2008 Nissan Altima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2008 Nissan Altima ranks 4th worst out of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 85 and 1,028 complaints logged with NHTSA. It carries an Avoid verdict, driven mainly by Structure & Body complaints (343, 33% of all complaints) and four recall campaigns.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 85/100
- #4 of 21 Altima years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,028
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 53
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 33
- Top issue
- Structure & Body
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 21 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 33 / 2
Top 2008 Nissan Altima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Structure & Body343 (33%)
- Other203 (20%)
- Visibility & Wipers188 (18%)
- Airbags142 (14%)
- Engine104 (10%)
- Brakes99 (10%)
- Electrical System95 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain80 (8%)
- Steering37 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires33 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some owners report the push-button start/stop switch allowed the car to be left in drive and roll away after the engine was shut off.
- Owners describe electrical fires starting in the fuse box or wiring while the car was parked and not in use.
- Several drivers report a strong gasoline or antifreeze odor filling the cabin along with a sluggish feel and radio cutting out.
- Owners report the brakes locking up and causing a skid on wet roads at low speed.
- Some drivers say the anti-lock brake system failed to engage in wet conditions, leading to a slide into another vehicle.
- Owners describe the transmission unexpectedly lurching forward while shifting into park, causing a collision.
2008 Nissan Altima recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V401000Sep 10, 2010Other7,948 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
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.
- NHTSA 08V521000Oct 7, 2008Electrical System204,361 vehicles
Electrical system:software
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.
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.
- NHTSA 08V363000Jul 31, 2008Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,018 vehicles
Suspension
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.
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.
2008 Nissan Altima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,075
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Nissan Altima reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Altima ranks 4th worst of 21 model years for this model, with a complaint index of 85 and an Avoid verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Altima?
- Structure & Body complaints lead with 343 reports (33% of the total), followed by Visibility & Wipers (188), Airbags (142), and Engine issues (104).
- Does the 2008 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2008 Altima, covering electrical system issues (occupant classification sensor and TPMS reactivation), a front suspension bolt, and a GPS navigation battery.
- At what mileage do 2008 Altima problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 70,000 miles, though Structure & Body issues showed up at a median of 65,000 miles and Brakes at 42,344 miles.
- How does the 2008 Altima compare to other years?
- The 2008 model (index 85) is worse than 2007 (45, Good) and 2011 (30, Good) but better than 2013 (100, Avoid), which is the worst year for this model.