The 2008 Nissan Altima has 4 safety recalls and 1,031 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is structure (313 complaints).
Problem: 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.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system › Software
NHTSA recall 08V521000 · Oct 7, 2008 · 204,361 vehicles
Problem: 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).
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Components: Electrical system › Software; Air bags
Problem: 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.
Risk: IF THE BOLT WERE TO COME OUT, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system › Ignition › Module
NHTSA recall 07V599000 · Dec 28, 2007 · 114 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2008 Nissan Altima 2-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
2008 Nissan Altima 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Altima Coupe
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Altima Coupe
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Altima
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 31 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Altima
26mpg combined
City / highway
23 / 32 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel
Altima Coupe
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
Altima Coupe
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
Altima
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
Altima
22mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 27 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Structure Body; Interior panels › Dashboard
313
5
2
0
65,275 mi
Unknown or other
199
3
1
0
92,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
168
0
1
1
73,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; Sensor › Occupant classification › Front passenger
147
19
0
18
72,000 mi
Electrical system Software; Ignition
90
5
4
2
76,465 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
80
5
0
4
110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Master cylinder
59
4
0
2
35,890 mi
Engine
54
3
5
1
100,000 mi
Steering
37
4
0
0
72,000 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Cruise control
35
10
1
2
67,000 mi
Service brakes
33
4
2
1
66,536 mi
Seats Front assembly › Head restraint; Motorcycle
24
2
0
0
10,000 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jan 1, 2025Fuel/propulsion system I am a senior citizen that owns a 2008 Nissan Altima, 2.5, two door vehicle. I have spent thousands trying to fix a power condition on this car that has become chronic. One mechanic told me what my car has a a known symptom by Nissan and that there has been recalls for it, therefore, I went in the internet and search recalls for 2008 Nissan cars and found out its been known this mechanical problem is known manufacturer. Sadly i never received a notice of recall and I wonder how i was missed! Another issue of this car is that the dashboard is melting for several years and its also a known issue. Now, I will describe the symptoms of the car. 1. I bout this car with Mossy Nissan dealer, San…
Jun 7, 2026 · 80,000 miles · crash · 1 injuryService brakes, hydraulic The contact's mother owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her mother was driving 20 MPH, the brakes suddenly stopped responding when the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle crashed into a pole. The brake pedal was depressed, and the parking brake was activated, but the vehicle failed to respond. The driver sustained injuries to the face with cuts and bruises to the stomach, chest, arms, back and neck pain. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was serviced at a Nissan dealer. The local dealer was notified. The vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000
Sep 14, 2026Fuel/propulsion system just reporting same issues suspension is horrible and problem with fuel. code p0955 and p2a00
Aug 1, 2021Unknown or other Like many others in this make/model, dashboard is melting, resulting in glare onto windshield, off-gassing of chemicals, and concerns that airbags may not properly deploy. Inspected only by vehicle repair technician, but available for inspection by others at any time.
Nov 28, 2017Unknown or other Had to have AC system repaired three times for the same issue. Evaporator/Heater Core needed to be replaced twice along with other repairs to AC system. Nissan would not back up evaporator repair.
Jun 30, 2023Air bags Passenger air bag indicator light has been on for 2 years and have been unable to locate issue. All air bag systems test good except error code for passenger side air bag.
Aug 20, 2025Suspension Suspension and steering issues purchased many new tires throughout the yrs to find out it had suspension issues. There are 4 recalls listed on my insurance policy that describes exactly what's been wrong with my car since purchased. When calling nissan and checking your data base my vin # has never had any recalls for these issues but is obvious this make and model has been affected as well. Please look into this some more car is not safe and we were sold a lemon from day 1. Going back and forth to dealership lies and mechanics to find out it's always been a suspension issue I don't know the exact terms but suspension and some type of electric issue just as the recalls stated on my…
Jan 17, 2024Air bags At first, the passenger airbag off light always turn on when a person sit on the seat(never turn off). Then few months later the Airbag light on dashboard starts flashing with no reason, 1 long 5 shorts.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
PE11020 · opened May 23, 2011 · closed Mar 14, 2012Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak 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…
