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, Sep 23, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 08 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING. IT STARTED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT HAS GOT ALOT WORSE OVER TIME. IT BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE WHEN DRIVING DURING THE DAY, BECAUSE IT PUTS OFF A BLINDING GLARE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE, THE DASHBOARD SHOULD NOT BE MELTING AT ALL!! *TR
Structure, Sep 22, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING ON TOP NEAR THE STEERING WHEEL AND ALSO NEAR WHERE THE DEFROST VENTS ARE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING IN ALL OVER, THE MATERIAL IN THE DASHBOARD IS NOW VERY SHINY AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE ON A SUNNY DAY (IT'S FLORIDA). DEALERSHIP SAYS CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL BY NISSAN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT CAUSES A REFLECTION ON MY WINDSHIELD SEVERELY IMPAIRING MY VISIBILITY. *TR
Air bags, Sep 20, 2014
MY PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK WHEN A PASSENGER IS SITTING THERE. THAT IS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, PUTTING IT IN DRIVE DOESN'T MATTER IT STILL SAYS THAT PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. THE ONLY TEMPORARY FIX IS FOR THE PASSENGER TO BOUNCE IN THE SEAT AND IT MIGHT TURN THE AIRBAG ON AND GET RID OF THE MESSAGE LIGHT ON THE CENTER OF THE DASH. THIS IS IN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 20, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING IN ALL OVER, THE MATERIAL IN THE DASHBOARD IS NOW VERY SHINY AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO SEE ON A SUNNY DAY (IT'S FLORIDA). DEALERSHIP SAYS CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL BY NISSAN. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT CAUSES A REFLECTION ON MY WINDSHIELD SEVERELY IMPAIRING MY VISIBILITY AND THERE IS A SOMEWHAT HAZARDOUS SMELL COMING FROM THE MELTING MATERIAL. *TR
Structure, Sep 19, 2014
I KEEP MY CAR IN IMMACULATE CONDITION. I WAS CLEANING MY DASH AND NOTICED A VERY STICKY SUBSTANCE. MY DASHBOARD IS SUPER SOFT AND SINKING. LIKE ITS MELTING. I HOPE NO TOXIC FUMES ARE BEING RELEASED AND MY DASHBOARD DOESN'T COLLAPSE OR CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. *TR
Structure, Sep 17, 2014
AFTER ABOUT 5 YEARS OF OWNING MY CAR (NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 08), I BEGAN TO NOTICE A STICKY SUBSTANCE ON MY DASHBOARD. AFTER A LITTLE WHILE I REALIZED THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY MELTING. THE MELTING SPREAD TO COVER ABOUT 80% OF THE DASHBOARD. AS TIME PASSED, THE STICKINESS HAS CAUSED ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO DRIVE DURING MID-DAY HOURS BECAUSE OF THE GLARE COMING OFF THE DASHBOARD AND HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. EVEN WITH HIGH END POLARIZED SUNGLASSES, I AM SCARED OF DRIVING BECAUSE THERE'S TOO MANY THINGS I CAN'T REALLY SEE ON THE ROAD. RECENTLY, IN ADDITION TO THE STICKY MELTING DASH IT HAS BEGAN TO CRACK ALONG THE EDGES. THE SIDE AND BACK WINDOWS HAVE BEEN TINTED SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 07 AND I USED TO USE A SUNSHIELD FOR THE FRONT UNTIL THE MELTING BEGAN BECOMING TOO MESSY TO KEEP USING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 15, 2014
I HAVE A NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 2008 2-DOOR AND MY DASH IS MELTING. I LIVE IN FLORIDA AND NOW THE GLARE OF THE DASH MELTING IS PUTTING A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND IS BEGINNING TO BE A DANGEROUS DRIVING SITUATION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. TODAY I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND I AM WAITING TO HERE BACK. *TR
Structure, Sep 11, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. I KNOW FIRST REPORTS WERE BACK IN 2009 AND NOTHINGS BEEN DONE ABOUT THESE DASHBOARDS. THE DEALERSHIPS (YES MORE THEN ONE) CLAIM THEY ARE HELPING BUT I DOUBT IT, IF PEOPLE ARE STILL COMPLAINING ABOUT IT TODAY IN 2014 MEANS NOTHINGS BEEN DONE TO HELP OUT THE CONSUMERS. MELTING DASHBOARDS CAN CAUSE THE AIRBAGS TOO GO OFF WHEN IT GETS TO CLOSE, OR EVEN ELECTRICAL ISSUES SINCE THERE'S TONS OF WIRING IN THE DASH AND ALSO IT PUTS OUT A HUGE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD ON SUNNY DAYS MEANING IT CAN BE REALLY HARD TO SEE THE ROAD. I'M SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL OUT YET ON THIS SINCE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE NOW. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE IT'S A MANUFACTURE DEFECT SO THOSE DEALERSHIPS SHOULD TAKE CHARGE OF THERE CONSUMERS CARS AND HELP US/THEM OUT WITH THIS SITUATION. OR ARE THEY NOT CONCERN FOR OUR SAFETY? IF SO THAT'S A HUGE NO-NO, COULD GET A LOT OF DEALERSHIPS IN TROUBLE AND LOSE BUSINESS THAT WAY, SO PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. NO ONE WANTS TO PAY 1500$+ FOR A NEW DASH WHEN THE MANUFACTURER IS AT FAULT HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 9, 2014
