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, Seat belts, Mar 5, 2020
SUPPLEMENTAL SAFETY AIRBAG SEATBELT THE LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING AND DOES NOT GO OFF THIS A SAFETY ISSUE I TOOK IT TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE A SEATBELT MALFUNCTIONING
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Feb 21, 2020
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE DASHBOARD BEGAN MELTING ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO HOWEVER RECENTLY IT STARTED TO MELT MORE AND BECOME STICKY TO THE TOUCH. EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE, THE GLARE THAT SHINES ONTO MY WINDSHIELD FROM THE DASHBOARD IS TERRIBLE, SO BAD THAT IT IS HARD TO SEE AT TIMES. IT HAS CAUSED ME TO HAVE TROUBLE IDENTIFYING THINGS WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE AND WILL CHARGE $2500 FOR A NEW DASHBOARD.
Latches/locks/linkages, Feb 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS INFORMED BY A SIBLING THAT THE DOOR ACTUATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FOR AN HOUR. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR MEDICAL EMERGENCY THAT THERE WAS A GRAVE RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH THE CONTACT STATED THAT A FAMILY MEMBER WAS CALLED AND WAS ABLE TO COME OUT, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AND THEN UNLOCK THE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. A CASE WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
Steering, Service brakes, Jan 14, 2020, crash
BRAKES LOCKED AND STEERING LOCKED CAUSING A REAR END ACCIDENT DRIVING ON A CITY HIGHWAY GOING TO WORK.
Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2020
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS STICKY. THERE IS A SUBSTANCE SEEPING OUT FROM THE SEAMS IN THE DASHBOARD THAT CAN NOT BE REMOVED. IT CREATES A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN DRIVING AND GETS WORSE IN THE HOT SUNNY WEATHER.
Structure, Visibility/wiper, Jan 6, 2020
DASHBOARD MELTING AND PRODUCES GLARE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN DRIVING IN SUNLIGHT.
Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2020
THE DASHBOARD IN MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2008 IS MELTING, CRACKING AND VERY STICKY WITH A BRIGHT SHINING GLARE THAT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE.
Structure, Service brakes, Engine, Dec 14, 2019, fire
WHILE DRIVING ON I95 THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WAS STEERED VERY DIFFICULTLY TO THE OFF RAMP AND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND I EXITED THE CAR AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO BE ENGULFED IN FLAMES BURNING THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR TO THE FRONT SEATS. FIRE RESCUE ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.1116
Other or unspecified, Dec 13, 2019
MY CAR HAS A STICKY,CLEAR SUBSTANCE ALL OVER IT FROM WHERE THE VENTS ARE TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT CAUSES A GLARE AND WHEN THE SUN IS OUT ESPECIALLY IT IS EXTREMELY HARD TO SEE. I HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING TO GET IT OFF AND NOTHING IS WORKING. I DIDN'T SPILL ANYTHING ON IT EITHER FOR IT TO BE THIS WAY. IT JUST STARTED HAPPENING.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 21, 2019
OUR 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD HAS MELTED LEAVING IT STICKY AND SHINY CAUSING DISTRACTING AND GLARING REFLECTIONS OFF THEIR WINDSHIELDS. I'LL TAKING IT TO DEALERSHIP TWICE ABOUT DASHBOARD BUT THEY STATED THEY WAS UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE DASHBOARD. THE SECOND TIME I TOLD THEM ABOUT THE MULTIPLE LAWSUITS I FOUND ON-LINE AND THEY DIRECTED MY TO NISSAN CONSUME DEPARTMENT. NISSAN TOLD ME THE UNIT WAS OUT WARRANTY AND WILL NOT ASSIST.
Seat belts, Nov 14, 2019, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. DURING THE IMPACT THE PASSENGER SEATBELT UNBUCKLED WITHOUT ANY INTERVENTION BY THE OCCUPANT
Other or unspecified, Nov 10, 2019
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND SPREADING TO THE WINDSHIELD IT IS CAUSING THE LIGHTS AND SUN TO GLARE OFF THE MELTING PLASTIC IMPAIRING EMU VIEW.
Structure, Nov 8, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND THE MATERIAL CREATED A GLARE FROM THE SUN. THE DASHBOARD WAS ALSO FRACTURED. THE CONTACT CALLED NISSAN VAN NUYS (LOCATED AT 5425 VAN NUYS BLVD, SHERMAN OAKS, CA 91401, 818-787-8400) AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,316. *LN *TR
Structure, Oct 30, 2019
MY DASHBOARD HAS MELTED. IT WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY, IN THE SUN, ON A COLD WINTERS DAY, WHILE THERE WAS SNOW ON THE GROUND, IN NEW JERSEY. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? ASIDE FROM HOW TERRIBLE IT LOOKS, IT'S A SAFETY CONCERN. THE SURFACE IS STICKY + GLOSSY, THE FUMES + ODOR ARE TOXIC & THE REAL DANGER IS THE BLINDING GLARE REFLECTING UP ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN IN THE DAYTIME. WE READ ABOUT THE RECALL IN FLORIDA ONLY, BUT LAST WE CHECKED, THE SUN SHINES ACROSS ALL 50 STATES.
Visibility/wiper, Oct 23, 2019
THE VISIBILITY IS DIFFICULT BECAUSE OF THE MELTED -STICKY DASHBOARD. THE GLARE BLINDS YOU WHEN THE SUN HITS YOU. THERE IS NO REASON THE DASHBOARD SHOULD JUST "MELT"
Visibility/wiper, Oct 16, 2019
VISIBILITY IS NOT CLEAR DUE TO THE "STICKY" DASH BEING REFLECTIVE ONTO THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN IT'S SUNNY OUTSIDE IT'S EVEN MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. WIPING THE DASH WITH CLEANER ONLY MAKES IT WORSE. WEARING SUNGLASSES DOES NOT HELP EITHER.
