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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 · Oct 9, 2013
StructureVisibility/wiper

THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING CAUSING GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LIMITED VISIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547382

65,000 miles · Oct 3, 2013
Structure

THE DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING. THE CAR IS GARAGE PARKED AND I USE SUN SHADES WHEN IT IS PARKED OUTSIDE. THE DASH IS MELTING SO BADLY THAT THE GLARE IS BLOCKING MY ABILITY TO SEE THINGS ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546667

32,000 miles · Oct 2, 2013
EngineService BrakesStructureCrash

I PULLED IN A PARKING SPACE, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND BEFORE I COULD PUT IT IN PARK THE CAR ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I WENT ABOUT TWENTY FEET, OVER CURBS, SIDEWALK, ANOTHER PARKING SPACE, AVOIDING CARS, SKID MARKS MADE, AND FINALLY DIRECTED THE CAR TOWARD A DUMPSTER AND IT STOPPED. IT IS A MIR…

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I PULLED IN A PARKING SPACE, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND BEFORE I COULD PUT IT IN PARK THE CAR ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I WENT ABOUT TWENTY FEET, OVER CURBS, SIDEWALK, ANOTHER PARKING SPACE, AVOIDING CARS, SKID MARKS MADE, AND FINALLY DIRECTED THE CAR TOWARD A DUMPSTER AND IT STOPPED. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT SOMEONE IN MY PATH WASN'T KILLED. THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BACK AND SO THE BODY SHOP CONNECTED WITH NISSAN CONSIDERED IT A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546536

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2013
Structure

DASH APPEARS TO BE MELTING. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN TULSA IN 2011 WHILE I WAS LIVING IN ARKANSAS...MOVED TO KANSAS IN JULY 2013 AND NOTICED IN AUGUST THAT MY DASH APPEARS TO BE MELTING. CAR HAS BEEN MOST EXCLUSIVELY PARKED IN GARAGE....THIS SLICK, WET LIKE APPEARANCE CAUSES GLARE ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE....I TOOK THE CA…

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DASH APPEARS TO BE MELTING. CAR WAS PURCHASED IN TULSA IN 2011 WHILE I WAS LIVING IN ARKANSAS...MOVED TO KANSAS IN JULY 2013 AND NOTICED IN AUGUST THAT MY DASH APPEARS TO BE MELTING. CAR HAS BEEN MOST EXCLUSIVELY PARKED IN GARAGE....THIS SLICK, WET LIKE APPEARANCE CAUSES GLARE ON WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE....I TOOK THE CAR TO STATE LINE NISSAN IN KANSAS CITY, MO LAST WEEK AND THEY DISMISSED THE ISSUE EVEN THOUGH I AM STILL COVERED BY A NISSAN WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10545620

100,000 miles · Sep 25, 2013
Structure

MY DASH HAS STARTED TO MELT. ITS UGLY BUT THE MAIN ISSUE IS DRIVING IN THE SUN. THE SPOTS THAT ARE MELTING ARE VERY SHINNY AND AT TIMES CAUSES ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545409

54,000 miles · Sep 24, 2013
Power Train

ON 9/6 AT APPROX. 3:30PM MNT THE CAR BEGAN HAVING ISSUES ACCELERATING PAST 60 MPH ON I-70 E IN COLORADO. AT TIMES IT WOULD EVEN START DE-ACCELERATING. AROUND 4PM, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE FRONT HOOD. MY BOYFRIEND AND I THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES WE NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID …

