IllustrationDRIVING 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.
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
What owners actually said
1,028 reportsMY ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE. I NOTICED IT STARTED TO GET SHINY AND STICKY BY THE WINDOW AND IT IS NOW THE ENTIRE THING IS SO SOFT I CAN SLIGHTLY PRESS MY FINGER NAIL INTO THE PLASTIC AND IT WILL ACTUALLY CUT OR GOUGE THE PLASTIC. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CARS DASHBOARD DO THIS. I ONLY USE WATER AND A CLOTH TO C…
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MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS STARTED TO DISINTEGRATE. I NOTICED IT STARTED TO GET SHINY AND STICKY BY THE WINDOW AND IT IS NOW THE ENTIRE THING IS SO SOFT I CAN SLIGHTLY PRESS MY FINGER NAIL INTO THE PLASTIC AND IT WILL ACTUALLY CUT OR GOUGE THE PLASTIC. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A CARS DASHBOARD DO THIS. I ONLY USE WATER AND A CLOTH TO CLEAN THE DASH AND CRACK MY WINDOWS IN THE SUMMER TO AVOID EXTREMELY HOT TEMPS. IT IS LIKE THE SUN HAS MELTED THE DASHBOARD BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW HOT OR COLD IT IS IT IS ALWAYS BRITTLE.
MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS NOT LOCKING WITH THE KEY FOB. THIS ALLOWS ANYONE TO OPEN MY DOOR, BUT IT DOES SET OFF MY ALARM. MY CAR HAS BEEN BROKEN INTO TWICE WHILE PARKED IN A SECURED ACCESS GARAGE BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, SNATCH AND GRAB. I READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE DRIVERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO…
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MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS NOT LOCKING WITH THE KEY FOB. THIS ALLOWS ANYONE TO OPEN MY DOOR, BUT IT DOES SET OFF MY ALARM. MY CAR HAS BEEN BROKEN INTO TWICE WHILE PARKED IN A SECURED ACCESS GARAGE BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, SNATCH AND GRAB. I READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE DRIVERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOCK THEIR DOORS.
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING UNDER THE HOT GEORGIA SUN AND IS CAUSING SERIOUS VISIBILITY ISSUES. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN I'M DRIVING IN THE SUNSHINE. IT CAUSES A HUGE GLARE TO APPEAR ON MY WINDSHIELD.
LOUD BANG AND OIL COOLER BUSTED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH, IT STARTED SMOKING AND THEN FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I PULLED OVER TURNED OF THE IGNITION AND GOT OUT AND THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES
DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKING TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN SEE THE FOAM MATERIAL THAT THE DASH IS MADE OUT OF MAKE SEEING OUT THE WINDSHIELD VERY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING OUT OF A TUNNEL DURING THE DAY AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE MOMENTARILY MAKING DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT. BOUGHT A DASH COVER TO HOPEFULLY SLOW DOWN THE PRO…
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DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CRACKING TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN SEE THE FOAM MATERIAL THAT THE DASH IS MADE OUT OF MAKE SEEING OUT THE WINDSHIELD VERY DIFFICULT, ESPECIALLY WHEN COMING OUT OF A TUNNEL DURING THE DAY AND NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE MOMENTARILY MAKING DRIVING VERY DIFFICULT. BOUGHT A DASH COVER TO HOPEFULLY SLOW DOWN THE PROCESS AND SO I COULD SEE OUT THE WINDSHIELD CLEARLY. ALSO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES LIGHTS UP INTERMITTENTLY WHEN NO ONE IS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. BOUGHT THE CAR, 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, IN NORTH FLORIDA AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND HAWAII, WHERE I CURRENTLY LIVE, YEAR ROUND. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ALMOST 4 YEARS AND HAVE LESS THAN 75000 MILES.
THE SUN VISORS ON THE ALTIMA COUPE BREAK AND HANG STRAIGHT DOWN IN THE FIELD OF VISION. I JUST ORDERED MY SECOND SUN VISOR AND I AM WAITING FOR IT TO ARRIVE. THEY MUST BE HELD UP OUT OF THE WAY WITH ONE HAND WHILE DRIVING WITH THE OTHER HAND (UNTIL YOU CAN GET IT REMOVED). WHEN I SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, THE NISS…
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THE SUN VISORS ON THE ALTIMA COUPE BREAK AND HANG STRAIGHT DOWN IN THE FIELD OF VISION. I JUST ORDERED MY SECOND SUN VISOR AND I AM WAITING FOR IT TO ARRIVE. THEY MUST BE HELD UP OUT OF THE WAY WITH ONE HAND WHILE DRIVING WITH THE OTHER HAND (UNTIL YOU CAN GET IT REMOVED). WHEN I SUGGESTED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL, THE NISSAN PARTS MAN SAID " I DON'T DISAGREE WITH YOU". I THINK THAT MEANS IT HAPPENS A LOT.
MY MOTOR MOUNT,HAS GONE OUT. IT LEFTS UP WHEN YOU DRIVE IT AND MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE, WHEN YOU STOP ON THE GAS.
PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON EVEN THOUGHT SOMEONE IN SEAT
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.
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.