IllustrationMY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND CAUSING ME TO LOOSE VISABILITY. THERE IS NO RECALL AND THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO TO STOP IT.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1010–25K
11425–50K
16050–75K
11975–100K
139100–150K
52150K+
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
Visibility/wiper complaints
168 reportsTHE DASH SURFACE HAS SEVERE MELTING AND THE RESULTANT GLARE CAUSES VISIBILITY TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE RESULT OF THE MELTING DASH SURFACE CAN CREATE TEMPORARY BLINDING CONDITIONS AS THE VEHICLE ORIENTS TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND AFTER DARK STREET LIGHTING. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS …
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THE DASH SURFACE HAS SEVERE MELTING AND THE RESULTANT GLARE CAUSES VISIBILITY TO BE SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE RESULT OF THE MELTING DASH SURFACE CAN CREATE TEMPORARY BLINDING CONDITIONS AS THE VEHICLE ORIENTS TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND AFTER DARK STREET LIGHTING. THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THIS PRODUCT SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY AND FIXED BY NISSAN.
MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND BEGINNING TO SPREAD DOWN TO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. I CAN BARELY SEE WHEN I DRIVE BECAUSE THE GLARE IS TOO BAD. I ALMOST RAN OVER SOMETHING AND HAD TO SWERVE BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE IT...IT KEEPS HAPPENING. THERE SHE BE A RECALL BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST.
MY DASHBOARD HAS STARTED BECOMING GOOEY AND VERY SHINY. IF I TOUCH IT, IT FEELS LIKE I AM TOUCHING AN ADHESIVE USED FOR SOMETHING LIKE A BUMPER STICKER. THE SAFETY ISSUE IS THAT THIS IS VERY REFLECTIVE AND PROJECTS A GLARING IMAGE ON THE WINDSHIELD MAKING IT HARD TO SEE PARTS OF THE ROAD AHEAD.
THE DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT BAD. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PROTECH IT WITH SUNSHADES BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO MELT. THIS IS CAUSING GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING OBSTRUCTION FOR MY DRIVING AND BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. NOT SURE WHY NHSTA IS WAITING FOR SOME ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. I WOULD REQUEST RECALL AND FIX THE DASHBOARD IS…
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THE DASHBOARD IS STARTING TO MELT BAD. I'VE BEEN TRYING TO PROTECH IT WITH SUNSHADES BUT IT STILL CONTINUES TO MELT. THIS IS CAUSING GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD AND CAUSING OBSTRUCTION FOR MY DRIVING AND BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE. NOT SURE WHY NHSTA IS WAITING FOR SOME ACCIDENT TO HAPPEN. I WOULD REQUEST RECALL AND FIX THE DASHBOARD ISSUE
THE DASHBOARD MELTS AND IT'S AN SAFETY ISSUE. SOMETIMES I CANNOT SEE THE ROAD BECASUE THE MELTED DASHBOARD SHINES ON THE WINDSHIELD.
THE DASHBOARD ON MY ALTIMA IS MELTING AND IS EXTREMELY STICKY AND CANNOT BE CLEANED. THE DEFECT CAUSES A HORRENDOUS GLARE AND MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY WHEN IT IS SUNNY OUTSIDE WHICH IS QUITE OFTEN IN LOUISIANA. THIS IS CLEARLY A FAULT IN THE HANDS OF NISSAN.
DASHBOARD MELTED AND CAUSES A SEVERE GLARE ON THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THIS GLARE LIMITS VIABILITY AND IS DANGEROUS WHEN DRIVING.
THE DASHBOARD FOR MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING. IN SUNLIGHT (MOST OF THE DAY), MY VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD IS DECREASED TREMENDOUSLY DUE TO GLARE THE MELTING MATERIAL CAUSES TO REFLECT ON THE FRONT WINDOW. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. FROM ONLINE SEARCHES, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MANY NISSAN ALTIM…
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THE DASHBOARD FOR MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE IS MELTING. IN SUNLIGHT (MOST OF THE DAY), MY VISIBILITY ON THE ROAD IS DECREASED TREMENDOUSLY DUE TO GLARE THE MELTING MATERIAL CAUSES TO REFLECT ON THE FRONT WINDOW. THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. FROM ONLINE SEARCHES, THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR MANY NISSAN ALTIMA DRIVERS, AND NISSAN HAS FAILED TO RESPOND AND REPLACE THESE MELTING DASHBOARDS. A RECALL IS NEEDED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS.
I LIVE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA AND OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. MY DASHBOARD BEGAN TO REFLECT A REAL BAD GLARE WHILE MY HUSBAND DRIVES. HE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER AS I AM NOT. HE HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT IT AS WELL BUT IT IS EVIDENT THAT HE SEES THE GLARE AS I SEE IT AS WELL. COME TO FIND OUT I HAVE A MELTING DASHBOARD PER NISSAN AUTO T…
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I LIVE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA AND OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. MY DASHBOARD BEGAN TO REFLECT A REAL BAD GLARE WHILE MY HUSBAND DRIVES. HE IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER AS I AM NOT. HE HAS COMPLAINED ABOUT IT AS WELL BUT IT IS EVIDENT THAT HE SEES THE GLARE AS I SEE IT AS WELL. COME TO FIND OUT I HAVE A MELTING DASHBOARD PER NISSAN AUTO TECHNICIANS. IT IS GOOEY, STICKY, AND CAUSES SUCH A BAD GLARE THAT WE ONLY DRIVE IN EARLY MORNING OR LATE EARLY EVENING WHEN THE SUN IS NOT SO EXTREME. THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED TO FILE A COMPLAINT TO NISSAN CORPORATE OFFICE SINCE THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACING THESE AT NO COST FOR OTHER VEHICLES. I PLACED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CORPORATE AS I WAS ADVISED. I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM THEM ON 8/28/15, STATING THAT THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE DASHBOARD FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS: OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY, NO CURRENT RECALLS & CAMPAIGNS, NO SERVICE CONTRACT, NO EXTENSIONS HISTORY OF SERVICE OF THE VEHICLE AND OTHER FACTORS. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THERE IS NOT DEFINITIVE ANSWER. WHEN I ASKED TO GIVE SPECIFIC THEY SAID THEY DID. MIND YOU, I SERVICE MY CAR AND ALL MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN DONE ON THE VEHICLE EITHER BY MY HUSBAND AND SON (WHO IS A MECHANIC), NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT OR TIRE PLUS. I THINK THIS IS ABSURD! WE CAN CAUSE A HUGE ACCIDENT ONE DAY FOR A PRODUCT DEFAULT BY NISSAN ENGINEERS. MY HUSBAND HAS TRIED TO AVOID MANY ACCIDENTS FROM THIS GLARE FROM THE DASHBOARD AS THE SUN IN FLORIDA HITS HARD ON A BLACK DASHBOARD ESPECIALLY. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT TO HAVE THE NHTSA GET INVOLVED IN ENFORCING NISSAN AND ANY OTHER VEHICLE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES THAT ARE FACING THIS ISSUE TO RECALL THIS DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. THIS CAN CAUSE MANY ACCIDENTS AND SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE, WE HAVE AVOIDED SEVERAL ONES THUS FAR. WE HAVE BEEN LUCKY THUS FAR BUT I CAN'T PREDICT THE FUTURE OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN TOMORROW IF THIS DEFECT DOESN'T GET CORRECTED BY NISSAN.
Official recalls
410V401000 · 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
1PE11020 · 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.