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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

What owners actually said

1,028 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 23, 2015
Engine

WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT MOSSY NISSAN, KEARNY MESA, CA. WAS INFORMED THE HEADGASKET(S) WERE LEAKING COOLANT. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ALTHOUGH MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE LEAK(S) WERE A COMMON AND PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT NISSAN USED THE INCORRECT HEAD GASKETS FOR THIS MODEL OF 3.5 V6 (FRONT WHEEL DR…

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WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT MOSSY NISSAN, KEARNY MESA, CA. WAS INFORMED THE HEADGASKET(S) WERE LEAKING COOLANT. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ALTHOUGH MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE LEAK(S) WERE A COMMON AND PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT NISSAN USED THE INCORRECT HEAD GASKETS FOR THIS MODEL OF 3.5 V6 (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VQ35HR TO BE SPECIFIC). ONCE NISSAN REALIZED THEIR MISTAKE, ALL SUBSEQUENT ENGINES RECEIVED THE CORRECT HEAD GASKETS AND THE LEAKAGE PROBLEMS WENT AWAY. I AM REQUESTING THAT NISSAN FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGE THE HEAD GASKET DEFECT AND EXTEND THE DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY TO COVER THE REPLACEMENT EXPENSE. I AM UNSURE WHETHER THE NHTSA CAN HELP ME IN THIS CASE, BUT PERHAPS IF MY COMPLAINT CAN BE IN THE DATABASE, WE CAN GET MORE AFFECTED CONSUMERS TO SUBMIT SIMILAR HEAD GASKET DEFECT COMPLAINTS IN THE HOPES THAT NISSAN WILL BE FORCED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10726905

56,719 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury

I T-BONED ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD RUN A RED LIGHT. THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL FOUND MULTIPULE CONTUSIONS, SPRAINS AND STRAINS TO MY CHEST WALL, LOWER BACK, NECK, HANDS AND WRISTS. MY PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR RAN ADDITIONAL TESTS, WHICH FOUND NO ADDITIONAL INJURIES EXCEPT, B…

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I T-BONED ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD RUN A RED LIGHT. THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT AIR BAG DID DEPLOY. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE HOSPITAL FOUND MULTIPULE CONTUSIONS, SPRAINS AND STRAINS TO MY CHEST WALL, LOWER BACK, NECK, HANDS AND WRISTS. MY PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR RAN ADDITIONAL TESTS, WHICH FOUND NO ADDITIONAL INJURIES EXCEPT, BOTH HANDS HAD A FRACTURE OF THE 3RD METACARPAL (THE BONE LOCATED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HAND) AND A TEAR OF THE TFCC (TRIANGULAR FIBROCARTILAGE COMPLEX) IN BOTH WRISTS. WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE WRISTS. SINCE THE INJURIES TO BOTH HANDS AND WRISTS ARE IDENTICAL AND NO OTHER BROKEN BONES OR SOFT TISSUE TEARS WERE FOUND ON MY BODY, I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED TO FORCEFULLY CAUSING THESE INJURIES TO MY HANDS AND WRISTS. IF THE INJURIES TO MY HANDS AND WRISTS HAD BEEN CAUSED BY THEM HITTING PARTS OF THE INSIDE OF THE CAR, THE INJURIES TO MY HANDS AND WRISTS WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT FROM EACH OTHER.

NHTSA ODI #10725903

170,000 miles · Jun 17, 2015
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V521000 (AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ODI #10725789

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2015
Unknown Or Other

DASHBOARD IS MELTING WITH EXTREME GLARE OFF OF IT. STICKY TO TOUCH. SOMETIMES HARD TO SEE WITH GLARE. SINCE FIRST NOTICING IT, IT HAS NOW COVERED ALMOST 1/2 THE DASHBOARD.

NHTSA ODI #10725401

144,000 miles · Jun 10, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT SECURE THE DRIVER DURING THE INCIDENT. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SECOND VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT SECURE THE DRIVER DURING THE INCIDENT. THE DRIVER SUFFERED NECK, BACK, AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT YET DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ODI #10724508

100,000 miles · Jun 3, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE CONTACT AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10723285

52,800 miles · Jun 2, 2015
Service Brakes

VEHICLE, IS MAKING A RUBBERISH NOISE IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN, BRAKES IN THE VEHICLE ARE RELATIVELY NEW AND WHEN REQUIRED TO A HARD BRAKE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WELL. I HAD TO REFILL THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WITH A LITTLE BIT OF FLUID NOT MUCH. I BELIEVE IT MIGHT BE LEACKING SMALL AMOUNTS OF …

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VEHICLE, IS MAKING A RUBBERISH NOISE IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN, BRAKES IN THE VEHICLE ARE RELATIVELY NEW AND WHEN REQUIRED TO A HARD BRAKE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WELL. I HAD TO REFILL THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WITH A LITTLE BIT OF FLUID NOT MUCH. I BELIEVE IT MIGHT BE LEACKING SMALL AMOUNTS OF FLUID TO THE BOOSTER OVER TIME, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM SOMEONE ELSE KNOWN TO ME, SO I HAVE KNOWN THE CAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND ITS BEING HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR A WHILE NOW. I HAVE SEEN MANY THREADS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHICH MUST BE SOLVED WITH NISSAN. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM AT 53 000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #10722947

53,000 miles · May 27, 2015
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER OCCUPANCY SEAT SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

NHTSA ODI #10721705

100,000 miles · May 24, 2015
Unknown Or Other

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A MELTING DASHBOARD!! IT IS STICKY TO TOUCH AND CREATES AN UNSAFE GLARE WHEN DRIVING WHICH HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE DASHBOARD MELTING THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO FIX IT…

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH A MELTING DASHBOARD!! IT IS STICKY TO TOUCH AND CREATES AN UNSAFE GLARE WHEN DRIVING WHICH HAS BECOME A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE DASHBOARD MELTING THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO FIX IT NOR WOULD THEY ISSUE A RECALL TO PREVENT WHAT COULD EVENTUALLY BE A FATAL ACCIDENT DUE TO WHAT SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURE DEFECT ON THE RUBBERIZED MATERIAL USED ON THE DASHBOARDS. I AM LOOKING FOR HELP FROM OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS ISSUE AND THE NHTSA FOR HELP TO ENFORCE A RECALL TO PREVENT INJURY AND POSSIBLE FATALITIES DUE TO THIS MELTING DASHBOARD ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10721197

80,000 miles · May 21, 2015
Structure

TL* 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

NHTSA ODI #10717824

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