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, Jun 3, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V521000 AND IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL BECAUSE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAG MAY NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS REFERRED BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 21,000. UPDATED 06/27/09 *BF UPDATED 06/23/09.*JB
Seats, May 27, 2009
DRIVERS SEAT MOVES SIDE TO SIDE, TYPICALLY WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. NISSAN SAYS THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS, HOWEVER, THE FIX HAS YET TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS IS VERY ALARMING WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE NOT EXPECTING YOUR SEAT TO SHIFT. NOW THE SEAT MOVES FORWARD/BACKWARD WHEN ACCELERATING ALONG WITH THE SIDE TO SIDE MOVEMENTS. NISSAN HAS HAD THE CAR AT LEAST 3 TIMES TRYING TO CORRECT ISSUE AND NOW SAYS IT MUST BE THE WAY NISSAN DESIGNS THEIR SEATS. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE CARS IN MY LIFE AND THIS IS THE FIRST CAR SEAT THAT HAS MOVED. I DO NOT SEE HOW THE SEAT CAN BE SAFE IF IT MOVES WHILE DRIVING. I'M WORRIED THAT IF I HAVE TO BRAKE SUDDENLY OR AM IN AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT WILL COME OFF TRACK. *TR
Air bags, May 22, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAS BEEN FAILING EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. SHE NOTICED THAT WHEN A PASSENGER IS SEATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THE AIR BAG WILL DISPLAY OFF WHEN IT SHOULD DISPLAY ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY RESET THE AIR BAG MODULE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK BY MAY 26, 2009. SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL REGARDING THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,106.
Air bags, May 20, 2009
THE OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE INDICATOR SAYING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF IS LIT WHEN THERE IS A FULL SIZE 150 LB PERSON IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THERE IS A RECALL OUT RIGHT NOW FOR 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPES BUT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ONE OF THOSE BEING RECALLED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP 4+ TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT EVERYTHING IS WORKING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. I HAVE TALKED TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THIS UPSETS ME GREATLY BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A PASSENGER AIRBAG FOR FULL SIZE PASSENGERS. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG, I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD SEND A VIDEO OF MY DRIVING WITH A FULL SIZE PASSENGER AND HAVING THE AIRBAG DISABLED. THERE IS NO WAY TO OVER-RIDE THIS FUNCTION. SO I AM STUCK WITH EITHER HAVING A ONE PERSON CAR OR TELLING MY PASSENGER THAT IF WE GET IN A WRECK THAT HIS AIRBAG WONT DEPLOY. THEY CONTINUE TO TELL ME MY CAR IS UNDER THE CORRECT SPECIFICATIONS BUT I HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS DOUBLE WHAT THE SENSOR WEIGHT NEEDS TO BE IN ORDER FOR THE AIRBAG TO BE ENABLED. I AM STUCK WITH A ONE PERSON CAR, BECAUSE I REFUSE TO DRIVE ANYONE KNOWING THAT IF I DO GET IN AN ACCIDENT THEY WILL DIE. I JUST WANT THE PROBLEM FIXED. BOTH NISSAN AND THE SERVICE SHOPS BELIEVE MY STORY FULLY BUT THEY CONTINUE TO SAY THAT UNTIL THEY CAN FIND THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM THAT IT CANNOT BE FIXED. SO AGAIN, I AM STUCK. THEY RAN ALL OF THEIR TESTS AND THEY CAME BACK "OK". I TOLD THEM THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR NISSAN TO BUY BACK MY CAR BUT THEY OF COURSE REFUSED. I CANT DRIVE A CAR WITH NO PASSENGER AIRBAG AND YET THEY KEEP TELLING ME THAT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING I CAN DO! I AM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED AND UPSET BECAUSE I HAVE FOUND THE PROBLEM BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAD OCCURRED BUT YET I CANNOT FIX IT. PLEASE HELP ME. I HAVE RUN OUT OF OPTIONS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 18, 2009
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD SQUEAKY BRAKES FOR MONTHS BEFORE DEALERSHIP WOULD ADMIT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. FIRST TIME I TOOK CAR IN ABOUT BRAKES WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES SOMETIMES MAKE A NOISE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SECOND TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES AND BOTH CALIPERS ON FRONT.EVERYTHING WAS FIXED ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE BULLETIN. I'VE NOTICED THAT MY TRANSMISSION MAKES A WHINNY NOISE WHEN DRIVING UP GRADES. TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE REPORTED PROBLEM. GO FIGURE.. I WISH SOMEONE WOULD DO US ALL A FAVOR AND RECALL THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE! WE ALL HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF BY NISSAN! CAR HAS HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE! REGRET BUYING IT!! *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Apr 26, 2009, fire
WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WOULD FILL THE INSIDE OF CAR ALSO HAD SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE INSIDE CAR TOOK IT TO PAUL BARNETT NISSAN IN BROOKHAVEN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM CAR WAS SLUGGISH WHILE DRIVING AND THE RADIO WENT OUT TWICE . THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD BECOME VERY BRIGHT AND DIM WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Tires, Apr 21, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT ALL SEASON RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 215/60/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SNOW COVERED AND SLUSHY. THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE INCLINE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND PROCEEDED FORWARD TO THE TOP OF THE INCLINE AS THE TIRES SLID. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT SUITABLE FOR THIS GEOGRAPHIC AREA. ALL FOUR ORIGINAL TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 05/08/09. *LJ
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 21, 2009
I HAVE JUST PURCHASED A USED 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN. THE BRAKES ARE VERY SQUEAKY. THE BRAKES SQUEAK WHEN YOU PRESS ON THEM LIGHTLY GOING AROUND 10 MPH OR LESS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Seats, Apr 6, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY. AS A RESULT, A PIECE OF METAL BECAME LODGED IN THE FUEL TANK AND WAS HANGING DOWN. THE FAILURE CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE FUEL TANK. THE DEALER STATED THAT WHATEVER HE STRUCK CAUSED GASOLINE TO LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCATION AND LACK OF PROTECTION OF THE FUEL TANK A SAFETY ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15000. UPDATED 04-28-09 CW THE DRIVERS SIDE TRACK SEAT WAS SLOW AT MOVING. UPDATED 04/30/09.*JB
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Tires, Wheels, Apr 2, 2009
VEHICLE RIDES UNSTABLE. SHARP TURNS CAUSES CAR TO BECOME UNSTABLE, LOSES CONTROLS OF TURN. TIRES OR RIMS UNBALANCED. HAVE VEHICLE SEEM MANY TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. NEITHER REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CONFIRM PROBLEM. TOLD BY AMERICAN TIRES SALE ASSOCIATE, NISSAN WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEMS. THEY REBALANCED THE TIRES, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ADVISE RIGHT FRONT TIRE PROBLEM, BUT THEY WOULD NOT GIVE A WRITE UP ON THE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD TOO MANY RECALLS. HANLEES RICHMOND HILLTOP NISSAN SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE MANY RECALLS, PRIOR TO SELLING THIS VEHICLE. MARCH 26, 2009 HAD CAR IN FOR SERVICING, DRIVER SEAT BROKEN, BRAKE HARDWARE DAMAGED - BRAKES REPLACED. MILEAGE AT TIME OF SERVICING 12,800. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE. I SPOKE WITH THE FINANCE ASSOCIATE ABOUT REPLACING THE CAR, BUT HE REFUSED.. I HAVE NOTED FROM SERVICING ORDER ON MARCH 26, 2009 - HEAT SHIELD PROBLEM - HIGH RPM ON INITIAL STARTUP. ANTIOCH SERVICE ADVISOR DID NOT ADDRESS THIS MATTER, BECAUSE NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A CORRECTION ORDER ON THIS AS OF TODAY. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR THAT HAS MANY PROBLEMS FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE! I HAVE TRIED SO MANY TIMES TO GET HELP FROM THE SERVICE CENTER AS WELL AS NISSAN CONSUMER SERVICES. NOT HELP!!! *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 31, 2009
I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WITH 30K MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING NONSTOP. I TOOK THE PAD OFF ON ALL 4 SIDES AND THERE IS PLENTY OF PAD LEFT. I SANDED THE SYFACE OF THE PAD, CLEANED THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY AND STILL THEY SQUEAK NON STOP. THE ONLY TIME THEY WILL NOT SQUEAK IS IF I BRAKE SUPER HARD. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 24, 2009