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ON 9/6 AT APPROX. 3:30PM MNT THE CAR BEGAN HAVING ISSUES ACCELERATING PAST 60 MPH ON I-70 E IN COLORADO. AT TIMES IT WOULD EVEN START DE-ACCELERATING. AROUND 4PM, SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE FRONT HOOD. MY BOYFRIEND AND I THEN PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES WE NOTICED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE MECHANIC ABOUT 20 MILES AWAY, HE WORKED ON THE CAR FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND COMPLETED AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSTIC. HE SAID THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD OVERFLOWED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT WE COULD HAVE HAD A FIRE ON THE HIGHWAY. HE ALSO CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BLOWN AND THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. WE HAD TO STORE THE CAR IN THE MECHANIC'S PARKING LOT FOR THE NIGHT AND GET A RENTAL CAR. WE THEN HAD TO STAY IN A HOTEL FOR THE NIGHT IN GRAND JUNCTION, CO. THE NEXT DAY WE CALLED AROUND TO FIND A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER THAT WOULD BE OPEN TO ACCEPTING THE CAR AND COULD GET THE PARTS IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME GIVEN THAT WE WERE STRANDED IN COLORADO. WE FOUND A SERVICE CENTER IN AURORA ABOUT 250 MILES AWAY FROM GRAND JUNCTION. WE WORKED WITH AAA TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP JUST BEFORE THEY CLOSED. SINCE THEY WERE CLOSING THE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER DID NOT HAVE TIME TO LOOK AT THE CAR UNTIL MONDAY. I ENDED UP BEING STRANDED IN COLORADO FOR A 6 DAYS WITH MY BOYFRIEND, UNTIL THE CAR WAS FIXED. I AM VERY DISPLEASED WITH NISSAN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE. I CALLED SPECIALISTS FOR 3 DAYS WITH NO HELP. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO COMPENSATE ME FOR THE OTHER DAMAGES INCURRED BY THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THIS TRIP COST $2,000 IN UNEXPECTED COSTS DUE TO BE STRANDED,AND MY LIFE WAS PUT IN DANGER BECAUSE NONE OF THE NISSAN SERVICE ADVISER'S TOLD ME ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION (I TOOK MY CAR TO BE CHECKED BEFORE THE ROAD TRIP IN MAY 2013 AND LATE AUGUST 2013). *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545154

53,000 miles · Sep 23, 2013
Unknown Or Other

I AM WRITING BECAUSE I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WHERE MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING IN. I LIVE IN THE FLORIDA AREA AND HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR ALONE ALL IN FLORIDA. HERE IS THE FORUM WHICH I FOUND MANY HAVING THE SIMILAR PROBLEM HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/MY-DAS…

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I AM WRITING BECAUSE I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WHERE MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING IN. I LIVE IN THE FLORIDA AREA AND HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM IN THIS YEAR ALONE ALL IN FLORIDA. HERE IS THE FORUM WHICH I FOUND MANY HAVING THE SIMILAR PROBLEM HTTP://FORUMS.NICOCLUB.COM/MY-DASHBOARD-IS-MELTING-T569582-90.HTML. THE ISSUE IS CAUSING A GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD MAKING IT VERY HARD FOR ME TO DRIVE AND SEE. I WENT TO MY NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AND THEY STATED CHANGING THE DASH IS A LOT OF WORK AND VERY EXPENSIVE THAT ONLY GIVING A DASH COVER CAN BE DONE. I DONT LIKE THE WAY THE DASH COVER LOOKS AND SHOULDNT BE FORCED TO COVER A PROBLEM THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE OF A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT.

NHTSA ODI #10545073

111,000 miles · Sep 21, 2013
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN WHEN THERE IS A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT. ( THE INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE DASH.) THE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUES TO FLASH ALSO.

NHTSA ODI #10544784

83,000 miles · Sep 20, 2013
Electrical System

MY CAR STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING...IT WAS INTERMITTENT...BUT WOULD START WITH A JUMP (MOST OF THE TIME), SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND HAD IT REPLACED. BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 9/17 AND THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS WAS THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT …

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MY CAR STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING...IT WAS INTERMITTENT...BUT WOULD START WITH A JUMP (MOST OF THE TIME), SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND HAD IT REPLACED. BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 9/17 AND THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS WAS THE ELECTRIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT ALL 2009 MODELS HAD THE WARRANTY FOR THIS PART EXTENDED TO 6 YEARS/UNLIMITED MILEAGE, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST...BUT ONLY THE 2009 MODELS. I ALSO NOTICED DURING MY RESEARCH THAT MANY INSTANCES OF THIS SAME PART OCCURRING ON 2008 MODELS AS WELL. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME AS MY CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WANT TO KNOW WHY ONLY THE 2009 MODELS ARE INCLUDED? THE NISSAN TECHNICIAN WHO WORKED ON MY VEHICLE SAID THAT THE PART IS THE SAME FROM 2007-2009...AND IN HIS OPINION, ALL SHOULD BE INCLUDED. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS RESEARCHED FURTHER TO HAVE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY EXTENSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10544633

15,000 miles · Sep 20, 2013
Structure

DASHBOARD MELTS IN HIGH TEMPERATURE CLIMATES. GLARE FROM MELT IS SO BAD THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE ROAD. VISIBILITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AT THIS POINT AND NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE OR ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10544572

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