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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

21 reports
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39,000 miles · Aug 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A SERVICE APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, SINCE IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10417206

108,000 miles · Jun 26, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, PURCHASED NOVEMBER 2007. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE MERRITT PARKWAY IN CONNETICUT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. AFTER PULLING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE CAR ERUPTED IN FLAMES. THE CAR IS A TOT…

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2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, PURCHASED NOVEMBER 2007. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE MERRITT PARKWAY IN CONNETICUT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER. AFTER PULLING OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BLACK SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE CAR ERUPTED IN FLAMES. THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS AND PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE IF REQUIRED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408962

60,154 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE A CRACKED WELD ON THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT CARBON MONOXIDE WAS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE A CRACKED WELD ON THE FRONT EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,154. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,631. UPDATED 2/28/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 05/20/11

NHTSA ODI #10358037

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

I BOUGHT A CAR IN MARCH 2009. LAST SATURDAY, MAY 15 2010, I WAS DRIVING TO MY FRIEND GRADUATION,SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING HOUSTON,I STARTED SEEING SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. ALARMED, I PULLED MY CAR OVER AS FAR AS I COULD AND DECIDED TO STEP OUTSIDE TO SEE WHERE THE SMOKE WHERE COMING FROM. I POPPED THE HOOD, SAW FLAMES.…

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I BOUGHT A CAR IN MARCH 2009. LAST SATURDAY, MAY 15 2010, I WAS DRIVING TO MY FRIEND GRADUATION,SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING HOUSTON,I STARTED SEEING SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD OF THE CAR. ALARMED, I PULLED MY CAR OVER AS FAR AS I COULD AND DECIDED TO STEP OUTSIDE TO SEE WHERE THE SMOKE WHERE COMING FROM. I POPPED THE HOOD, SAW FLAMES. I HAD GOTTEN A FEW HUNDRED FEET AWAY AND WATCH MY CAR BURN. HELPLESS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW A CAR WOULD CATCH FIRE BY ITSELF.I REALLY BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE WASN'T THE RESULT OF MY NEGLIGENCE . I HAVE DONE ALL MY MAINTENANCE AND EVERY THING. AND NOW THAT IT HAPPENED,I MADE SOME RESEARCH AND IT TURNS OUT THAT SOME OF THE MODEL OF NISSAN ALTIMA WAS SUBJECT TO A RECALL AND IT FITS THE PROFILE SORT OF SPEAK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332298

66 miles · Apr 2, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

VEHICLE RIDES UNSTABLE. SHARP TURNS CAUSES CAR TO BECOME UNSTABLE, LOSES CONTROLS OF TURN. TIRES OR RIMS UNBALANCED. HAVE VEHICLE SEEM MANY TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. NEITHER REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CONFIRM PROBLEM. TOLD BY AMERICAN TIRES SALE ASSOCIATE, NISSAN WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLE…

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VEHICLE RIDES UNSTABLE. SHARP TURNS CAUSES CAR TO BECOME UNSTABLE, LOSES CONTROLS OF TURN. TIRES OR RIMS UNBALANCED. HAVE VEHICLE SEEM MANY TIMES AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. NEITHER REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CONFIRM PROBLEM. TOLD BY AMERICAN TIRES SALE ASSOCIATE, NISSAN WILL NOT REIMBURSE THEM FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEMS. THEY REBALANCED THE TIRES, BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. ADVISE RIGHT FRONT TIRE PROBLEM, BUT THEY WOULD NOT GIVE A WRITE UP ON THE PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE HAS HAD TOO MANY RECALLS. HANLEES RICHMOND HILLTOP NISSAN SHOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE MANY RECALLS, PRIOR TO SELLING THIS VEHICLE. MARCH 26, 2009 HAD CAR IN FOR SERVICING, DRIVER SEAT BROKEN, BRAKE HARDWARE DAMAGED - BRAKES REPLACED. MILEAGE AT TIME OF SERVICING 12,800. I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS FROM DAY ONE. I SPOKE WITH THE FINANCE ASSOCIATE ABOUT REPLACING THE CAR, BUT HE REFUSED.. I HAVE NOTED FROM SERVICING ORDER ON MARCH 26, 2009 - HEAT SHIELD PROBLEM - HIGH RPM ON INITIAL STARTUP. ANTIOCH SERVICE ADVISOR DID NOT ADDRESS THIS MATTER, BECAUSE NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A CORRECTION ORDER ON THIS AS OF TODAY. THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR THAT HAS MANY PROBLEMS FROM THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASE! I HAVE TRIED SO MANY TIMES TO GET HELP FROM THE SERVICE CENTER AS WELL AS NISSAN CONSUMER SERVICES. NOT HELP!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264030

2,000 miles · Dec 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JULY 2008 FROM POWER NISSAN OF TEMPE, AZ ABOUT A MONTH OR SO LATER I NOTICED WHEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR MORE THAN 5 MILES AROUND TOWN. I WOULD SMELL AN OVERHEATING ODOR AND MY CAR WOULD START DRIVING VERY SLUGGISH. CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE. MY TEMPERATURE GAGE ON THE DASH HAS NEVER INDICATED THAT THE CAR WAS O…

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I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JULY 2008 FROM POWER NISSAN OF TEMPE, AZ ABOUT A MONTH OR SO LATER I NOTICED WHEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR MORE THAN 5 MILES AROUND TOWN. I WOULD SMELL AN OVERHEATING ODOR AND MY CAR WOULD START DRIVING VERY SLUGGISH. CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE. MY TEMPERATURE GAGE ON THE DASH HAS NEVER INDICATED THAT THE CAR WAS OVERHEATING. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM. I LEFT MY CAR OVERNIGHT WITH THEM AND PICKED IT UP THE NEXT DAY WITH THEM TELLING ME THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A LEAK ANYWHERE. SO I TOOK THE CAR HOME. NO SOONER THAN THAT I STARTED TO SMELL THE AGAIN. SO I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE ANTIFREEZE WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE OVERFLOW CAP. THERE ARE REMAINDERS OF ANTIFREEZE STILL ON THE OVEFLOW CONTAINER. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM AGAIN. I WAS TOLD THAT ALL THE NISSANS ARE DOING THAT AND IT WAS NORMAL. AS LONG AS THE TEMPERATURE GAGE WASN'T READING HOT. I DON'T THINK THIS IS NORMAL AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS DEFECT ASAP! IM GETTING NOWHERE WITH NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252056

4,800 miles · May 29, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING 65MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND I COULD HEAR NOISE UNDER THE CAR, ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH LIT UP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, COOLANT LIGHT, BATTERY, I THEN LOST POWER STEERING AND LOST ACCELERATION, CARS WERE SPEEDING BY ME AND I COASTED TO THE OFF RAMP. I GOT TOWE…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING 65MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND I COULD HEAR NOISE UNDER THE CAR, ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH LIT UP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, COOLANT LIGHT, BATTERY, I THEN LOST POWER STEERING AND LOST ACCELERATION, CARS WERE SPEEDING BY ME AND I COASTED TO THE OFF RAMP. I GOT TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSED BECAUSE IT WAS SUNDAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED AND SAID THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. MY HUSBAND WENT TO GET THE CAR AND THEY HAD SAID THAT IT WAS THE RETENTIONER BELT AND THAT THE PULLEY HAD SHEARED OFF. THEY SAID THEY HAD A CUSTOMER THE WEEK BEFORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THIS FAULTY PART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229215

1,500 miles · Mar 25, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY NIECE TOOK OUR ALTIMA TO CALIFORNIA (LESS THAN 2,000 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME). THE CARS BELT WAS BROKEN WHEN THE TENSIONER PULLEY BROKE OFF OF THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL AND OVERHEATED THE ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN IN MOSSEY NISSAN'S SHOP IN EL CAJON FOR THREE WEEKS NOW DUE TO BACK ORDERED PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222324

660 miles · Feb 1, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HEARD A NOISE WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FELL OFF BUT THE CAR ONLY HAD 600 MILES ON IT SO I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A ROCK OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD THAT GOT KICKED UP. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER MY ACCESSORY BELT THAT CONTROLS THE POWER STEERING, THE WATER PUMP, THE ALTERNATOR AND THE TENSIONER PULLEY FLEW OFF.…

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I HEARD A NOISE WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FELL OFF BUT THE CAR ONLY HAD 600 MILES ON IT SO I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A ROCK OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD THAT GOT KICKED UP. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER MY ACCESSORY BELT THAT CONTROLS THE POWER STEERING, THE WATER PUMP, THE ALTERNATOR AND THE TENSIONER PULLEY FLEW OFF. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO THE DEALER I FOUND OUT THAT THE PULLEY BROKE OFF WHICH CAUSE THE BELT TO COME OFF. I HAD THE TENSIONER PULLEY AND THE BELT REPLACED, BUT NOW IT SEEMS IT MAY HAVE CAUSE ANOTHER PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE NOW IT MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE (IT IS GOING INTO THE SHOP FOR THIS PROBLEM THIS WEEKEND). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216658

887 miles · Jan 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TENSIONER FROM ENGINE THAT CREATES TENSION TO THE BELT FELL OFF WHILE I MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10216478

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.

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