IllustrationMY DASH IS MELTING AND ITS CREATING A REFLECTIVE SURFACE WHICH IS CREATING A HIGH GLARE ON THE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS IMPAIRING MY VISION TO DRIVE. *TR
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS IMPAIRING THE CONTACT'S VISION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WINDOW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE CAUSED ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TPMS WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE CAUSED ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER WHERE THE TPMS WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 07V599000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE APPEARS TO BE MELTING AND IT HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE IT CAUSES ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, INCLUDED A NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE METICULOUSLY (MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY). WE DID NOT PUT ANYTHING ON THE DA…
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THE DASHBOARD ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE APPEARS TO BE MELTING AND IT HAS BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE GLARE IT CAUSES ON THE WINDSHIELD. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW, INCLUDED A NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE METICULOUSLY (MECHANICALLY AND COSMETICALLY). WE DID NOT PUT ANYTHING ON THE DASH (ARMORALL, ETC). THE NISSAN DEALER TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DASHES ON THE ALTIMA WITH THIS PROBLEM IN FLORIDA, BUT THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF THE INITIAL FACTORY WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM THE NISSAN EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT. THROUGH THE NICO CLUB, I HAVE LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER FLORIDA RESIDENTS WHO OWN 2008-2009 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPES ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS APPEARS TO BE A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND HAS REALLY BECOME A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST YOUR HELP WITH THIS MATTER. *TR
THE SWITCH THAT ALLOWS THE CAR TO START AND LIGHTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS IS STICKING, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF. THE CAR NOT STARTING IS ANNOYING, IF THE SWITCH STICKS AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, THAT IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR FAILS TO START WITH REGULARITY, IF THE SWITCH…
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THE SWITCH THAT ALLOWS THE CAR TO START AND LIGHTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS IS STICKING, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF. THE CAR NOT STARTING IS ANNOYING, IF THE SWITCH STICKS AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, THAT IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR FAILS TO START WITH REGULARITY, IF THE SWITCH IS MANIPULATED IT STARTS, I DO NOT KNOW IF THE BREAK LIGHTS ARE FAILING BUT I ASSUME THIS IS OCCURRING. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE SWITCHES. *TR
MY DASH IS MELTING ALONG THE EDGES WHICH LEAVES A BAD GLARE AND WHEN DRIVING TOWARDS THE SUN, VISIBILITY IS OBSCURED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD WAS BLINDING TO THE CONTACT WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND NO REASON WAS PROVIDED FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD WAS BLINDING TO THE CONTACT WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND NO REASON WAS PROVIDED FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT'S HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING IT PUTS A VERY BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING YOU NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF WHEN SUN IT OUT OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC LIGHTS REFLECT ON THE WINDOWS . IT'S VERY STICKY AND THE DASHBOARD IS ABOUT TO FALL APART. KNOWING THAT THE AIR BAG IS IN THE DASH IS A VERY CON…
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2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, DASHBOARD IS MELTING. IT'S HARD TO SEE WHEN DRIVING IT PUTS A VERY BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD CAUSING YOU NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF WHEN SUN IT OUT OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC LIGHTS REFLECT ON THE WINDOWS . IT'S VERY STICKY AND THE DASHBOARD IS ABOUT TO FALL APART. KNOWING THAT THE AIR BAG IS IN THE DASH IS A VERY CONCERN DUE TO THE DASH MELTING AND POSSIBLE MAY CAUSE A FIRE OVERTIME DUE TO WIRES CONNECTED TO THE DASH. THERE ARE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ONLINE EVEN ON NISSAN FACEBOOK PAGE AND COMPLAINTS SHOWN ON HERE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED OR FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT BY NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT THERE WINDOW DUE TO THE SHINY GLARE. NISSAN REFUSE TO FIX THIS DEFECT AS THE SERVICE MANGER SAID THAT THE DASH SHOULD NOT BE MELTING THE WAY IT IS. I HOPE THIS GETS FIXED FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL NISSAN DRIVERS THIS SHOULD BE REVIEWED BY CORPORATE NISSAN. *TR
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING CREATING A SHINY COAT THAT REFLECTS TO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DIMINISHING VISIBILITY AND CREATING POTENTIAL HAZARDS, SPECIALLY DURING THE DAY AS IT OMITS A BLINDING SUN GLARE. THE CAR NO LONGER HAS NISSAN WARRANTY AND CONSIDERING THE HAZARD AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE ISSUE NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RE…
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DASHBOARD HAS BEEN MELTING CREATING A SHINY COAT THAT REFLECTS TO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DIMINISHING VISIBILITY AND CREATING POTENTIAL HAZARDS, SPECIALLY DURING THE DAY AS IT OMITS A BLINDING SUN GLARE. THE CAR NO LONGER HAS NISSAN WARRANTY AND CONSIDERING THE HAZARD AND THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THE ISSUE NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF DASHBOARDS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS. *TR
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.