2008 NISSAN ALTIMA

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    interior trim

    269 unsafe, 42 annoyance

    311
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,000–93,000 mi

    Median 72,000 mi, based on 237 reports (47% had no usable mileage)

    • "DASHBOARD CRACKING AND SEEPING STICKY FLUID ON TOP OF DASHBOARD MELTING"~9,000 mi, complaint #1247728
    • "I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 08 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S IN SEPTEMBER OF 2007. I LIVE IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, AND FOR MORE THAN A YEAR, MY DASHBOARD HAS TURNED SHINY, STICKY, AND IS QUITE LITERALLY MELTING. THE LAST 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR, I NOTICED THAT THE PART AROUND THE RADI…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1016507
    • "DASHBOARD IS MELTING- PART OF IT HAS A SLICK LOOKING SURFACE AND PART IS JUST COLLECTING DUST AND DIRT. THE GLARE IT CREATES IS A DRIVING HAZARD AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEATH RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE TOXINS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DETERIORATING MATERIAL- *T…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1162763
    • "MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S STARTED SHOWING A RESIDUE ON FRONT DASH ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. IT HAS WORSENED TO POINT WHERE A GLARE FROM SUNLIGHT REFLECTION DISRUPTS FIELD OF VISION WHILE DRIVING. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE DASHBOARD MELTING IN WA…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1177268
    • "DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND VERY STICKY BOTH OF WHICH CAUSE A HORRIFIC GLARE IN THE SUN."~1,134,500 mi, complaint #1447656
  2. #2

    airbag system

    93 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    95
    incidents
    Typical range: 34,500–133,000 mi

    Median 79,000 mi, based on 110 reports (31% had no usable mileage)

    • "THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN A PERSON OCCUPIES THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE OCCUPANT WEIGHS MORE THE 100LBS AND SITS IN A NORMAL FASHION ON THE SEAT. DEALER INSPECTED BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK…"~1,000 mi, complaint #681168
    • "APPROXIMATELY THE LAST 13 MONTHS I HAVE NOTICED 2-3 TIMES A WEEK, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF LIGHT WAS ON. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE THIS LIGHT WAS ON, I DROVE BY THE NISSAN DEALER (EASTSIDE NISSAN OF BELLEVUE, WA) AND SHOWED THE LIGHT WAS ON EVEN WITH MY WIFE…"~23,000 mi, complaint #789150
    • "2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR SEAT POSSIBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1183929
    • "I HAVE TAKEN MY ALTIMA TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON A FEW OCCASIONS AND EVERYTIME I GO THEY SAY MY CAR IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. ATM I HAVE NO AIRBAGS AND I DO A LOT OF DRIVING WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS."~118,000 mi, complaint #1269626
    • "The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle crashed into a second vehicle. During the crash, the front passenger-side airbag did not deploy and the front passenger sustained a fract…"~220,000 mi, complaint #1767683
  3. #3

    instrument cluster

    56 unsafe, 5 annoyance

    61
    incidents
    Typical range: 50,000–100,000 mi

    Median 68,000 mi, based on 71 reports (31% had no usable mileage)

    • "DASHBOARD MELTS IN HIGH TEMPERATURE CLIMATES. GLARE FROM MELT IS SO BAD THAT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE ROAD. VISIBILITY IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AT THIS POINT AND NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE OR ISSUE A RECALL. *TR"~15,000 mi, complaint #1011150
    • "THE DASHBOARD OF MY CAR IS MELTING. ITS CAUSING A GLARE OF THE SUN THAT MAKE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE DOING THE DAY. I HAVE ALMOST GOT INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE GLARE. *TR"~50,000 mi, complaint #1023629
    • "THE DASHBOARD OF MY CARD ITS MELTING , I CALLED NISSAN THEY SAY THERE ITS NO RECALL BUT I SEE A LOT OF COMPLAITS JUST LIKE MINE , WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN ACCIDENT START HAPPENING WHEN AIRBAGS DEPLOY THATS MY CONCERN"~72,000 mi, complaint #1198489
    • "MY DASH HAS STARTED TO MELT. ITS UGLY BUT THE MAIN ISSUE IS DRIVING IN THE SUN. THE SPOTS THAT ARE MELTING ARE VERY SHINNY AND AT TIMES CAUSES ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE THE ROAD. I AM CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS ON THE ROAD. *JS"~100,000 mi, complaint #1012283
    • "THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING WITH THIS STICKY SUBSTANCE THAT CAN'T BE WIPED OFF. IT IS SO BAD NOW THERE IS A TERRIBLE GLARE THAT MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR"~730,000 mi, complaint #1139026
  4. #4

    brake hydraulics

    53 unsafe

    53
    incidents
    Typical range: 29,000–58,500 mi

    Median 42,500 mi, based on 54 reports (14% had no usable mileage)

    • "I OWN A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT WAS HAVING BRAKE PROBLEMS. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT BY A MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD BEEN LEAKING FLUID INTERNALLY. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR AGENCY IF NEEDED. MY NAME IS [XXX] INFO…"~4,600 mi, complaint #858918
    • "MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS ON VEHICLE. HAS POTENTIAL TO CAUSE LOSS OF BRAKING. HAS NOT CAUSED ANY MAJOR FAILURE AT THIS TIME, BUT DOES REQUIRE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR TO NEED A REFILL ABOUT ONCE EVERY 2 MONTHS (I.E. THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTS TO COME ON WHI…"~30,000 mi, complaint #822516
    • "LOSING BRAKE FLUID CAUSING WARNING LIGHT TO FLASH. *TR"~42,000 mi, complaint #821445
    • "I HAD NOTICED FOR ABOUT A WEEK THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT INDICATOR ON MY DASH BOARD KEPT COMING ON. ON MONDAY 6/27/2011 I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER. THERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM'S MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER ASSEMBLY HAD LEAKED BRAKE F…"~56,362 mi, complaint #864518
    • "WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN I TRIED TO GET OUT OF CRUISE AND STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT GOT STUCK, I REALIZED I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE FIRST LANE DUE TO TRAFFIC, SO I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL OVER TO THE MEDIAN…"~215,000 mi, complaint #1060854
  5. #5

    glass and windshield

    40 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    42
    incidents
    Typical range: 36,500–91,500 mi

    Median 77,000 mi, based on 40 reports (46% had no usable mileage)

    • "I HAVE HAD MY CAR SINCE 2008. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW FROM NISSAN IN KENDALL MIAMI, FL. LAST YEAR I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT WHAT HAS SEEMED LIKE A REGULAR WEAR FROM THE CAR, HAS TURNED INTO A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS A GLARE WHEN THE SUN HITS THE DASH M…"~13,000 mi, complaint #1061823
    • "THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE IS MELTING WHICH CAUSES A REFLECTIVE GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD, THIS GLARE MAKES THE VISIBILTY VERY DIFFICULT AT CERTAIN TIMES OF DAY. THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS REPAIRED T…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1420203
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS IMPAIRING THE CONTACT'S VISION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WINDOW. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. "~84,000 mi, complaint #1034117
    • "MELTING DASH CAUSING UNSAFE GLARE REFLECTING OFF WINDSHIELD."~100,000 mi, complaint #1690112
    • "I HEARD ON THE RADIO THAT ANYBODY THAT GOT A CRACK IN THEIR WINDSHIELD ON I10 IS TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THAT PART OF THE HIGHWAY IS RIDICULOUS, I HAVE CRACKS. IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS RAINING STONES ON I10."~198,000 mi, complaint #1531291
  6. #6

    transmission automatic

    2 stranded, 26 unsafe

    28
    incidents
    Typical range: 65,500–126,000 mi

    Median 108,000 mi, based on 40 reports (5% had no usable mileage)

    • "WHILE DRIVING MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA I CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP GOING UPHILL TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AS I TRIED TO PROCEED THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT CRANK INTO GEAR EVEN THOUGH IT WAS IN DRIVE POSITION. AFTER SHUTTING THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTING IT I W…"~8,900 mi, complaint #740558
    • "AS I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA TRANSMISSION MADE A LOUD NOISE AND LOST DRIVE, I HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID GETTING RUN OVER BY A 18 WHEELER . I JUST MADE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER . I WAS RIGHT NEXT TO AN EXIT, THE MOTOR WOULD REV BU…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1181382
    • "WAS DRIVING DOWN MAJOR HIGHWAY IN NJ AND CAR BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN RAPIDLY. WAS ABLE TO GET TO SIDE OF ROAD BEFORE COMPLETELY DYING. CAR WAS TOWED TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR PLACE AND COST 2000 TO REPAIR. NOW IN 2015 I HAVE THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. CAR NEEDED ANOTHER T…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1222645
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN I…"~129,000 mi, complaint #969974
    • " I WAS DRIVING AT [REDACTED ADDRESS] AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR STALLED OUT . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES. VEHICLE TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS STATED CHECKED FOR C…"~230,968 mi, complaint #1057267
  7. #7

    transmission cvt

    5 stranded, 23 unsafe

    28
    incidents
    Typical range: 71,000–135,000 mi

    Median 97,500 mi, based on 28 reports (18% had no usable mileage)

    • "PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, DROVE THE CAR FOR 3,000 MILES. CVT TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING STRANGE NOISES. TURNED OUT TO BE DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED IT, BUT DID NOT PUT IT BACK TOGETHER PROPERLY. BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT EVER SINCE. NOV 30, 2009 TOOK V…"~3,000 mi, complaint #746225
    • "MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE ABOUT 30 MINUTES NORTH OF SAN ANTONIO ON OUR WAY HOME TO DALLAS. IN AN INSTANCE MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE MPH DECLINED. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND IT WAS. I PULLED OVER AS TO NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND…"~71,000 mi, complaint #942806
    • "MY NISSAN 2008 ALTIMA STARTED STALLING WHILE I PULLED INTO TRAFFIC. IT WAS HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND WAS RANDOM. I TOOK MY CAR INTO NISSAN, AFTER REALIZING THERE WAS A CVT TRANSMISSION RECALL FOR THIS CAR. THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND DETERMINED THAT TH…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1470686
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY CAR, IT STARTED TO MAKE "GRINDING" MOVEMENTS AND STOPPED MOVING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS LUCKY THAT I DIDN'T CRASH. I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF THE VARIOUS PROBLEMS I'VE HAD WITH THIS CVT TRANSMISSION -- INCLUDING WHEEZING NOISES…"~132,000 mi, complaint #1306549
    • "THE CVT TRANSMISSION STEP SOLENOID AND THE ACCELERATOR PADDLE NOT WORKING WRITE IT WONT GO ANYWHERE SOMETIMES ONLY LIKE 20 MILES AN HOUR HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN IT OFF AND WAIT 5 TO 10 MIN THEN IT'S OK FOR A LITTLE BIT IF I HIT A BUMP IT ALSO SHUTS OFF CAN…"~195,000 mi, complaint #1684312
  8. #8

    engine stall or no start

    3 stranded, 17 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    21
    incidents
    Typical range: 60,000–118,000 mi

    Median 70,000 mi, based on 27 reports (32% had no usable mileage)

    • "I HEARD A NOISE WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FELL OFF BUT THE CAR ONLY HAD 600 MILES ON IT SO I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A ROCK OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD THAT GOT KICKED UP. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER MY ACCESSORY BELT THAT CONTROLS THE POWER STEER…"~660 mi, complaint #655905
    • "MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WAS FAILING TO START. PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WOULD ALLOW THE POWER TO TURN ON, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, RADIO, FANS/COOLING/HEATING, ETC. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE COULD NOT TURN ON. I WOULD REGULARLY FIND THAT THIS WOULD BE AN INTERMITT…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1018693
    • "I WAS TRAVELING ON THIS DATE FROM CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PENNSYLVANIA WHERE I WORK AS AN ENGINEER AT WESTINGHOUSE HEADQUARTER OFFICE TO WEST CHESTER, OHIO WHERE MY FAMILY RESIDE FOR A FAMILY THANKSGIVING GATHERING. IT WAS 6:30 AM AND IT WAS SNOWING. THE TRAFFIC A…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1026949
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUSH BUTTON SYSTEM FAILED TO START THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STARTED WHEN THE PUSH BUTTON WAS ENGAGED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FOB DID NOT START THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1412296
    • "DRIVING [REDACTED ADDRESS] WITH MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN AGES 1 & 3 MY CAR LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I FIND THIS TO BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT IN AN ACCIDENT. I SEE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, BUT SEE NO RECAL…"~166,000 mi, complaint #1270138
  9. #9

    key fob and immobilizer

    5 stranded, 12 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    18
    incidents
    Typical range: 46,500–124,500 mi

    Median 69,500 mi, based on 25 reports (14% had no usable mileage)

    • "2008 ALTIMA HAS PUSH START BUTTON THAT WON'T WORK AT RANDOM TIMES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO STOMP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL REAL HARD WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE SENSOR SO THE CAR WOULD START. STILL UNRESOLVED A…"~10,000 mi, complaint #795499
    • "DROVE CAR TO WORK. AFTER 3 HOURS OF WORK WENT TO START CAR, WAS ABLE TO OPEN DOOR BUT COULD NOT START CAR. CHANGED BATTERIES IN SMART KEY, STILL WOULD NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY INFORMED US THAT IT WAS THE STEERING LOCK MECHANISM, A $…"~39,837 mi, complaint #962270
    • "I HAD ONLY ONE ISSUE WITH MY 08 ALTIMA. THE CAR WOULD OCCASIONALLY NOT RECOGNIZE EITHER OF THE KEY-FOBS FOR WHAT SEEMED LIKE NO REASON. IT DID NOT SEEM TO MATTER WHAT TIME OF DAY, TEMP., OR WEATHER. I EVEN REPLACED THE BATTERIES OF THE KEY-FOBS AND THE CARS BA…"~66,000 mi, complaint #978325
    • "WENT TO A SMOKE SHOP WENT BACK OUT AND MY CAR WOULDN'T START.. MY KEY YELLOW LOGO ON DASH IS ON SO I'M POSITIVE IT STEERING LOCK SEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED!!!! *TR"~123,000 mi, complaint #1141741
    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD AND MY CAR DIED I TRIED TO START IT BACK UP BUT IT WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING I CAN'T TURN ON ANY LIGHTS UNLOCK OR LOCK THE CAR NOTHING. SHOWS A LIGHT ON THE DASH THAT LOOKS LIKE THE KEY FOB AND LOOKED IT UP AND IT SAYS THAT SOMETHING…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1603702
  10. #10

    other

    1 stranded, 10 unsafe, 6 annoyance

    17
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "MY DASH-BOARD BECAME SHINER AND WHEN SUN SHINES IT IS HIGHLY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE CAUSE THE SUN RAYS IT ACTUALLY BLINDS ME . I HAVE SPOKE TO NISSAN AND THEY WOULD ONLY FURNISH A NEW DASH BOARD BUT I MUST PAY FOR THE DASH-BOARD, WHICH I FIND IT VERY UNFAIR. PLEA…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1317363
    • "DASHBOARD IS MELTING AND TURNED STICKY. NO LONGER HAS A MATTE FINISH AND NOW HAS A HIGH GLOSS FINISH THAT PRODUCES A GLARE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. REFLECTION ON WINDSHIELD LOOKS LIKE A HEADS UP DISPLAY. THE AREA IS FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE A…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1043942
    • "DASHBOARD MELTING. DANGER REFLECTION FROM MELTING SHINE."~75,105 mi, complaint #1348325
    • "THE SUN VISORS ON THE ALTIMA COUPE BREAK AND HANG STRAIGHT DOWN IN THE FIELD OF VISION. I JUST ORDERED MY SECOND SUN VISOR AND I AM WAITING FOR IT TO ARRIVE. THEY MUST BE HELD UP OUT OF THE WAY WITH ONE HAND WHILE DRIVING WITH THE OTHER HAND (UNTIL YOU CAN GET…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1436689
    • "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…"~115,978 mi, complaint #1213789
  11. #11

    acceleration loss or hesitation

    14 unsafe

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 119,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, NOTICED FROM START THAT IT HAD AN ISSUE WITH ACCELERATION. AT AN EASY(NORMAL)ACCELERATION THE VEHICLE HESITATES AND/OR SURGES BETWEEN 25 -40 MPH. ONCE PASSED 40MPH OR SO IT CLEARS UP. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHI…"~15,000 mi, complaint #933097
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND EVERYTHING WAS GOOD. SUDDENLY THE CAR LOST POWER BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING WELL. THE CAR JUST STOPPED AND COULD'T MOVE. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL THE…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1501370
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED, LOST POWER, AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED NISSAN SOUTH AT [REDACTED PHONE] (LO…"~114,000 mi, complaint #1593201
    • "SPEED WENT FROM 70 TO 60 MILES PER HOUR, IT JUST DROP"~150,000 mi, complaint #1214957
    • "WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH ON PUBLIC WAY. POWER , WITHOUT WARNING AND SUDDENLY, WAS CUT DOWN AND SPEED REDUCED TO 10 MPH. VEHICLES BEHIND ME HAD TO TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION TO AVOID REAR ENDING ME."~165,000 mi, complaint #1364180
  12. #12

    brake pads and rotors

    6 unsafe, 2 broken, 5 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 24,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT A CHRONIC BRAKE PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE IN MAY OF 2008. TO DATE, I HAVE HAD TO BRING IN THE CAR FOR REPAIRS RANGING FROM SQUEALING NOISES RIGHT DOWN TO OUT AND OUT GRINDING WHICH BEGAN ON…"~3,800 mi, complaint #803346
    • "I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN MARCH OF 2008, AFTER 2000 MILES I HEARD THE BRAKES START TO SQUEAK, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AUGUST 8TH AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES, THEY DID AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CALIPERS…"~6,000 mi, complaint #683430
    • "MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HAD SQUEAKY BRAKES FOR MONTHS BEFORE DEALERSHIP WOULD ADMIT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. FIRST TIME I TOOK CAR IN ABOUT BRAKES WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKES SOMETIMES MAKE A NOISE NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT. SECOND TIME THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD TO REPLACE T…"~20,000 mi, complaint #720353
    • "I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WITH 30K MILES AND THE BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING NONSTOP. I TOOK THE PAD OFF ON ALL 4 SIDES AND THERE IS PLENTY OF PAD LEFT. I SANDED THE SYFACE OF THE PAD, CLEANED THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY AND STILL THEY SQUEAK NON STOP. THE ONLY TIME T…"~30,000 mi, complaint #714397
    • "PURCHASED 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MARCH 6, 2021 FROM THE CAR HOUSE IN BUTLER, NJ. SINCE THE MOMENT I DROVE OFF THE LOT, MULTIPLE LIGHTS TURNED ON WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE ALTERNATOR AND MULTIPLE 02 SENSORS. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A GARAGE DO AN INSPECTION AND IT TURNE…"~177,000 mi, complaint #1736190
  13. #13

    power windows and locks

    11 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, AN INTRUDER BROKE THE LOCK MECHANISM ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, BOTH OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR WINDOWS AUTOMATICALLY RELEAS…"~8,000 mi, complaint #691131
    • "THE AUTOMATIC DOOR SYSTEM IN THIS CAR IS NON-FUNCTIONAL, ALL 4 DOOR DO NOT LOCK OR OPEN. IT HAS TO BE DONE MANUALLY. *TR"~40,000 mi, complaint #989085
    • "THE LOCK/UNLOCK ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT. THE ONLY WAY THAT THE DOORS CAN BE LOCKED OR UNLOCKED IS BY MANUALLY DOING IT WITH THE KEY OUTSIDE THE CAR OR YOUR HANDS INSIDE THE CAR. *TR"~65,000 mi, complaint #1152929
    • "POWER DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONING ON 3 OF THE 4 DOORS. DEPENDING ON DAY, SOMETIMES ONE OR MORE LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK WHEN USING KEY FOB OR WHEN USING POWER LOCK BUTTON ON DRIVER DOOR. AT OTHER TIMES, ONE OR MORE LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN WHEN USING KEY FOB OR WHEN USIN…"~77,000 mi, complaint #990533
    • "MY DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS NOT LOCKING WITH THE KEY FOB. THIS ALLOWS ANYONE TO OPEN MY DOOR, BUT IT DOES SET OFF MY ALARM. MY CAR HAS BEEN BROKEN INTO TWICE WHILE PARKED IN A SECURED ACCESS GARAGE BECAUSE THEY ARE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, SNATCH AND GRAB. I REA…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1440345
  14. #14

    exhaust system

    10 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    11
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 87,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "5 YRS AGO THE SOUND OF MY ENGINE CHANGED AND UPON INSPECTION THE WELDING ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS CRACKED. I WAS INFORMED BY PEMBROKE PINES NISSAN THAT SINCE CAR IS AT 38,500 MILES AND OUT OF WARRANTY DESPITE IT BEING A MANUFACTURE FAILURE IT WOULD SET ME B…"~38,500 mi, complaint #1276459
    • "MY CAR IS MAKING A BANGING NOISE WHEN ITS STARTED. MY MECHANIC DIAGNOSED AS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. OTHER ALTIMA VIN#S HAVE BEEN RECALLED, WHY HASNT MINE?"~45,000 mi, complaint #1582132
    • "UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING WHILE DRIVING IMMEDIATELY THE CAR RAN HOT. HAD THE CAR TOWED TO NEAREST DEALER THAT THEN INFORMED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD/CATALYST CONV…"~87,000 mi, complaint #1155881
    • "NY EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS HAVING TROUBLE I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE'S BEEN A RECALL BUT CANNOT FIND ANYTHING RECENT. MY TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ISN'T READING CORRECTLY EITHER AND I'M SCARED I'M GOING TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. MY EXHAUST MANIFOLD THERE'S A L…"~119,000 mi, complaint #1507857
    • "TAKATA RECALL THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS A LARGE CRACK IN IT, LEAKING FUMES INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. I REPLACED THE PART 6 MONTHS AGO. I'M ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE NEW PART. I'VE SEEN NUMEROUS NISSAN ALTIMA'S ON THE ROAD WITH THE SAME PROBLEM (VERY…"~132,000 mi, complaint #1392148
  15. #15

    brake booster

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 51,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AT 10000 (APRIL 2009) AND 43000 (JANUARY 2012) MILES, AND REPLACED. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHICH IS A HAZARD THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. BECAUSE BRAKE MUST BE APPLIED…"~10,000 mi, complaint #901185
    • "THIS VEHICLE IS A 2008, NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 45,500 MILES DRIVEN AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. WE PURCHASED THE CAR NEW IN EARLY 2008. THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MY WIFE COULD NOT GET THE CAR TO START. THEN ON NOV. 4, 2011, I WITNESSED THE FAI…"~45,592 mi, complaint #914578
    • "WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE TO START THE ENGINE, IT WILL NOT START AND THE LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES AND SAYS PRESS THE BRAKE TO START. THE SWITCH DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT I AM PRESSING THE BRAKE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT MAY HAPPEN EVERYDAY FOR A WEEK…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1006183
    • "PRESSED ON THE BRAKE WHILE PUSHING START BUTTON TO START CAR. CAR COULDN'T RECOGNIZE PRESSURE ON BRAKE AND WOULDN'T START. THIS HAPPENED ON 20+ OCCASIONS. AFTER A PERIOD OF 10-30 MINUTES EACH TIME, CAR WOULD EVENTUALLY START. *TR"~74,000 mi, complaint #944287
    • "THE SWITCH THAT ALLOWS THE CAR TO START AND LIGHTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS IS STICKING, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF. THE CAR NOT STARTING IS ANNOYING, IF THE SWITCH STICKS AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, TH…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1029184
  16. #16

    seat mechanism

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 5,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVERS SEAT MOVES SIDE TO SIDE AND FRONT TO BACK WHILE DRIVING. NISSAN ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER A TECHNICAL BULLETIN WAS CREATED, BUT THE ISSUE STILL REMAINS. DEALER NOW SAYS THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH ITS WORSE NOW THAN IT WAS O…"~500 mi, complaint #823515
    • "DRIVER'S SEAT ON '08 NISSAN ALTIMA MOVES SIDE TO SIDE AS YOU GO AROUND TURNS; VERY DISCONCERTING. FIRST RESPONSE FROM DEALERSHIP WAS "WE CAN NOT REPLICATE, AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE WE'VE HEARD OF". NEXT VISIT I WAS TOLD "NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND…"~1,000 mi, complaint #687967
    • "DRIVERS SEAT CUSHION MOVES SIDE TO SIDE WHEN MAKING TURNS. STARTED AT ABOUT 5,000 MILES AND GETS WORSE WITH TIME. TAKEN CAR TO DEALER THREE TIMES, FIRST TIME SUPPOSEDLY WAS FIXED AND THE NEXT TWO TIMES COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED BY TECH AND NO ACTION WAS TAKEN. A…"~5,000 mi, complaint #704299
    • "DRIVERS SEAT MOVES SIDE TO SIDE, TYPICALLY WHEN MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. NISSAN SAYS THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS, HOWEVER, THE FIX HAS YET TO FIX THE ISSUE. THIS IS VERY ALARMING WHEN DRIVING, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE NOT EXPECTING YOUR SEAT…"~5,000 mi, complaint #721681
    • "THE SEAT IS LIFTED AND SLIDING ESPECIALLY WHEN I BRAKE OR ACCELERATE. IT IS UNSTABLE AND SWAYS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT I READ WITH NISSAN SEATS AND I AM AFRAID."~165,000 mi, complaint #1238312
  17. #17

    engine internal

    2 stranded, 6 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 92,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I WAS DRIVING THE CAR NORMALLY WHEN I NOTICED THE LIGHT " CHECK ENGINE SOON" TURNED ON. I STOPPED THE CAR AT TIRES PLUS AND ASKED TO CHECK THE OIL. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THERE WAS NO OIL CIRCULATION. I WAS ADVISED TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR AND TOW IT TO THE NISS…"~32,000 mi, complaint #927579
    • "I HAVE A WHINING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD. WHINING NOISE IS LOUDER AS YOU ACCELERATE. *TR"~89,607 mi, complaint #1156989
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 610 IN HOUSTON, TEXAS WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND CAUGHT FIRE. I HAD GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES INITIALLY FOR A START UP KEY ISSUE, THEN TIRES, HUB CAP, AND THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF ON THE HWY JANUARY 25TH 2014, THE W…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1065825
    • "I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND CAR, I GUESS YOU COULD SAY IT JUST GAVE OUT. IT WAS STILL RUNNING BUT AS I HIT GAS IT WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER. THE CAR IMMEDIATELY STARTED RUNNING VERY ROUGH SO I PULLED OVER AND TURNED ENGINE OFF. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR…"~97,245 mi, complaint #1141619
    • "WHILE MY HUSBAND AND CHILDREN WERE DRIVING THROUGH ELY, NV ON THEIR WAY TO THE LAKE, 300+ MILES FROM HOME THE CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE. UPON PULLING THE RELEASE TO POP THE HOOD, THE CAR BURST INTO FLAMES. MY FAMILY ESCAPED THE VEHICLE INJURY FREE. MY CAR IS NOW A PI…"~121,000 mi, complaint #1118757
  18. #18

    wiper and washer

    9 unsafe

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 72,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "MY DASHBOARD IS STICKY I HAD BROUGHT IT IN AT 42000 MILES WESTON NISSAN TOLD ME TO USE ALCOHOL AND THEY NEVER SAW ANYTHING LIKE THAT AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL ME ABOUT IT....I WENT BACK AGAIN AT 52000 MILES AND AGAIN SAID THEIR WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ...M…"~42,000 mi, complaint #1093070
    • "DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND THE GLARE FROM THE SUN REFLECTS ONTO THE WINDSHIELD AND YOU CANNOT SEE PROPERLY. ONLY THING YOU CAN SEE IS THE DASHBOARD REFLECTING OFF OF THE WINDSHIELD. *TR"~50,000 mi, complaint #1095494
    • "DASHBOARD LEAKING GLUE LIKE MATERIAL CAUSING GLARE ON WINDSHIELD GLASS. EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING DUE TO GLARE. SAFETY COMPROMISED. *TR"~72,500 mi, complaint #1063882
    • "DASH BOARD IS STICKY AND MELTING. RESIDUE CLOUDS THE WINDSHIELD. GLARE MAKES IT HARD TO SEE. THIS IS HAPPENING AT ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS."~85,000 mi, complaint #1604473
    • "DASHBOARD MELTING. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO SEE THE PEDESTRIAN, ROAD, VEHICLES DUE TO GLARE ON THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE SUNLIGHT REFLECTS FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE GLARE IMPAIRS THE VISION AND WE HAD MANY NEAR MISS INCIDENTS THAT COULD HAVE COST LIVES, PROPE…"~114,025 mi, complaint #1260809
  19. #19

    steering column

    6 stranded, 2 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "I TOOK MY CAR TO WASH AND SUDDENLY FOR NO REASON I JUST HEARD A NOISE RIGHT AFTER THAT MY RESET TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON FOR NO REASON, THEN THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND SET WAS FLASHING, I TRIED TO CANCEL IT BUT IT WOULDN'T THEN LUCKILY I SHOULD S…"~11,100 mi, complaint #1001531
    • "THIS IS THE 5TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS AND EACH TIME I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED. THE ESCL - ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK HAS FAILED. MY CAR UNLOCKS/LOCKS PROPERLY WITH THE KEY FOB, AUX ELECTRICAL WORKS FINE, HEADLIGHTS, RADIO ECT.. HOWEVE…"~62,500 mi, complaint #1167310
    • "I PARKED MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5SE AT MY DOOR TOOK GROCERIES INSIDE AND WENT BACK TO PARK MY CAR,AND IT WOULD NOT START I COULD GO THRU THE DIFFERENT MODES OF THE PUSH BUTTON START BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I GET IT TOWED TO NISSAN AND THE TELL ME MY ELEC…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1102260
    • "MY CAR STARTING HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING...IT WAS INTERMITTENT...BUT WOULD START WITH A JUMP (MOST OF THE TIME), SO I THOUGHT IT WAS THE BATTERY AND HAD IT REPLACED. BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ON 9/17 AND THE COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS WAS TH…"~83,000 mi, complaint #1011236
    • "CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START - WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO CALL TO HAVE IT FLAT BEDDED TO A DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING LOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WAS PROVIDED EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS PART SINCE IF A DEFECT, I WAS TWO WEEKS OVERDUE AND THEY WOULD NOT…"~124,809 mi, complaint #1234880
  20. #20

    throttle and pedal

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION WHILE DEPRESSING THE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT COULD NOT DUP…"~10,000 mi, complaint #810714
    • "WHEN I WAS DRIVING IN A HIGH WAY. SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED ACCELERATING MORE AND MORE. THEN I NOTICED I DID NOT HAVE SPEED CONTROL OF MY CAR. I TRIED TO STOP, THE CAR BUT IT DID NOT RESPOND . I BRAKED AS HARD AS I COULD WITHOUT SUCCESS. I AVOIDED TO CRASH…"~30,000 mi, complaint #860457
    • "GAS PEDAL STOPS WORKING,ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK,STARTED IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR,NOT IN HEAVY TRAFFIC YET,NISSAN SHOP COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG,REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AS BRAKE LIGHT WAS COMING ON,ITS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 40,000 MILES. *TR"~39,881 mi, complaint #815663
    • "WHILE ACCELERATING FROM STOPPED TRAFFIC AT A CONTROLLED INTERSECTION, ACCELERATOR PEDAL BROKE OFF AT THE HUB. WHILE COASTING AT IDLE, DRIVER WAS ABLE TO CROSS LANES OF MOVING TRAFFIC TO SHOULDER AND THEN INTO PARKING LOT. INSPECTION REVEALED THAT BRAKE PEDAL…"~55,000 mi, complaint #941642
    • "I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING RECURRING ISSUES INVOLVING THE GAS PEDAL FAILING TO WORK IN MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY, AT A STOP SIGN, OR MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY THE GAS PEDAL WILL UNEXPECTEDLY FAIL TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE. I WILL PRESS THE PED…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1289507
  21. #21

    tire failure

    7 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 25,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "WHILE DRIVING IN THE INTERSTATE MY REAR DRIVER'S TIRE WENT FLAT. I BOUGHT MY NISSAN ALTIMA BRAND NEW APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO AND THERE ARE ONLY APPROXIMATELY 2400 MILES ON THE TIRES. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FLAT WAS SPLITTING S…"~2,280 mi, complaint #686709
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE HAS CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT ALL SEASON RADIAL TIRES, SIZE 215/60/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE ROAD SURFACE WAS SNOW COVE…"~10,000 mi, complaint #717135
    • "I BOUGHT MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM CHAMPION NISSAN,KATY,TEXAS. I PAID $2000 FOR FOUR BOSS WHEELS AND TIRES. AT 15,000 MILES, I HAD TWO TIRES FALL APART AND HAVE BELTS TO SEPARATE MAKING THE CAR UN-DRIVABLE. NOW I HAVE A THIRD TIRE WHICH SEEMS LIKE IT IS TRYIN…"~15,700 mi, complaint #731308
    • "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…"~86,000 mi, complaint #1071510
    • "3 UNIROYAL 215 60R 16 94T DOT# Y9X8VNUU 4110 HAVE DEVELOPED A SMALL FLAT SPOT ON INSIDE OF TIRES APPROXIMATELY 2 INCHES FROM OUTSIDE OF TIRE TOWARDS MIDDLE OF TIRE. LOOKS TO ME LIKE THE BEGINNING OF SEPARATION.THESE TIRES HAVE A 80000 MILE WARRANTY. TIRES NOW…"~125,000 mi, complaint #975000
  22. #22

    unintended acceleration

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=8)

    • "PURCHASED USED NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 V6 ENGINE VEHICLE WITH 18K MILES ON 10/29/11. ON A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO BRAKE THE CAR FELT AS IF I WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF IT AND ACCELERATED. HOWEVER ON 11/14/2011, I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP AT A BUSY INTE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #890605
    • "WIFE WAS PARKING 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE AT A RETAIL BUSINESS. SHE HAD PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE, STOPPED ,HAD HER FOOT ON BRAKE AND WAS GOING TO SHIFT TO PARK WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED FORWARD JUMPING A CURB AND HIT A RETAINING WALL. *TR"~25,000 mi, complaint #774737
    • "I PULLED IN A PARKING SPACE, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND BEFORE I COULD PUT IT IN PARK THE CAR ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I WENT ABOUT TWENTY FEET, OVER CURBS, SIDEWALK, ANOTHER PARKING SPACE, AVOIDING CARS, SKID MARKS MADE, AND…"~32,000 mi, complaint #1013542
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH WITH PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD RESULTING IN A CRASH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP TO BE INSP…"~35,000 mi, complaint #787166
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITH AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO TWO UN…"~40,000 mi, complaint #806993
  23. #23

    control module

    4 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BODY CONTROL MODULE CAUSED ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE TO MALFUNCTION. IN ADDITION, THE TPMS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE DEALER…"~92,000 mi, complaint #1032548
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ECM MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED T…"~160,000 mi, complaint #1298516
  24. #24

    starter

    4 stranded, 2 unsafe

    6
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 80,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INCIDENCES WHERE WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKE & TRYING TO START THE CAR (BY THE PUSH START IGNITION) THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER. ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE WILL TURN ON (RADIO, POWER WINDOWS, AIR, ETC) BUT THE CAR WILL NOT…"~24,000 mi, complaint #927206
    • "MY 2008 ALTIMA WITH PUSH BUTTON START HAS FAILED TO START TWICE. ONCE AT 25,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 50,000 MILES. BOTH TIMES THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE SWITCH WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER TOOK THE SWITCH APART AND THE CONTACTS WERE PI…"~50,000 mi, complaint #873575
    • "CAR WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH THERE IS POWER. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEALER HAS REPLACED BATTERY. PROBLEM OCCURRED 1 MONTH LATER. BRAKE SWITCH APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM. HAVE BEEN ABLE TO START AFTER "PLAYING" WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH. D…"~50,001 mi, complaint #1133685
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER THIRTY MINUTES. THE FAILURE WOULD ALWAYS OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A L…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1089536
    • "ORANGE KEY LIGHT INDICATOR COMES ON AND CAR WILL NOT START UP."~150,000 mi, complaint #1655588
  25. #25

    power steering hydraulic

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY STIFF. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL SO THE VEHICLE TO COASTED TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACTS R…"~45,762 mi, complaint #830161
    • "POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE LEAKING FLUID I KEEP FILLING FLUID USING MY CAR DAILY FOR MY WORK"~233,378 mi, complaint #1504568
  26. #26

    suspension struts shocks

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM HANLESS HILLTOP NISSAN, RICHMOND, CA FOR MYSELF ON MARCH 30, 2008. I DROVE THE CAR ONE DAY AND RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER TO INQUIRE AS TO WHAT VEHICLE WAS GIVEN TO ME, BECAUSE IS WAS NOT THE VEHICLE THAT I TEST DROVE…"~1,000 mi, complaint #675358
    • "PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION THE ENGINE OF THE VEHICLE SLOWS/STALLS WHEN DRIVEN IN HIGH HEAT WEATHER DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW/STALL."~111,000 mi, complaint #1678545
    • "MY SPRINGS ON BOTH REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER BROKE INTO PIECES AND POPPED MY TIRES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE WAS NO WARNING I JUST HAD BRAKES AND INSPECTION DONE A FEW MONTHS AGO, AND LAST WEEK WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY TIRE BASICALLY BLEW APART, WHEN EXAMIN…"~124,000 mi, complaint #1689382
  27. #27

    timing belt or chain

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TENSIONER FROM ENGINE THAT CREATES TENSION TO THE BELT FELL OFF WHILE I MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *TR"~887 mi, complaint #655653
    • " MY NIECE TOOK OUR ALTIMA TO CALIFORNIA (LESS THAN 2,000 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME). THE CARS BELT WAS BROKEN WHEN THE TENSIONER PULLEY BROKE OFF OF THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL AND OVERHEATED THE ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN IN MOSSEY NISSAN'S SH…"~1,500 mi, complaint #663057
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING 65MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND I COULD HEAR NOISE UNDER THE CAR, ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH LIT UP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, COOLANT LIGHT, BATTERY, I THEN LOST POWER STEERING AND LOST ACCELERATIO…"~4,800 mi, complaint #671651
    • "2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN BELT TENSIONER BOLTS FAILED. ONE BOLT STILL LOCATED IN THE TENSIONER PULLEY HOLE ALONG WITH A PIECE OF EITHER THE BACK TIMING COVER OR THE LOWER ENGINE COVER. FIRESTONE AND NISSAN CLAIM TO BE ASTONISHED HOW THIS HAPPENED. DAMAGES ARE N…"~68,112 mi, complaint #879245
    • "I JUST PURCHASED MY NISSAN NOT EVEN 3 MONTHS AGO AND I'VE HAD TO HAVE IT IN THE 4-5 SHOPS BECAUSE NOBODY COULD FIGURE OUT WHY IT WAS GIVING THE CODE P0335. FINALLY FOUND OUT IT'S THE TIMING CHAIN. I CANT DRIVE MY OWN CAR BECAUSE OF IT AND I FEEL LIKE I GOT ROB…"~176,200 mi, complaint #1741290
  28. #28

    tpms

    2 unsafe, 3 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE TPMS, BRAKE, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4…"~4,777 mi, complaint #1355157
    • "2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN WITH 13000 MILES. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON IF THE TIRES ARE AT THE SPECIFIED PRESSURE OF 32 PSI AS SPECIFIED BY THE PLACARD AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I WENT TO…"~11,000 mi, complaint #691821
    • "MY TPMS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, AND THE DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE SYSTEM IS READING ZERO PSI IN ALL TIRES. THEY SAID IT WAS A PART OF THE SYSTEM THAT NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT AND DOESN'T WANT TO ADDRESS IT. SO IF I WANT IT FIXED ITS GONNA COST ME…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1302138
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE TIRE PRESSURE AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE…"~119,000 mi, complaint #1371306
  29. #29

    transmission manual clutch

    5 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME STUCK WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED. THE GEAR SHIFT LOCKED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT SEAT PASSE…"~32,000 mi, complaint #868110
    • "I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES DUE TO THE FACT THAT MY CLUTCH STICKS TO THE FLOOR AND I HAVE TO MANUALLY PULL IT UP. EACH TIME THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT THEY HAVE PROVIDED NO REMEDY. I EXPRESSED SEVERAL TIME OF HOW IT HAS PUT ME IN DANGEROUS SITU…"~32,000 mi, complaint #868141
    • "ON OCCASION/RANDOMLY THE CLUTCH ON THE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE WILL SINK TO THE FLOOR WHICH DOES NOT ENABLE THE DRIVER TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER IN THE PAST TO REPAIR BUT THE SAME SITUATION HAS ARISEN. NOT HAVING ABILITY…"~34,000 mi, complaint #781559
    • "WHILE BEING SHIFTED INTO REVERSE FROM A STOP IN A PARKING SPACE, OUR '08 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE 6SPMT MADE A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL WENT IMMEDIATELY TO THE FLOOR. THE SHARED BRAKE/CLUTCH RESERVOIR WAS FOUND TO BE DRAINED TO TH…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1469660
  30. #30

    abs module

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 10-[REDACTED ADDRESS] CONDITIONS. WHEN BRAKING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE SLID ACROSS THE ROADWAY AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE…"~18,000 mi, complaint #768995
    • "PURCHASE CAR 2010 ABS BRAKE CAME ON ALL TIME DEALER TRY TO RESET ABS LIGHT IT WOULD TURN OFF FOR FEW DAYS AND COME MAKE ON THEY DONT NO WHY IT DOING IT :( ITS 2015 AND LIGHT STILL ON. 2014 I WAS ON INTERSTATE GOING 65 MPH THEN ALL SUDDEN MY NISSAN STARTED LOSI…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1172123
    • "I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AND SUDDENLY THE ABS VDC AND SLIP ILLUMINATED. THEN I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. THAT GUY TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKING LIGHT IS NOT WORKING. LUCKILY I WAS INSIDE MILITARY BASE AND PEOPLE WERE ALERT. IT HAPPENED ON THE STREET WHILE I WAS DR…"~91,000 mi, complaint #1270775
  31. #31

    engine oil consumption

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AT 120K PLUS MILES. THE LAST TWO OR THREE OIL CHANGES MY CAR HAS REQUIRED AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF OIL. I'VE CHECKED A FEW ONLINE FORUMS AND THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH NISSAN VEHICLES. I HAD AN OIL CHANGE TODAY AND I CONFIRMED THAT…"~122,918 mi, complaint #1467451
    • "AT 120000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THIS 2.5 L ENGINE. WE PAID $3,000 TO HAVE THAT REPAIRED 10 MONTHS AGO. NOW THE CAR IS USING ABOUT 1 GALLON OF OIL EVERY 3 WEEKS AND WE FOUND THAT CYLINDER 3 HAS PISTON RINGS THAT ARE SHOT. OUR DEALERSHIP CONFIRMS THAT…"~143,000 mi, complaint #1486157
  32. #32

    steering electric assist

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "PUSH BUTTON SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES DON'T ,SOMETHING TO DO WITH STEERING LOCK MODULE?CANNOT START ENGINE."~125,000 mi, complaint #1411328
    • "HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT DEALERSHIP. UPON DRIVING BACK HOME THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I RECEIVED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH AND COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR START THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT IN A NEW BATTERY TO THE INTELLIGENT KEY AND ALSO JUMPST…"~146,311 mi, complaint #1058317
  33. #33

    sunroof

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND THE FRAGMENTS CASCADED ON TO THE CONTACT. HE HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAVE GLASS REMOVED FROM HIS FACE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A FAILURE.…"~3,600 mi, complaint #662885
    • "WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEED, MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. IT WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME, AND FORTUNATELY SUN SHADE CLOSED SO GLASS DID NOT FALL IN ON ME. READING MANY OTHERS WITH NISSAN CARS DEALIGN WITH THIS. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, SO NOT DEBRIS HITTING COULD HAVE CAUSE…"~82,000 mi, complaint #1598337
    • "DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY SUNROOF JUST SEEMED TO HAVE EXPLODED. WE JUST HEAD A LOUD POP AND SHATTERED GLASS. WE DID NOT SEE ANYTHING HIT IT AND THERE'S NO ROCKS OR ANYTHING YO BE FOUND"~125,000 mi, complaint #1573113
  34. #34

    suspension arms and bushings

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "REAR SWAY BAR SNAPPED ON DRIVERS SIDE. BAR IS HOLLOW. CAR IS DRIVEN ON FREEWAYS 90% OF THE TIME, SO NO HARD TURNS. *TR"~61,000 mi, complaint #978477
    • "I WENT TO HAVE MY FLUIDS CHANGED AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE REAR SWAY BAR ON MY CAR WAS SNAPPED. I CHECKED ONLINE AND IT LOOKS LIKE MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN THE PART THAT NISSAN SHOULD FIX. TH…"~62,000 mi, complaint #966280
    • "THE LEFT REAR TORSION/ANT-ISWAY BAR SUSTAINED COMPLETE FRACTURE AT THE END. NOTHING HIT IT. IT APPEARED TO BE DUE TO CORROSION. IT WAS INSPECTED BY CONYERS NISSAN SERVICE AND THE ADVISOR AGREED THIS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR"~85,000 mi, complaint #925427
  35. #35

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE DASHBOARD OF MY 2008 ALTIMA WAS MELTING ESPECIALLY AROUND THE AIR VENTS. THERE'S ALSO A BURN SMELL COMING FROM THE SHINY AREA. IT'S BECOMING HARD TO SEE DURING THE DAY DUE TO GLARE FROM THE SHINY AREA. ALSO I DID NOTICE MY AC SY…"complaint #1179671
    • "In 2018 I was driving back home from Derby, Kansas to Denver, Colorado in the middle of summertime, and my air conditioner started blowing hot air and the AC did not need to be charged. This was in my 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe that I purchased in April 2008 wit…"complaint #1811452
    • "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. "complaint #2144438
  36. #36

    alignment and pull

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "CAR NOT STABLE. IT WANDERS AND PITCHES. STEERING IS ALL OVER THE ROAD. REQUIRES CONSTANT CORRECTING. SEEMS VERY UNSTABLE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH AND HIGHER. SEEMS TO PITCH FROM CORNER TO CORNER. *TR"~1,000 mi, complaint #854757
  37. #37

    catalytic converter

    2 unsafe, 1 broken

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000."~95,000 mi, complaint #1107140
    • "AFTER REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION, THE CAR CONTINUED TO SPUTTER ANYTIME I WAS DRIVING FOR MORE THAN A FEW MILES. MY MECHANIC FIGURED OUT THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS OVERHEATING TO ABOUT 600 DEGREES WHEN IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN NO MORE THAN 250 DEGREES, CAUSING…"~158,000 mi, complaint #1320314
    • "PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. CAR WILL BE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY FLAT LAND/UPHILL/DOWNHILL ANY LAND AND MY CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY LOOSE POWER ITS A 2008 ALTIMA 2.5S I WILL HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO STOP MY CAR ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY IN A DEADLY AND HEAVILY USED CA…"~184,000 mi, complaint #1670800
  38. #38

    door latch and hinge

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "BOTH BACK PASSENGER DOORS ON THE 2008 ALTIMA SOMETIMES DO NOT CLOSE. AFTER OPENING THE DOORS, AND THEN TRYING TO SHUT THE DOORS THEY DO NOT LATCH SHUT AND BOUNCE BACK TO THE OPEN POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST TEN TIMES AND THE DOOR LATCHES HAVE BEEN REP…"~18,000 mi, complaint #706425
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD FILL UP WITH WATER AND LEAK INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE DRAIN HOLES WERE CLOGGED AND NEEDED TO BE UNCLOGGED…"~36,000 mi, complaint #883713
  39. #39

    engine cooling

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I BOUGHT MY CAR IN JULY 2008 FROM POWER NISSAN OF TEMPE, AZ ABOUT A MONTH OR SO LATER I NOTICED WHEN DRIVING MY CAR FOR MORE THAN 5 MILES AROUND TOWN. I WOULD SMELL AN OVERHEATING ODOR AND MY CAR WOULD START DRIVING VERY SLUGGISH. CAR WAS SLOW TO ACCELERATE.…"~2,000 mi, complaint #700379
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE HOOD AND UNKNOWN FLUID WAS DISCOVERED ON THE ENGINE AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1166447
    • "LOUD BANG AND OIL COOLER BUSTED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH, IT STARTED SMOKING AND THEN FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD I PULLED OVER TURNED OF THE IGNITION AND GOT OUT AND THE CAR WAS FULLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES WITHIN MINUTES"~124,000 mi, complaint #1439374
  40. #40

    engine mounts

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE.…"~52,385 mi, complaint #940600
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE VIBRATION AFTER BEING STARTED AND WHILE BEING OPERATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNO…"~99,000 mi, complaint #1339551
    • "MY MOTOR MOUNT,HAS GONE OUT. IT LEFTS UP WHEN YOU DRIVE IT AND MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE, WHEN YOU STOP ON THE GAS."~173,000 mi, complaint #1436560
  41. #41

    fuel tank and lines

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT STRUCK DEBRIS ON THE ROADWAY. AS A RESULT, A PIECE OF METAL BECAME LODGED IN THE FUEL TANK AND WAS HANGING DOWN. THE FAILURE CAUSED A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER…"~15,000 mi, complaint #714960
    • "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY SEAL BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND THE GAS CAP. THIS REQUIRES SANDING OF THE FILLER PIPE. THE SAME PROBLEM WAS FIXED LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN Q…"~41,000 mi, complaint #683843
  42. #42

    paint and clearcoat

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I LIVE IN GEORGIA, AND MY DASHBOARD IS MELTING. I CANNOT DRIVE WITHOUT PLACING A BLACK TOWEL OVER THE DASH TO DAMPEN THE REFLECTION OF THE SUN. THE DASH HAS A CLEAR, GOOEY, STICKY, LACQUER-LOOKING, FILM THAT SHINES SO BRIGHTLY THAT IT OBSTRUCTS MY VISION.…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1220588
  43. #43

    wiring harness

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO ACTIVATE BRAKE-LIGHTS,WHICH ALSO INHIBITS STARTER.IF BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK ONCE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE BEEN REPAIRING THING FOR 50 YEARS AND AM 99.9% SURE THE PINS OF THE BRAKE PE…"~40,000 mi, complaint #910880
    • "VEHICLE WAS DRIVING ALONG WITH OTHER NORMAL TRAFFIC WHEN IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND STALLED ON AN INCLINE. DRIVER CAREFULLY STEERED VEHICLE TO A SAFE PLACE DOWNHILL AND CALLED A TOWING COMPANY TO TOW VEHICLE TO DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION OF ENG…"~64,500 mi, complaint #937938
  44. #44

    battery and charging

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I WROTE THIS LETTER TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND TO THE CEO OF NISSAN: DEAR [XXX], MY NAME IS [XXX]AND I AM A CURRENT OWNER OF A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH NISSAN'S WEST COAST REGIONAL OFFI…"~28,000 mi, complaint #947555
    • "THE FOLLOWING HAD TO BE FIXED ALL ON ONE VISIT: MY ALTERNATOR REPLACED; TOP MOTOR MOUNT REPLACED, BRAKE SENSOR REPLACED, BATTERY REPLACED, AND HAD AN OIL COOLER LEAK FIXED. ALL WAS COVERED WITH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ($858 OTHERWISE). IT HAS HAD A TOTAL OF 4 BA…"~66,775 mi, complaint #1009758
  45. #45

    engine head gasket

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AT MOSSY NISSAN, KEARNY MESA, CA. WAS INFORMED THE HEADGASKET(S) WERE LEAKING COOLANT. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ALTHOUGH MECHANIC INFORMED ME THE LEAK(S) WERE A COMMON AND PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. HE WENT ON TO EXPLAIN THAT NISSAN US…"complaint #1192997
    • "MANIFOLD, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SHOP, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD BE THE MANIFOLD OR GASKET, IS THERE A RECALL ON THAT PART, VERY UNSAFE CAR FILLS UP WITH THE SMELL OF GASOLINE IT ALSO RUSTING ON THE BACK BY THE WHEEL IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ITS TO EARLY TO BE…"complaint #1229684
  46. #46

    fluid leak unspecified

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "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…"~26,000 mi, complaint #717799
    • "REGARDING 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA: THE AIR CONDITIONING EVAPORATOR DRAIN HOSE IS POORLY ENGINEERED LEADING TO WATER DRAINING BACK INTO THE VEHICLE AS OPPOSED TO OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WATER WILL POOL IN THE BACK SEAT PASSENGER SIDE AND CONTINUE TO COLLECT WAT…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1101441
  47. #47

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND FOUND THAT I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO HAD TO REPLACE THE POWER STEERING RACK. *TR"~45,000 mi, complaint #964351
    • "The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at approximately 80 MPH, the steering wheel became stiff, and the contact lost control of the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. As a result, the contact cr…"~130,000 mi, complaint #2032469
  48. #48

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe, 1 broken

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ADDING AIR TO THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE, THE VALVE STEM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VALVE STEM WOULD NEED TO BE R…"~66,000 mi, complaint #1010306
    • "The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while making a left turn into a parking at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s side tire detached from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that each of the lug nuts had sheare…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1803847
  49. #49

    corrosion and rust

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY NISSAN ALTIMA IS DEVELOPING RUST UNDER DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. AND I WAS DENIED STATE INSPECTION SINCE IT WAS HAZARD TO PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE. I SAW SO MANY COMPLAINT WITH SAME MATTERS ON SAME YEAR MODEL NISSAN ALTIMA. I CONTACTED NISSAN TO SEE THE ISSUE WIT…"~72,000 mi, complaint #1126707
  50. #50

    fuel pump

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "MY WIFE'S CAR SHUTDOWN ON HER LAST MONTH AND I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THEY INDICATED THE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD SO I ORDERED A NEW ONE AND THINGS WENT FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND NOW THE FUEL HAND JUST FLUCTUATS UP AND DOWN AND JUST SUDDENLY DROPS TO…"~208,000 mi, complaint #1733379
  51. #51

    heater core and blower

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHEN DRIVING ON LONG AND SOMETIMES SHORT TRIPS, THE AIR FLOW STOPS BLOWING, LIKE A VENT WAS CLOSED. THE BLOWER FAN MOTOR IS STILL WORKING AND THE A/C IS STILL WORKING BECAUSE IT IS STILL COLD AT THE VENT BUT THERE IS NO AIR FLOW. *TR"~110,000 mi, complaint #1337064
  52. #52

    infotainment head unit

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE FACTORY SOUND SYSTEM FACE PLATE IS BLISTERING. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY RADIO OVERHEAT OR SOME TYPE OF SHORT. THE RADIO WORKS FINE"~91,000 mi, complaint #1308976
  53. #53

    lighting exterior

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. INSECTS HAVE ENTERED INTO THE REAR TAIL LIGHT SOCKETS OF HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS AN ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN; HOWEVER, THE INSECTS WERE REMOVED FROM…"~33,000 mi, complaint #737657
  54. #54

    mirror

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE DRIVER'S SIDE MIRROR IS HOUSED IN A CASING OF REFLECTIVE METAL, THE SAME AS THE REST OF THE BODY OF THE CAR. THE SHAPE OF THE SHAFT CONNECTING THE CASING TO THE DOOR IS SHAPED NEARLY PARABOLIC, WHICH MEANS THAT IF PARALLEL RAYS OF LIGHT (SUCH AS FROM THE…"complaint #790247
  55. #55

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I QUESTION THIS EVERYTIME I TAKE MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE BACK TO 2008 AND EVERYTIME I GET THE SAME ANSWER "IT'S NORMAL, IT'S JUST THE HEAT SHIELD [REDACTED PLATE] UP AND COOLING DOWN. IT DOESN'T AFFECT THE SAFETY…"~20,000 mi, complaint #881591
  56. #56

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT INVOLVING THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. DURING THE IMPACT THE PASSENGER SEATBELT UNBUCKLED WITHOUT ANY INTERVENTION BY THE OCCUPANT"~135,000 mi, complaint #1620949
  57. #57

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "IN FEBRUARY 2014 I HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN MY VEHICLE TO REPLACE ONE THAT WAS PART OF A RECALL BY NISSAN. ON JUNE 13, 2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 6PM WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 IN DELAWARE, MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND THE ABILITY TO ACC…"~122,005 mi, complaint #1077291
  58. #58

    torque converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "I HAVE THE TRANSMITION CODE P7044 (DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER) CAR HAS ONLY 97000 MILES DANGER IS AT TIMES CAR WILL NOT MOVE"~97,000 mi, complaint #1702118
  59. #59

    wheel bearing

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "2008 ALTIMA WHEELS MAKING TO MUCH NOISE-HAVE REPLACES FRONT WHEEL HUB AT NO COST-STILL A HOWLING NOISE. *TR"complaint #781704

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for NISSAN ALTIMA directly.