THE DASHBOARD STARTED MELTING ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. FIRST IT WAS STICKY, AND NOW IT IS HAS MELTED TO THE POINT THAT IT HAS BECOME SHINY AND PUTS A GLARE ON OVER HALF OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS SO INTENSE THAT THE DRIVER CANNOT SEE WHAT IS IN THE PATH OF THE CAR. THE MELTING IS ALSO RELEASING SOMETHING INTO THE CAR THAT IS CAUSING A RESIDUE ON ALL OF THE WINDOWS THAT IS DIFFICULT TO REMOVE. THE RESIDUE ALSO CREATES A GLARE WHEN THE SUN IS LOW IN SKY THAT DECREASES VISIBILITY. I DRIVE THROUGH METRO AREAS AND IT IS OFTEN DIFFICULT THE SEE PEDESTRIANS DUE TO THE GLARE CAUSED BY THE MELTING DASHBOARD. THIS CREATING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE NOT ONLY FOR THE PASSENGERS IN THE CAR, BUT ALSO FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD AND PEDESTRIANS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 8, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
Structure, Sep 6, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS BASICALLY MELTING. IT BEGINS AS JUST STICKY, HOWEVER IT IS REALLY SLOWLY MELTING AND BREAKING DOWN. IT CREATES A BAD GLARE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND IT'S REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE REPLACED BY NISSAN. *TR
Structure, Sep 5, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING!!!!! IT IS MAKING THE DASHBOARD VERY SHINY AND IT IS SO HARD TO SEE FROM THE GLARE! I HAVE HAD SEVERAL "ALMOST ACCIDENTS" FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE. CLEARLY THIS IS A DEFAULT IN THE MATERIAL OF THE DASH. I SEE SEVERAL OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED FROM THIS STUPID DEFAULT! *TR
Structure, Sep 4, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR APPEARS TO BE MELTING. IT IS EXTREMELY STICKY AND CANNOT BE CLEANED. THE GLARE SOMETIMES IS UNBEARABLE. I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT APPARENTLY, I'M NOT. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED. *TR
Structure, Sep 4, 2014
MY DASHBOARD STARTED MELTING ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. IT IS GETTING WORSE AND CAUSES A TERRIBLE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD. *TR
Power train, Sep 4, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH ON A HILL, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND SUDDENLY DECELERATED TO 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND AFTER FIFTEEN MINUTES IT RESTARTED RESUMING NORMAL FUNCTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN TIMES, ALL WHILE DRIVING ON HILLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PERFORMANCE WAS REDUCED DUE TO THE CVT FLUID TEMPERATURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88, 408.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 2, 2014
DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT AROUND THE A/C VENTS AND IS STICKY TO THE TOUCH. *TR
Tires, Sep 2, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V393000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Sep 2, 2014
THE FRONT DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THERE IS A PUDDLE OF MELTED MATERIAL THAT REFLECTS LIGHT INTO THE DRIVERS EYES EFFECTING THE DRIVERS VISION. THE COMPANY REFUSES REPAIR THE PROBLEM STATING THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. BELIEVE THE MATERIAL USED IN THE DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE REPLACED BEYOND WARRANTY DATES AND MILEAGE. *TR
Structure, Sep 1, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AWAY. THE MELTING DASHBOARD CREATES A TERRIBLE GLARE AND AT TIMES MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. NOT SURE WHY IT IS MELTING EXCEPT THAT IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT AND THE GLARE CAUSES A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Aug 26, 2014
MY DASHBOARD APPEARS TO BE MELTING. IT IS VERY STICKY TO THE TOUCH AND CREATING A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD. I TRIED WIPING IT DOWN WITH A DAMP CLOTH BUT IT REMAINS VERY STICKY AND THE GLARE REMAINS MAKING IT HARD TO SEE IN THE SUN. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF DRIVING ON SUNNY DAYS WITH THE GLARE. *TR
Structure, Aug 26, 2014
DASHBOARD STARTED MELTING SOON AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE DUE TO THE GLARE IT CAUSES AS THE SUN SHINING IN. IT HAS GOTTEN SO STICKY THAT YOU CAN'T EVEN PUT A WINDSHIELD COVER UP TO TRY TO PROTECT THE DASH. EVEN WITH THE WINDSHIELD PROTECTOR THE DASH WAS STILL MELTING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Aug 25, 2014
I PARKED MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE AT MY DOOR TOOK GROCERIES INSIDE AND WENT BACK TO PARK MY CAR,AND IT WOULD NOT START I COULD GO THRU THE DIFFERENT MODES OF THE PUSH BUTTON START BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I GET IT TOWED TO NISSAN AND THE TELL ME MY ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS GONE BAD THEY ALSO TELL ME THEY HAVE A RECALL ON THE SAME PART ON THE 2009 MODELS. PRICE TAG TO FIX THE E.S.C.L $800 THIS IS SO UNFAIR I BELIEVE THE 08 MODELS ALTIMA SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE ALREADY INEFFECT RECALL FOR THE SAME EXACT PART. *TR
Power train, Aug 25, 2014
I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA AND I HAVE HAD TO HAVE 2 TRANSMISSIONS IN MY CAR. I HAD TO REPLACE AT 63000 MILES AND NOW I NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AT 149000. THIS 2ND TRANSMISSION HAS ONLY ABOUT 85000 . NISSAN WON'T OWN UP TO THEIR PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. I AM NOT REPLACING AGAIN FOR A 3RD TRANSMISSION IN MY CAR. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 24, 2014
SECTIONS OF MY DASHBOARD ARE MELTING. THIS CONDITION MAKES VISIBILITY VERY DIFFICULT DUE TO THE GLARE OFF OF THE MELTED DASHBOARD ON SUNNY DAYS. *TR