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.
Power train, Aug 12, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LOST POWER, AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED NISSAN SOUTH AT 678-619-3104 (LOCATED AT 6889 JONESBORO RD, MORROW, GA 30260) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY; THEREFORE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.
Seats, Other or unspecified, Aug 7, 2019
THE DASH IS MELTING AND CAUSES A VERY BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHETHER DRIVING OR PARKED GOING INTO THE SUN.IT IS SO BAD YOU CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU.THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE.
Air bags, Jul 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS BLINKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NISSAN OF YUBA CITY (1340 BRIDGE ST, YUBA CITY, CA 95993, (530) 923-4548) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED AND THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 36535317 AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,194.
Power train, Jul 29, 2019
"TAKATA RECALL
Air bags, Jul 23, 2019, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO EXIT A DRIVEWAY, SHE BECAME DISTRACTED AND HIT AN OAK TREE AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SEVERAL BODILY AND HEAD INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 22, 2019
THE DASHBOARD OF MY VEHICLE IS MELTING AND CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE ESPECIALLY IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN MY VEHICLE FOR YEARS. THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN A LAWSUIT THAT WAS SETTLED IN FLORIDA WHERE I PREVIOUSLY LIVED BUT NOTHING WAS SENT OUT TO INFORM DRIVERS OF THIS. THE TIME FRAME FOR THAT SETTLEMENT HAS NOW PASSED AND I HAVE MOVED TO ANOTHER STATE.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jul 16, 2019
MELTING NISSAN DASHBOARD , DUE TO THIS ISSUE UNABLE TO SEE WHILE DRIVING UNDER SUN , LOT OF GLARE IS COMING AND IMAGE REFLECTION ON SCREEN.
Other or unspecified, Jul 13, 2019
THE FRONT DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND VERY STICKY TO THE TOUCH. A GLARE RESULTS ON THE WINDSHIELD DURING SUNNY DAYS, WHICH IS AN EXTREME HAZARD. I CAN'T SEE LARGE PORTIONS OF WHAT'S IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO THE GLARE. THIS ISSUE IS WELL DOCUMENTED ON THE WEB AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN.
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 9, 2019
MY CAR IS MAKING A BANGING NOISE WHEN ITS STARTED. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. OTHER ALTIMA VIN#S HAVE BEEN RECALLED, WHY HASNT MINE?
Structure, Jun 27, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND CREATED A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VISIBILITY WAS AFFECTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 24, 2019
DASHBOARD IS MELTING, PRODUCING A BLINDING GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD.
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2019
MELTING DASHBOARD. SHINY AND STICKY. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AS IT REFLECTS AND CAN DRASTICALLY INCREASE CHANCES OF AN ACCIDENT.
Structure, Jun 18, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED AND THERE WAS A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT OBSTRUCTED THE DRIVER'S VIEW. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED AUTONATION NISSAN LEWISVILLE (1601 S STEMMONS FWY, LEWISVILLE, TX, (972) 763-5527) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Air bags, Jun 18, 2019
ONE DAY DRIVING ON A NORMAL DAY ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN MY AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED TO BLINK REPEATEDLY, IT HASNT STOPPED SINCE. CAR HAS A CLEAN TITLE AND AIR BAGS WERE NEVER DEPLOYED.
Air bags, Jun 12, 2019
ON SATURDAY MORNING ON THE 8TH OF JUNE 2019, I WENT TO START MY CAR. AFTER I DID SO BOTH OF MY AIRBAG LIGHTS STAYED ON. EVEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL THE CAR IS TURNED OFF. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP OF SOUTH STRAND NISSAN IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC ON JUNE 10, 2019 AND THEY SAID THERE COULD BE MULTIPLE REASONS FOR THE ISSUES, THAT I NEEDED TO GO AND HAVE THE CAR LOOKED AT. I DO NOT REMEMBER THE AGENTS NAKLME, AND I DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO HAVE THEM FIX A PROBLEM THAT I HONESTLY BELIEVE SHOULD NEVER BE AN ISSUE IF TH3Y AND THE NHTSA DID THEIR JOB RIGHT WITH QUALITY/SAFETY CONTROL.
Other or unspecified, Jun 8, 2019
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY SUNROOF JUST SEEMED TO HAVE EXPLODED. WE JUST HEAD A LOUD POP AND SHATTERED GLASS. WE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING HIT IT AND THERE'S NO ROCKS OR ANYTHING YO BE FOUND
Visibility/wiper, May 20, 2019
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING THAT CAUSES THE SURFACE TO BE EXTREMELY SHINNY WHICH IN RETURN WHEN THE SUNLIGHT GLARES THROUGH IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. I DO KNOW THAT FLORIDA OWNERS WON A CASE AGAINST NISSAN TO HAVE THERE DASHBOARD REPLACED THAT COST THEM $250.00. BUT THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA STATES THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS IS ONLY 7 YEARS. I TALKED WITH AN ATTORNEY ABOUT TAKING ON A CASE AGAINST NISSAN TO HAVE OURS REPLACED, BUT NO TAKER BECAUSE OF THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS. ALSO, I NOTICED THAT TEXAS HAS A PENDING SUIT AGAINST NISSAN FOR THE RESIDENTS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINTS. I HAVE 2 PICTURES ATTACHED FOR YOUR REVIEW. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE AND I HOPE I HAVE AN ANSWER WITHIN 30 DAYS. THANK YOU.
Air bags, Apr 1, 2019
WITH AN ADULT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT OCCASIONALLY ILLUMINATES. IF THE PASSENGER LIFTS ALL THEIR WEIGHT OFF THE SEAT CUSHION THE LIGHT GOES OUT.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 6, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ROGUE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND SLOWED DOWN ABRUPTLY WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BEEPING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUDSON NISSAN CHARLESTON (1714 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407, (843) 571-2810) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
Air bags, Jan 31, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOWN NORTH NISSAN (9160A RESEARCH BLVD, AUSTIN, TX 78758, (512) 451-7411) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
Power train, Jan 17, 2019
THIS CAR IS DRIVEN ABOUT 5000 MILES PER YEAR. AT 5 YEARS/25000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY WHILE IN MOTION FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE ROAD. THAT TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. AT 10 YEARS/50000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED AGAIN, AGAIN WHILE IN MOTION, LEAVING ME ONCE MORE STRANDED ON THE ROAD. THAT TRANSMISSION ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT IS NOW 12 YEARS/60000 MILES AND TODAY THIS TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO SLIP AND MAKE A WHIRRING NOISE. (THIS IS THE DATE I HAVE USED BELOW)
Visibility/wiper, Jan 14, 2019
I HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT ANYBODY THAT GOT A CRACK IN THEIR WINDSHIELD ON I10 IS TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THAT PART OF THE HIGHWAY IS RIDICULOUS, I HAVE CRACKS. IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS RAINING STONES ON I10.
Air bags, Jan 2, 2019
DIAGNOSTIC SCAN WAS RAN AND SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT SYSTEM CAME BACK WITH 4 CODES STATING: OCCUPANT SENSOR UNIT FAIL X2 CRASH ZONE SENSOR UNIT FAIL AND COMM FAIL
Other or unspecified, Dec 23, 2018
I BOUGHT A USED 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, IT DRIVE FINE FOR THE TEST DRIVE I STARTED DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TO BRING IT HOME IT STARTED JERKING REAL BAD AND THEN WHEN I GOT TO 40 MPH THE RPMS STARTED DROPPING SO I COULDN'T GO FASTER THEN 20MPH SO I TOOK IT TO A SHOP IT SAID THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON IT , I STARTED DOING SEARCHES IN IT SAID THAT FOR THOSE MAKE IN MODELS OF CARS IT SAID THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE BAD IN TO HAVE A RECALL DONE
Electronic stability control (ESC), Dec 6, 2018
INTELLIGENT KEY WARNING LIGHT IS ON WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT WON'T START OR DO ANYTHING, THAT IS A SHAME Y'ALL DON'T HAVE NO TYPE OF RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF 2007-2012 HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE AND Y'ALL ARE NOT DOING GOOD ANYTHING. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL TO MANY VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THANKS