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, Aug 30, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING WHEN IT REACHES A CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE. THIS HAPPENS WHENEVER THE TEMPERATURE IS ABOVE 80 DEGREES FARENHEIT.
Structure, Aug 21, 2020
THE DASHBOARD OF VEHICLE HAS DEVELOPED A SHINE TO IT THAT REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING IN SUN LIGHT OBSTRUCTING VISION OF ROAD. THE DASH ALSO FEELS LIKE IT HAS BECOME STICKY AND SOFT LIKE IT IS MELTING.
Other or unspecified, Aug 17, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST DIRTY, BUT IN FACT, WHEN I TRIED CLEANING IT, A STICKY GLUE TYPE SUBSTANCE CAME UP. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD AS THE SHINY GLARE SHINES ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE. I DID A BASIC SEARCH ON THE INTERNET TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE.
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2020
THE CVT TRANSMISSION STEP SOLENOID AND THE ACCELERATOR PADDLE NOT WORKING WRITE IT WONT GO ANYWHERE SOMETIMES ONLY LIKE 20 MILES AN HOUR HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF AND WAIT 5 TO 10 MIN THEN IT'S OK FOR A LITTLE BIT IF I HIT A BUMP IT ALSO SHUTS OFF CAN U HELP PLEASE ITSBEEN DOING THIS SINCE BOUGHT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Aug 10, 2020
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND IT HAS GOTTEN WORSE WITHIN THE LAST TWO (2) YEARS. I HAVE TROUBLE SEEING THE ROAD WHEN IT IS SUNNY BECAUSE I GET A BIG GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE REFLECTION OF THE MELTING DASHBOARD. ALSO, I NOTICED I HAVE BEEN GETTING DIZZY, UPPER RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND HEADACHES RIGHT AFTER I GET IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAS BEEN PARKED IN THE SUN, DESPITE A CAR WINDOW SHIELD I PUT ON IT TO PROTECT IT FROM THE SUN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2020
TOP OF DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING. IT CREATES A BAD GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE SHINY NATURE OF THE AREAS WHERE THE DASHBOARD HAS DETERIORATED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING! I CAN'T BE THE ONLY 2008 ALTIMA OWNER IN NY WITH THIS ISSUE. A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS SETTLED A FEW YEARS AGO IN FLORIDA FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THIS SAME CAR. I NEED THIS PIECE REPLACED AND THE COST TO BE COVERED BY NISSAN BECAUSE THEY INSTALLED MATERIALS THAT ARE UNSAFE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT HOLD UP.
Suspension, Electrical system, Engine, Jul 21, 2020
PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE SLOWS/STALLS WHEN DRIVEN IN HIGH HEAT WEATHER DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW/STALL.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Structure, Jul 18, 2020
DASHBOARD IS MELTING GIVING OFF A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO THE GAS GAUGE IS DEFECTIVE ... DOES NOT SHOW THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF GAS TANK ... NEEDLE FLUCTUATES FROM F, 1/2, E.
Other or unspecified, Jul 5, 2020
TRANSMISSION REVS OUT AND SLOW TO ACCELERATE
Air bags, Jul 2, 2020, crash
MY HUSBAND WAS JUST IN HIS FIRST WRECK THIS PAST WEEK OR SO IN OUR NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 2.5 S, AND PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT WE HAD NOTICED OUR PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT HAD CAME ON OUT OF NO WHERE.*DT WELL, IT DIDN'T DEPLOY WHEN HE GOT INTO THE ACCIDENT. EVERY OTHER AIR BAG EXCEPT THE PASSENGER ONE DEPLOYED. EVEN THE ONES IN OUR SEATBELT AREA DIDN'T DEPLOY ALL THE WAY. THE WRECK HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY. THE MAN MY HUSBAND REAR ENDED WAS YIELDING TO TURN LEFT. MY HUSBAND WAS GOING 35-40MPH.*JB
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 1, 2020
NOT A SINGLE EVENT... DASHBOARD HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN SOFTER/STICKIER OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. IT IS NOW CRACKED AND IS MELTING NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS OFF-GASSED AN UNREMOVABLE FILM ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE GLASS, AND THE CAR HAS SUCH A NOXIOUS SMELL FROM THE FUMES WE NO LONGER FEEL IT'S HEALTHY TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE WINDOWS DOWN. *TR
Structure, Jun 24, 2020
DASH MELTING AND STICKY AND CAUSING A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD. *TR
Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Jun 21, 2020
PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. CAR WILL BE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY FLAT LAND/UPHILL/DOWNHILL ANY LAND AND MY CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY LOOSE POWER ITS A 2008 ALTIMA 2.5S I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STOP MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY IN A DEADLY AND HEAVILY USED CANYON WITH NOT MANY PLACES AVAILABLE TO PULL YOUR CAR OVER. IF THERE IS IT'S VERY TIGHT. WHEN I PULL OVER I SHUT IT OFF FOR ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO THEN I START IT BACK UP WHILE IN PARK I GENTLY PRESS THE GAS TO ACCELERATE IT A LITTLE AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE RPM STICK WONT MOVE. I HAVE BEEN COMING DOWN AN OFF RAMP ONTO THE FREEWAY AND I WONT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER GAIN A SAFE AND LEGAL SPEED TO ENTER ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY WITH NO WHERE TO PULL OVER, ALMOST CAUSED A HUGE DEADLY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS HOWEVER THE CAR RPM STICK WENT UP AND DOWN THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER A FEW "ATTEMPTS" FROM THE ENGINE IT WENT FROM ME FEELING THE CAR ALMOST FORCEFUL ENGINE SHUT OFF WITH THE LOSE OF ACCELERATING AND UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HEARING THE CAR ALMOST DIE AND WENT FROM ME DECELERATING HARD AT 40 MPH ON A SLIGHT DOWNHILL OFF RAMP FREEWAY AT 40 MPH TO ALL OF A SUDDEN TAKING OFF AS IF THE CAR WAS A ROCKET AND DIDNT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH MAINTAINING SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 9 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED AND HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR WILL NOT TYPICALLY HAVE THIS ISSUE IF I MAKE A SHORT IN TOWN TRIP OR A FEW ERRANDS IN TOWN NO FASTER THAN 30MPH SPEEDS AND NO HARD IT FAST ACCELERATION ON FLAT LAND. I LOST THE PAPERWORK FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP HOWEVER CAN EASILY OBTAIN IT SHOWING THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPAIR COSTING AROUND 1300. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN AFTER BEING CLEARED WILL THROW THE SAME P024 ERROR CODE. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR BOUGHT AND AM UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE IT WITHOUT A DEADLY OUTCOME.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 18, 2020
THE DASHBOARD HAS BEGUN TO MELT AND THE GLARE IS VERY DISTRACTING. IT IS VERY STICKY AND GETS WORSE AT THE WEATHER GET WARMER. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTED. IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORSE OVER THE YEARS. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD SO I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR. NISSAN REFUSES TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE TRIED MULTIPLE TIMES. IT IS STATIONARY FOR NOW. THE CAR ALSO HAS A FOUL ODOR FROM THE MELTED DASH. *TR
Structure, May 21, 2020
REFLECTIVE DASHBOARD THAT IS MELTING FROM THE SUNLIGHT CAUSING IT TO BE VERY STICKY, GUMMY, & SHINY. CAUSING A BLINDING GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD & EFFECTING MY VISIBILITY TO SEE WHERE I'M DRIVING & I CAN NOT SEE OTHER PERSONS OR VEHICLES. IT A SAFETY HAZARD TO ME OTHER PEOPLE I MEET IN THE ROAD & ALSO A HEALTH HAZARD TO ME FROM HAVING TO BREATH, INHALE THE TOXIC CHEMICALS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THE MATERIAL OF THE DASHBOARD. PLEASE HELP ME WITH VEHICLE THAT I AM HAVING DRIVING HAZARDS WITH. MY NAME IS [XXX], MY PHONE NUMBER IS [XXX] & MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS [XXX]. I NEED TO GET HELP GETTING THIS DASHBOARD FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE IT CREATES AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD KILL ME , MY PASSENGERS & WHOM EVER I MEET ON THE HIGHWAY. THANK YOU! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, May 10, 2020, crash
