IllustrationDASHBOARD IS MELTING,GETTING STICKY AND SHINY AND CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD.
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
199 reportsTHE DASHBOARD ON THIS CAR IS MELTING AND CRUMBLING APART. IN EARLY 2012 IT STARTED GETTING SHINY AT THE EDGES ON THE VENTS OPENINGS NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS DEVELOPED INTO A STICKY, SEMI-LIQUID, VERY SHINY, SOFT RUBBER LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT STICKS TO ANYTHING PUT ON TOP OF IT AND COMES OFF AS A BLACK RESIDUE WHEN SEPARATED. …
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THE DASHBOARD ON THIS CAR IS MELTING AND CRUMBLING APART. IN EARLY 2012 IT STARTED GETTING SHINY AT THE EDGES ON THE VENTS OPENINGS NEXT TO THE WINDSHIELD. IT HAS DEVELOPED INTO A STICKY, SEMI-LIQUID, VERY SHINY, SOFT RUBBER LIKE SUBSTANCE THAT STICKS TO ANYTHING PUT ON TOP OF IT AND COMES OFF AS A BLACK RESIDUE WHEN SEPARATED. THE DASHBOARD ALSO DEVELOPED FINE FRACTURE LINES THAT HAVE SINCE CREATED DEEP RIDGES ALL ALONG THE PART, ITS CRUMBLING, AND PIECES OF THE BLACK OUTER MATERIAL ARE JUST FALLING APART, REVEALING A FOAM MATERIAL BENEATH. THE CRACKING, CRUMBLING EFFECT COVERS THE WHOLE DASHBOARD, NOT JUST THE SECTION THAT IS EXPOSED TO SUNLIGHT. THE SHINY SECTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD REFLECT SUNLIGHT INTO THE WINDSHIELD, CREATING A BLINDING PATTERN IN THE WINDSHIELD THAT PREVENTS GOOD VISIBILITY. IN SUNNY DAYS IT IS REALLY PROMINENT AND BLINDING, WHICH IS A CONSTANT IN SOUTH FLORIDA. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD PROVOKE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED SHOWING IN EARLY 2012 AND HAS EVOLVED SINCE INTO A CRUMBLING, MELTING, STICKY, SHINY DASHBOARD. IN HOT DAYS WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IT SMELLS LIKE MOLTEN PLASTIC. THE CHEMICAL FUMES FROM THIS DECAYING MATERIAL CAN'T BE GOOD TO HUMAN HEALTH, THESE ARE MOST PROBABLY TOXIC.
DASHBOARD MELTING. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE PEDESTRIAN, ROAD, VEHICLES DUE TO GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTS FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE GLARE IMPAIRS THE VISION AND WE HAD MANY NEAR MISS INCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE COST LIVES, PROPERTY DAMAGE. WE REQUEST RECALL CONSIDERING THE SAFETY OF ALL ON THE ROA…
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DASHBOARD MELTING. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE PEDESTRIAN, ROAD, VEHICLES DUE TO GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTS FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE GLARE IMPAIRS THE VISION AND WE HAD MANY NEAR MISS INCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE COST LIVES, PROPERTY DAMAGE. WE REQUEST RECALL CONSIDERING THE SAFETY OF ALL ON THE ROAD.
I RECENTLY BEGAN TO NOTICE THAT THE DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING. THERE ARE SEVERAL SECTIONS THAT ARE MELTING AND HAVE BECOME STICKY. IT AFFECTS MY VISIBILITY DURING THE DAY TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE GLARE REFLECTED ON THE FRONT WIND SHIELD. I HAVE ATTACHED PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE.
