2008 Nissan Altima problems and complaints

Owners have filed 1028 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Altima. The most-reported areas: Structure (312), Unknown Or Other (199), Visibility/Wiper (168).

Key takeaways

  • 1028 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 53 involve a crash, 13 a fire, 33 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Structure31230%
Unknown Or Other19919%
Visibility/Wiper16816%
Air Bags14214%
Service Brakes929%
Electrical System909%
Power Train808%
Hydraulic576%
Engine545%
Steering374%
Vehicle Speed Control353%
Seats242%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2008 Nissan Altima 2-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
2008 Nissan Altima 4-DR. w/SABNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Unknown Or Other - filed 2026-04-25

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.

Air Bags - filed 2025-10-30

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.

Unknown Or Other - filed 2025-10-30

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.

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More for the 2008 Nissan Altima

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.