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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

Exterior Lighting complaints

9 reports
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184,000 miles · Jun 21, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineExterior Lighting

PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. CAR WILL BE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY FLAT LAND/UPHILL/DOWNHILL ANY LAND AND MY CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY LOOSE POWER ITS A 2008 ALTIMA 2.5S I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STOP MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY IN A DEADLY AND HEAVILY USED CANYON WITH NOT MANY PLACES AVAILABLE TO PULL YOUR CAR OVER. IF THERE IS…

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PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. CAR WILL BE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY FLAT LAND/UPHILL/DOWNHILL ANY LAND AND MY CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY LOOSE POWER ITS A 2008 ALTIMA 2.5S I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STOP MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY IN A DEADLY AND HEAVILY USED CANYON WITH NOT MANY PLACES AVAILABLE TO PULL YOUR CAR OVER. IF THERE IS IT'S VERY TIGHT. WHEN I PULL OVER I SHUT IT OFF FOR ABOUT A MINUTE OR TWO THEN I START IT BACK UP WHILE IN PARK I GENTLY PRESS THE GAS TO ACCELERATE IT A LITTLE AND NOTHING HAPPENS. THE RPM STICK WONT MOVE. I HAVE BEEN COMING DOWN AN OFF RAMP ONTO THE FREEWAY AND I WONT BE ABLE TO ACCELERATE IN ORDER GAIN A SAFE AND LEGAL SPEED TO ENTER ON A HEAVILY TRAFFICKED HIGHWAY WITH NO WHERE TO PULL OVER, ALMOST CAUSED A HUGE DEADLY ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS HOWEVER THE CAR RPM STICK WENT UP AND DOWN THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE AFTER A FEW "ATTEMPTS" FROM THE ENGINE IT WENT FROM ME FEELING THE CAR ALMOST FORCEFUL ENGINE SHUT OFF WITH THE LOSE OF ACCELERATING AND UNABLE TO ACCELERATE AND HEARING THE CAR ALMOST DIE AND WENT FROM ME DECELERATING HARD AT 40 MPH ON A SLIGHT DOWNHILL OFF RAMP FREEWAY AT 40 MPH TO ALL OF A SUDDEN TAKING OFF AS IF THE CAR WAS A ROCKET AND DIDNT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH MAINTAINING SPEED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 9 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED AND HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAR WILL NOT TYPICALLY HAVE THIS ISSUE IF I MAKE A SHORT IN TOWN TRIP OR A FEW ERRANDS IN TOWN NO FASTER THAN 30MPH SPEEDS AND NO HARD IT FAST ACCELERATION ON FLAT LAND. I LOST THE PAPERWORK FROM THE AUTOMOTIVE SHOP HOWEVER CAN EASILY OBTAIN IT SHOWING THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPAIR COSTING AROUND 1300. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN AFTER BEING CLEARED WILL THROW THE SAME P024 ERROR CODE. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR BOUGHT AND AM UNABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE IT WITHOUT A DEADLY OUTCOME.

NHTSA ODI #11329984

69,000 miles · Aug 12, 2014
EngineExterior LightingSteering

I PARKED MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE TOOK GROCERIES INTO THE HOUSE I RETURN TO THE CAR AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE KEY SYMBOL WAS ON. I CAN WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE CHANGE MODES JUST WONT START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10621865

140,000 miles · Jul 23, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER THIRTY MINUTES. THE FAILURE WOULD ALWAYS OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER THIRTY MINUTES. THE FAILURE WOULD ALWAYS OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10615656

28,000 miles · Nov 8, 2013
Exterior LightingStructureVisibility/wiper

DASHBOARD MELTED, CAUSING A BRIGHT VISION-AFFECTING GLARE ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. REDUCES VISIBILITY GREATLY, WILL LIKELY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE TOO LONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551545

69,500 miles · Jun 14, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingSteering

I DROVE MY CAR YESTERDAY WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS. I HAVE NOTICED THIS "KEY" SYMBOL ON DASH WARNING LIGHT INDICATING I NEEDED TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE CAR IN ORDER TO START THE CAR FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC CODE AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP AT NISSAN THAT IT WAS JUST INDICATING LOW BATTERY ON THE KEY…

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I DROVE MY CAR YESTERDAY WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS. I HAVE NOTICED THIS "KEY" SYMBOL ON DASH WARNING LIGHT INDICATING I NEEDED TO INSERT THE KEY INTO THE CAR IN ORDER TO START THE CAR FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. THERE IS NO DIAGNOSTIC CODE AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP AT NISSAN THAT IT WAS JUST INDICATING LOW BATTERY ON THE KEY REMOTE (EVEN THO I JUST REPLACED THE BATTERY IN NOVEMBER). I WENT TO START MY CAR THIS MORNING AND ALTHOUGH THE DASH LIGHTS UP, THE CAR WILL NOT START. I TRIED TO JUMP START IT AND STILL WOULDN'T START. THE BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON AND THE DASH LIGHTS UP, BUT THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. THERE ISN'T A FAST CLICKING SOUND LIKE IT COULD BE THE STARTER. THE KEY DOESN'T WORK TO UNLOCK THE DOORS OR THE TRUNK EITHER. APPARENTLY THIS IS AS A RESULT OF A FAULTY STEERING LOCK UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519855

40,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Exterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO ACTIVATE BRAKE-LIGHTS,WHICH ALSO INHIBITS STARTER.IF BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK ONCE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE BEEN REPAIRING THING FOR 50 YEARS AND AM 99.9% SURE THE PINS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCHES ARE HANGING UP INSIDE THE BORES,SINCE WEDGING SNOW SCRAPE…

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STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO ACTIVATE BRAKE-LIGHTS,WHICH ALSO INHIBITS STARTER.IF BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK ONCE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE BEEN REPAIRING THING FOR 50 YEARS AND AM 99.9% SURE THE PINS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCHES ARE HANGING UP INSIDE THE BORES,SINCE WEDGING SNOW SCRAPER AGAINST BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHING PLUNGERS UNTIL THEY POPPED ALL THE WAY OUT ALLOWS STARTING. PHONING A NISSAN DEALER'S PARTS DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED AVAILABILITY THEN GAVE ME A PRICE OF $39.17 FOR SWITCH(ES). NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO HUNCHING UNDER THE DASH,I TALKED TO SERVICE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH TO INSTALL.AN "IMPROVED BRAKE WIRING HARNESS"IS NEEDED FOR "RARE" OCCURRENCES AT COST OF $238 AND LABOR OF $149.WHEN I ASKED IF THIS MIGHT BE A RECALL OR UNDER WARRANTY HE SAID"COULD NOT MAKE ANY MONEY" THAT WAY. IF IT IS A DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION PROBLEM NISSAN SHOULD EAT THE COST.INTERNET SEARCH HAS SOME DEALER RECOMMENDING PUSHING HARDER ON PEDAL OR POUNDING-PULSING.SOME REPLACED SWITCHES SHOWED PITTING OF CONTACTS{TOO MUCH CURRENT TOO OFTEN?} DO DOZENS OF CARS HAVE TO GET REAR-ENDED BEFORE ACTION TAKES PLACE??????????????????????? OR DOES MY WIFE HAVE TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T START AND SHE WILL LOSE HER JOB? *JS *KB

NHTSA ODI #10452468

10,000 miles · Jan 22, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AT 10000 (APRIL 2009) AND 43000 (JANUARY 2012) MILES, AND REPLACED. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHICH IS A HAZARD THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. BECAUSE BRAKE MUST BE APPLIED FOR ENGINE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO NOT START. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444777

33,000 miles · Sep 30, 2009
Exterior Lighting

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. INSECTS HAVE ENTERED INTO THE REAR TAIL LIGHT SOCKETS OF HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN; HOWEVER, THE INSECTS WERE REMOVED FROM THE SOCKETS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THEY HAVE NOT IDENTIF…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. INSECTS HAVE ENTERED INTO THE REAR TAIL LIGHT SOCKETS OF HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN; HOWEVER, THE INSECTS WERE REMOVED FROM THE SOCKETS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THEY HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,265.

NHTSA ODI #10285762

3,475 miles · Aug 28, 2008
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

FIRST DAY FOR PICK UP, HEADLIGHT POP, FIX IT THE NEXT DAY, TOOK 90 MINUTES JUST TO FIX ONE HEADLIGHT, AFTER 6 WEEKS, CAR TURNS OFF WHEN DRIVING ONE OF THE MOST BUSIEST HWY AND THE STEERING LOCKS; ONLY WAY TO START IT IS BY PUTTING IT TO "PARK" HOLD BRAKES DOWN ALL THE WAY THEN PUSH THE BUTTON AND COMING FROM THAT, IT WAS NOT SAF…

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FIRST DAY FOR PICK UP, HEADLIGHT POP, FIX IT THE NEXT DAY, TOOK 90 MINUTES JUST TO FIX ONE HEADLIGHT, AFTER 6 WEEKS, CAR TURNS OFF WHEN DRIVING ONE OF THE MOST BUSIEST HWY AND THE STEERING LOCKS; ONLY WAY TO START IT IS BY PUTTING IT TO "PARK" HOLD BRAKES DOWN ALL THE WAY THEN PUSH THE BUTTON AND COMING FROM THAT, IT WAS NOT SAFE AT ALL, DRIVERS WERE HONKING AND SWERVING JUST TO MANEUVER AWAY FROM ME, CALLED DEALERSHIP TO WHERE I PURCHASE CAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM, TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF 4 TIMES ON THE SAME HWY AND THANK GOD IT TURNED OFF ON A STRAIGHT AWAY NOT WHILE TURNING, SHOWED THEM A VIDEO IN WHICH I INTEND TO HOLD FOR EVIDENCE. DROP IT OFF 7:00AM, DEALERSHIP HAD SAID ABOUT CODES; THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND HAD REPLUG EVERY PLUG THAT WAS ON THE CAR IN WHICH IT WOULD BE RESET, GAVE CAR BACK WITHIN 9 HOURS SAYING THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF AGAIN AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT BACK. AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF, THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF PLUS WITH THE GAUGES(NOT KNOWING THE SPEED I WAS GOING) AND RADIO DISPLAY WENT OUT AND THIS IS WHEN IT WAS RAINING HECTIC AND I WASN'T ABLE TO USE HIGH BEAMS AUTOMATICALLY TO WHERE IT LOCKS FORWARD BUT TO PULL IT TOWARDS ME MANUALLY WHILE DRIVING. ALREADY TOLD DEALERSHIP THAT THIS CAR IS A BIG CONCERN ON THE ROAD FOR SAFETY BECAUSE WHEN IT TURNS OFF I BECOME A CRASHING INCIDENT IN WHICH IF THAT HAPPENS I WILL BLAME NISSAN FOR THAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240150

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