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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

Seats complaints

24 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2022
Air BagsSeats

The passenger side air bag is faulty due to AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT. This has been verified by an independent service center and puts passengers at risk. The airbag will not work without the entire seat being replaced. The airbag light shows that the system is “OFF”. This make and m…

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The passenger side air bag is faulty due to AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT. This has been verified by an independent service center and puts passengers at risk. The airbag will not work without the entire seat being replaced. The airbag light shows that the system is “OFF”. This make and model had a recall issued but my VIN was not included but should have been included.

NHTSA ODI #11493916

Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2019
SeatsUnknown Or Other

THE DASH IS MELTING AND CAUSES A VERY BAD GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHETHER DRIVING OR PARKED GOING INTO THE SUN.IT IS SO BAD YOU CAN BARELY SEE THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU.THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11242412

211,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
Air BagsSeats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY NISSAN OF ATLANTA (LOCATED AT 2551 THE NALLEY WAY, ATLANTA, GA 30360, (678) 825-6749) WHERE IT WAS DI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG MIGHT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY NISSAN OF ATLANTA (LOCATED AT 2551 THE NALLEY WAY, ATLANTA, GA 30360, (678) 825-6749) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 211,000.

NHTSA ODI #11141085

79,000 miles · Aug 2, 2017
SeatsUnknown Or Other

GLUE IS BLEEDING THRU THE DASH ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. IT IS CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE, SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO LEAN OVER TO FIND A SPOT THAT DOES NOT AFFECT MY VISION OF THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF OR COMING TOWARDS ME. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD AND LEFT UNATTENDED WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A WRECK. I AL…

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GLUE IS BLEEDING THRU THE DASH ON MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. IT IS CAUSING A GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD THAT MAKES IT HARD TO SEE, SO BAD THAT I HAVE TO LEAN OVER TO FIND A SPOT THAT DOES NOT AFFECT MY VISION OF THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF OR COMING TOWARDS ME. THIS IS A ROAD HAZARD AND LEFT UNATTENDED WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE A WRECK. I ALSO HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER PROBLEMS, THE FRONT SEATS ARE LOOSE AND SLID WHEN I HAD TO SLAM ON MY BRAKESFEEL AND I AM NOT AT ALL COMFORTABLE THAT IF I HAD AN ACCIDENT THAT THIS WOULD ATTRIBUTE TO ADDITIONAL INJURY. ALSO, I HAVE HAD THE LOW TIRE SCENSOR REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE TO ONLY HAVE IT COME BACK ON AT WHICH TIME I FOUND OUT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MODEL, WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE HAD THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, INSTEAD OF TAKING MY MONEY. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT ALL THREE OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE ARE KNOWN PROBLEMS THAT HAVE BEEN REPEATEDLY REPORTED TO NISSAN ONLY TO BE TOLD THEY ARE NOT RECALLS AND ARE EXTREMELY HIGH IN COST OUT OF POCKET. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO THEM FOR TWO YEARS TO NO AVAIL. THEY SENT ME TO A DEALER IN TOWN AT ONE POINT WHO REITERATED TO ME VERBATIM WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THEM ONLINE AFTER HE GAVE THE DASH A QUICK LOOK. I LIVE IN LOUISIANA, I TRAVEL TO TEXAS SEVERAL TIMES A YEAR. THAT IS WHEN THE PROBLEM WITH THE DASH STARTED. NO WAY TO CLEAN, IT IS ONE BIG STICKY MESS AND ONLY GETTING WORSE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE, THEY WERE HAPPY TO TAKE MY MONEY, THE LEAST THEY COULD DO IS FIX KNOWN PROBLEMS. TOYOTA RECALLED ONE OF THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE SAME BLEEDING GLUE DASH PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD BE AS FORTHCOMING WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS, WON'T BUY ANOTHER, WILL SERIOUSLY AFFECT THE RESALE VALUE OF THIS ONE. SHAME ON NISSAN! MY FORMAL COMPLAINT SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED!

NHTSA ODI #11012294

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2017
Air BagsSeats

MY PASSANGER AIRBAG IS NOT WORKING WHEN SOMEBODY IS SITTING IN THE SEAT IT IS STILL OFF WHEN DRIVING, THEIR WAS AN OPEN RECALL ON THIS BUT WHEN I CALL NISSAN ITS NOT MY MODEL

NHTSA ODI #10995202

Mileage unknown · May 3, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DE…

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THE AIRBAG SENSOR ON THE PASSENGER SEAT STOPPED WORKING ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I HAD TO GET MY CAR INSPECTED LAST MONTH TO DRIVE IN THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND TO ACCESS THE NAVAL BASE FOR WORK. I FAILED THE INSPECTION BECAUSE OF IT AND HAD TO PAY $705 FOR A NEW SEAT. I SAW A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL DEPARTMENT MY CAR WASN'T COVERED. HOW CAN THAT BE POSSIBLE? I AM REQUESTING A REFUND AS THE ISSUE WAS A SAFETY RECALL IN 2008.

NHTSA ODI #10983357

100,000 miles · Nov 4, 2016
Air BagsSeats

A PASSENGER SITTING CAUSES THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO FLASH AND TURNS OFF THE AIRBAG? IF THE SEAT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME OCS CONTROL UNIT, MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL IN NOVEMBER 2008 THAT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN? NISSAN CONCLUDED I SHOULD PAY THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. …

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A PASSENGER SITTING CAUSES THE AIRBAG LIGHT TO FLASH AND TURNS OFF THE AIRBAG? IF THE SEAT IS EQUIPPED WITH THE SAME OCS CONTROL UNIT, MY VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. I AM EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE RECALL IN NOVEMBER 2008 THAT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN? NISSAN CONCLUDED I SHOULD PAY THE DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10924283

10,000 miles · Mar 11, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemSeats

WHEN AN ADULT IS SETTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL PERIODICALLY GO ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR YEARS. ST. CHARLES NISSAN TECH FOUND OCCUPANT SENSOR FAILURE TO BE CAUSING THE ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL INVOLVING THIS ISSUE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V521000. MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT PART OF T…

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WHEN AN ADULT IS SETTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL PERIODICALLY GO ON. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR YEARS. ST. CHARLES NISSAN TECH FOUND OCCUPANT SENSOR FAILURE TO BE CAUSING THE ISSUE. THERE IS A RECALL INVOLVING THIS ISSUE, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V521000. MY CAR'S VIN IS NOT PART OF THE OPEN RECALL, HOWEVER, SINCE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME YEAR VEHICLE, I WONDERED IF THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED. I HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED AT WHAT VIN THEY STOPPED IN THE RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10846119

30,000 miles · Feb 3, 2016
Seats

THE PASSENGER SEAT HAS AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE THAT IS NOT COMMUNICATING WITH THE CAR COMPUTER.IT IS SHOWING A YELLOW LIGHT INDICATING THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS OFF. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME WHEN THE CAR IS ON. STATIONARY OR DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #10824031

165,000 miles · Nov 15, 2015
Seats

THE SEAT IS LIFTED AND SLIDING ESPECIALLY WHEN I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. IT IS UNSTABLE AND SWAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT I READ WITH NISSAN SEATS AND I AM AFRAID.

NHTSA ODI #10790465

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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