VehicleVerdict

2008 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,376 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Altima year — the 2008 model ranks #4 of 33 Altima years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 40 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across body & structure (313), other (201), and visibility & wipers (188), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

1,376

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

73

Crash-involved

22

Fires reported

40

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2008 compare to other Altima years?

Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted2,976 complaints1993: 150 complaints1994: 120 complaints1995: 216 complaints1996: 117 complaints1997: 141 complaints1998: 141 complaints1999: 110 complaints2000: 199 complaints2001: 202 complaints2002: 1,321 complaints2003: 1,099 complaints2004: 334 complaints2005: 1,364 complaints2006: 1,043 complaints2007: 598 complaints2008: 1,376 complaints2009: 2,150 complaints2010: 541 complaints2011: 320 complaints2012: 577 complaints2013: 2,976 complaints2014: 1,391 complaints2015: 1,197 complaints2016: 781 complaints2017: 507 complaints2018: 320 complaints2019: 344 complaints2020: 278 complaints2021: 111 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 37 complaints2024: 60 complaints2025: 10 complaints
Altima NHTSA complaints by model year, 2008 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2008 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Body & Structure31323%
Other20115%
Visibility & Wipers18814%
Airbags14711%
Electrical System987%
Brakes937%
Transmission806%
Engine755%
Steering373%
Speed Control353%
Seats242%
Tires & Wheels222%
Fuel System201%
Suspension151%
Lighting91%
Seat Belts71%
Latches & Locks71%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%
Child Seat20%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2008 Nissan Altima have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V401000Electrical SystemSeptember 10, 2010 · 7,948 units

Defect

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

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.

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.

08V363000SuspensionJuly 31, 2008 · 1,018 units

Defect

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

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.

07V599000Electrical SystemDecember 28, 2007 · 114 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING ON I95 THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WAS STEERED VERY DIFFICULTLY TO THE OFF RAMP AND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND I EXITED THE CAR AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO BE ENGULFED IN FLAMES BURNING THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR TO THE FRONT SEATS. FIRE RESCUE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 16, 2019 · fire

“I HAVE A MELTING DASHBOARD. THERE IS A GLARE THAT RADIATES FROM THE SHINE OF THE MELTING AREA THAT PRESENTS A VISIBILITY PROBLEM. I ALREADY HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, ON 10/17/2014, AND THE ISSUE IS ONGOING . NOW THERE IS EVEN MORE GLARE . I CONTACTED NISSAN. THEY OFFERED ONLY TO PAY HALF FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 17, 2014 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAT FROM THE SUN MELTED THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD WAS BLINDING TO THE CONTACT WHEN DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND NO REASON WAS PROVIDED FOR THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · December 14, 2013 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT, WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO BALES OF HAY. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · July 15, 2013 · crash

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE WOULD FILL THE INSIDE OF CAR ALSO HAD SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE INSIDE CAR TOOK IT TO PAUL BARNETT NISSAN IN BROOKHAVEN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM CAR WAS SLUGGISH WHILE DRIVING AND THE RADIO WENT OUT TWICE . THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD BECOME…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 20, 2009 · fire

2008 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2008 Nissan Altima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,376 complaints put the 2008 model at #4 of 33 Altima years. It is one of the Altima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2008 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are body & structure (313 complaints), other (201 complaints), visibility & wipers (188 complaints).

Does the 2008 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2008 Nissan Altima. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

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

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

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.