Structure, Oct 15, 2019
THE DASH OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS MELTED SO SEVERELY THAT IT'S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE IN THE DAYTIME. THE MATERIAL ONCE MELTED BECOMES EXTREMELY STICKY AND DANGEROUSLY REFLECTIVE. WHAT I MEAN BY REFLECTIVE, IS THAT WHEN THE SUN SHINES, IT REFLECTS SO MUCH LIGHT FROM THE DASH TO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD RIGHT INTO MY, THE DRIVER, EYES. THE REFLECTIONS ARE EXTREMELY AND DANGEROUSLY BLINDING WHICH MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE ROAD OR ANYTHING ELSE FOR THAT MATTER! NOT TO MENTION THE GLUE LIKE SURFACE THAT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE DASHBOARD TO TRY REDUCING THE DEADLY REFLECTIONS! THE MANUFACTURE'S DEFECTIVE PRODUCT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO THE DIRECT SAFETY OF MYSELF AND MY FAMILY AND EVERY OTHER MOTORIST, PEDESTRIANS, ANIMALS ETC.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Oct 13, 2019
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE STICKINESS FROM THE MELTED DASHBOARD CREATES A GLARE THAT CAN MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE AT TIMES. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Air bags, Visibility/wiper, Oct 12, 2019
PASSENGER AIRBAG SEAT SENSOR FREQUENTLY DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IF A PASSENGER IS IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOESN'T MATTER IF THE CAR IS MOVING OR NOT. WAS TOLD THIS WAS A RECALL AND THAT IT WAS REPAIRED ON MY VEHICLE, BUT IT CLEARLY HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTED TO THE POINT THAT WHEN IT'S BEING DRIVEN IT REFLECTS UP ONTO THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE.
Other or unspecified, Sep 27, 2019
THE DASHBOARD AREA ON THE CAR IS COMPLETELY BREAKING DOWN AND MELTING. THIS MELTING HAS CREATED A VERY DANGEROUS SHINE AND REFLECTION ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD (ALONG WITH AN ODOR). ITS BECOME SO BAD THEN ON MANY DAYS ITS DIFFICULT TO SEE THE CAR OR OBJECTS IN FRONT OF YOU OR YOU SIMPLY CANNOT SEE ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CLEARLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN WELL DOCUMENTED AND IN SOME STATES WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. IT NEEDS TO BE A NATIONAL RECALL! SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT AND THE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE THAT PROVES THIS IS A BLATANT PROBLEM. IT IS THE VEHICLE SAFETY AUTHORITIES RESPONSIBILITY TO FORCE A REMEDY FOR THIS ISSUE BEFORE AN INNOCENT INDIVIDUAL IS KILLED. NISSANUSA HAS REFUSED TO REMEDY OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS EXPENSIVE ISSUE WHEN CONTACTED. LIVES ARE AT RISK! THE CONSUMER IS BEING IGNORED. MY CAR IS PREDOMINATE GARAGE KEPT WITH UNDER 100K ON IT, THIS SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY. CLEARLY BUSINESS INTERESTS ARE MORE IMPORTANT THEN CONSUMER SAFETY.
Other or unspecified, Sep 25, 2019
MY DASH BOARD IS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES AND IS VERY SOFT AND STICKY ALL AROUND. MY FINGERNAILS GOUGE THE DASH MATERIAL VERY EASILY WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT. THE STICKINESS OF MY HANDS NEGATIVELY AFFECTS MY GRIP AND RELEASE OF THE STEERING WHEEL.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 19, 2019
DASH BOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING. RESIDUE CLOUDS THE WINDSHIELD. GLARE MAKES IT HARD TO SEE. THIS IS HAPPENING AT ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 16, 2019
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD AND MY CAR DIED I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP BUT IT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING I CAN'T TURN ON ANY LIGHTS UNLOCK OR LOCK THE CAR NOTHING. SHOWS A LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE THE KEY FOB AND LOOKED IT UP AND IT SAYS THAT SOMETHING UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN CAN CAUSE THE ISSUES AND HAS A RECALL
Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2019
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, AND FORTUNATELY SUN SHADE CLOSED SO GLASS DID NOT FALL IN ON ME. READING MANY OTHERS WITH NISSAN CARS DEALIGN WITH THIS. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, SO NOT DEBRIS HITTING COULD HAVE CAUSED.
Other or unspecified, Aug 14, 2019
BOUGHT MY ALTIMA FROM A NISSAN DEALER AND IT WAS NEARLY NEW, AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. WELL ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO I NOTICED THE PAINT FADING AND NOW IT'S FADED ALL OVER DUE TO CLEAR COAT PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL. HOWEVER, THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT THE DASH IS MELTING! LITERALLY! SO WHEN I'M DRIVING THE GLARE CAUSED BY THE DASH ONTO MY WINDSHIELD IS LITERALLY BLINDING! THE DASH HAS MELTED ALL THE WAY ACROSS! THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS MY PHOTOS CLEARLY SHOW. I NEARLY RAN INTO A LADY WALKING ON THE CROSSWALK BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE HER!!! PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN SUED OVER IT BUT DID NOTHING. I HAVE TALKED TO THEM BUT NOTHING! THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AS I LIVE IN NASHVILLE, THEIR HEADQUARTERS HOME, AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP ME!!!