I HAD PICKED UP A NAIL IN MY TIRE ON MY WAY HOME THAT I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT WHICH CAME OUT WHILE I WAS ON HIGHWAY 94 (TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT OF 65MPH) WHICH CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO VEER TO ON COMING TRAFFIC SO. I TRY TO CORRECT IT AND THE MY VEHICLE WASN'T RESPONDING LIKE IT SHOULD HAVE BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND WOULDN'T POWER OUT OF THE PULL FROM THE DEFLATED TIRE SO I HAD TO OVER CORRECT WHICH CAUSED ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE SENDING MY INTO A REVEAN AND THEN OVER A 5 WIRE FENCE SUBSEQUENTLY DAMAGING MY VEHICLE MORE THAN I WOULD'VE HAD THE TRANSMISSION BEEN OPERATING PROPERLY I HAD LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WELL UNDER THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVAL NOT TO MENTION THAT I RECEIVED A CITATION FOR CARELESS DRIVING BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL MY VEHICLE. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 6, 2020
WHEN I GET INTO THE CAR AND PUSH THE START BUTTON, THE CAR TURNS ON BUT THE READY IS NOT SIGNALING AND THE CAR DOESN'T MOVE. THE CAR WAS DRIVING PERFECTLY THE DAY BEFORE AND NOW THE CAR WON'T MOVE. THERE ALSO A WEIRD BUZZING TYPE SOUND WHEN I PRESS THE BREAK. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 4, 2020
STICKY DASHBOARD IS CAUSING SEEING INVISIBILITY
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2020
HELLO MY CAR IS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING GET IN THE POINT THAT IS DIFFICULTY TO SEE BECAUSE THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN, IS GETTING SO BAD NOW CAN SOME ONE HELP ME. I WHEN TO THE NISSAN WERE I BOUGH IT THEY TELLL ME THAT I HAVE TO PAY 2,000 TO 3000 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE DASHBOARD I THINK THIS IS A MATTER OF THE DEALERS OR THE CORPORATE OF NISSAN PLEASE CAN SOME ONE HELP ME CUZ I CAN AFFORD THO BUY ANOTHER CAR. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'M ABOUT TO GO TO THE MEDIA SEE IS SOMEONE CAN HELP ME.
Structure, Apr 11, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND TURNING TO GOO AND NOW IS ALSO CRUMBLING. I STARTED CONTACTING NISSAN CORP APPROX 3 YEARS AGO . I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO FILE 3 CLAIMS AND ALL HAVE BEEN DENIED. THE DEALERSHIP AGREES THAT THE DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE BUT STATES SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY CAN'T HELP. THE DASHBOARD PUTS OFF A GLARE THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD, ESPECIALLY ON SUNNY DAYS. THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT A LAWSUIT FILED IN TEXAS AND FLORIDA RESULTED IN THE DASHBOARDS. THERE IS ALSO AN ODOR AT TIMES AND THE VAPOR LEAVES A FILM ON THE WINDSHIELD. YOU CAN'T CLEAN THE WINDSHIELD BECAUSE THE RAGS OR PAPER TOWELS STICK TO THE GOO. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY HAZZARD. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE CONSUMERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN DENIED BY NISSAN. THE NISSAN REP WOULD NOT EVEN ALLOW ME TO SPEAK WITH HER SUPERVISOR OR ANYONE IN CHARGE. SHE SIMPLY SAID I HAVE PRESENTED YOUR INFORMATION AND OUR DECISION IS FINAL GETTING REPLACED. BASICALLY I WAS TOLD THAT I AM NOT PART OF THE FLORIDA OR TEXAS SUIT SO SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK. NISSAN DID SAY THAT IF I WANTED TO BUY A NEW CAR THEY WOULD OFFER ME A SPECIAL DEAL. REALLY WHY WOULD I BUY SOMETHING FROM A COMPANY THAT KNOWS THE DASHBOARDS ARE DEFECTIVE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Apr 7, 2020
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND WHEN THE SUN HIT IT YOU CANT SEE FROM THE GLARE FROM THE MELTING DASHBOARD YOU COULD HIT SOMEONE OR RUN OVER A CHILD
Electrical system, Mar 22, 2020
ORANGE KEY LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON AND CAR WILL NOT START UP.
Steering, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 22, 2020
MY CAR HAS A SLOW TAKE OFF AND IT TAKES A WHILE TO DRIVE PROPERLY LIKE IT HAS TO WARM UP . THE POWER STEERING LEAKS OUT AND I DON'T NO WHY.MY SENSORS FOR CHECK ENGINE IS ON AND I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET IT CHECKED AND IT'S A SENSOR AND JUST NEED A TUNE UP BUT THE TIRE SENSOR STAYS ON AFTER I PUT AIR IN THE TIRES IT SO MANY SMALL THINGS THAT CAN TURN INTO BIG ISSUES.
Visibility/wiper, Mar 9, 2020
DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE. GLARE MAKES IT HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING. WHAT SHOULD I DO?