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.
Electrical system, Structure, Aug 23, 2014
REGARDING 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA: THE AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATOR DRAIN HOSE IS POORLY ENGINEERED LEADING TO WATER DRAINING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AS OPPOSED TO OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WATER WILL POOL IN THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER SIDE AND CONTINUE TO COLLECT WATER UNTIL IT MOVES FORWARD TOWARD THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SIDE. WITHOUT CORRECTING THIS DEFECT THE WATER WILL LEAD TO MOLD/FUNGUS GROWTH, ROTTED CARPET, RUSTED FLOOR WELLS, AND POTENTIALLY ELECTRICAL DAMAGE AS THERE IS A MAIN ELECTRICAL WIRE THAT RUNS ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR THAT PARALLELS THE EVAPORATOR DRAIN HOSE. *TR
Structure, Aug 21, 2014
I SAW ON THE NEWS THAT THERE MIGHT BE A RECALL ON MELTED DASHBOARDS FOR TOYOTA AND NISSAN VEHICLES, SO I DECIDED TO FILE A CLAIM. THE DASHBOARD IN MY CAR STARTED TO MELT A MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED IT, WHICH WAS A YEAR AGO. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 20, 2014
VEHICLE DASH MELTING. THIS MAKES VISIBILITY VERY LIMITED. GLARE IS STRONG. STICKY, SHINY AND DANGEROUS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY NISSAN IS MELTING, WHICH CAUSES SEVERE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE THE ROADWAY WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 18, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING AWAY CAUSE OF THE SUN. I HAVE READ BLOGS ONLINE SAYING IM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE DURING THE DAY BECAUSE OF THE REFLECTIVE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. IM AFRAID IT MAKE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I LIMIT DRIVING DURING THE DAY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
Structure, Aug 14, 2014
THE DASHBOARD FIRST STARTED GETTING STICKY AND THEN IT STARTED PROGRESSING REALLY FAST WITH THE ALL OVER MELTING AND SINKING IN. THE GLARE WAS SO BAD THAT I FIRST PUT A TOWEL ON IT TILL IT WAS STUCK AND I HAD A HARD TIME REMOVING IT AFTER I GOT A DASHBOARD COVER. NOW I CAN SEE CRACKS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE AIR CONDITIONING VENTS AND THE SIDE BY THE RADIO. THE SMELL IS ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING. I'M REALLY EMBARRASSED ABOUT ANYONE RIDING IN MY CAR EVER THOUGH IT LOOKS REALLY GOOD ON THE OUTSIDE. I'M HOPING THE CAR MANUFACTURE GETS ENOUGH COMPLAINTS THAT THEY WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. I KNOW I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN AND WHEN YOU ARE COMPARING THE PRICE OF A NEW CAR COMPARED TO WHAT REPAIRING THE PROBLEM WOULD BE. IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO GO AHEAD AN FIX THE PROBLEM FOR THE OWNERS OF THE CAR.. *TR
Structure, Aug 14, 2014
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD. THE DASH IS MELTING SO BAD THAT IT IS CAUSING AN EXTREMELY BAD GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND I CAN'T SEE BRAKE LIGHTS OF CARS AHEAD OF ME OR EVEN A CAR IF IT'S SMALL. *TR
Structure, Aug 13, 2014
THE DASHBOARD HAS A BIG GLARE TO IT THAT CAUSES DIFFICULTY VIEWING THE ROAD. IT GETS WORSE DURING THE DAY BUT STILL CAUSES PROBLEMS AT NIGHT. I AM AFRAID I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO REACT IN AM ACCIDENT IF I CAN'T SEE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 13, 2014
THE DASHBOARD ON MY NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING. THE MATERIAL HAS BECOME VERY SHINY AND STICKY CREATING A HORRIBLE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND I CANNOT SEE WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THE MELTING MATERIAL IS EMITTING FUMES. THE WINDSHIELD ALSO HAS A CONSTANT FILM ON IT FROM THE MELTING MATERIAL, WHICH COMBINED WITH THE GLARE IS HAZARDOUS. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 12, 2014
DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING. CAN'T CLEAN IT. GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AFFECTS SAFE DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Exterior lighting, Engine, Aug 12, 2014