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. TO TURN THE CAR ON/OFF IT UTILIZES A PUSH BUTTON RATHER THAN AN ACTUAL KEY. THE OTHER MORNING I DROVE TO WORK AND PARKED IN THE PUBLIC GARAGE @ 8:00 AM. I MUST HAVE FORGOTTEN TO PUSH THE OFF BUTTON BECAUSE WHEN I RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE THAT EVENING 4:30 PM IT WAS RUNNING AND HAD BURNED 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS. BESIDES FEELING REAL STUPID, I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW DANGEROUS THIS COULD HAVE BEEN. BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING THE DOORS DID NOT LOCK, THEREFORE THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND UNLOCKED ALL DAY. THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE BEEN RANSACKED, STOLEN OR WORSE, IF THIS HAD TAKEN PLACE IN SOMEONE'S HOME GARAGE, OR DRIVEWAY OR ON A STREET, A CHILD COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO THE VEHICLE, ENGAGED IT IN DRIVE AND CAUSED DAMAGE OR INJURY TO SOMEONE OR PERSONAL PROPERTY. VEHICLES WITH THIS "SMART KEY" TECHNOLOGY SHOULD HAVE A BUILT IN SAFETY/ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM THAT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AFTER 15 MINUTES OF IDLE. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE RUN 8-1/2 HOURS. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment, Feb 1, 2009
BOTH BACK PASSENGER DOORS ON THE 2008 ALTIMA SOMETIMES DO NOT CLOSE. AFTER OPENING THE DOORS, AND THEN TRYING TO SHUT THE DOORS THEY DO NOT LATCH SHUT AND BOUNCE BACK TO THE OPEN POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TEN TIMES AND THE DOOR LATCHES HAVE BEEN REPLACED. WITHIN THE WEEK OF THE PROBLEM BEING "FIXED" IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IT IS ONLY THE TWO BACK DOORS NOT THE FRONT ONES. *TR
Air bags, Jan 25, 2009
WHEN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT GOES ON, EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER IS SITTING UPRIGHT IN THE SEAT WITH LEGS EXTENDED IN FRONT OF THEM AS THEY SHOULD BE. PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED BY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH 2009 MODEL SEAT. THIS IS THE THIRD SEAT REPLACEMENT. *TR
Air bags, Jan 25, 2009
WHEN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT GOES ON, EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER IS SITTING UPRIGHT IN THE SEAT WITH LEGS EXTENDED IN FRONT OF THEM AS THEY SHOULD BE. PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED BY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SECOND TIME. *TR
Air bags, Jan 25, 2009
WHEN ADULT PASSENGER IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT INTERMITTENTLY THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT GOES ON, EVEN THOUGH THE PASSENGER IS SITTING UPRIGHT IN THE SEAT WITH LEGS EXTENDED IN FRONT OF THEM AS THEY SHOULD BE. PASSENGER SEAT REPLACED BY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *TR
Seats, Jan 15, 2009
DRIVERS SEAT CUSHION MOVES SIDE TO SIDE WHEN MAKING TURNS. STARTED AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES AND GETS WORSE WITH TIME. TAKEN CAR TO DEALER THREE TIMES, FIRST TIME SUPPOSEDLY WAS FIXED AND THE NEXT TWO TIMES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED BY TECH AND NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. APPEARS SEAT COULD BRAKE DURING ACCIDENT. THE SEAT CAN BE MOVED BY SHIFTING BODY WEIGHT. DOESN'T FEEL LIKE SEAT FRAME IS LOOSE FROM THE FLOORBOARD BUT JUST THE CUSHION IS NOT SECURE TO THE SEAT FRAME. I HAVE SEEN THIS COMPLAINT MANY TIMES ON FORUMS AND FROM OTHER OWNERS I KNOW. *TR
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2009
TO MANY RECALLS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Seats, Dec 31, 2008
DRIVERS SEAT SQUIRMS MOVES AND IS NOT RIGID. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN NOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. EVERY TIME I TURN THE SEAT MAKES NOISE AND SOUNDS SQUIRMS LIKE ITS NOT PROPERLY SECURE. THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ALSO COMES ON WHEN A FULLY GROWN ADULT IS SITTING IN IT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY ON AN AVERAGE OF 4-5 TIMES MONTHLY. WHEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED NOT PROTECTING THE INDIVIDUAL. THERE IS ALSO AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES WHEN PRESSED SOMETIMES THE BRAKES IN THE FRONT DO NOT GRAB PROPERLY AND THEY GRIND BADLY CAUSING THE CAR NOT TO STOP AS WELL . THE DEALERSHIP SAYS CAN NOT REPLICATE BUT STATED THEY ARE AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS AND THAT NISSAN MAY ISSUE A RECALL. FOR THE TIME BEING THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
