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.
Steering, Electrical system, Dec 24, 2014
WENT TO A SMOKE SHOP WENT BACK OUT AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START.. MY KEY YELLOW LOGO ON DASH IS ON SO I'M POSITIVE IT STEERING LOCK SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! *TR
Engine, Dec 23, 2014
I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND CAR, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY IT JUST GAVE OUT. IT WAS STILL RUNNING BUT AS I HIT GAS IT WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR DIAGNOSIS, AND WAS TOLD I NEED WHOLE NEW MOTOR DUE TO THE FACT THE CAMSHAFT BROKE. NOW THIS IS A PART I AM BEING TOLD THAT SHOULD NOT BREAK AND IT MUST BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I WAS TOLD TO CHECK AND SEE IF ANY RECALLS HAVE BEEN PUT OUT ON CAMSHAFT. I DID AND THERE HAVE NOT BEEN. I AM FILING COMPLAINT BECAUSE I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. I NOW HAVE TO PAY OUT OF POCKET (EST. IS OVER $4,800!!!!) FOR REPAIRS DONE TO MY CAR FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE IN THE FIRST PLACE. AND BY THE CAMSHAFT BREAKING IT CAUSED A LIST OF OTHER MAJOR DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE, WHICH IS WHY I NEED TO REPLACE IT! *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 19, 2014
DASHBOARD IS STICKY, MELTING AND CAUSING VISUAL GLARE IMPENDING SITE. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 17, 2014
THE DASHBOARD HAS MELTED AND IS NOW A SHINY STICKY BLACK SURFACE THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. I DID NOT USE ANY CHEMICALS ON THE DASHBOARD BEFORE THIS STARTED APPEARING. ALSO, THE DASHBOARD EMITS GASES THAT FOG THE WINDOW AND CANNOT BE FIXED BY DEFROST. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Structure, Dec 16, 2014, crash
I JUST BROUGHT THE CAR ON THE 12 AND I NOTICE THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTING. *TR
Structure, Dec 15, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING WITH THIS STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT CAN'T BE WIPED OFF. IT IS SO BAD NOW THERE IS A TERRIBLE GLARE THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Structure, Dec 12, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IT IS CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS... *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Dec 9, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTED CAUSING AN UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION. THE GLARE PUT OFF BY THE STICKY FILM WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING COMPROMISES THE VISIBILITY. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Dec 8, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AROUND THE VENTS AND OTHER AREAS. THIS IS CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Structure, Dec 7, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS A STICKY TAR LIKE SUBSTANCE SPREADING OVER MY DASHBOARD. THIS LIMITS VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING, DRIVING IN THE SUN IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE TRAFFIC LIGHTS, STREET SIGNS, AND ANYTHING ELSE YOU ARE TRYING TO SEE OUT OF THE FRONT WINDOW. I LOVE MY CAR BUT IT IS DANGEROUS! IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAN OR COVER UP . ANYTHING THAT TOUCHES IT GETS TAR LIKE STUFF ON IT THAT WON'T COME OFF.WHEN PUTTING ON AND TAKING OFF THE SUN SHIELD YOU MUST BE VERY CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING WITH THE SUN SHADE OR YOU WILL HAVE TAR IN THE INTERIOR OF YOUR CAR AND YOUR CLOTHES. *TR
Structure, Dec 4, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA SO IT'S CONSTANTLY HOT. SOMETIMES WHEN I'M DRIVING I GET THIS BLINDING GLARE BECAUSE THE DASHBOARD IS REFLECTING THE SUN INTO MY EYES. *TR
Structure, Nov 25, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY ALTIMA IS ALSO GETTING STICKY AND THE GLARE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE EVER TRIED DRIVING WITH SOMETHING LIKE A MIRROR REFLECTING A BRIGHT LIGHT IN YOUR EYES, BUT ITS AN ISSUE. IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THINGS IN A LOT OF CASES; LIKE ANYTIME THE SUN IS OUT. I ALMOST HIT A CHILD TODAY ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL BECAUSE THE GLARE WAS DIRECTLY IN MY EYES AND IT HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN. THESE DASHBOARDS SUCK AND NISSAN SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED TO PRODUCE SAFETY HAZARD RIDDEN THINGS THAT ARE STICKY AND TACKY AND LITERALLY FALLING APART. EVERY TIME SOMETHING NICKS IT CREATES A DENT IN THE DASHBOARD. THEY NEED TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION OR REPLACE IT. *TR
Structure, Nov 23, 2014
DASHBOARD HAS MELTED AND THE GLARE FROM THE SUN REFLECTING OFF OF THE MELTED DASHBOARD MAKES DRIVING A HAZARD. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 22, 2014