I PARKED MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE TOOK GROCERIES INTO THE HOUSE I RETURN TO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE KEY SYMBOL WAS ON. I CAN WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE CHANGE MODES JUST WONT START. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 11, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CREATES A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF. IT COULD CAUSE A SEVERE ACCIDENT. *TR
Structure, Aug 8, 2014
DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A GLARE THAT IS A DANGER IN SEEING PROPERLY. *TR
Structure, Aug 8, 2014
RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN PARKING IN THE SUN AT WORK AND I'VE NOTICED THAT MY DASHBOARD HAS BEEN DAMAGING BY THE HEAT OF THE SUN. IT'S TO THE POINT WHERE ITEMS STICK TO THE DASHBOARD. I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD HELP ME FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 7, 2014
DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND THE GLARE FROM THE SUN REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND YOU CANNOT SEE PROPERLY. ONLY THING YOU CAN SEE IS THE DASHBOARD REFLECTING OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Air bags, Aug 6, 2014, crash
VEHICLE CRASHED WITH ONLY SIDE CURTAINS DEPLOYING, NO FRONT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AT ALL. RESULTING IN OCCUPANT'S DEATH ..UPDATED 08-28-14 *BF..UPDATED 10/28/14 *BF UPDATED 11/6/2014 *JS UPDATED 08/24/2017*CT *TR
Structure, Aug 5, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING A VERY NASTY SHINE!!!! IT'S HARD TO DRIVE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. *TR
Structure, Aug 5, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND AS A RESULT ITS PUTTING A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD WHICH AT TIMES MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 4, 2014
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S DASH PANEL/DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE DASH PANEL SOFT-TOUCH COATING MATERIAL FIRST TURNED STICKY AND EVENTUALLY DISINTEGRATED INTO A VISCOUS SUBSTANCE. SURFACE FINISH TURNED FROM MATTE TO HIGH GLOSS. THE NOW REFLECTIVE DASH SURFACE CAUSES A LARGE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD AND OBSTRUCTS DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Aug 2, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IN MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING AND CREATES AN EXTREMELY REFLECTIVE SURFACE THAT PREVENTS ME FROM BEING ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD, WHILE DRIVING IN SUNNY CONDITION. THE MELTING/STICKY STARTED WITH A SMALL SPOT ON THE DASH THEN THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND SPREAD OVER THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD. THE GLARE CAUSED BY THE MELTING DASHBOARD IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. *TR
Structure, Aug 2, 2014
MY DASHBOARD OF MY CAR IS MELTING. *TR
Power train, Jul 31, 2014
WHEN I ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE IT STARTS JERKING. ISSUES WITH THE TIRE LIGHT IT WON'T COME OFF AND SEAT BELT LIGHT. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH P0744 CODE. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jul 31, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS STICKY I HAD BROUGHT IT IN AT 42000 MILES WESTON NISSAN TOLD ME TO USE ALCOHOL AND THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME ABOUT IT....I WENT BACK AGAIN AT 52000 MILES AND AGAIN SAID THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ...MY VISION IS AT RISK IT IS BLINDING OFF THE WINDSHIELD I HIT A STOP SIGN IN MY COMPLEX WHICH I COULD NOT SEE BECAUSE OF THE BLINDING SUN ON MY WINDSHIELD, SO NOW THE FRONT OF MY CAR HAS A DING....I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS NISSAN HAS DONE NOTHINGI HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE OF NISSAN MORE THAN TWICE.... *TR
Structure, Jul 31, 2014
MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND HAS BECOME VERY SHINY. THE REFLECTIVE GLARE IS A HAZARD DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS AND IS UNSAFE. *TR
Structure, Jul 31, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS BECOMING SOFT CAUSING A STRONG GLAZE TO BE REFLECTED AND WAS RESTRICTING THE VIEW OF THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 9/18/14*CN THE CONSUMER THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING. UPDATED 11/18/14