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD. IT HAS BECOME INCREDIBLY STICKY AND IS NOT ABLE TO BE CLEANED BECAUSE OF THIS. THE "SHEEN" THAT IS ON THE DASHBOARD NOW CAUSES A HORRIFIC REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILITY DRASTICALLY AND CAUSING A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. CONTACT WITH NISSAN HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND…
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MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS A MELTING DASHBOARD. IT HAS BECOME INCREDIBLY STICKY AND IS NOT ABLE TO BE CLEANED BECAUSE OF THIS. THE "SHEEN" THAT IS ON THE DASHBOARD NOW CAUSES A HORRIFIC REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD REDUCING VISIBILITY DRASTICALLY AND CAUSING A HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. CONTACT WITH NISSAN HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN AT THIS TIME. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DETERIORATING. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE STICKY AND DISGUSTING. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S COMPLETELY MELTING OFF DUE TO THE MELTING IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SINCE IT IS SHINY AND THE GLARE HITS THE WINDSHIELD IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I'VE BEEN READING ARTICLE…
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MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA DASHBOARD IS COMPLETELY DETERIORATING. THE DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE STICKY AND DISGUSTING. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S COMPLETELY MELTING OFF DUE TO THE MELTING IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SINCE IT IS SHINY AND THE GLARE HITS THE WINDSHIELD IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I'VE BEEN READING ARTICLES AND MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE I THINK THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED.
TAKATA RECALL MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT HAS BECOME VERY STICKY AND CAUSES A SEVERE GLARE ACROSS THE SPAN OF MY WINDSHIELD. THIS IS MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD AND IT IS VERY DISTRACTING.I HAVE NOTICED THE GLARE FOR MONTHS,BUT AS TIME PASSES IT IS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE CLEARLY. I AM CONC…
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TAKATA RECALL MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT HAS BECOME VERY STICKY AND CAUSES A SEVERE GLARE ACROSS THE SPAN OF MY WINDSHIELD. THIS IS MAKING IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD AND IT IS VERY DISTRACTING.I HAVE NOTICED THE GLARE FOR MONTHS,BUT AS TIME PASSES IT IS BECOMING MORE DIFFICULT TO SEE CLEARLY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE LIMITED VISIBILITY WILL HINDER MY ABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY.
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS MELTING STICKY DASHBOARD THAT IS SHINY AND REFLECTS THE SUN AND DISTORTS VISION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DESERVES A SAFETY BULLETIN ISSUES TO REPAIR. CAR OPERATES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. I TRIED TO SELL IT AND WAS TOLD $2000 WOULD BE DEDUCTED FROM THE OFFER DUE TO COST OF REPAIR OF DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD…
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2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE HAS MELTING STICKY DASHBOARD THAT IS SHINY AND REFLECTS THE SUN AND DISTORTS VISION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND DESERVES A SAFETY BULLETIN ISSUES TO REPAIR. CAR OPERATES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA. I TRIED TO SELL IT AND WAS TOLD $2000 WOULD BE DEDUCTED FROM THE OFFER DUE TO COST OF REPAIR OF DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD.
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, CRACKING AND CRUMBLING. THE MELTING HAS CREATED A SHEEN THAT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING VISIBILITY TO BE SEVERELY IMPAIRED. THE DASH IS VERY STICKY TO THE TOUCH. FURTHER, THE MELTING IS CAUSING A TOXIC CHEMICAL ODOR AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE POSSIBLE FUME DEPOSITS ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHI…
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THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING, CRACKING AND CRUMBLING. THE MELTING HAS CREATED A SHEEN THAT REFLECTS ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING VISIBILITY TO BE SEVERELY IMPAIRED. THE DASH IS VERY STICKY TO THE TOUCH. FURTHER, THE MELTING IS CAUSING A TOXIC CHEMICAL ODOR AND WHAT APPEARS TO BE POSSIBLE FUME DEPOSITS ON THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THESE ARE BOTH CLEARLY SAFETY HAZARDS THAT NEED TO BE IMMEDIATELY ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. THE EXTERIOR PAINT IS FAILING AS WELL. IT IS FADING, PEELING AND THE CLEAR COAT HAS DEGRADED ON MUCH OF THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN CONTINUED DEGRADATION.
THE DASH BOARD HAS TURNED INTO A STICKY MESS, IT CAN'T BE CLEANED AND IS CAUSING A DANGEROUS GLARE ON THE WIND SHIELD.
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.