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, May 3, 2014
THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING AND CRACKING THROUGHOUT. *TR
Structure, May 3, 2014
I STARTED TO NOTICE STICKY SPOTS AN MY DASH ABOUT 12 MONTHS AGO. NOW IT IS COVERING MOST OF THE DASH. THIS IS CREATING A PROBLEM WHEN I AM DRIVING DURING THE DAY .IF I AM DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN THE GLARE COMING OFF OF THE DASH IS ALMOST BLINDING. THIS MAKES IT A SAFETY PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE COVERED AS A RECALL FROM THE MANUFACTURE. *TR
Visibility, Structure, May 3, 2014
I HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE 2008. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM NISSAN IN KENDALL MIAMI, FL. LAST YEAR I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT WHAT HAS SEEMED LIKE A REGULAR WEAR FROM THE CAR, HAS TURNED INTO A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A GLARE WHEN THE SUN HITS THE DASH MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE CLEARLY. I KNOW IT SOUNDS STRANGE, BUT MY DASH IS MELTING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY AS I COULD POTENTIALLY GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. THE ONLY TEMPORARY SOLUTION WE HAVE FOUND IS TO PURCHASE A CUSTOM MADE DASHBOARD. HOWEVER, I DON'T SEE WHY NISSAN HAS NOT HELPED. I BROUGHT IT BACK TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SAID THAT SINCE I AM OUT OF WARRANTY, I'M OUT OF LUCK. I'VE HAD ATTORNEYS OFFERING TO START A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BEING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE, BUT ALL I WANT IS TO HAVE MY DASH REPLACED AND THAT'S IT. IT IS ONLY FAIR THAT NISSAN WOULD STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT. IS THERE ANYTHING THAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS? THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. *TR
Structure, May 1, 2014
MELTING DASHBOARD WHEN SUN HITS CANT SEE DUE TO GLARE VERY UN SAFE. *TR
Structure, Apr 30, 2014
MY NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS MELTING IN THE SUN AND HEAT HERE AND I HAVE TINTED WINDOWS AND USE A SUNSHADE. THIS IS BECOMING A SAFETY CONCERN. *JS
Structure, Apr 30, 2014
MY WHOLE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. I HAVE A GLARE FROM THIS THAT OBSTRUCTS MY VIEW AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY. *JS
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Apr 29, 2014, fire
WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN I TRIED TO GET OUT OF CRUISE AND STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT GOT STUCK, I REALIZED I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE FIRST LANE DUE TO TRAFFIC, SO I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL OVER TO THE MEDIAN CLOSEST TO THE THIRD LANE, HOWEVER, THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, I EVEN TRIED TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO SHUT THE CAR OFF BUT IT WOULDN'T SHUT DOWN, THERE WAS NO SMELL OF SMOKE OR ANYTHING AND THAN AS THE CAR BEGIN SLOWING ON ITS OWN, ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE JUST POOFED UP AND I GRABBED MY PURSE AND PHONE AND JUMPED OUT OF THE MOVING CAR . RAN AWAY FROM THE CAR AND REALIZE THAT I HAD TAKEN MY WALLET OUT OF MY PURSE PREVIOUS AND I TURNED TO GO BACK BUT THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I CALLED 911 TO GET ASSISTANCE. *JS
Steering, Apr 29, 2014
THE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WOULD NOT START BACK UP. *JS
Air bags, Apr 28, 2014
THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE CENTER COUNCIL LIGHTS UP (SIGNALING THAT IT'S OFF) RANDOMLY. THIS HAS EVEN HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH AN ADULT MALE SITTING IN THE SEAT (APPROXIMATELY 180 LBS.). *JS
Structure, Apr 27, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING IT SEEMS TO BE REAL STICKY THE GLARE FROM IT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD IT'S DEFINITELY A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Structure, Apr 23, 2014
I NOTICED THAT MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE RANDOMLY DEVELOPED HUGE, LONG CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. IT IS ALSO STICKY AND SOFT (FLEXIBLE). IT APPEARS TO BE MELTING AND IT IS CREATING A SIGNIFICANT GLARE ACROSS MY WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT EXTREMELY HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Steering, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 20, 2014
HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT DEALERSHIP. UPON DRIVING BACK HOME THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I RECEIVED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH AND COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR START THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT IN A NEW BATTERY TO THE INTELLIGENT KEY AND ALSO JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE. STILL WOULD NOT START. NOTHING WARNS YOU OF THIS ISSUE AND GLAD THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR PART FAILED. ON THE FOLLOWING DATE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. ON MONDAY THE 7TH THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILURE. SAME DAY I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO FIND OUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS NOR WOULD THEY OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE OR RECALL THIS PART AS THEY HAVE ON OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. *TR
Structure, Apr 20, 2014
BEGINNING IN 2012 (LESS THAN 4 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR), I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT PORTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD WERE MELTING. IN THE YEARS SINCE, IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT, EVEN IN MUCH, MUCH OLDER CARS. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A COSMETIC ISSUE, BUT RATHER A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE MELTING DASHBOARD IS SHINY AND REFLECTS SUNLIGHT, CAUSING SUDDEN BLINDING GLARES WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE SUDDEN FLASHES OF LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE REALITY OF BEING UNABLE TO SEE WHILE AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 60 MILES IS INCREDIBLY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. *TR
Power train, Apr 16, 2014
MY CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 126K MILES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW. I STARTED HEARING THE INFAMOUS "WHINING NOISE" ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND 100K MILES. HAD I BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE WHINING A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS AND RESEARCHED IT. WELL, TOO LATE BUT AFTER THE FACT I FOUND MANY YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IF YOU HEAR THIS WHINING NOISE, IT'S YOUR TRANSMISSION. NISSAN KNOWS THEY PUT OUT A GARBAGE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS WHY THEY DOUBLED THE WARRANTY ON IT TO 10 YEARS OR 120K MILES. CONVENIENTLY, MINE DID NOT GO OUT UNTIL 126K. I BOUGHT THIS CAR THREE YEARS AGO WITH 17K MILES. YES, I DRIVE A LOT BUT IT'S FOR WORK AND IT'S PRIMARILY HIGHWAY MILEAGE. I WOULDN'T HAVE EVER EXPECTED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT IN A CAR THIS NEW. I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PIECE OF JAP CRAP FROM NISSAN AS I AM NOW DUMPING 4K TO GET THIS REPAIRED. I CHECKED WITH NISSANUSA AND THEY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY NOR DID THEY OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I AM 6K OVER THEIR EXTENDED (DOUBLED) WARRANTY. WHEN MY CAR BROKE DOWN I CALLED MY MECHANIC, WHO IS ASE CERTIFIED, AND SUPER TRUSTWORTHY. HE CAME AND TOWED IT, RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I CALLED NISSANUSA AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE UNTIL AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DIAGNOSED IT. I DID JUST THAT, PAID THE DEALER $150 TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNEW (BAD TRANSMISSION), ONLY TO HAVE NISSANUSA DENY ME ASSISTANCE AFTER THE DEALER CONFIRMED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THEN I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO MY MECHANIC AS THE DEALER'S QUOTE WAS OUTRAGEOUS. I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN AND I HOPE YOU WON'T EITHER! *TT
Power train, Apr 16, 2014
I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR STALLED OUT . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES. VEHICLE TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS STATED CHECKED FOR CODED ALL OK, HOWEVER INTERNAL HARD FAILURE NEW TRANSMISSION . 4000.00 VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ALWAYS AT CROWLEY NISSAN BRISTOL CT AND SERVICED ON 3/28/2014 CHECKED A WEEK PRIOR . PAPER WORK INDICATED TRANSMISSION FLUID FULL AND EXCELLENT. NISSAN USA REFUSED TO ASSIST IN ANY MATTER AND DEALERSHIP WAS THE WORST. THIS VEHICLE HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST HAVING NUMEROUS ITEMS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY . NEVER BUYING A NISSAN AGAIN... *TT
Structure, Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2014, crash
ON FEBRUARY 2013 I HAD A FRONTAL CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD OF MY MELTING DASH BOARD ON MY 08 ALTIMA. MY DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING WITH OUT NO REASON. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD AS IT IS NOT PART OF A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WHICH MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RAVEN DEATH TO A MOTORIST OR PEDESTRIAN. NISSAN NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT ON THEIR BEHALF FOR THE MAJORITY OF 08 ALTIMAS. *
