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2008 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

685 reports with mileage · 343 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 312 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility/wiper. Review the 168 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

53 crash reports13 fire reports26 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

90 reports
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67,000 miles · Jul 30, 2015
Electrical SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. MA 10/2 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10745108

65,000 miles · Jul 8, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE OCS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE OCS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION OCS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10732756

120,000 miles · Jun 26, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT FAILED TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V373000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10730678

170,000 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10725789

100,000 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723285

74,000 miles · Apr 15, 2015
Electrical SystemStructureVisibility/wiper

MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO DASHBOARD MELTING. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND GIVES OFF A GLARE DURING THE DAYTIME WHILE DRIVING. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND BLINDS MY VISION WHEN I DRIVE DURING THE DAY. PLEASE NISSAN FIX THIS ISSUE. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATERIALS USED WHEN MANUFACTURING A VEH…

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MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA NEEDS TO BE RECALLED DUE TO DASHBOARD MELTING. THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND GIVES OFF A GLARE DURING THE DAYTIME WHILE DRIVING. THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND BLINDS MY VISION WHEN I DRIVE DURING THE DAY. PLEASE NISSAN FIX THIS ISSUE. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MATERIALS USED WHEN MANUFACTURING A VEHICLE. CARE ABOUT YOUR CUSTOMERS CONCERNS AND FIX MY DASHBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10705977

148,000 miles · Mar 12, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

CAR CRANKS BUT WON'T START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10694004

97,000 miles · Feb 26, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

WAS INFORMED BY OUR NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS INOPERABLE AIRBAGS DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR. OF COURSE, THIS IS JUST AN ASSUMPTION ON THEIR PART. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR EXPERIENCE ANY IMPACT OF ANY NATURE TO CAUSE THIS SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION. NISSAN DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAG…

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WAS INFORMED BY OUR NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS INOPERABLE AIRBAGS DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR. OF COURSE, THIS IS JUST AN ASSUMPTION ON THEIR PART. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT OR EXPERIENCE ANY IMPACT OF ANY NATURE TO CAUSE THIS SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION. NISSAN DEALERSHIP RAN A DIAGNOSTICS TEST, BUT STILL NO CLEAR INDICATION AS TO THERE BEING INOPERABLE AIRBAGS. WAS GIVEN TWO OPTIONS, STARTING WITH ONE OPTION OF REPLACING THE SENSOR IN ITS ENTIRETY AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $525, AND IF THAT DIDN'T WORK, RUNNING ANOTHER DIAG. TEST AT AN ADDITIONAL ESTIMATED COST OF $592. IN AN ATTEMPT FOR SOME ASSISTANCE, A CONSUMER COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ONLY TO BE DENIED ASSISTANCE ON THE COST OF THIS REPAIR. THEIR DECISION WAS BASED SOLELY ON THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND IT NOT BEING UNDER A WARRANTY. PAYING A $1,000 FOR A "GUESS" IS EXTREMELY STEEP AND UNREASONABLE AND A COST TO WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD. DUE TO THEIR FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS, AT 45,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED, TO WHICH NISSAN PICKED UP THE TAB FOR DUE TO FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS OF THEIR CVT TRANSMISSIONS. BEING PURCHASED AS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE ONLY TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION BEING COMPLETELY REPLACED AT 45,000 MILES SHEDS NEW LIGHT ON THE POOR QUALITY OF NISSAN VEHICLES. AT THIS TIME, NISSAN IS REFUSING TO ASSIST.

NHTSA ODI #10690826

65,000 miles · Jan 31, 2015
Electrical System

THE LOCK/UNLOCK ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT. THE ONLY WAY THAT THE DOORS CAN BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED IS BY MANUALLY DOING IT WITH THE KEY OUTSIDE THE CAR OR YOUR HANDS INSIDE THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680164

Mileage unknown · Jan 16, 2015
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

NISSAN: DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK INOPERATIVE WITH INTELLIGENT KEY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10673001

Official recalls

4

10V401000 · 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

08V521000 · Air Bags; Electrical System:software

Oct 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).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:software

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).

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Air Bags

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).

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

08V363000 · Suspension

Jul 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BOLT WERE TO COME OUT, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

07V599000 · Electrical System:ignition:module

Dec 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11020 · Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak

Opened May 23, 2011 · Closed Mar 14, 2012

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-020 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in the subject vehicles.A total of 237 complaints were identified by ODI and Nissan.The majority of complaints and warranty claims reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination as the only symptom of a problem.Only 12 complaints alleged any effect on brake performance and in each of these the drivers were able to stop the vehicles without incident.No crash claims could be attributed to the alleged defect. Returned part analysis data provided by Nissan showed that most of the master cylinders replaced under warranty did not have a leak condition.These replacements may have resulted from brake MIL illumination due to pad wear.For most of the warranty claims, in a few cases where a master cylinder leak was found, Nissan's testing showed that the leaks were extremely slow and would require thousands of miles or months of driving before brake performance could be affected.After an extensive study of replaced master cylinders for a presumed leak, Nissan was unable to identify any concern with the parts or design of the subject components that could affect brake performance. Nevertheless, Nissan does recognize a concern with premature brake MIL illumination and has decided to address this problem by conducting a voluntary service campaign covering approximately 1.17 million model year 2007 through 2012 Altima vehicles (up to June 25, 2011 production, the date of Nissan's running change for the longer life brake pad).Nissan's owner letter for the service campaign states, As your brake pads wear over time, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will drop and may cause the brake warning lamp to illuminate.?Although this is a normal condition, there has been concern that the brake warning light illumination may be caused by a slow fluid leak over time.Nissan's service campaign will inspect the brake pads and test the master cylinder for leakage.If leakage is detected, Nissan will replace the master cylinder at no charge.If excessive pad wear is observed, customers will be notified and will be responsible for repairs.For more details concerning Nissan's service campaign, see the PE11-020 file on www.Safercar.gov. Based on the low failure rate for confirmed master cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.

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