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.
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2018
THE DASHBOARD IN MY CAR IS SLOWLY BREAKING DOWN. THE COMPOSITION OF THE MATERIALS HAS DEGRADED, OVER TIME, SO BAD THAT IT HAS LOST ITS SURFACE TEXTURE IN AREAS AND IS NOW SMOOTH AND HIGHLY SHINY/REFLECTIVE. THE SUN IS NOW REFLECTED ON TO MY WINDOW SHIELD AND I AM COMPLETELY BLINDED AND UNABLE TO SEE THE ROAD, PEDESTRIANS AND CARS IN FRONT OF ME.
Structure, Nov 13, 2018
LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN COHEN ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENT REQUESTING A RECALL ON HER 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA FOR SAFETY RELATED DEFECTS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DASHBOARD MELTED AND BECAME STICKY. THE DEFECT IMPAIRS THE DRIVERS VISION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED THE EMPLOYEE DISCOUNT TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NEW VEHICLE. *JS
Other or unspecified, Nov 9, 2018
DASHBOARD IS MELTING DUE TO HEAT AND SUN IN TEXAS. MELTING GLUE IS CREATING A SEVERE GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS AS IT'S HARD TO SEE HOW THE WINDSHIELD. VISIBILITY IS EXTREMELY LIMITED. DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND CANNOT BE CLEANED OR WIPED OFF.
Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2018
FOUND DASHBOARD MELTING AND CRACKING AROUND FLAT SURFACE AREAS AND A/C VENTS. EXTREME GLARE WHEN DRIVING!
Air bags, Oct 23, 2018
TAKATA RECALL MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS BEEN BLINKING SINCE 2014. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED NISSAN AT THE TIME AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD PAY 40% OF THE REPAIR. I TOLD THEM I WILL NOT PAY FOR AN AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ESPECIALLY WINCE THE TAKATA RECALL WAS SO PREVALENT. THE DEALERSHIP STATED IT WOULD COST OVER $800.00 TO REPAIR THE AIRBAG (INFORMATION I CAN SEND YOU, IF NECESSARY). I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO AND WAS ALMOST IN 'T-BONED' BY ANOTHER DRIVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHO RAN A STOP LIGHT. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND YOUR DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO ISSUE THE RECALL. SO I NOW AM ASKING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE, SO I CAN FINALLY HAVE A DEFECTIVE AIRBAG REPLACED. I DO REALIZE I AM NOT ON ANY RECALL LIST BUT I CAN SHOW DOCUMENTATION THAT THE AIRBAG HAS NOT FUNCTIONED IN OVER FOUR YEARS. I WILL GLADLY HELP IN ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY NEED. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED...
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 19, 2018
NY EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS HAVING TROUBLE I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE'S BEEN A RECALL BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING RECENT. MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ISN'T READING CORRECTLY EITHER AND I'M SCARED I'M GOING TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD THERE'S A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM IT ACCORDING TO THE SHOP THAT CHECKED MY CAR. I'VE KEPT UP WITH ALL MAINTAINCE I AM UNSURE WHAT IS HAPPENING.
Air bags, Seats, Oct 17, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY NISSAN OF ATLANTA (LOCATED AT 2551 THE NALLEY WAY, ATLANTA, GA 30360, (678) 825-6749) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.
Steering, Oct 7, 2018
POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE LEAKING FLUID I KEEP FILLING FLUID USING MY CAR DAILY FOR MY WORK
Air bags, Oct 5, 2018
TAKATA RECALL. CAR AIRBAG CENSOR NOT WORKING. ALWAYS KEEP BLINKING. GONE TO CORAL SPRINGS NISSAN DEALER. AS PER THEM WHOLE SEAT CUISINE ON PASSENGER SITE NEED REPLACEMENT. THEY HAVE 2 OPINION. AS PER MR. BRANDON ONLY PASSENGER SITE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK. AS PER SHIA BOTH OF AIRBAG NOT GOING TO WORK. IT IS DANGERS AND COST FOR THAT IS AROUND $ 2100.00. I KEEP ON CHANGING TYRE PRESSURE CENSOR MANY TIME. BUT THIS IS REDICULOUS THAT SUCH A SAFETY REQUIREMENTS DOESN'T HAVE WARRANTY. MY CAR HAS ONLY 66000 MILE. MY DESK BOARD LEATHER IS ALSO CRACKING. MEANS EITHER END UP SPENDING MORE THEN $ 3500 TO KEEP RUNNING BECAUSE OF SAFETY REASON. OTHERWISE MY CAR IS FINE AND FIT. I HEARDLY USE 500 MILES A MONTH. CAN YOU DO SOMETHING.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 3, 2018
I CAN DRIVE THE CAR FOR SEVERAL HOURS THEN AFTER SEVERAL HOURS THE CAR SHUTS DOWN SLOWS DOWN AND THEN CUTS COMPLETELY OFF TRIES TO RESTART THE CAR IT COMPLETELY DIES HAVE TO GET A JUMP START. COULDN'T GET A READING ON THE CAR NO CODES WOULD SHOW UP IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL JUST SHUT OFF ON ME AND MY DAUGHTER.