CAR WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH THERE IS POWER. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEALER HAS REPLACED BATTERY. PROBLEM OCCURRED 1 MONTH LATER. BRAKE SWITCH APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM. HAVE BEEN ABLE TO START AFTER "PLAYING" WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH. DEALER REPLACED SWITCH BUT THE CAR WONT START AGAIN 5 WEEKS LATER. *TR
Structure, Nov 20, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS BEGINNING TO DEGRADE AND BECOME GLOSSY AND HIGHLY STICKY TO THE TOUCH. IT RUNS THE LENGTH OF THE DASHBOARD VENTS AND IS SPREADING. THERE ARE AT LEAST 2 TV STATION NEWS REPORTS WITH VIDEO WHEN YOU GOOGLE "NISSAN ALTIMA STICKY DASHBOARD" . THEY ARE BELOW. HTTP://WWW.WSBTV.COM/NEWS/NEWS/SOME-NISSAN-DRIVERS-COMPLAIN-MELTING-DASHBOARDS/NGRWZ/ HTTP://WWW.WPTV.COM/MONEY/CONSUMER/THE-CENTER-FOR-AUTO-SAFETY-THINKS-MELTING-DASHBOARDS-ARE-A-SAFETY-DEFECT-AND-SHOULD-BE-RECALLED. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 19, 2014
MY DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA APPEARS TO BE MELTING RESULTING IN A STICKY/TACKY TEXTURE. THE DASHBOARD IS CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS POSING A GREAT SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Nov 18, 2014
STARTING APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO, MY DASHBOARD BEGAN MELTING. THIS HAS PRODUCED A STICKY, SHINY SUBSTANCE ON MY DASH THAT IN TURNS REFLECTS THE SUN ONTO MY WINDSHIELD. IT IMPAIRS THE FIELD OF VISION AT CERTAIN TIMES OF THE DAY. I HAVE NOTIFIED NISSAN OF THIS ISSUE, AND THEY HAVE STATED THEY DO NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS A DEFECT. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Nov 13, 2014
AS I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE (DRIVING 60 MPH) THEN REDUCED MY SPEED TO 20 WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE IT WOULDN'T GO!! IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND MY RPM WOULD CLIMB UP TO 4 OR 5! I HAD TO DRIVE ALL THE WAY BACK HOME ON INTERSTATE DRIVING 20 MPG!!! IT'S HAPPENED ONLY WHEN I TRAVEL LONG DISTANCES!! I AM HIGHLY DISSATISFIED WITH THE ALTIMA! EVERYONE I ENCOUNTERED ABOUT THE 2006-2008 ALTIMA REGRETS GETTING ONE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 7, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF OUR 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STARTED MELTING AND CRACKING. THE DASH IS NOW SO SHINY FROM THE MELTING SUBSTANCE, THAT THERE IS A SEVERE GLARE ISSUE WHEN DRIVING ON SUNNY DAYS. IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO READ ROAD SIGNS BECAUSE OF THIS GLARE. THIS MAKES FOR VERY HAZARDOUS DRIVING. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ISSUED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OR DEATH OCCURS BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE GLARE. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Nov 4, 2014
DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE "MELTING". THE DASH HAS BECOME STICKY AND SHINY. THE SHINE FROM THE MELTING DASHBOARD CREATES A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD. THIS GLARE HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AND HAS INTERFERED WITH MY DRIVING ABILITY. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND THE SUN SHINES ALL YEAR. THIS GLARE IS NO DOUBT A SAFETY HAZARD AND MUST BE RECALLED. I HAVE CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN HQ AND BOTH PLACES WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO REPAIR THIS WITHOUT CHARGING $. *TR
Structure, Nov 3, 2014
MY NISSAN ALTIMA IS DEVELOPING RUST UNDER DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. AND I WAS DENIED STATE INSPECTION SINCE IT WAS HAZARD TO PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. I SAW SO MANY COMPLAINT WITH SAME MATTERS ON SAME YEAR MODEL NISSAN ALTIMA. I CONTACTED NISSAN TO SEE THE ISSUE WITH MY CAR. AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO LOOK AT IT SINCE IT IS NOT UNDER THERE RECALL PROGRAM. MY CAR DOES NOT HAVE 75000 MILES ON IT AND IT IS VERY UNUSUAL TO HAVE RUST DAMAGE TO THE CAR AT THIS POINT OF THE LIFE OF A CAR. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF I CAN GET ASSISTANCE FROM NHTSA TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Nov 2, 2014
DASHBOARD SURFACE HAS DEGRADED GRADUALLY.CAUSING A MIRROR EFFECT FROM THE STICKY SURFACE. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE DUE TO THE GLARE FROM THE DASH SURFACE AT TIMES CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION. I KNOW OF MANY OTHERS IN SOUTH FLORIDA THAT HAVE THE SAME CONDITION. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Oct 31, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND VIBRATED ABNORMALLY. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DEACTIVATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
Structure, Oct 31, 2014
DASHBOARD DEGRADATION. THE DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE 'MELTING' CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. *TR