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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
41,321 miles · Nov 7, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC-FOUNDATION COMPONENTS-MASTER CYLINDER : AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING WITH A BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT COMING ON, CROWN NISSAN SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING INTO THE POWER BOOSTER, LOWERING THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. TOTAL CHARGES WERE $684.55 TO …

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SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC-FOUNDATION COMPONENTS-MASTER CYLINDER : AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING WITH A BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT COMING ON, CROWN NISSAN SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING INTO THE POWER BOOSTER, LOWERING THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. TOTAL CHARGES WERE $684.55 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 41,321 HIGHWAY MILES DRIVEN LIGHTLY. IT APPEARS TO BE A SIMILAR SITUATION AS THE 2007 AND 2008 NISSAN SENTRA AND ALTHOUGH THE TWO MODELS DO NOT SHARE THE SAME PARTS, THE MANUFACTURER IS LIKELY TO BE THE SAME. THIS SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10435740

49,653 miles · Nov 6, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON/OFF WHILE DRIVING. TOOK VEHICLE TO SHOP AND WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER. THE FAULTY MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID INTERNALLY INTO THE BOOSTER. THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED WITH A NEWER MODEL ALTIMA WITH UNDER 50,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434406

15,000 miles · Nov 1, 2011
Power TrainSteering

CAR HAS DEVELOPED A TERRIBLE WOBBLE OR SHIMMY BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. NISSAN MAINTAINS IT IS IN THE CVT TRANSMISSION . I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO DEALER MANY, MANY TIMES.. NO SOLUTION. BUT, ALL AGREE THE CAR WOBBLES AND SHIMMIES AT 30-40 MPH. I HAVE HAD NISSAN ENGINEERS DRIVE CAR, SAME RESULT;.NOTHING. I HAVE WRITTEN TO NISSAN CORPO…

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CAR HAS DEVELOPED A TERRIBLE WOBBLE OR SHIMMY BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. NISSAN MAINTAINS IT IS IN THE CVT TRANSMISSION . I HAVE HAD THE CAR INTO DEALER MANY, MANY TIMES.. NO SOLUTION. BUT, ALL AGREE THE CAR WOBBLES AND SHIMMIES AT 30-40 MPH. I HAVE HAD NISSAN ENGINEERS DRIVE CAR, SAME RESULT;.NOTHING. I HAVE WRITTEN TO NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICES, NO SOLUTION. TOLD BY NISSAN THAT MY DRIVING STYLE MAY BE TOO CONSERVATIVE FOR CAR. TOLD BY NISSAN EXECS TO DRIVE CAR HARDER AND FASTER AND AVOID SPEEDS BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MPH. HOW ABSURD. NISSAN SAYS THERE IS NO SOLUTION, SO LIVE WITH IT. THIS CAR IS A DANGER. WHAT WILL HAPPEN ON SNOW AND ICE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPROGRAMMED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT TO NO AVAIL. UPDATED IVOQ 12/08/11 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433861

Mileage unknown · Oct 31, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

MY BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP THEY IMMEDIATELY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT THIS WAS A FREQUENT AND RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE 2008 ALTIMA. THEY CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND CONFIRMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IF THEY KNOW ABOUT THE FAU…

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MY BRAKE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP THEY IMMEDIATELY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS PROBABLY THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT THIS WAS A FREQUENT AND RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE 2008 ALTIMA. THEY CHECKED THE CAR OUT AND CONFIRMED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. IF THEY KNOW ABOUT THE FAULTY PART THEN WHY NOT A RECALL AS WITH THE SENTRA?? $550 TO REPAIR AN ISSUE KNOWN BY NISSAN TO BE A FAULTY PART. THAT IS JUST CROOKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433701

63,500 miles · Oct 28, 2011
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury

THIS WAS A ONE VEHICLE CRASH (TOTAL LOSS) THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK CAUSING OUR CAR TO STRIKE A BRICK WALL (ALSO EMERGENCY BRAKES DID NOT WORK). NONE OF THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVERS STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WHICH DEPLOYED ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT APPROX. 11:…

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THIS WAS A ONE VEHICLE CRASH (TOTAL LOSS) THAT OCCURRED WHEN THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK CAUSING OUR CAR TO STRIKE A BRICK WALL (ALSO EMERGENCY BRAKES DID NOT WORK). NONE OF THE VEHICLE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT FOR THE DRIVERS STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG WHICH DEPLOYED ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED AT APPROX. 11:45 PM, 22 OCTOBER 2011. NO DRUGS AND OR ALCOHOL WERE INVOLVED. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY PURCHASED FROM A LEXUS DEALER AND THE SAME COMPANY OWNS A NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH CONFIRMED THAT ALL NISSAN RECALL ITEMS WERE COMPLIED WITH. WE HAVE SEVERAL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHS TO PROVE THAT THERE IS STILL SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THE NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 BRAKES AND AIR BAGS TO ALLOW SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO HAPPEN. I HAVE PERSONALLY TALKED WITH[XXX] ABOUT THIS AND LEFT A VOICE MAIL WITH [XXX] AT THEIR NHTSA OFFICE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY CONFIRMED THAT THIS CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN NOW BEEN REMOVED FROM THE TOWING AND COLLISION FACILITY HERE IN INDIANA AND SOLD TO A PARTS SALVAGE COMPANY. I WAS TRYING TO HAVE SOMEONE INSPECT THIS CAR BEFORE IT WAS DESTROYED, BUT IT APPEARS THAT IT IS NOW TO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433112

72,000 miles · Oct 21, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY BRAKES SEEMED TO MALFUNCTION SPORADICALLY, AND AROUND THE SAME TIME A BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND SAID MY MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. I SAW ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT THERE IS A P…

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I TOOK MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY BRAKES SEEMED TO MALFUNCTION SPORADICALLY, AND AROUND THE SAME TIME A BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR CAME ON MY DASHBOARD. THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND SAID MY MASTER CYLINDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. I SAW ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE THAT THERE IS A PENDING INVESTIGATION OF 07 & 08 NISSAN ALTIMAS AND A BRAKE CYLINDER LEAK, AND THAT THE SAME MODEL YEAR NISSAN SENTRAS HAVE ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR THAT SAME REASON. I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, WHICH WAS A $550 FIX. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10432342

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT IS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND IT USES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL, 2 TO 3+ QUARTS EVERY 1000 TO 2000 MILES. IT IS THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE, NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L ENGINE, THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE IN 2006. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE, ON WEB BOARDS AND COMPLAINTS ON NHT…

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THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT IS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND IT USES EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL, 2 TO 3+ QUARTS EVERY 1000 TO 2000 MILES. IT IS THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE, NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L ENGINE, THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE IN 2006. I HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE, ON WEB BOARDS AND COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA, ONLY TO HAVE THE DEALER TELL THEM THAT THE DRIVE TRAIN WARRANTY HAS BEEN EXCEEDED AND THE MOTOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT THE CUSTOMERS' EXPENSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ENGINE MANUFACTURING ISSUE THAT NISSAN IS TRYING NOT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430817

35,000 miles · Oct 18, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LIGHT WARNING COMES ON WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430688

36,000 miles · Oct 5, 2011
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD FILL UP WITH WATER AND LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE DRAIN HOLES WERE CLOGGED AND NEEDED TO BE UNCLOGGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD FILL UP WITH WATER AND LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE DRAIN HOLES WERE CLOGGED AND NEEDED TO BE UNCLOGGED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000.

NHTSA ODI #10428812

27,000 miles · Oct 5, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I TOOK MY 2008 ALTIMA IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. ABOUT 1 WEEK BEFORE OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENT SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 MY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON DASHBOARD--IT WASN'T A CONSISTENT AND NOT EVERY TIME I WAS DRIVING CAR. I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO BRAKE FOR THIS TO OCCUR. AT DEALERSHIP TOLD THEM ABOUT ISSUE AND THEY LOOKED INTO IT. AFTER SER…

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I TOOK MY 2008 ALTIMA IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE. ABOUT 1 WEEK BEFORE OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENT SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 MY BRAKE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR ON DASHBOARD--IT WASN'T A CONSISTENT AND NOT EVERY TIME I WAS DRIVING CAR. I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE TO BRAKE FOR THIS TO OCCUR. AT DEALERSHIP TOLD THEM ABOUT ISSUE AND THEY LOOKED INTO IT. AFTER SERVICING MY CAR I WAS INFORMED THAT MY MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I ALSO NEEDED BACK BRAKES. I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE CAR, BECAUSE THE BRAKES MIGHT NOT WORK. I WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED!! I ONLY HAVE 27000 MILES ON MY 2008 ALTIMA. OF COURSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND COST A GOOD AMOUNT OF MONEY OUT OF MY POCKET. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2007 & 2008 ALTIMA'S. NISSAN HAS A RECALL FOR THE SENTRA (?) VEHICLE THAT HAS THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AND NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED. I WOULD APPRECIATE THIS ISSUE BEING LOOKED INTO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428794

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