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, Visibility/wiper, Oct 30, 2014
VEHICLE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BECOME A HAZARD. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Oct 30, 2014
THE RED AIR BAG/SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT ON PASSENGER SEAT IS FLASHING CONTINUOUSLY WITH OR WITHOUT PASSENGER SITTING ON A PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS ALSO NO CHANGE IF SEAT BELTS ARE LOCKED IN OR NOT - THE RED LIGHT IS FLASHING ALL THE TIME. ON 17TH OF SEPTEMBER MY CAR WAS CHECKED BY NISSAN SERVICE AT AUTONATION NISSAN MARRIETTA (925 COBB PARKWAY SE, MARIETTA GA 30060). THEY CLEARED THE CODE AND MONITOR. ON 13TH OF OCTOBER THE RED AIR BAG/SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AGAIN AND I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT AUTONATION NISSAN. ON 16TH OF OCTOBER, MY CAR WAS CHECKED AGAIN BY NISSAN SERVICE AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN A SENSOR IN A CUSHION SEAT AND ESTIMATE COST IS $900. THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT IN THEIR INVENTORY AND I HAD TO WAIT FOR A DELIVERY. ON 28TH OF OCTOBER, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE CUSHION SEAT IS IN THEIR FACILITY. I CHECKED NISSAN RECALLS LIST AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL OF NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 BECAUSE OF FLASHING AIR BAG RED LIGHT (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 08V-521). THE DESCRIPTION FITS EXACTLY TO THE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. I CONTACTED THE NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF NISSAN NORTH AMERICA AND MADE AN OFFICIAL COMPLAINT ON 20TH OF OCTOBER. I WAS INFORMED NISSAN WOULD CONTACT ME ON THE SAME DAY OR NEXT (ON 20TH OR 21ST OF OCTOBER), BUT NO ONE DID. I CALLED AGAIN THE NATIONAL CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT OF NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ON 28TH OF OCTOBER AND WAS TOLD I WOULD BE CONTACTED BY NISSAN AT THE END OF A DAY. I WAS NOT CONTACTED BY ANY NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE YET. I BELIEVE I SHOULD NOT PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. *TR
Structure, Oct 29, 2014
MY FRONT DASH IS MELTING WHERE THE SUN HITS. IT IS NOW LIKE GUM, STICKY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 29, 2014
MY DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING AND CAUSING A EXTREME GLARE WHILE DRIVING. I'VE GONE TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR MY MELTING DASHBOARD. THERE IS NO WAY TO REDUCE THE GLARE! THIS IS NOT THE CONSUMER'S FAULT... THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT! *TR
Structure, Oct 28, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE BEGAN MELTING AND CRACKING ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO. NOW THE AREAS THAT ARE CONTINUING TO MELT HAVE BECOME SHINY AND WHEN THE SUN HITS IT AT THE RIGHT ANGLE (EARLY MORNING, AND SUNSET) IT CAUSES A DISTRACTING GLARE TO BE CAST ON THE WINDSHIELD. AT CERTAIN TIMES IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT LOOKING OFF TO THE SIDE OR WEARING SUNGLASSES TO AVOID THE GLARE. SAFETY CONCERNS NOTWITHSTANDING, I AM NOT ENJOYING THE CONSTANT HEADACHES CAUSED BY THE GLARE I AM SUBJECTED TO DURING MY DAILY COMMUTE. PLEASE REPAIR OR REPLACE THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT! *TR
Structure, Oct 27, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING. IT HAS TURNED INTO A STICKY AND GOOEY SUBSTANCE. WHEN I TOUCH THE DASHBOARD MY FINGERS STICK AND TURN BLACK. EVERY TIME I GET INTO MY CAR I WORRY THE MELTING DASHBOARD WILL BE A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DASHBOARD REFLECTS THE SUN FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND IT CAUSES A REFLECTION, SO IT SOMETIMES BECOMES HARD TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION TO THE DASHBOARD MELTING, IT IS ALSO BEGINNING TO CRACK. THE ISSUE WAS FILED WITH NISSAN BUT THEY REFUSED TO FIX OR REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 26, 2014
DASHBOARD MELTING CAUSING GLARE MAKING VISIBILITY SOMEWHAT HAMPERED. *TR
Other or unspecified, Oct 26, 2014
DASHBOARD HAS MELTED TO THE POINT OF BEING BARE IN SOME PLACES. OVER 40% OF THE DASH IS COVERED WITH A GLOSSY SUBSTANCE MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUN IS OVERHEAD. NUMEROUS TIMES I HAVE ALMOST RAN OVER A PEDESTRIAN DUE TO THIS LOW VISIBILITY ISSUE. *TR
Structure, Oct 25, 2014
DASHBOARD ON MY ALTIMA IS MELTING AND CAUSING DANGEROUS GLARE! *TR
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2014
DASH HAS MELTED CAUSING STICKY MESS AND GLARE CAUSING LACK OF VISIBILITY WHILE DRIVING WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES THEY WERE NO HELP AND SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH COST OF REPLACING DASH. *TR
Structure, Oct 24, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS PEELING AND CRACKING WHICH IS CAUSING VISION PROBLEMS WHILE I AM DRIVING DUE TO THE GLARING SUN. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND MY JOB INCLUDES LOTS OF TRAVEL DURING THE HOTTEST PART OF THE DAY. THE PEELING DASHBOARD AND THE SUN CAUSES A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD WHICH HAMPERS MY VISIBILITY. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE A ACCIDENT IF IT IS NOT RECALLED. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 21, 2014
