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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

Tires complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2024
Tires

215/60R16 This is the second tire that failed at the sidewall needing to be replaced. First failed after less than 4000 miles. And the second w sidewall failure at about 10,000 miles of use. i have photographed the second tire failure. Seems odd that out of five brand new tires have sidewall failures 2 (40%) have very low use f…

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215/60R16 This is the second tire that failed at the sidewall needing to be replaced. First failed after less than 4000 miles. And the second w sidewall failure at about 10,000 miles of use. i have photographed the second tire failure. Seems odd that out of five brand new tires have sidewall failures 2 (40%) have very low use failures.

NHTSA ODI #11570950

4,777 miles · Feb 10, 2017
Air BagsService BrakesTires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE TPMS, BRAKE, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,777.

NHTSA ODI #10953873

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2016
StructureTiresWheels

I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA (VIN# [XXX]). I HAVE TO TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU: 1) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE DASHBOARDS TOWARDS THEIR STICKINESS & MELTING? ESPECIALLY SINCE TOYOTA RECALLED THEIRS BECAUSE OF THAT. 2) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE TPMS? IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. WITH IT ON ALL THE TIME, HOW AR…

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I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA (VIN# [XXX]). I HAVE TO TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU: 1) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE DASHBOARDS TOWARDS THEIR STICKINESS & MELTING? ESPECIALLY SINCE TOYOTA RECALLED THEIRS BECAUSE OF THAT. 2) WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THE TPMS? IT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. WITH IT ON ALL THE TIME, HOW ARE SUPPOSED TO TELL WHEN THE AIR IS LOW. IF I TURN IT OFF, IT WON'T COME BACK ON EVEN WHEN THE TIRES ARE LOW. IF I REPLACE ONE, I HAVE TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM. NTB HAS EVEN TRIED PUTTING NITROGEN IN THE TIRES. BUT THAT DID NOT WORK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10895068

180,661 miles · Feb 2, 2016
Air BagsTires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,271.

NHTSA ODI #10823776

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2014
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM NEEDED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VALVE STEM WAS REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V393000 (TIRES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10630119

125,000 miles · Apr 21, 2013
Tires

3 UNIROYAL 215 60R 16 94T DOT# Y9X8VNUU 4110 HAVE DEVELOPED A SMALL FLAT SPOT ON INSIDE OF TIRES APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES FROM OUTSIDE OF TIRE TOWARDS MIDDLE OF TIRE. LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE BEGINNING OF SEPARATION.THESE TIRES HAVE A 80000 MILE WARRANTY. TIRES NOW HAVE ABOUT 25000 TO25500MILES ON THEM THIS DATE. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTAT…

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3 UNIROYAL 215 60R 16 94T DOT# Y9X8VNUU 4110 HAVE DEVELOPED A SMALL FLAT SPOT ON INSIDE OF TIRES APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES FROM OUTSIDE OF TIRE TOWARDS MIDDLE OF TIRE. LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE BEGINNING OF SEPARATION.THESE TIRES HAVE A 80000 MILE WARRANTY. TIRES NOW HAVE ABOUT 25000 TO25500MILES ON THEM THIS DATE. TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AT EVERY 5000 MILES. AIR PRESSURE HAS BEEN KEPT A CONSISTENT 40LBS.ONE TIRE ON VEHICLE IS IN FINE SHAPE BUT WITH A DIFFERENT DOT NUMBER WHICH ISY9X8 UN11 4910. CALLED WAL-MART AND THEY SAID THEY NEED TO SEE TIRES. THEY ALSO SAID THEY DON'T CARRY THAT TIRE ANYMORE1. I'M VERY CURIOUS WHY? WILL TAKE CAR DOWN TO THEM THIS WEEK AND SEE WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509014

15,700 miles · Aug 13, 2009
Tires

I BOUGHT MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM CHAMPION NISSAN,KATY,TEXAS. I PAID $2000 FOR FOUR BOSS WHEELS AND TIRES. AT 15,000 MILES, I HAD TWO TIRES FALL APART AND HAVE BELTS TO SEPARATE MAKING THE CAR UN-DRIVABLE. NOW I HAVE A THIRD TIRE WHICH SEEMS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO DO THE SAME;HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR FOR SAFET…

