CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2008 Altima has a defect trend of CVT transmission failure showing up around the 100,000 mile mark.

It's an expensive repair at nearly $4,000 average repair cost. For more information see Nissan Altima CVT defect info on NissanProblems.com.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
50,184 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2008 Nissan Altima accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2008 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 5 of 9)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #88

Aug 272015

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The dashboard in my 2008 Nissan Altima is melting away and has left behind a very sticky and shiny surface that emits a very strong vision impairing glare onto the windshield. Due to this glare, I have had almost a number of near miss accident situations since this issue begun in 2012-13. The glare impacts your visibly, adding more distraction and limits response time when aggressive or phone distracted drives suddenly swerve or pull out in front of you as you try to avoid an accident. Apart from the glare, the dashboard is emitting a very strong chemical like odor which makes me concerned for my overall health. I don't believe it is healthy for any driver/passenger to have to be breathing in the toxic particles from the materials and glue of which the part is made of. My other concern in this situation is the impact the defected melting dashboard has on the release of the passenger airbag in the event of a crash. The dashboard upon touch is very guey, sticky, and smears or comes-off when pressed. The manufacturer has refused to replace this part and has quoted $2,000 for part replacement. This is not only a very costly item, but also unfair to the owner who can't afford the repair and has to jeopardize their safety because of manufacturers negligence by supplying defective part. I try to avoid driving this vehicle unless it is necessary out of concern for my safety.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #87

Aug 162015

Altima

  • 43,000 miles
My 2008 Nissan Altima's dashboard is sticky and melting. The sticky residue reflects in the windshield causing a glare when driving during the daytime. In my opinion the melting dashboard is a safety defect and should be recalled.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #86

Jul 082013

Altima

  • 90,000 miles
My dashboard has started to melt. It makes the dashboard very sticky as if it is an adhesive product and turns colors. Due to this over time, the view out of the windshield is obstructed by a glare from any light source whether its from the sun or from a street lamp. I do not use any cleaning products other than a wet rang for the dash when cleaning the car, and I take pride in my vehicle. Since my car is out of warranty, Nissan would not replace the dash even though this is an safety issue as some pedestrians or road hazards are almost unavoidable due to the glare. In addition, everything sticks to the dash including paper, sun visors, and even bugs as I am located in miami, fl.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #85

Jun 012014

Altima

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The dashboard on my 2008 Altima has been melting for the past year and is causing a large area of glare on the windshield. When I brought it up to the dealership last year, they told me I had used a chemical on the dashboard, that it needed to be cleaned off, and there is nothing they will do to fix it. They did not address the stickiness, either. This issue of a melting dash is dangerous, as it causes decreased visibility through the windshield with any amount of sunlight. Please make Nissan take responsibility for using lower quality materials by replacing the dashboards with a better quality material at no cost to the car owner.

- Collinsville, OK, USA

problem #84

Jul 122015

Altima

  • 69,877 miles
2008 Nissan Altima dashboard "melting". majority of dashboard now looks shinny and appears to have a liquid shine to it, which causes blind spots during driving due to the reflective nature of the "melted" dash. Cannot touch, clean, or wipe the dash as the surface is similar to tacky glue. Nothing has been sprayed on the dash to cause this issue, this is just the heat building up internally and the design of the dashboard material being substandard.

- Cypress, TX, USA

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problem #83

Jul 092015

Altima

  • 75,000 miles
My 2008 Nissan Altima started with a melted dashboard which is a safety hazard because of the glare on the windshield. I can't see when the sun is reflecting off the melted (wet) dashboard. More recently the entire dashboard has exploded and is cracked with the inner material showing. This is obviously a fault in the manufacturing, I have a friend with a 2008 coupe and the same thing happened. This should be recalled as a safety concern as it interferes with the driver's visibility.

- Dunedin, FL, USA

problem #82

Apr 152015

Altima

  • 155,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dashboard has begun to melt, leaving a sticky residue that is highly reflective. In direct sunlight, it will reflect onto windshield causing reduced visibility. Residue will not wipe off. Attracts loose fibers, dirt, and debris. Inner dashboard toward airbag and steering wheel is also pitting due to a tacky texture from melting....updated 07/13/16

- Bryan, TX, USA

problem #81

May 182015

Altima

  • 72,500 miles
The dashboard in my 2008 Nissan Altima coupe is giving off a strong chemical smell, is very sticky to the touch, and is so shiny that it generates an intense glare on the windshield when in direct sunlight. The windshield glare is a huge safety hazard that is only getting worse -- it used to be that I could get by with wearing sunglasses but now the glare is so intense that even with polarized sunglasses on, I have to lean this way and that in order to see what's in front of me. If I were to lose my sunglasses while out and about, I would absolutely be unable to drive until after sunset. It's unsafe for me and everyone on the road to operate a vehicle with such bad windshield obstruction. Any bugs or debris that come in contact with the areas of the dashboard that are melting instantly become stuck. It looks a lot like a tar pit and if you touch it, a tar-like substances comes off and is very hard to remove from your skin. The fumes it gives off are nauseating and seem to make the windshield foggy. When trying to clean the weird chemical fog off, I have to be extra careful not to let the cleaning rags touch any part of the dash because it will literally pull the rag apart, leaving behind distracting pieces of cloth all over the dash. I asked Nissan Consumer Affairs to help remedy my situation but they refused to help because the vehicle is no longer in warranty. It seems that as time goes on and the weather gets hotter, the dashboard only gets worse and worse. I cannot afford to fix the problem on my own (the dealership estimates that the repair will cost over $2,000) but I also don't feel safe driving in the sunlight.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #80

