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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

35 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2023
Air BagsService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

While pulling into a parking spot and coming to a halt, I put the car into park mode. My foot was still on the brake. Instantly the engine went into "overdrive" and lurched forward over a parking curb and through heavy brush and finally came to a stop after hitting a pine tree. The engine was still screaming and the tires still …

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While pulling into a parking spot and coming to a halt, I put the car into park mode. My foot was still on the brake. Instantly the engine went into "overdrive" and lurched forward over a parking curb and through heavy brush and finally came to a stop after hitting a pine tree. The engine was still screaming and the tires still spinning until I hit the off button. I had my foot on the brake the entire time to no avail. The heavy brush slowed the car somewhat. The airbags didn't deploy. I had several witnesses and they all stated they saw my brake lights on. I plowed approx. 50 feet through the brush before hitting the tree. I was the only one involved and was not hurt. This was Thurs. Sept. 28, 2023. It was in a state park and no police report made. Park Ranger took down info.

NHTSA ODI #11548592

Mileage unknown · May 23, 2022
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

I pulled into Regions bank parking lot to use ATM machine and before I could even park my car accelerated for no reason. I had my foot on the brake but it just made it go faster. I crashed into the building and airbag deployed. This was the scariest driving experience I’ve ever had. The car is totaled and caused serious damage t…

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I pulled into Regions bank parking lot to use ATM machine and before I could even park my car accelerated for no reason. I had my foot on the brake but it just made it go faster. I crashed into the building and airbag deployed. This was the scariest driving experience I’ve ever had. The car is totaled and caused serious damage to bank. I escaped by the grace of God with sprained wrist and elbow and knee abrasions.

NHTSA ODI #11465698

176,200 miles · Apr 15, 2021
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I JUST PURCHASED MY NISSAN NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS AGO AND I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT IN THE 4-5 SHOPS BECAUSE NOBODY COULD FIGURE OUT WHY IT WAS GIVING THE CODE P0335. FINALLY FOUND OUT IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN. I CANT DRIVE MY OWN CAR BECAUSE OF IT AND I FEEL LIKE I GOT ROBBED OF MY MONEY. THE DAM CAR IS STUCK IN LIMP MODE. WE WAS DRIVING ONE…

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I JUST PURCHASED MY NISSAN NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS AGO AND I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT IN THE 4-5 SHOPS BECAUSE NOBODY COULD FIGURE OUT WHY IT WAS GIVING THE CODE P0335. FINALLY FOUND OUT IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN. I CANT DRIVE MY OWN CAR BECAUSE OF IT AND I FEEL LIKE I GOT ROBBED OF MY MONEY. THE DAM CAR IS STUCK IN LIMP MODE. WE WAS DRIVING ONE DAY AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR JERKED REALLY HARD AN LOST POWER DIDNT HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS GOING ON.

NHTSA ODI #11408244

170,000 miles · Sep 18, 2020
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WE WERE DRIVING ON I-695 IN BALTIMORE AREA WHEN I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT WHILE PRESSING ACCELERATION PADDLE, THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING FORWARD. IT STARTED TO STALL AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED COMPLETELY. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT TO THE CURBSIDE BEFORE A COLLISION MAY HAVE OCCURRED. BUT SOMEONE WITH LESS DRIVING CAPABILITIES MAY HA…

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WE WERE DRIVING ON I-695 IN BALTIMORE AREA WHEN I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT WHILE PRESSING ACCELERATION PADDLE, THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING FORWARD. IT STARTED TO STALL AND EVENTUALLY STOPPED COMPLETELY. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO PULL IT TO THE CURBSIDE BEFORE A COLLISION MAY HAVE OCCURRED. BUT SOMEONE WITH LESS DRIVING CAPABILITIES MAY HAVE ENDED UP IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE CAR STALLING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. LATER ON I FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NISSAN DIDN'T CARE AT ALL WHEN I CONTACTED THEM. I GOT TRANSMISSION REPLACED MYSELF. I THOUGHT I SHOULD SPEAK OUT ABOUT THIS BECAUSE A TRANSMISSION STALLING A VEHICLE AT NEARLY 65 MPH IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSES.

NHTSA ODI #11359773

195,000 miles · Aug 13, 2020
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CVT TRANSMISSION STEP SOLENOID AND THE ACCELERATOR PADDLE NOT WORKING WRITE IT WONT GO ANYWHERE SOMETIMES ONLY LIKE 20 MILES AN HOUR HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF AND WAIT 5 TO 10 MIN THEN IT'S OK FOR A LITTLE BIT IF I HIT A BUMP IT ALSO SHUTS OFF CAN U HELP PLEASE ITSBEEN DOING THIS SINCE BOUGHT FROM AN INDIVIDUAL

NHTSA ODI #11348948

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR HAS A SLOW TAKE OFF AND IT TAKES A WHILE TO DRIVE PROPERLY LIKE IT HAS TO WARM UP . THE POWER STEERING LEAKS OUT AND I DON'T NO WHY.MY SENSORS FOR CHECK ENGINE IS ON AND I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET IT CHECKED AND IT'S A SENSOR AND JUST NEED A TUNE UP BUT THE TIRE SENSOR STAYS ON AFTER I PUT AIR IN THE TIRES IT SO MANY S…

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MY CAR HAS A SLOW TAKE OFF AND IT TAKES A WHILE TO DRIVE PROPERLY LIKE IT HAS TO WARM UP . THE POWER STEERING LEAKS OUT AND I DON'T NO WHY.MY SENSORS FOR CHECK ENGINE IS ON AND I TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET IT CHECKED AND IT'S A SENSOR AND JUST NEED A TUNE UP BUT THE TIRE SENSOR STAYS ON AFTER I PUT AIR IN THE TIRES IT SO MANY SMALL THINGS THAT CAN TURN INTO BIG ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11318922

6,000 miles · Feb 6, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ROGUE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND SLOWED DOWN ABRUPTLY WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BEEPING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUDSON NISSAN CHARLESTON (1714 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 2940…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ROGUE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND SLOWED DOWN ABRUPTLY WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. ALSO, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BEEPING NOISE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HUDSON NISSAN CHARLESTON (1714 SAVANNAH HWY, CHARLESTON, SC 29407, (843) 571-2810) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #11174716

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2018
Air BagsVehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY ONE EVENING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN. I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR SEEMS TO GO EVEN SLOWER. IT WAS MYSELF AND MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY WAS 70 MPH AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPH. I PU…

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I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY ONE EVENING WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR BEGINS TO SLOW DOWN. I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR SEEMS TO GO EVEN SLOWER. IT WAS MYSELF AND MY YOUNGEST DAUGHTER. I WAS SCARED TO DEATH. THE SPEED LIMIT ON THE HIGHWAY WAS 70 MPH AND MY CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 35 MPH. I PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION AND A NICE MAN LOOKED AT THE CAR AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. SO GET BACK ON THE WAY TO GO BACK BECAUSE I DIDN'T TRUST THE CAR TO MAKE IT TO MY DESTINATION. IT DID THE AME THING AGAIN. SO I DROVE WITH MY HAZARD LIGHTS ON ALL THE WAY HOME AND PARKED IT. NOW IT DRIVES FINE RIGHT IN THE SMALL TOWN I LIVE IN BUT I CANT DRIVE IT OUT OF TOWN AT ALL, WHICH REALLY DEFEATS THE PURPOSE.

NHTSA ODI #11120410

171,000 miles · Feb 7, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING OR WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

NHTSA ODI #11071640

70,000 miles · Aug 8, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TT *JS

NHTSA ODI #11013764

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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