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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

Structure complaints

312 reports
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21,700 miles · Feb 11, 2014
Structure

I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SE SEDAN. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. I NOTICED MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT AND ITS GETTING WORSE. ITS A SAFETY HAZARD CAUSING A GLARE IN THE DAY TIME AND COULD BE BAD FOR VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD AND I COULD BE BREATHING IN THE TOX…

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I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SE SEDAN. MOST OF THE TIME THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. CAR WAS PARKED OUTSIDE SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. I NOTICED MY DASHBOARD STARTED TO MELT AND ITS GETTING WORSE. ITS A SAFETY HAZARD CAUSING A GLARE IN THE DAY TIME AND COULD BE BAD FOR VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD AND I COULD BE BREATHING IN THE TOXIC CHEMICALS FROM THE DASHBOARD. I HAD A DASHBOARD COVER TO PROTECT MY DASH AND IT STILL MELTS AND CRACKING IN DIFFERENT PLACES IN THE DASH. MY DEALER IS NEW CITY NISSAN IN HONOLULU, HI I HAVE CALLED THEM AND ALSO CALLED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND NONE OF THEM HELPED ME. MY LOCAL DEALER IGNORED ME FOR THE LONGEST TIME UNTIL THEY FINALLY SAID SORRY WE CANT HELP YOU, YOU ARE OUT OF WARRANTY AND FOR A REPLACEMENT DASH IT WILL COST $2,304.00. I FEEL LIKE THIS ISN'T RIGHT AND ITS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE 2 OTHER NISSANS THAT ARE OLDER CARS PARKED OUTSIDE AND THERE DASHBOARDS ARE NOT MELTED. NISSAN DOES NOT WANT TO HELP OR ADMIT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563909

34,500 miles · Feb 4, 2014
StructureVisibility/wiper

THE CAR: 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 3.5 SE. IN 2012 I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD WAS GETTING SHINY, AND HAD A MELTED FEELING TO IT. I HAD TO BUY A DASH COVER TO KEEP THE GLARE AWAY, IF FACING THE SUN WHILE DRIVING. NOW IN 2014 THE DASH IS CRACKED ALL OVER AND STICKY. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. NOT ONLY IS IT A SAFETY HAZ…

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THE CAR: 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 3.5 SE. IN 2012 I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD WAS GETTING SHINY, AND HAD A MELTED FEELING TO IT. I HAD TO BUY A DASH COVER TO KEEP THE GLARE AWAY, IF FACING THE SUN WHILE DRIVING. NOW IN 2014 THE DASH IS CRACKED ALL OVER AND STICKY. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. NOT ONLY IS IT A SAFETY HAZARD, I MAKES RESELLING THE CAR ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. DEALER QUOTE FOR NEW DASH PANEL, $2500.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562838

28,000 miles · Feb 3, 2014
Structure

VEHICLE DASHBOARD PLASTIC IS MELTING WHICH IS CREATING A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562714

25,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SUNLIGHT REFLECTED FROM THE POLISHED DASHBOARD AND WAS CAUSING AN EXCESSIVE GLARE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE DASHBOARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.

NHTSA ODI #10561693

40,000 miles · Jan 25, 2014
Structure

MY DASH IS MELTING AND ITS CREATING A REFLECTIVE SURFACE WHICH IS CREATING A HIGH GLARE ON THE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS IMPAIRING MY VISION TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561442

100,000 miles · Jan 6, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #10558602

48,000 miles · Jan 3, 2014
Structure

THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE APPEARS TO BE MELTING AND IT HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE IT CAUSES ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, INCLUDED A NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE METICULOUSLY (MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY). WE DID NOT PUT ANYTHING ON THE DA…

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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE APPEARS TO BE MELTING AND IT HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE IT CAUSES ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, INCLUDED A NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE METICULOUSLY (MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY). WE DID NOT PUT ANYTHING ON THE DASH (ARMORALL, ETC). THE NISSAN DEALER TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DASHES ON THE ALTIMA WITH THIS PROBLEM IN FLORIDA, BUT THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE INITIAL FACTORY WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM THE NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT. THROUGH THE NICO CLUB, I HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER FLORIDA RESIDENTS WHO OWN 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPES ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND HAS REALLY BECOME A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR HELP WITH THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558349

112,000 miles · Dec 23, 2013
Structure

MY DASH IS MELTING ALONG THE EDGES WHICH LEAVES A BAD GLARE AND WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN, VISIBILITY IS OBSCURED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557032

58,000 miles · Dec 20, 2013
StructureVisibility/wiperFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD WAS BLINDING TO THE CONTACT WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND NO REASON WAS PROVIDED FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD WAS BLINDING TO THE CONTACT WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND NO REASON WAS PROVIDED FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10556846

60,125 miles · Dec 20, 2013
Structure

2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT'S HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING IT PUTS A VERY BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING YOU NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF WHEN SUN IT OUT OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC LIGHTS REFLECT ON THE WINDOWS . IT'S VERY STICKY AND THE DASHBOARD IS ABOUT TO FALL APART. KNOWING THAT THE AIR BAG IS IN THE DASH IS A VERY CON…

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2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT'S HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING IT PUTS A VERY BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING YOU NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF WHEN SUN IT OUT OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC LIGHTS REFLECT ON THE WINDOWS . IT'S VERY STICKY AND THE DASHBOARD IS ABOUT TO FALL APART. KNOWING THAT THE AIR BAG IS IN THE DASH IS A VERY CONCERN DUE TO THE DASH MELTING AND POSSIBLE MAY CAUSE A FIRE OVERTIME DUE TO WIRES CONNECTED TO THE DASH. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONLINE EVEN ON NISSAN FACEBOOK PAGE AND COMPLAINTS SHOWN ON HERE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED OR FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT BY NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT THERE WINDOW DUE TO THE SHINY GLARE. NISSAN REFUSE TO FIX THIS DEFECT AS THE SERVICE MANGER SAID THAT THE DASH SHOULD NOT BE MELTING THE WAY IT IS. I HOPE THIS GETS FIXED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL NISSAN DRIVERS THIS SHOULD BE REVIEWED BY CORPORATE NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556757

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.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems