apr 16, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE MELTING. THE SURFACE HAS BECOME SHINY AND CAUSES A GLARE WHEN LIGHT HITS IT. *TR
Electrical system, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Apr 15, 2015
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO DASHBOARD MELTING. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND GIVES OFF A GLARE DURING THE DAYTIME WHILE DRIVING. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND BLINDS MY VISION WHEN I DRIVE DURING THE DAY. PLEASE NISSAN FIX THIS ISSUE. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATERIALS USED WHEN MANUFACTURING A VEHICLE. CARE ABOUT YOUR CUSTOMERS CONCERNS AND FIX MY DASHBOARD. *TR
Structure, Apr 10, 2015
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND HAS A STRONG GLARE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. IT'S VERY HARD TO SEE IN THE DAY AND IT'S VERY STICKY. I REALLY LOVE MY CAR BUT I'M VERY UNHAPPY THAT THIS HAPPENED. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX IT! *TR
Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 6, 2015
PURCHASE CAR 2010 ABS BRAKE CAME ON ALL TIME DEALER TRY TO RESET ABS LIGHT IT WOULD TURN OFF FOR FEW DAYS AND COME MAKE ON THEY DONT NO WHY IT DOING IT :( ITS 2015 AND LIGHT STILL ON. 2014 I WAS ON INTERSTATE GOING 65 MPH THEN ALL SUDDEN MY NISSAN STARTED LOSING POWER FAST WHEN I PUSHED ON GAS WAS NOT READING. HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AND WE HAD CHECKED ALL FLUIDS AND LOOKED FOR ANY LEAKS WHICH ALL WAS GOOD. I HAD GOTTEN AND MY OIL CHANGED BEFORE MY TRIP. SAT ON SIDE INTERSTATE FOR 20 MINS TRY TO RESTART IT STARTED OK JUST HAD NO POWER LIKE GAS WAS NIT FLOWING RIGHT. WAITING ANOTHER 10 MINS TRYING AGAIN. FINALLY GAIN POWER AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY DESTINATION. HAD IT CHECKED BY SHOP COULDN'T FINE PROBLEM. THE CAR SOMETIME DON'T TURN OVER ON PUSH START AND I HAVE TO SLAM DOWN ON MY BREAK TO START IT ABOUT 5 TIMES TOOK TO NISSAN DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT KEEPS STICKING AND NOT TURNING OVER I ALSO HAD TO CHANGE MY BATTERY 3 TIMES FROM 2010 TO 2014 . WHICH THAT'S NOT GOOD. I SEE ALL THESE 2008 NISSANS GETTING RECALLED THEN I LOOK AT THE MY CAR AND HOW MUCH MONEY I HAD TO PAY OUT POCKET FOR THE SAME RECALLS ON OTHER NISSAN . FOUND OUT EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS BEEN RECALLED ON MANY 2008 NISSANS BUT MINE AND THAT IS ONE OF PROBLEMS WRONG ! *TR
Structure, Apr 2, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE SUN REFLECTED OFF THE DASHBOARD AND CAUSED A GLARE, WHICH MADE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND LEFT A WET, STICKY RESIDUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Structure, Mar 20, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH STRONGLY AFFECTS DRIVER VISIBILITY. *TR
Steering, Mar 19, 2015
THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS AND EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED. THE ESCL - ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS FAILED. MY CAR UNLOCKS/LOCKS PROPERLY WITH THE KEY FOB, AUX ELECTRICAL WORKS FINE, HEADLIGHTS, RADIO ECT.. HOWEVER THE BRAKE WILL NOT DEPRESS AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED NOT ALLOWING ME TO START MY VEHICLE LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS BS! I AM VERY UPSETNISSAN SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART, BUT INSTEAD I WAS TOLD THIS WILL COST ME UPWARD OF $1,000 TO REPAIR. PLEASE HELP!!!! *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE HOOD AND UNKNOWN FLUID WAS DISCOVERED ON THE ENGINE AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A COOLANT HOSE CLAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 12, 2015
CAR CRANKS BUT WON'T START. *TR
Structure, Mar 12, 2015
MELTING DASH, GLARE ON WINDOW HARD TO SEE THINGS IN FRONT OF CAR. ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING INTO SUN. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY CVT BEGAN TO MAKE A WHINING SOUND AND DECREASED SPEED DOWN FORM 70+ MILES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 30-40 MILES ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEATH. BEING AFRAID TO DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY/FREEWAY SHOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Mar 6, 2015
DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING. IT IS STICKY AND REFLECTS OFF WINDSHIELD. WHILE DRIVING THIS REFLECTION IS DISTRACTING. *TR
Structure, Mar 5, 2015
DASHBOARD IS MELTING- PART OF IT HAS A SLICK LOOKING SURFACE AND PART IS JUST COLLECTING DUST AND DIRT. THE GLARE IT CREATES IS A DRIVING HAZARD AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEATH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOXINS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DETERIORATING MATERIAL- *TR
Air bags, Structure, Mar 4, 2015
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND DETERIORATING. EXTREMELY STICKY AND SHINY. VERY GLARY IN BOTH NIGHT AND DAYTIME DRIVING. IT'S A REAL VISIBILITY ISSUE. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT MAY POSSIBLY BE AFFECTED ALSO. NISSAN AGREED TO REPLACE THE DASH BUT WOULD NOT PAY FOR THE LABOR COST WHICH WAS ALMOST $300. THIS DASHBOARD WAS CONSTRUCTED OF INFERIOR MATERIALS AND NISSAN KNOWS IT. THAT IS WHY THEY AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PART. *TR
Structure, Mar 2, 2015
THE DASHBOARD ON MY SON'S 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS MELTED. *TR