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, Jun 15, 2018
DASH BOARD IS MELTED CAUSING GLARING WHEN DRIVING FROM DASHBOARD AND WINDSHIELD.
Power train, Jun 14, 2018
THE CAR SEEMS TO "SLIP GEARS" WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. THE CVT TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SEEM TO ENGAGE AND MOVE THE CAR AT TIMES. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE AMONG NISSAN ALTIMAS OF THIS YEAR. RESEARCHING ONLINE THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR ISSUES. THE CAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE AT TIMES WHEN IT IS EXPECTED.
Power train, Jun 13, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PROPERLY ACCELERATE AND WOULD RANDOMLY DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GERALD NISSAN NAPERVILLE (1575 WEST OGDEN AVE, NAPERVILLE, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED IN 2014 PER AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER'S CAMPAIGN FOR THE EXACT SAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
Power train, Jun 12, 2018
ALL I COULD SAY I WILL NEVER BY A NISSAM CAR. AGAIN IN TILL UR FIX THE PROBLEMS ITS TRANSMISSION EVEY BODY I TALK TO ITS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMA
Visibility/wiper, Jun 11, 2018
MELTING DASHBOARD. ITS SO BAD, THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND GIVING OFF THIS SHINY STICKY RESIDUE. I CANT GET IT OFF AND ITS SO SHINY I CANT HARDLY SEE OUT MY WINDSHEILD WHEN IM DRIVING DURING THE DAY.
Structure, Jun 7, 2018
TAKATA RECALL- VEHICLE DASHBOARD IS MELTING
Engine, May 24, 2018
MY NISSAN 2008 ALTIMA STARTED STALLING WHILE I PULLED INTO TRAFFIC. IT WAS HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND WAS RANDOM. I TOOK MY CAR INTO NISSAN, AFTER REALIZING THERE WAS A CVT TRANSMISSION RECALL FOR THIS CAR. THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE CAR, BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT REPORT ANY DIAGNOSTIC CODE. THEY TOLD ME TO COME BACK, WHEN THE CAR STALLED AND THEY COULD GET THE NECESSARY CODE, SINCE THE CAR WAS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM THE CODE WOULD BE IN THE SYSTEM. I HAD REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TO NISSAN CORPORATE AND GOT CASE NUMBER. ON MAY 7, 2018, NISSAN FOUND THE CODE AND THE PROBLEM WAS A BAD CVT TRANSMISSION. NISSAN DETERMINED TO PAY HALF THE COST OF REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION. ON MAY 18,2018, I PICKED UP MY CAR AND EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM DRIVING AWAY FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I CALLED BACK AND THE MANAGER SAID THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY HIGH FLUIDS AND TO DRIVE THE CAR OVER THE WEEKEND AND IT SHOULD BE FINE. WELL, I STALLED WHILE DRIVING INTO TRAFFIC TWO MORE TIMES OVER THE WEEKEND. I CALLED NISSAN CORPORATE TO SAY THAT THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS CAR AND AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT. I'M DRIVING AN UNSAFE CAR AND NISSAN IS NOT HELPING ... AT LEAST FOR NOW
Power train, May 19, 2018
WHILE BEING SHIFTED INTO REVERSE FROM A STOP IN A PARKING SPACE, OUR '08 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 6SPMT MADE A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FLOOR. THE SHARED BRAKE/CLUTCH RESERVOIR WAS FOUND TO BE DRAINED TO THE LEVEL OF THE CLUTCH TAKEOFF. WHILE THIS PRESENTED NO IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUES, HAD IT HAPPENED WHILE SHIFTING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, I CAN IMAGINE IT WOULD BE, TO SAY THE LEAST, HIGHLY DISTRACTING FOR THE TYPICAL DRIVER AND PERHAPS MORE SO FOR A LESS EXPERIENCED ONE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED CLUTCH FAILURES IN OTHER CARS BUT TYPICALLY THE SYSTEM DETERIORATES SLOWLY, UNLIKE THIS SUDDEN FAILURE. I HAVE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE MYSELF (COMPETENT DIY MECHANIC) AND BASED UPON NO SIGNS OF LEAKAGE OR MECHANICAL FAILURE IN THE AREA OF THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER OR RESERVOIR, BUT BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING FROM THE TRANSAXLE, I AM CONFIDENT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER OR AN INTERNAL HYDRAULIC LINE HAS FAILED. THANKS!
Engine, May 10, 2018
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AT 120K PLUS MILES. THE LAST TWO OR THREE OIL CHANGES MY CAR HAS REQUIRED AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF OIL. I'VE CHECKED A FEW ONLINE FORUMS AND THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH NISSAN VEHICLES. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE TODAY AND I CONFIRMED THAT MY ENGINE OIL WAS LOW AND THIS WAS AFTER 4K MILES BETWEEN CHANGES.
Other or unspecified, May 9, 2018
THE DASHBOARD OF THE CAR HAS CRACKED AND BECOME STICKY. THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.
Electrical system, Air bags, Structure, May 6, 2018
MY DASH BOARD IS MELTING FROM THE HEAT AND CRACKING ALL AROUND. MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT KEEP COMING ON ALONG WITH TIRE SENSOR. HAD SENSOR REPLACE SEVERAL TIME AND HAVE SAME ISSUE.
Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 25, 2018
THE FOLLOWING SCENARIO HAS OCCURRED 7 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK.WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP RPMS WILL MOMENTARILY INCREASE TO APPROX 2000 RPM THEN REDUCE TO APPROX 1000. ENGINE. CONTINUES TO RUN SMOOTHLY WITH NO LURCHING OR JERKING. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY ROLLS SLOWLY INTO THE INTERSECTION OR ONTO THE ROADWAY. NO AMOUNT OF MANIPULATION OF THE GAS PEDAL RESULTS IN ANY THROTTLE RESPONSE. PLACING GEAR SHIFTER IN PARK AND SHIFTING BACK TO DRIVE SEEMS TO RESTORE THROTTLE RESPONSE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. TODAY THIS OCCURRED WHILE PULLING ACROSS THE EAST BOUND LANES OF HWY 278 TO PROCEED IN A WESTERLY DIRECTION. VEHICLE MOVED VERY SLOWLY ACROSS TWO LANES OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC TRAVELING 65 TO 70 MPH. WILL BE CONTACTING LOCAL NISSAN SERVICE CENTER TODAY TO DETERMINE IF ANY CORRECTIVE MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY NISSAN.
Power train, Apr 10, 2018
CVT TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 82,139 MILES. AN EXTENSION OF THE WARRANTY WAS DONE FOR A LARGE NUMBER OF CVT TRANSMISSIONS EXTENDING TO 120,000 MILES. MY DAUGHTERS VEHICLE IS AT 147,000 MILES AND THE CAR JUST ABOUT QUIT RUNNING ON THE INTERSTATE 55 SOUTH ON HER WAY BACK TO COLLEGE. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED 200 MILES HOME AND THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED AGAIN AT A COST OF $3500 AND THE CAR IS NOT WORTH THAT MUCH MONEY. NISSAN DID NOT CORRECT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, THEY JUST PUT ANOTHER CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE FIRST TIME. THIS WAS AN UNSAFE AND UNETHICAL PRACTICE. THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT NOR GIVE ANY CREDIT BECAUSE THEY SAY THERE ARE TOO MANY MILES ON THE CAR. ALTHOUGH THERE IS ONLY 65,000 MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF.
Power train, Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 30, 2018
1) CLEAR COAT AND BLACK PAINT FADING TO PRIMER (YEAR 2017-2018) 2) 124,000 MILES - TRANSMISSION WHINING AS VEHICLE SPEEDS UP ON STREETS AND HIGHWAYS (MARCH 22,2018) 3) BLACK DASH HAS MELTED, CANT SEE OUT WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING FACING THE SUN (2017-2018)
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Mar 14, 2018
DAILY DRIVEN 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN SOUTH FLORIDA. VEHICLE DASH HAS MELTED CAUSING THE DASH TO BE STICKY AND REFLECTING A MASSIVE GLARE ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. ENTIRE DASH HAS STARTED TO CRACK AND PIECES FALLING OFF DUE TO POOR QUALITY OF DASH. DEFOGGER FOR WINDSHIELD HAS BEEN AFFECTED DO TO THE STRUCTURE OF THE DASH CHANGING AND BECOMING STICK. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING AND DO NOT SEE ANY CURRENT RECALLS FOR THE CAR OR DASH.
Air bags, Mar 6, 2018
AIRBAGS DID NOT PASS INSPECTION, RECEIVED REJECTION STICKER. AIRBAG SENSORS ARE DEFECTIVE. BOTH AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE SHOWING ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, PLEASE ADVISE. THANK YOU.
Structure, Mar 2, 2018
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CREATES GLARE AND RELEASES FUMES THAT ARE NOT SAFE.
Air bags, Feb 26, 2018
WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WITH A PASSENGER SITTING IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT WHEN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING AND PASSENGER AIR BAG INDICATOR DISPLAYED OFF. VEHICLE HAS A FAULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM, REQUIRING THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT CUSHION ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED.
Power train, Feb 24, 2018
CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 119,00 MILES. SAID WARRANTY WAS OUT AT 10 YEARS ON JAN. 30 2018 GOING TO HAVE TO PAY $4,600.00 TO HAVE REPLACED AND ONLY GIVING WARRANTY FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN.
Structure, Feb 13, 2018
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND VERY STICKY BOTH OF WHICH CAUSE A HORRIFIC GLARE IN THE SUN.
Other or unspecified, Feb 10, 2018
WHILE DRIVING HOME AFTER WORK MY SUNROOF ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA EXPLODED IT WAS NOT HOT OR COLD TEMP WAS APPROXIMATELY 75 DEGREES NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE AROUND ME AT THE TIME . SPEED WAS 50 MPH ON A CITY STREET I NEVER USE THE SUNROOF IT'S ALWAYS ON THE CLOSE POSITION NO PRIOR CRACKS OR SCRAPES ON THE SUNROOF DATE OF INCIDENT 2/02/2018 . I DID REPORT INCIDENT TO NISSAN AS OF 2/9/2018 NO RESPONSE
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Feb 8, 2018
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKED. THE DASHBOARD PRODUCES A GLARE MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN IT IS SUNNY. MATERIAL FOR DASHBOARD IS DEFECTIVE.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Feb 7, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
Power train, Feb 6, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KELLY NISSAN OF WOBURN (95 CEDAR ST, WOBURN, MA 01801 (888) 352-5657) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE TRANSMISSION, BUT DECLINED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REGISTERED UNDER A SALVAGED TITLE IN 2014 AND THE WARRANTY WAS VOIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,470.
Steering, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Feb 6, 2018
CAR STOPPED, WOULD NOT START, YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE LEFT DASHBOARD STAYS ON. CAR WILL NOT START AT ALL