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, Nov 30, 2010, crash
I GOT MY NISSAN 2 YEARS AGO AS A GRADUATION PRESENT FROM MY PARENTS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN A CAR ACCIDENT OR RAN INTO ANYTHING EVER FROM DRIVING ANY CAR. ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTRY ROAD, WITH NO SHOULDERS, NEAR WHERE I LIVE AND I WENT AROUND A SHARP TURN AND WENT OFF THE ROAD A LITTLE BIT BUT THEN CORRECTED MYSELF AND GOT BACK ONTO THE ROAD. ONCE I GOT BACK ONTO THE ROAD MY CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED TURNING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT UNCONTROLLABLY AND I PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STARTED SLIDING AND SPINNING OUT OF CONTROL FROM THE WHEEL TURNING. THE CAR THEN WENT TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD FROM THE SPINNING AND FLIPPED OVER! I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL BUT I WASN'T SERIOUSLY INJURED AND THANK GOD NO ONE ELSE WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME BECAUSE THEY MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR FLIPPED OVER THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS THE SIDE THAT HAD THE MOST DAMAGE, ETC. MY CAR IS TOTALED AND MY PARENTS ARE VERY ANGRY WITH ME, AND I KNOW I WAS DRIVING FASTER THAN I SHOULD HAVE, BUT I HONESTLY BELIEVE THAT THE CAR WAS A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE CRASH. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 10, 2010
OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA: WE HAD TO REPLACE THE BAD MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AFTER ONLY 39,000 MILES, SPENDING ALMOST $500, 3000 MILES OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. I UNDERSTAND THEIR SENTRA MODEL HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME PART, BUT NOT THE ALTIMA, AND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2010
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN TIBERI ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING NISSAN DEALERSHIP (DOT/I#2010-2206) *TGW THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SECURE FINANCING AFTER LOOSING HIS JOB AND WANTED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, NISSAN STATED THEY WOULD FINANCE THE VEHICLE, EVEN THOUGH THE CONSUMER STATED HE NO LONGER HAS A JOB. NISSAN STATED THE CONSUMER IS STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LOAN. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 8, 2010
BRAKES LIGHT WILL COMES ON AND OFF AT TIMES. BRAKE DOES NOT STOP EFFECTIVELY AND NOT TO FULL POTENTIAL THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. BROUGHT IT TO DEALERS AND THE PROBLEM WAS LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED TO MANY OWNERS WITH SAME VEHICLE HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2007-NISSAN-ALTIMA-DISCUSSION-2-5-3-5/298430-WARNING-MASTER-CYLINDER-PROBLEM-MUST-READ.HTML. *TR
Seats, Nov 2, 2010
DRIVERS SEAT MOVES SIDE TO SIDE AND FRONT TO BACK WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER A TECHNICAL BULLETIN WAS CREATED, BUT THE ISSUE STILL REMAINS. DEALER NOW SAYS THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH ITS WORSE NOW THAN IT WAS ORIGINALLY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 27, 2010
MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS ON VEHICLE. HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING. HAS NOT CAUSED ANY MAJOR FAILURE AT THIS TIME, BUT DOES REQUIRE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO NEED A REFILL ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS (I.E. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTS TO COME ON WHILE DRIVING). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Equipment, Oct 25, 2010
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5- I HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP OVER 9 TIMES WITH BRAKE ISSUES AND HAD MY MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED ONCE ALREADY IN 2009 UNDER WARRANTY. MY BRAKE LIGHT HAS BEEN TURNING ON DURING ACCELERATION AND OFF WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND WAS TOLD THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AND THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THE WORK IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO 12,000 MILE AGREEMENT. OBVIOUSLY, SOMETHING IS SERIOUSLY WRONG HERE. I'M ON THE 3RD MASTER CYLINDER IN 2 AND 1/2 YEARS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS CYLINDER; MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 22, 2010