Power train, Sep 24, 2018
I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WELL. THE CAR JUST STOPPED AND COULD'T MOVE. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA!
Visibility/wiper, Sep 21, 2018
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND THE DASH IS MELTING AND STICKY. IT IS BLACK AND THE GLARE FROM THIS DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE SAFELY.
Power train, Aug 30, 2018
I HAVE PUT 2 DIFFERENT CVT TRANNYS IN MY 08 ALTIMA COUPE AND BOTH HAVE FAILED AND STUCK HAVING TO DO A 3RD I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AT 80 WHEN IT WENT INTO FAIL SAFE WITH NO WHERE TO PULL OFF WAS STRANDED FOR A SECOND TIME
Other or unspecified, Aug 30, 2018
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING
Structure, Aug 29, 2018
TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FREEHOLD NISSAN (4041 U.S. 9 N, FREEHOLD, NJ 07728, (732) 984-9080) WHERE THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 81,000. *BF *AS
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2018
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL DASHBOARD MELTING AND CRACKING, NOT SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE SUNLIGHT BECAUSE IT WILL SHINE ON WINDSHIELD.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Aug 16, 2018
I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY ONE EVENING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN. I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR SEEMS TO GO EVEN SLOWER. IT WAS MYSELF AND MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY WAS 70 MPH AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPH. I PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION AND A NICE MAN LOOKED AT THE CAR AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SO GET BACK ON THE WAY TO GO BACK BECAUSE I DIDN'T TRUST THE CAR TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION. IT DID THE AME THING AGAIN. SO I DROVE WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON ALL THE WAY HOME AND PARKED IT. NOW IT DRIVES FINE RIGHT IN THE SMALL TOWN I LIVE IN BUT I CANT DRIVE IT OUT OF TOWN AT ALL, WHICH REALLY DEFEATS THE PURPOSE.
Power train, Aug 6, 2018
2008 ALTIMA COUPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH VEHICLES CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT). *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WOULD INTO LIMP MODE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *JS
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2018
DASH BOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKING NOW FALLING APART
Power train, Engine, Jul 26, 2018
AT 120000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THIS 2.5 L ENGINE. WE PAID $3,000 TO HAVE THAT REPAIRED 10 MONTHS AGO. NOW THE CAR IS USING ABOUT 1 GALLON OF OIL EVERY 3 WEEKS AND WE FOUND THAT CYLINDER 3 HAS PISTON RINGS THAT ARE SHOT. OUR DEALERSHIP CONFIRMS THAT THIS ENGINE IS KNOWN FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I NOTICED THAT THE 2006 MODEL ALTIMA WITH A 2.5 L ENGINE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ISSUED BECAUSE THE CAR USES EXCESSIVE OIL AND AN ENGINE FIRE MAY RESULT. OUR NEWER MODEL WITH THE SAME ENGINE NEARLY RUNS OUT OF OIL EVERY MONTH AND IS VERY HOT. DO WE HAVE ANY RECOURSE WITH NISSAN? ANYONE ELSE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS?
Power train, Jul 26, 2018
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE TURNED OFF. *JS
Power train, Jul 18, 2018
CVT PROBLEM - WHIRRING NOISE
Air bags, Jul 5, 2018
A SERVICE LIGHT APPEARED ON DASHBOARD FAILING MY STATE INSPECTION. I DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS AN ISSUE UNTIL A DIAGNOSTIC WAS DONE. THE SAME ISSUES WERE REPORTED ON MY CAR THAT ARE THE SAME AS THOUSANDS OF OTHER NISSAN ALTIMAS 2008 THAT WERE RECALLED. HOWEVER NISSAN STATED MY CAR WAS NOT UNDER RECALL EVEN THOUGH I REPORTED THE SAME ISSUES THAT ARE UNDER RECALL. THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME OR GIVE ME ANY OPTIONS. THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY COSTS. THE ISSUES REPORTED UNDER DIAGNOSTIC WAS OCCUPANT SENSOR ( PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION) CODE B 1018.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Jun 28, 2018
DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING
Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2018
MY DASHBOARD IS IS FALLING APART THE GLARE ON IT IS HIGH ..I DID SOME RESEARCH AND IN FLORIDA NISSAN LOST OR GAVE IN TO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS ISSUE ..TOYOTA ASSISTED ITS CUSTOMERS WITH A RECALL WHY IS NISSAN NOT DOING THE SAME ?