VehicleVerdict

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

20

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Altima Hybrid years?

Altima Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted81 complaints2007: 40 complaints2008: 20 complaints2009: 81 complaints2010: 16 complaints2011: 9 complaints
Altima Hybrid NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima Hybrid years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes525%
Electrical System420%
Engine420%
Speed Control315%
Visibility & Wipers15%
Lighting15%
Transmission15%
Airbags15%

Does the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

08V521000Electrical SystemOctober 7, 2008 · 204,361 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A WALL AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FLOOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 6, 2012 · crash

“2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THERE WERE TWO INCIDENTS OF THE CAR RUNNING EVEN THOUGH I LEFT IT FOR QUITE A WHILE. FIRST, IN A SHOPPING MALL I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS OFF, AND IT REMAINED RUNNING FOR QUITE A WHILE. IN A SECOND INCIDENT IT STAYED RUNNING AT THE CURB FOR 3 HOURS UNTIL I RETURNED. I THOUGHT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 25, 2010

“NISSAN DEALER IS SAYING I MUST REPLACE PART # 48700-9N00B, THIS SAME PART IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ALTIMA 2009-2012. CAN I GET A NEW VERSION OF THESE. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 6, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · September 12, 2011 · crash

“HI, I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONING BECAUSE OF AN UNRELIABLE BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH. I BECAME AWARE OF THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILING. AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · July 1, 2013

2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid — common questions

Is the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid reliable?

The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2008 Altima Hybrid problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), engine (4 complaints).

Does the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Nissan Altima Hybrid years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima Hybrid years to avoid are 2009, 2007. The cleanest record among Altima Hybrid years belongs to 2011.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.