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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

57 reports
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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

9,696 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PURSUANT TO APPEARANCE OF BRAKE WARNING LIGHT VEHICLE TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451315

41,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN GOING ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY STARTING ON JANUARY 10, 2012. DEFINITELY MORE COMMON ON DAYS WITH TEMPS AT FREEZING OR BELOW. LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT ONCE CAR WARMED UP, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON AFTER USING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. BRAKES DID SEEM TO STOP OKAY, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE A FEW TIMES VERY RE…

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BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN GOING ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY STARTING ON JANUARY 10, 2012. DEFINITELY MORE COMMON ON DAYS WITH TEMPS AT FREEZING OR BELOW. LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT ONCE CAR WARMED UP, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON AFTER USING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. BRAKES DID SEEM TO STOP OKAY, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE A FEW TIMES VERY RECENTLY THAT THEY MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. CHECKED/ADDED BRAKE FLUID SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS. HAD CAR SERVICED AT LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK AND WAS TOLD THAT MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK. COST WAS $100 OUT OF POCKET -- REMAINDER COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AS MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 41,494 MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451213

46,000 miles · Feb 23, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE FOOT BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY DURING DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10449096

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I TOOK MY CAR FOR SERVICE AT THE NISSAN DEALER FOR A OIL CHANGE AND TO CHECK UP MY BRAKES PAD BECAUSE THE CAR FEEL WEIRD WHEN BRAKING. COME TO FIND OUT THAT MY BRAKE PADS ARE GOOD BUT MY MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING . I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY BRAKES LIGHT HASN'T CAME ON. P…

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I TOOK MY CAR FOR SERVICE AT THE NISSAN DEALER FOR A OIL CHANGE AND TO CHECK UP MY BRAKES PAD BECAUSE THE CAR FEEL WEIRD WHEN BRAKING. COME TO FIND OUT THAT MY BRAKE PADS ARE GOOD BUT MY MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING . I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY BRAKES LIGHT HASN'T CAME ON. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IF THIS IS A DEFECT FROM MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO REPLACE IT AND THEY HAVE MORE THAN 400,000 CARS REPORT IT THEIR SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447207

56,000 miles · Feb 5, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, SUGGESTING I NEED TO ADD BRAKE FLUID. I'VE READ THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO SPEND A LOT TO REPLACE A LEAKY MASTER CYLINDER. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446739

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED BRAKE LIGHT AND VDC/SLIP LIGHTS TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. MY CAR HAS 54,000 MILES. THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AT 31,000 MILES, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS MY BRAKE PADS AND REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AT THAT TIME. THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED HORRIBLY SINCE THE PADS WERE REPLACED. NOW …

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LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED BRAKE LIGHT AND VDC/SLIP LIGHTS TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. MY CAR HAS 54,000 MILES. THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AT 31,000 MILES, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS MY BRAKE PADS AND REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AT THAT TIME. THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED HORRIBLY SINCE THE PADS WERE REPLACED. NOW HAVING TROUBLE FINDING A PART BECAUSE APPARENTLY THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY, MANY NISSAN OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445042

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

58,000 miles · Jan 22, 2012
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY EVEN THOUGH THE HAND-BRAKE WASN'T ON AND THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM DURING BRAKING. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO PAY THE $560 FOR THE REPLACEMENT B…

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THE BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY EVEN THOUGH THE HAND-BRAKE WASN'T ON AND THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM DURING BRAKING. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO PAY THE $560 FOR THE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE RISKS WITH YOUR BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10444759

51,000 miles · Dec 9, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. CAR WAS IN MOTION. BRAKES WERE NOT IN USE WHEN LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKES FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. $476.00 REPAIR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN F…

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BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. CAR WAS IN MOTION. BRAKES WERE NOT IN USE WHEN LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKES FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. $476.00 REPAIR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN FLAW OR INFERIOR WORKMANSHIP/PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439172

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