AFTER ABOUT 3 YEARS THE DASH STARTED MELTING. IT GETS WORSE EACH YEAR. THE MATTE FINISH ON THE DASH IS NOW A STICKY, SHINY MESS THAT SHINES A BAD GLARE ON WINDSHIELD IN SUNLIGHT AND UNDER STREET LIGHTS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN THE LIGHT HITS IT AT THE RIGHT (WRONG) ANGLE. SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE FOR THIS SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL. 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. NISSAN WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, OFFERED TO REPLACE FOR $1200 BUT THIS IS A PROBLEM THEY CREATED BY NISSAN CHOOSING POOR MATERIAL TO CONSTRUCT THE DASH. SOMEONE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Oct 17, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WAS UNOCCUPIED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Visibility, Structure, Oct 16, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD MELTED AND BECAME STICKY. THE FAILURE CAUSED A GLARE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO VIEW THE ROAD DURING SUNNY WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Structure, Oct 15, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IN MY ALTIMA IS MELTING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 14, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING. GLARE MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE . SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2014
MY CAR HAS STICKY,MELTING DASHBOARD THAT CREATES A GLARE ON WINDSHIELD AND AFFECTS VISIBILITY. I AM ALSO CONCERNED WITH THE AIRBAG BEING COMPROMISED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD. *TR
Air bags, Oct 10, 2014
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON. DEALER REPORTS AIR BAG MODULE PASSENGER SIDE NO GOOD. WAS A RECALL IN 2008 ON SAME ISSUE. NISSAN SAYS CAR NOT PART OF RECALL. FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE. CALLED NISSAN,THEY NEVER CALL BACK. *TR
Engine, Oct 9, 2014, fire
WHILE MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN WERE DRIVING THROUGH ELY, NV ON THEIR WAY TO THE LAKE, 300+ MILES FROM HOME THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE. UPON PULLING THE RELEASE TO POP THE HOOD, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. MY FAMILY ESCAPED THE VEHICLE INJURY FREE. MY CAR IS NOW A PILE OF MELTED METAL. SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS HAPPENS? AND WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? I HAD A YEAR LEFT TO PAY ON THIS VEHICLE AND BARELY 120,000 MILES. WHAT IS MY RECOURSE? HOW DO I REPLACE MY VEHICLE? PLEASE HELP. *TR
Air bags, Structure, Visibility/wiper, Oct 8, 2014
DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING. IT IS STICKY AND SHINY AND PIECES LIFT OFF WITH ANYTHING THAT IS PLACED ON THE DASH. THE EFFECT CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT GLARE IN THE SUNLIGHT THAT AFFECTS DRIVER LINE OF SIGHT. DETERIORATION HAS ALSO CAUSED MULTIPLE CRACKS IN DASH SURFACE THAT MAY POTENTIALLY AFFECT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Air bags, Oct 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT LOCATED INSIDE THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT FAILED. THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Structure, Oct 4, 2014
DASH IS STICKY AND CONTINUING TO COVER THE AREA.IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING LARGER EACH DAY.IT IS VERY BLINDING TO DRIVE IN SUNLIGHT. *TR
Structure, Oct 1, 2014
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS CRACKING AND SOFT TO THE TOUCH AND STICKY. I'M AWARE THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS GETTING WORST! I'M AWARE THAT IT IS A MATTER OF TIME WHEN IT WILL BE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND WIFE THAT DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. CAN YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO AND WHO TO SPEAK TO; I'M LOOKING TO SEE IF NISSAN WILL BE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY AND PAYING FOR REPLACING MY DASHBOARD. I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 29, 2014
IT ALL STARTED A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AND I COULD NOT FIND A LEAK OR FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEN I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING JUST COULDN'T FIND WHERE. WE REALIZED IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND REPLACED THAT AS WELL AS THE BOOSTER BOX (WHERE IT WAS LEAKING.) THAT MASTER CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AND WE HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN. IN MARCH I WAS DRIVING 12 HOURS BACK TO MY HOMETOWN FOR VACATION AFTER BEING TOLD MY CAR WAS OKAY AND MID TRIP I LOST MY BRAKES GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY TOWN USING THE LITTLE BRAKE I HAD LEFT SINCE THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE SHOP THEN DOES MY PADS, CALIPERS, ROTORS THINKING THAT IS THE ISSUE SEEING AS I'VE BEEN THROUGH 2 MASTER CYLINDERS; THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM IT WAS ANOTHER FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER. THAT FINALLY WAS REPLACED AND SO FAR SO GOOD. THANKFULLY NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME BUT I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A BAD ACCIDENT. I ALSO CALLED NISSAN TO BE REIMBURSED LIKE THE CAMPAIGN SAYS AND WAS DENIED. EVERYTHING ABOUT MY SITUATION FITS THE CAMPAIGN AND SEEING AS THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE I SHOULD AT LEAST BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR
Structure, Sep 27, 2014
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA AND ITS DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THIS PHENOMENON IS SIMPLY EMBARRASSING FOR A GOOD COMPANY SUCH NISSAN. *TR