Jan 012011

Altima

  • 45,000 miles
Dashboard meltdown - causing dangerous glare when driving Nissan states not apart of recall" "

- Zephyrhills , FL, USA

problem #79

Apr 232014

Altima

  • 60,000 miles
Dashboard has melted. The glare has bricks so bad that it S a safety concern when driving in daylight. Sunlight reflects and makes it difficult to see traffic ahead.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #78

Apr 012014

Altima 4WD 4-cyl

  • 128,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2008 Nissan Altima 2.5 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 warmer climates with higher quantity of sunlight.

- Bossier, LA, USA

problem #77

Apr 152015

Altima 4-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
My 2008 Nissan Altima needs to be recalled due to dashboard melting. The dashboard is sticky and gives off a glare during the daytime while driving. This issue is extremely hazardous and blinds my vision when I drive during the day. Please Nissan fix this issue. Take responsibility for the materials used when manufacturing a vehicle. Care about your customers concerns and fix my dashboard.

- Sunrise , FL, USA

problem #76

Jun 012013

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
The dashboard of my 2008 Nissan Altima has been melting for over a year and a half and is now causing such a large and intense glare on the windshield that it is difficult to see during daytime hours and at night when driving under lights. The dashboard is constantly sticky and comes off in chunks when you touch it. I have searched for information about this issue and found several people with the same problem. Some have even reported issues/possible issues with the airbags. It wasn't until today when I searched again, hoping others may have come up with a solution, that I found a thread on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nissanusa/posts/10152938385130375) discussing actions to take to better this situation. One Nissan owner suggested filing a complaint here. Some owners have reported quotes from Nissan dealerships ranging from $300 to over $2500 when Nissan knows of this defect and it is not in any way caused by the car owners. Please help us fix this situation. Updated 5/4/2016

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #75

Feb 152015

Altima

  • 84,000 miles
I live in jacksonville, fl and the dashboard in my car appears to be melting. The glare this causes can be very bad and dangerous. I've had to struggle with seeing out of the car in the evenings because of the glare.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #74

Aug 122014

Altima

  • 120,000 miles
Dashboard is shiny from plasticizers (?) leaching out or breaking down causing glare that is obstructing vision causing an unsafe driving condition. This glare obstructs the drivers view enough to make driving unsafe to pedestrians, bicyclists, other motorists and occupant of this vehicle.

- St Pete Beach, FL, USA

problem #73

Feb 012012

Altima

  • miles
Nearly 1/3 of the dashboard has melted, leaving a sticky residue that causes extreme and sudden reflection of sunlight, including during high speed driving. This is not cosmetic - it is simply a safety issue. My mechanic, with more than 20 years experience, has stated that he has never seen a vehicle (even old vehicles) with melting as extensive. Please address this before it causes a major accident.

- St Petersburg , FL, USA

problem #72

May 012013

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
My wife and I started to notice that the dashboard of our car is melting. We are extremely concerned about safety because the glare off of the shiny melted surface can decrease the driver's ability to see perfectly clear. It is a hazard, especially during sunny days. I have done some research online, and I notice many other car's owner experiencing the same safety issue. The melting is getting worse and Nissan don't want to be held accountable. This should be a recall for the safety of public transportation and everyone around.

- Daytona Beach , FL, USA

problem #71

Nov 272014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
Dashboards melting and causing a glare on the windshield that impairs driving ability. This is completely unsafe on the road, I cannot see where I am driving.

- Sarasota, FL, USA

problem #70

Jan 012014

Altima 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
I have a 2008 Nissan Altima 3.5sl, I live in southeast Florida. My dash is "melting" and has become a shiny, sticky black mess that creates an incredible glare on the windshield. I'm aware that this problem has been under investigation for quite some time and I want to add my name to the list of complaints. I found it annoying that the dash was melting, I've had other car dashes crack in the heat, but not melt. The main problem is that the dash is so shiny now it can be nearly impossible to see through the windshield when the sun is out. I first noticed the issue a year or so ago. I've selected Jan 1, 2014 arbitrarily. It was around that time that the issue really started being a problem.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #69

Sep 152012

Altima

  • 75,000 miles
My 2008 Nissan Altima dash is melting. It is impossible to see when facing the sun and a safety hazard. Nissan needs to recall this item.

- Lumberton, TX, USA

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