IllustrationALL 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
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1010–25K
11425–50K
16050–75K
11975–100K
139100–150K
52150K+
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
Power Train complaints
80 reportsWHILE 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 SAFET…
Read full complaint
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!
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 TR…
Read full complaint
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.
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)
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.
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 DIAGNOSE…
Read full complaint
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.
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND CAR LOST ACCELERATION AND WAS FORCED TO PULL OVER. CAR WENT INTO "LIMP' MODE. NISSAN DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
TRANSMISSION GOING INTO FAIL SAFE MODE WHEN DRIVING. VERY DANGEROUS, PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION AND LOSING POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION, POSSIBLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BY NOT BEING ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. VERY SCARY AND VERY CONCERNING.
DRIVING ON I 25,PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL,CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE,BEGAN LOSING POWER,WOULD ONLY GO 20-30 MPH. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP IN CHEYENNE,WYOMING. WAS TOLD THAT WAS TRANSMISSION WAS OUT.
TL* THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONYERS NISSAN IN CONYERS, GA WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CONYERS NISSAN IN CONYERS, GA WHERE THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TUNE-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO CONYERS NISSAN IN CONYERS, GA WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR HALF OF THE REPAIRS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
Official recalls
410V401000 · 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
1PE11020 · 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.