Air bags, Dec 31, 2008
PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND AN ADULT PASSENGER (150 + POUNDS) IS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY AND SOMETIMES CORRECTS ITSELF AND SOMETIMES NOT. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE PASSENGER IS NOT PROTECTED AND THEREFORE SUBJECT TO SERIOUS INJURY IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME I AM TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS WORKING PROPERLY. I EVEN TOOK IT BACK WITH MY WIFE SITTING IN THE FRONT SEAT AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON SO THEY COULD SEE FOR THEMSELVES THE PROBLEM. IT DID NOT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE TO THEM. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN DECEMBER 2007 AND CONTINUES TODAY. BECAUSE THE PROBLEM OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY YOU NEVER KNOW IF YOUR FRONT PASSENGER WILL HAVE AIRBAG PROTECTION WHEN RIDING IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 17, 2008
I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JULY 2008 FROM POWER NISSAN OF TEMPE, AZ ABOUT A MONTH OR SO LATER I NOTICED WHEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR MORE THAN 5 MILES AROUND TOWN. I WOULD SMELL AN OVERHEATING ODOR AND MY CAR WOULD START DRIVING VERY SLUGGISH. CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE. MY TEMPERATURE GAGE ON THE DASH HAS NEVER INDICATED THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. I LEFT MY CAR OVERNIGHT WITH THEM AND PICKED IT UP THE NEXT DAY WITH THEM TELLING ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A LEAK ANYWHERE. SO I TOOK THE CAR HOME. NO SOONER THAN THAT I STARTED TO SMELL THE AGAIN. SO I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE OVERFLOW CAP. THERE ARE REMAINDERS OF ANTIFREEZE STILL ON THE OVEFLOW CONTAINER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL THE NISSANS ARE DOING THAT AND IT WAS NORMAL. AS LONG AS THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WASN'T READING HOT. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NORMAL AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS DEFECT ASAP! IM GETTING NOWHERE WITH NISSAN. *TR
Air bags, Dec 15, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. IN OCTOBER OF 2008, THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE IN NOVEMBER OF 2008. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. A REPORT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CONTACT TO DRIVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 22, 2008
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 7,000 MILES FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE TOO HARD. THEY CUT INTO THE BRAKE ROTORS AND CAUSE CAR TO STOP POORLY. THEY ALSO SCREECH. WHEN STOPPING. AT 7,500 SERVICE SHOP TURNED THE ROTORS BUT DID NOT REPLACE THE PADS, SO THE HARD PADS WILL CONTINUE TO CUT INTO ROTORS AND MAKE STOPPING DIFFICULT. MY 20005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS AND FORD RECALLED AND REPLACED PADS WITH SOFTER ONES AND CURED THE PROBLEMS. NUMEROUS OWNERS OF 2007 AND 2008 NISSAN ALTIMAS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Electrical system, Nov 20, 2008, fire
THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED ALL NIGHT AND AT 330 A.M. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT HAD NEVER BEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE. THEY SAID THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR
Air bags, Nov 13, 2008
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN JULY 2008. I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT TURNING ON AND OFF WHILE I HAVE A PASSENGER WHO WEIGHS 125LBS. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS ON, THIS MEANS THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT NOR FIX IT. I'VE CALLED THE NISSAN CONSUMER HOTLINE NUMBER MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES AND JUST SEEM TO GET THE RUN AROUND. I'M TOLD MY FILE WAS "ASSIGNED" TO SOMEONE, BUT THIS "SOMEONE" CAN'T SEEM TO RETURN CALLS NOR ANSWER MY CALLS. I'M ASTOUNDED THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH MY AIRBAG IS NOT ELEVATED TO A PRIORITY STATUS AS THERE WILL BE A VERY LARGE LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN IF MY PASSENGER IS INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAG SENSOR. PLEASE HELP. I FEEL TOTALLY HELPLESS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR