NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Nissan Altima Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Nissan Altima has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,031 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA also files the 2008 Nissan Altima separately as Altima Hybrid — 1 recall campaign.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Nissan Altima, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2008 Nissan Altima owner complaints

Owners have filed 1,031 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Altima, describing incidents dated September 17, 2007 to September 14, 2026.

Most-cited components

Structure 312 complaints
Unknown or Other 199 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 188 complaints
Air Bags 142 complaints
Service Brakes 93 complaints
Electrical System 90 complaints

Of the 1,031 complaints on file, 54 report a crash and 13 a fire; across all 1,031 complaints, owners report 34 injuries and 2 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11773973 · Filed October 27, 2026
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…
ODI #11769097 · Filed October 5, 2026
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…
ODI #11767618 · Filed September 28, 2026
just reporting same issues suspension is horrible and problem with fuel. code p0955 and p2a00

Read all 1,031 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Nissan Altima mileage at failure

678 of the 1,031 complaints on file for the 2008 Nissan Altima give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Structure	Median 65,000 miles	Middle half 45,000–85,000 miles	Based on 187 complaints
Visibility/Wiper	Median 70,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–95,000 miles	Based on 114 complaints
Air Bags	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 35,000–125,000 miles	Based on 98 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 40,000 miles	Middle half 25,000–60,000 miles	Based on 81 complaints
Electrical System	Median 75,000 miles	Middle half 45,000–120,000 miles	Based on 67 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Nissan Altima in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE11-020: Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
Closed March 14, 2012

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

PORTABLE AUTOMOTIVE GPS PRODUCTS/OVERHEATS

NHTSA #10V401000 · Equipment — Electrical — Navigational System(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) · NHTSA notice

Reported September 10, 2010 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 7,948 vehicles

Owners notified September 16, 2010

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM CONTROL UNIT

NHTSA #08V521000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported October 7, 2008 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 204,361 vehicles

Owners notified November 4, 2008 · Vehicles built May 8, 2007 – January 30, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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).

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT

NHTSA #08V363000 · Suspension · NHTSA notice

Reported July 31, 2008 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 1,018 vehicles

Owners notified August 11, 2008 · Vehicles built May 22, 2008 – May 28, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BODY CONTROL MODULE

NHTSA #07V599000 · Electrical System — Ignition — Module · NHTSA notice

Reported December 28, 2007 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 114 vehicles

Nissan campaign P7267 · Owners notified January 18, 2008 · Vehicles built October 1, 2007 – November 30, 2007 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

NISSAN RECALL NO. P7267.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2008 Nissan Altima 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

2008 Nissan Altima 2-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

1 investigation

1,031 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Nissan Altima.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11773973

Incident: January 1, 2025 · Filed: October 27, 2026

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 Diego, CA. in July, 2010. Since i bout the car, i used to feel a burst of power when when starting to drive. I'd press the gas and it would take a second or two to move with power, I thought this is the way the car was and I liked it. unfortunately, this burst of power got more delayed as the car became older to the point that I am in a red light and the car does not move although I am pressing the gas. now the car stalls sometimes but not often. 2. I recognize this is a safety issue because for me because i can be hit by other car from the back when the car loses power. last weekend, I was on an intersection exiting the highway and made a left just when the car staled and another car almost collided with me. According to the internet report on this car, this is a known issue to Nissan. 3. Unfortunately, the car does not give me an alarm or safety warning on the dashboard when this happens, so its hard for the mechanics to troubleshoot.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11769097

Crash 1 injury

Incident: June 7, 2026 · Filed: October 5, 2026

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

Suspension; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11767618

Incident: September 14, 2026 · Filed: September 28, 2026

just reporting same issues suspension is horrible and problem with fuel. code p0955 and p2a00

Unknown or Other

ODI #11733764

Incident: August 1, 2021 · Filed: April 25, 2026

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11696549

Incident: November 28, 2017 · Filed: October 30, 2025

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.

Air Bags

ODI #11696545

Incident: June 30, 2023 · Filed: October 30, 2025

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.

Steering; Suspension; Wheels

ODI #11681830

Incident: August 20, 2025 · Filed: August 20, 2025

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 insurance policy description. Please advise or help Nissan make this right to keep our streets and cars safe while on the road. I need to gather all documents from places I've gone in for these very same issues of recalls shown. Financially this has been a burden investing in a used car to just have to fix right away with these same exact issues of recalls listed but to say our vehicle was not affected by those recalls is ridiculous it's obvious I been dealing with the same exact issues. Please help. Thank you for listening and hopefully you can help make a difference with this safety issue. I bought the car during covid year and been having issues since then but today's date on incident because I'm not sure of an exact date 4-5 yrs ago when issues started. Dealership lied to us I'm sure they were experiencing same issues with suspension that lead to issues with steering wheel control arms into motor mounts and tires getting bald fast and always having to change out front tires not straight or balanced out of control all the time.

Air Bags

ODI #11681359

Incident: January 17, 2024 · Filed: August 18, 2025

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11671370

Incident: May 15, 2020 · Filed: July 5, 2025

I bought this used from a private owner, on consignment at a used car lot Pinellas County FL May 2020. The previous owner installed a dashboard mat to cover up the melting, cracking dashboard, after 5 years of ownership, the dashboard is in serious degraded condition worse when I purchased it. I was unaware of the class action lawsuit 2017 over the safety concerns. Obvious resale value will be an issue as well. I continue to maintain this vehicle with 176,000 miles. I wanted to add my vehicle to the NHTSA complaint against Nissan for this issue and the loss of value upon resale. That would be great if NHTSA gets Nissan to issue nation wide recall, but given Nissan dire financial issues, it's unlikely they will recall for this issue

Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11653120

Incident: April 7, 2025 · Filed: April 7, 2025

After driving over a hour or so the rpm will stick at 3 and the mph will not go over 60. The car occasionally lose power as well. I have already had the throttle body and the alternator recently done.

Other Nissan Altima model years

Check your 2008 Nissan Altima VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Altima at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Nissan VIN