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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.

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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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90,000 miles · Jan 30, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED FROM EXPOSURE TO THE SUN, WHICH CAUSED A GLARE AND VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED FROM EXPOSURE TO THE SUN, WHICH CAUSED A GLARE AND VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING DURING DAY LIGHT HOURS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10948400

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2016
Structure

MELTING DASH BOARD CAUSING VISIBILITY TOO BE PROBLEM WHEN DRIVING TOWARD THE SUN NISSAN DEALER SAY THEY DO NOT COVER THIS ISSUE. THE GLARE COMING OFF WINDSHIELD FROM DASH BOARD IS A HAZARD TO DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10938356

Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2016
StructureUnknown Or Other

I HAVE NOTICED THAT MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY CLEANING SUBSTANCE PUT ON THE DASHBOARD. MY CAR SITS OUT IN THE SUN AS I DO NOT HAVE GARAGE OR CARPORT. THE GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD CREATES A HAZARD AS THERE IS A GLARE WHILE YOUR ARE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10935442

85,000 miles · Dec 13, 2016
Structure

THE SOFT MATERIAL COVERING THE TOP AND FRONT OF MY DASH IS CRACKING AND THE CRACKS ARE STICKY. THE CAR IS GARAGE KEPT, AND ONLY HAS ABOUT 85,000 MILES. AS THIS MATERIAL FAILURE CONTINUES, IT WILL DESTROY THE USEFULNES OF THE CAR. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT NEEDS REPAIR OR CORRECTION, RIGHT AWAY.

NHTSA ODI #10935068

99,000 miles · Dec 9, 2016
EngineStructureVisibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION AFTER BEING STARTED AND WHILE BEING OPERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLT WAS STRIPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION AFTER BEING STARTED AND WHILE BEING OPERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE MOUNT BOLT WAS STRIPPED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE SUN ROOF DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A BOLT MISSING IN THE SUN ROOF AND, DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, CAUSED CORROSION OF THE SUN ROOF. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE SUN ROOF AREA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10934099

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10920230

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2016
Structure

DASHBOARD HAS BLACK STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT REFLECTS A GLARE AND IS HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS SO DISTRACTING AT TIMES THAT IT IS HARD TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND THAT THE AREA AFFECTED WILL CONTINUE TO GROW WHICH WILL SERVERLY AFFECT THE ABILITY TO SEE CLEA…

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DASHBOARD HAS BLACK STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT REFLECTS A GLARE AND IS HARD TO SEE OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE GLARE IS SO DISTRACTING AT TIMES THAT IT IS HARD TO SEE THE ROAD CLEARLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND THAT THE AREA AFFECTED WILL CONTINUE TO GROW WHICH WILL SERVERLY AFFECT THE ABILITY TO SEE CLEARLY

NHTSA ODI #10915367

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2016
StructureVisibility/wiper

MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASH HAS BEEN MELTING FOR THE PAST 3-4 YEARS AND IS NOW CAUSING AN INABILITY TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A LARGE REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD DURING DAYTIME DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS AND OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE CORPORATE OFFICE AT NISSAN OFFERED 1/2 OFF THE PRICE, BUT I BEL…

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MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASH HAS BEEN MELTING FOR THE PAST 3-4 YEARS AND IS NOW CAUSING AN INABILITY TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A LARGE REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD DURING DAYTIME DRIVING MAKING IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE OBJECTS AND OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME. THE CORPORATE OFFICE AT NISSAN OFFERED 1/2 OFF THE PRICE, BUT I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL DUE TO THE DANGERS THAT IT'S CAUSING FOR MANY DRIVERS.

NHTSA ODI #10913977

Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2016
Structure

DASHBOARD IN 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA APPEARS TO BE MELTING, BECOMING VERY STICKY AND CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. UNABLE TO CLEAN IT WITH ANYTHING, DUE TO THE GUMMY TEXTURE OF THE DASH. HAS A SHINY APPEARANCE TO IT AND GETS WORSE EVERY DAY. THIS IS CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH VISION ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS WHILE DRIVING. AFRAID AS IT …

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DASHBOARD IN 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA APPEARS TO BE MELTING, BECOMING VERY STICKY AND CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD. UNABLE TO CLEAN IT WITH ANYTHING, DUE TO THE GUMMY TEXTURE OF THE DASH. HAS A SHINY APPEARANCE TO IT AND GETS WORSE EVERY DAY. THIS IS CAUSING A PROBLEM WITH VISION ON BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS WHILE DRIVING. AFRAID AS IT GETS PROGRESSIVELY WORSE HOW IT WILL AFFECT THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS INSIDE OF THE DASH AREA.

NHTSA ODI #10910258

65,000 miles · Aug 30, 2016
Structure

THE DASH OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING OR DETERIORATING. IT HAS BECOME SO SHINY THAT WHEN THE SUN OR STREETLIGHTS REFLECT ON MY WINDSHIELD, IT IS ALMOST A COMPLETE WHITE-OUT EFFECT. I NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING THE STREET BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE THEM. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED REPEATEDLY AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACKN…

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THE DASH OF MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IS MELTING OR DETERIORATING. IT HAS BECOME SO SHINY THAT WHEN THE SUN OR STREETLIGHTS REFLECT ON MY WINDSHIELD, IT IS ALMOST A COMPLETE WHITE-OUT EFFECT. I NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING THE STREET BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE THEM. NISSAN HAS BEEN CONTACTED REPEATEDLY AND I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM THEM. A LOCAL DEALER SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT A DEFECT, BUT I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STICKINESS I COULD LIVE WITH, BUT THE WAY IT REFLECTS OFF MY WINDSHIELD IS DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #10899625

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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