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I BOUGHT MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM CHAMPION NISSAN,KATY,TEXAS. I PAID $2000 FOR FOUR BOSS WHEELS AND TIRES. AT 15,000 MILES, I HAD TWO TIRES FALL APART AND HAVE BELTS TO SEPARATE MAKING THE CAR UN-DRIVABLE. NOW I HAVE A THIRD TIRE WHICH SEEMS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO DO THE SAME;HOWEVER, I HAVE HAD TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR FOR SAFETY REASONS. I CONTACTED CHAMPION NISSAN(281-644-1100 ) AND SPOKE WITH TWO MANAGERS,RAFAEL AND PHIL;, AND HAVE BEEN PUT OFF FOR TEN DAYS NOW BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO PASS THE BUCK TO THE VENDOR WHICH SOLD THEM THE BOSS WHEELS W/ TIRES. THEY HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THE BUSINESS IS NOW "OUT OF BUSINESS" AND THEY SEEM TO BE IN MEETINGS ALL THE TIME. CAN SOMEONE HELP ME CONVINCE THEM THAT SINCE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED WITH THE NO GOOD TIRES FROM THEM, THEY OUGHT TO PUT DECENT TIRES ON MY CAR SO I CAN DRIVE IT? THE WARRANTY BOOK THEY GAVE ME DESCRIBES GOODYEAR, BF GOODRICH AND DUNLOP TIRES....NOTHING IS MENTIONED ABOUT NANKANG TIRES. HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280399

10,000 miles · Apr 21, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT ALL SEASON RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 215/60/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SNOW COVERED AND SLUSHY. THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND PROCEEDED DOWN TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT ALL SEASON RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 215/60/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SNOW COVERED AND SLUSHY. THE DRIVER SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND PROCEEDED DOWN THE INCLINE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND PROCEEDED FORWARD TO THE TOP OF THE INCLINE AS THE TIRES SLID. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT FELT THIS WAS A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT SUITABLE FOR THIS GEOGRAPHIC AREA. ALL FOUR ORIGINAL TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000. UPDATED 05/08/09. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10266253

11,000 miles · Oct 10, 2008
Tires

2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN WITH 13000 MILES. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON IF THE TIRES ARE AT THE SPECIFIED PRESSURE OF 32 PSI AS SPECIFIED BY THE PLACARD AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE FIX WAS TO INCREASE THE TIRE PRESSURE TO BETWEEN 35…

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2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN WITH 13000 MILES. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON IF THE TIRES ARE AT THE SPECIFIED PRESSURE OF 32 PSI AS SPECIFIED BY THE PLACARD AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE FIX WAS TO INCREASE THE TIRE PRESSURE TO BETWEEN 35 AND 40 PSI. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE HANDLING CHANGES DRASTICALLY, THE RIDE DETERIORATES AND I'M SURE THE LIFE OF THE TIRES IS SHORTENED. AFTER DISCUSSING THE REPAIR WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY INFORMED ME THAT SINCE THE PRESSURE MONITORING IS A GOVERNMENT MANDATED ITEM, INCREASING THE PRESSURE IS ALL THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO BY NISSAN, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. THAT IS AN UNACCEPTABLE FIX. I WAS READING IN A NISSAN HELP GROUP WEBSITE THAT THE PROBLEM IS AN OFTEN HAPPENING EVEN ON CARS RIGHT OUT OF THE SHOWROOM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10245074

25,000 miles · Sep 14, 2008
Tires

I PURCHASED A 2008 ALTIMA FROM BILL RAY NISSAN (SANDFORD FL) IN OCT 07. AFTER ONLY 25,000 MILES THE TIRES (CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO 215/60R-16 94T) BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. LUCKILY I PURCHASED A TIRE WARRANTY FROM DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. OF COURSE THERE WAS NOTHING THAT NISSAN COULD DO ABOUT THE TIR…

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I PURCHASED A 2008 ALTIMA FROM BILL RAY NISSAN (SANDFORD FL) IN OCT 07. AFTER ONLY 25,000 MILES THE TIRES (CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO 215/60R-16 94T) BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. LUCKILY I PURCHASED A TIRE WARRANTY FROM DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. OF COURSE THERE WAS NOTHING THAT NISSAN COULD DO ABOUT THE TIRES. THIS WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TIRE COMPANY WHICH WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE TIRES FOR MANUFACTURE 'DEFECTS'.I DIDN'T WANT TO WAIT FOR THE TIRES TO FALL APART AT HWY SPEEDS. SO WITH MY EXTRA INSURANCE THROUGH DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY THEY WERE ABLE TO PRORATE THE TIRES AND NOW I'M DRIVING ON SOME VERY QUIET TIRES FROM YOKOHAMA (215/60R-16 95H) WITH 33,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I'LL NEVER GO BACK TO CONTINENTAL TIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242151

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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