LOSING BRAKE FLUID CAUSING WARNING LIGHT TO FLASH. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 28, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE A CRACKED WELD ON THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,154. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,631. UPDATED 2/28/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 05/20/11
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Sep 21, 2010
GAS PEDAL STOPS WORKING,ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK,STARTED IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR,NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC YET,NISSAN SHOP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG,REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AS BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON,ITS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 40,000 MILES. *TR
Structure, Sep 10, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FILLED UP WITH WATER WHENEVER IT RAINED. THE CONTACT STATED ALSO STATED THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE A DISH WASHER WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS HAVE EXHIBITED THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE PLUGS IN THE DOOR WERE CLOGGED WHICH FAILED TO LET THE WATER OUT. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONTINUE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND LET THE WATER RUN OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE SPEAKERS ON THE DOOR TO MAKE A BUZZING NOISE. THIS IS A DEFECT BECAUSE IT CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH THE MECHANICS OF THE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 24000.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION WHILE DEPRESSING THE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THEY ALSO REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE LEVER ASSEMBLY. UPDATED 11/05/10 THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, HE THEN PUT THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE BEYOND 5 MPH. AFTER ABOUT 100 FEET OF A SLOW ROLL AND TRYING TO ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR, IT CAUGHT WITH A LURCH. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS OVERFILLED WITH FLUID, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN. UPDATED 12/22/10*JB
Air bags, Aug 27, 2010
MY 2008 ALTIMA'S PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SOMETIMES IT SAYS THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF. MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING THERE YESTERDAY AND IT DID IT AGAIN. SHE IS OVER 100 LBS. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER FOR THIS IN THE PAST AND THEY SAID THAT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT ON THE RECALL BUT THEY DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 16, 2010
MY BRAKES ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HAVE BEEN MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE ALMOST 1 YEAR NOW. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHICH I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES WHEN THEY COMPLETED A VISUAL INSPECTION. I FEEL UNSAFE WITH THIS TYPE OF ONGOING NOISE AND THIS OCCURS EVERYDAY,ESPECIALLY WHEN THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HEAT UP,I WILL GET A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT DID ANYTHING TO HELP RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. MY CAR ONLY HAS 25,000 MILES AND I DONE THINK ITS SUPPOSE TO BE TIME FOR A BRAKE CHANGE?? HAS ANYONE OR IS ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME ISSUE? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Aug 16, 2010, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITH AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO TWO UNOCCUPIED PARKED VEHICLES. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 31, 2010
