IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. MA 08/13/15 UPDATED 12/1/2015*JS
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
Structure complaints
312 reportsMY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SHOWING A RESIDUE ON FRONT DASH ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS WORSENED TO POINT WHERE A GLARE FROM SUNLIGHT REFLECTION DISRUPTS FIELD OF VISION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DASHBOARD MELTING IN WARMER CLIMATES WITH HIGHER QUANTITY OF SUNLIGHT. *TR
A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 ALTIMA WAS MELTING ESPECIALLY AROUND THE AIR VENTS. THERE'S ALSO A BURN SMELL COMING FROM THE SHINY AREA. IT'S BECOMING HARD TO SEE DURING THE DAY DUE TO GLARE FROM THE SHINY AREA. ALSO I DID NOTICE MY AC SYSTEM WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES AND WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE WHEN I TU…
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A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 ALTIMA WAS MELTING ESPECIALLY AROUND THE AIR VENTS. THERE'S ALSO A BURN SMELL COMING FROM THE SHINY AREA. IT'S BECOMING HARD TO SEE DURING THE DAY DUE TO GLARE FROM THE SHINY AREA. ALSO I DID NOTICE MY AC SYSTEM WAS MAKING STRANGE NOISES AND WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE WHEN I TURNED IT ON. SOMETIMES IT BLOWS WARM AIR AND HAS COMPLETELY DIED RECENTLY. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO MENTIONED THAT HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE A MELTING DASHBOARD IN HIS 20+ YEARS OF REPAIRING CARS. HE RAN A DYE TEST ON THE AC AND STRANGELY THERE WAS NO FREON LEAK. HE HAD TO DRAIN ALL THE FREON SO THAT I CAN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF IN CASE I TRIED TO START THE AC. I WILL HAVE TO SPEND $1000 JUST FOR THE AC ALONE..... MECHANIC RECOMMENDED I CONSULT NISSAN REGARDING THE MELTING DASHBOARD. *TR
DASH HAS BEEN MELTING AND CONTINUING TO GET WORSE.. THE GLARE IS SO BAD I'M BLINDED. IT IS COMPLETELY IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAN.. RECALL!! PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO THIS. *TR
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S STARTED SHOWING A RESIDUE ON FRONT DASH ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS WORSENED TO POINT WHERE A GLARE FROM SUNLIGHT REFLECTION DISRUPTS FIELD OF VISION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DASHBOARD MELTING IN WARMER CLIMATES WITH HIGHER QUANTITY OF SUNLIGHT. I'VE RESEARCHED SOME O…
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MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S STARTED SHOWING A RESIDUE ON FRONT DASH ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS WORSENED TO POINT WHERE A GLARE FROM SUNLIGHT REFLECTION DISRUPTS FIELD OF VISION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DASHBOARD MELTING IN WARMER CLIMATES WITH HIGHER QUANTITY OF SUNLIGHT. I'VE RESEARCHED SOME OF THE REASONS WHY AND IT APPEARS IT IS DUE TO LOWER GRADE FORMULATION OF PLASTIC USED IN THIS MODEL AS WELL AS OTHER MANUFACTURERS. *TR
THE DASHBOARD HAS BEGAN TO SEEP LIQUID OUT OF THE RUBBER THAT THEY USE AND IS MAKING THE GLARE FROM THE DASH ON THE WINDSHIELD EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IT IS DIFFICULT TO SEE DURING THE DAY WITH THE GLARE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR
THE DASHBOARD ON THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE MELTING. THE SURFACE HAS BECOME SHINY AND CAUSES A GLARE WHEN LIGHT HITS IT. *TR
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
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND HAS A STRONG GLARE WHEN THE SUN IS OUT. IT'S VERY HARD TO SEE IN THE DAY AND IT'S VERY STICKY. I REALLY LOVE MY CAR BUT I'M VERY UNHAPPY THAT THIS HAPPENED. NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX IT! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE SUN REFLECTED OFF THE DASHBOARD AND CAUSED A GLARE, WHICH MADE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND LEFT A WET, STICKY RESIDUE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE SUN REFLECTED OFF THE DASHBOARD AND CAUSED A GLARE, WHICH MADE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS MELTING AND LEFT A WET, STICKY RESIDUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
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.