Structure, Apr 8, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE MELTING DASHBOARD CAUSES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND IT IS HARD TO SEE IN BRIGHT LIGHT. *TR
Structure, Apr 5, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND APPEARS TO BE MELTING AWAY. THIS SHINY SURFACE CAUSES AN AWFUL GLARED REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO, IT CAUSES THE CAR TO APPEAR OLD AND EVERYTHING STICKS TO IT INCLUDING PAPERS AND INSECTS. IT'S PRETTY GROSS! *TR
Structure, Mar 31, 2014
AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT MY DETERIORATING DASHBOARD THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO A NISSAN DEALER AND GET AN ESTIMATE ON REPLACING THE DASH, THEN THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. I COMPLIED WITH THEM, MADE APPT.. RECEIVED THE ESTIMATE OF $1726.03. I PRESENTED THIS TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEN AFTER NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS TO FINALLY GET AN ANSWER OF "NO WE DECIDED NOT TO GIVE YOU ANY FINANCIAL SUPPORT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY !! THIS IS NOT A DAMAGED PART DUE TO ACCIDENT, THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT!! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DURING THE DAY BECAUSE OF THE GLARE FROM THE SUN, AND UNSAFE AFTER DARK DUE TO HEADLIGHTS AND STREETLIGHTS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS COMPLAINT TO MY LOCAL T.V. INVESTIGATIONS AND DO NOT PLAN ON STOPPING UNTIL I GET A NEW DASHBOARD.. I HAVE SEEN THIS VERY SAME COMPLAINT ON NUMEROUS 2008'S !!!! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT! HAS ANYBODY OUT THERE RECEIVED ANY RESOLUTION???!!! *TR
Air bags, Mar 29, 2014
THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T CORRECTLY SENSE OR CLASSIFY A PASSENGER (MORE THAN 120 LBS) WHEN THEY ARE IN THE SEAT. THIS RESULTS IN THE AIR BAG BEING INCORRECTLY DEACTIVATED (SIMILAR TO RECENT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V138000). THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY GIVEN TO THE DEALER TO FIX UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V521000. THIS STILL OCCURS AND ADJUSTING HER POSITION OR THE SEAT POSITION DOESN'T ELIMINATE THE ISSUE SO PASSENGERS WOULD NOT HAVE AIR BAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT. *TR
Structure, Mar 26, 2014
THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY DETERIORATING. IT IS AS IF IT IS MELTING. SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE, AND IS NOW A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO THE LIGHT THAT REFLECTS OFF OF THE MELTED PARTS OF THE DASH. IT REFLECTS THE SUNLIGHT DURING THE DAY AND THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS EYES... THIS IS A DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS NISSAN ALTIMAS OF THE SAME YEAR. *TR
Structure, Mar 25, 2014
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CREATES AN AWFUL GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD - ALMOST LIKE SHINING A MIRROR AT THE SUN. IT'S BLINDING AT TIMES WHEN THE SUN HITS IT JUST RIGHT. THE PROBLEM HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE OVER THE SPAN OF A YEAR. WHEN IT'S EXTREMELY HOT (NEARLY 100 OUT), THE DASHBOARD IS ALMOST LIKE A THICK GOOP THAT COMES OFF ON MY FINGERS WHEN I TOUCH IT. I HAVEN'T PUT ANY SORT OF CHEMICAL OR WAX ON IT AS A NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE HAS SUGGESTED. NOT ONLY IS THIS HAZARDOUS WHILE DRIVING, BUT I'M CONCERNED THERE MAY BE SOME HARMFUL CHEMICAL (CARCINOGENIC?) THAT I'M INHALING WHILE IN MY CAR. *TR
Structure, Mar 24, 2014
THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA APPEARS TO BE MELTING. THE RUBBER MATERIAL THAT WAS USED TO CREATE THE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO MELT BECOMING VERY STICKY AND EXTREMELY SHINNY. THE GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD SHINE HAS BECOME A HAZARD AND IS IMPAIRING MY DRIVING, I CANNOT SEE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD DURING THE DAY. *TR
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Mar 24, 2014
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND THE GLARE FROM THE MOLTEN RUBBER/PLASTIC CREATES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE IN THE SUN AND IS POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS. I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THIS AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUSLY A FACTORY DEFECT. THEY WANT TO CHARGE ME 3000 $ TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD WHICH I DO NO INTEND ON DOING IT AS I FEEL LIKE IT IS NISSAN'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD. *TR
Structure, Mar 22, 2014
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. *TR