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A CHRONIC BRAKE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE IN MAY OF 2008. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD TO BRING IN THE CAR FOR REPAIRS RANGING FROM SQUEALING NOISES RIGHT DOWN TO OUT AND OUT GRINDING WHICH BEGAN ONLY 3-4K MILES AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. AFTER THE FIRST SEVERAL REPAIRS, WHICH DID ABSOLUTELY "NOTHING' AS I NOTICED THE BRAKES SQUEALING STILL JUST DAYS AFTER I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, THE CAR DEALERSHIP ADVISED ME THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ISSUED WHICH REQUIRED THEM TO PERFORM A 'COMPLETE" BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT, WHICH INCLUDED BRAKE PADS, ROTORS AND BRAND NEW REPLACEMENTS OF ALL OTHER PARTS THAT THE BRAKES USE. SINCE THAT TIME, THE BRAKES CONTINUE TO MAKE THIS ANNOYING SQUEALING NOISE AND WHEN THE DEALERSHIP IS QUESTIONED ABOUT IT, THEY SIMPLY REVERT BACK TO WHAT THEY TOLD ME THE VERY FIRST TIME I CALLED THEM ABOUT THIS 3-4 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR, WHICH WAS THAT THIS SOUND WAS NORMAL WITH ALL CARS AND WAS NOTHING TO BE ALARMED ABOUT, WHICH SOUNDED TOTALLY PREPOSTEROUS TO ME AND WAS EVEN PROVEN INCORRECT MONTHS LATER AFTER THE INITIAL COMPLAINT WHEN THEY ADVISED ME THERE WAS THAT TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM WHICH RESULTED IN THE AFOREMENTIONED COMPLETE OVERHAUL REPAIR. IT WAS NOTED THAT, AMONG OTHER REASONS, THIS OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE SEMI-METALLIC PADS USED BY NISSAN AND/OR OTHER CHEAP OR POOR QUALITY BRAKE PRODUCTS USED. FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED THERE HAVE BEEN "THREE" TSB'S ISSUED RELATING TO BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH THE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA AS FOLLOWS: NTB07-003C MURANO AND ALTIMA; SQUEAK NOISE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. NTB08-047 ALTIMA: REAR BRAKE NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS NTB08-057 2007-2008 ALTIMA; FRONT BRAKE NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
Power train, Jul 30, 2010, crash
2008 ALTIMA 2.5S WAS ON 35-35 DEGREE INCLINE WITH FRONT FACING UPHILL. AS I WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE, IT POPPED OUT OF PARK AND INTO NEUTRAL. BEFORE I COULD STOP IT, THE DRIVER DOOR CAUGHT ON NEIGHBORING YARD/HILL AND BENT FORWARD. DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER AS WELL. DAMAGE TOTALED APPROXIMATELY $3700. NISSAN SAID THEIR FILED TECH COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I HAVE FOUND 7 OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS HAPPENING BUT THEY DID NOT SEEM TO CARE. THIS CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE OR PARK FOR THAT MATTER. *TR
Power train, Jul 10, 2010
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 4 CYLINDER WITH CVT TRANSMISSION, WHEN PULLING OUT ON HIGHWAY THE CAR BEGAN TO ACCELERATE NORMALLY AT FIRST (0 TO 25 MPH) BUT THEN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND COASTED INTO TRAFFIC NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED TWICE MORE ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO A NISSAN DEALER TWICE FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN LACK OF ACCELERATION HAPPENED 3 TIMES AND TWICE THE DEALER RESET THE CODE, CHANGE THE FLUID AND REPROGRAM THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT WAS JUST A FLUKE AND THAT IT FOUND NO HARDWARE PROBLEMS. THE NISSAN CVT TRANSMISSION CONTROL ELECTRONICS ARE UNRELIABLE, UNSAFE AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THIS RECURRING PROBLEM VERY NEARLY RESULTED IN A MAJOR ACCIDENT TODAY. *TR
Electrical system, Jun 24, 2010
2008 ALTIMA HAS PUSH START BUTTON THAT WON'T WORK AT RANDOM TIMES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO STOMP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL REAL HARD WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE SENSOR SO THE CAR WOULD START. STILL UNRESOLVED AND I'M UNHAPPY. *TR
Air bags, Jun 24, 2010
SUPPLEMENTAL AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUE TO STAY LITE THOUGH THE SYSTEM IS SAID TO BE WORKING FINE. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A SERVICE RECALL ON THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. THE SERVICE WRITER ASKED THE TECH IF THE LIGHT TURNED OFF. I COULDN'T HEAR THE FAR END OF THE CONVERSATION. I WAS TOLD THE SYSTEM WAS FINE. DROVE OFF THE LOT AND THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. WHEN I WENT BACK THE SERVICE REP SAID MY AIRBAG WAS FINE AND IF I WANTED THE ISSUE RESOLVED I'D HAVE TO PAY FOR A SERVICE INSPECTION; THOUGH JUST 15 MINUTES AGO IT WAS IN FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE SERVICE RECALL EVEN STATED THAT IF THE LIGHT WAS ON THE SYSTEM MAY BE IMPACTED BY THE RECALL. OF COURSE MY WARRANTY WAS UP JUST 300 MILES AGO AND I AM REALLY BOTHERED BY THE FACT THEY WONT AT LEAST CHECK IT OUT SINCE THEY ISSUED A RECALL. I CONTACT NISSAN USA, BUT THEY HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO MY REQUEST AND THE LOCAL DEALER WAS UNWILLING TO ASSIST. *TR
