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.
Air bags, Jan 25, 2008
THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TURNS ITSELF OFF SPORADICALLY WHEN I (160 LBS) OR MY HUSBAND (190 LBS) SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT NISSAN STATED THAT MY AIRBAG SENSOR WAS OPERATING AS PER SPECIFICATION. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE SWITCH TO FORCE THE AIRBAG TO INFLATE DURING A CRASH. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY TURN ITSELF OFF WHEN SMALL ADULTS ARE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT OFFERS NO SOLUTION FOR THIS SITUATION. DOES THIS MEAN THAT NISSAN IS WILLFULLY DEPRIVING SMALL ADULTS (AND, IN OUR CASE, NOT SO SMALL ADULTS) OF THEIR AIRBAG PROTECTION? THIS IS A FATAL DESIGN FLAW. THERE MUST BE A RECALL TO INSTALL A MANUAL OVERRIDE SWITCH FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG. THE CAR'S COMPUTER MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DECIDE WHO GETS AN AIRBAG AND WHO DOESN'T. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 31, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY MAKES A NOISE WHILE PARKED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT THE BATTERY UNTIL THE PART ARRIVES IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE NAME OF THE PART THAT NEEDS REPLACING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT DRIVE ABOVE 40 MPH . UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR
Tires, Dec 27, 2007
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES (TIRE SIZE 235/55R17 99 H). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD VIBRATING SOUND THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BRIEFLY. UPON INSPECTION, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 324 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80. UPDATED 01/29/08. *LJ
Air bags, Nov 5, 2007
PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN ALTMA SEPT 17,2007. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO OFF WHILE A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND RIDING IN THE AUTO. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE. WHEN MY WIFE IS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, HER LIFE IS IN DANGER. *TR