Visibility, May 28, 2010
THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR IS HOUSED IN A CASING OF REFLECTIVE METAL, THE SAME AS THE REST OF THE BODY OF THE CAR. THE SHAPE OF THE SHAFT CONNECTING THE CASING TO THE DOOR IS SHAPED NEARLY PARABOLIC, WHICH MEANS THAT IF PARALLEL RAYS OF LIGHT (SUCH AS FROM THE SUN) ARE COLLECTED AND FOCUSED SO THAT THEY CONCENTRATE AT ONE POINT. AS IT HAPPENS, THE GLARE FROM THE SUNLIGHT CONCENTRATES AT A POINT RIGHT AROUND WHERE THE DRIVER'S EYES WOULD BE. AT LEAST NEAR MY EYES, THOUGH I'M TALLER THAN AVERAGE (6'5"). THE GLARE IS VERY DISTRACTING FOR ME. I HAVE TO LEAN OFF TO THE SIDE TO TRY TO AVOID THE GLARE. IN THE PAST I'VE GOTTEN AROUND THE PROBLEM BY CUTTING STRIPS OF BLACK GAFFER'S TAPE (A KIND OF TAPE USED BY TV AND SOUND PROFESSIONALS) AND COVERING UP THE TOP OF THE MIRROR HOUSING. IT WAS RECENTLY TAKEN OFF WHEN I HAD SOME SCRATCHES BUFFED OUT ELSEWHERE ON THE CAR. I HAPPENED TO GET SOME DIRECT SUN TODAY, SO I GRABBED SOME PICTURES TO SHARE WITH YOU, IF YOU WANT THEM. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, May 26, 2010, fire
I BOUGHT A CAR IN MARCH 2009. LAST SATURDAY, MAY 15 2010, I WAS DRIVING TO MY FRIEND GRADUATION,SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING HOUSTON,I STARTED SEEING SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. ALARMED, I PULLED MY CAR OVER AS FAR AS I COULD AND DECIDED TO STEP OUTSIDE TO SEE WHERE THE SMOKE WHERE COMING FROM. I POPPED THE HOOD, SAW FLAMES. I HAD GOTTEN A FEW HUNDRED FEET AWAY AND WATCH MY CAR BURN. HELPLESS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE BY ITSELF.I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE WASN'T THE RESULT OF MY NEGLIGENCE . I HAVE DONE ALL MY MAINTENANCE AND EVERY THING. AND NOW THAT IT HAPPENED,I MADE SOME RESEARCH AND IT TURNS OUT THAT SOME OF THE MODEL OF NISSAN ALTIMA WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL AND IT FITS THE PROFILE SORT OF SPEAK. *TR
Air bags, May 24, 2010
APPROXIMATELY THE LAST 13 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED 2-3 TIMES A WEEK, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS ON. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE THIS LIGHT WAS ON, I DROVE BY THE NISSAN DEALER (EASTSIDE NISSAN OF BELLEVUE, WA) AND SHOWED THE LIGHT WAS ON EVEN WITH MY WIFE SITTING SQUARE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE TECHNICIAN DROVE WITH MY WIFE WITH THE LIGHT STILL ON. HOWEVER, HE PULLED IN SOME SENSOR AND STATED THAT THE SYSTEM SHOULD WORK FINE EVEN IF THE LIGHT WAS ON. THEY STATED THAT THEY TESTED THE SENSOR LAST YEAR AND IT WORKED FINE SO THEY ARE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN USA MANY TIMES AND ALL I WOULD GET IS SOMEONE TELLING ME THAT THEY HAVE TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. BASED ON NISSAN'S POSITION, I AM HOLDING NISSAN CORPORATION, EASTSIDE NISSAN, AND NHTSA LIABLE FOR ANY INJURIES WHICH RESULT FROM INJURY FROM AN ACCIDENT AND ALSO PAIN AND SUFFERING AND ANY ADDITIONAL DISTRESS, ESPECIALLY IF THE AIRBAG OR OTHER SAFETY SYSTEM FAILS. THE NISSAN AIRBAG SYSTEM CAN LEAD TO A FATALITY EVEN WITH AN ADULT 150+ LBS. JUST PRIOR TO AN ACCIDENT. NO PART HAVE BEEN CHANGED OUT AND MY WARRANTY IS ABOUT TO EXPIRE WITH NO ACTION ON NISSAN'S PART EXCEPT FOR EXCUSES OF WHY THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH WITH PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD RESULTING IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP TO BE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 35,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/01/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/09/10*JB
Power train, May 3, 2010
CVT TRANSMISSION IS WARMED UP AFTER APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES OF DRIVING. ONCE WARM, FROM A COMPLETE STOP, I LIGHTLY ACCELERATE TO 20MPH. THE RPMS DROP SLIGHTLY AND MORE ACCELERATION IS NECESSARY TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 20MPH. I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN AND THE VEHICLE SHUDDERS/SURGES THREE TO FIVE TIMES THEN ACCELERATES RAPIDLY. THIS CAUSES YOUR NECK TO SNAP BACK AND THE VEHICLE TO LOOSE CONTROL. NO ACCIDENT YET BUT IT COULD EASILY HAPPEN. TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALER IN CALIFORNIA WHO CALLED IT A "NORMAL OPERATING CONDITION" AND SENT ME HOME. STILL FIGHTING WITH NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR