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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,912 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2008 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #29

Mar 232016

Altima

  • 166,000 miles

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

Driving 75 mph on the highway 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 recall for it. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed before someone is killed.

- Pittsburg, TX, USA

problem #28

Feb 282016

Altima

  • 120,200 miles
Recently, I faced a near death experience driving my Nissan Altima. I was heading back to kc from columbia. It was windy morning at 3 am on 70 w and suddenly my car's cruise control light started blinking, and my car started to lose its acceleration (while in motion on highway 70).with a double trailer truck behind my car a few other trucks lined behind it, my car lost acceleration and it fell under 40 miles in a few dreadful seconds on a national highway. My car continuously wiggled as it kept dropping speed with a whistling sound from the engine on the passenger side. As I pray to god to save me, it struck my mind to turn on the parking lights, the truck driver was quick to realize something was wrong with a car ahead of him and changed lanes and sped away and so did the others. I decided to keep driving until I reach safety. My car's speed dropped to 40 miles an hour as my heartbeat went up. With another 20 miles to an exit, I was praying and all of a sudden my car started accelerating again. I was not sure if I should hit the brakes and be stranded or take a chance and drive until I reach safety. My gas mileage fell rapidly, it went down from 100 miles remaining to 40 miles as I checked. As a miracle, my car started to respond after driving for not sure how long but it started to accelerate. I was both glad and terrified that my car is responding and with big fear that it may fail again. I maintained a uniform speed until I took an exit on the highway. My car started to lose its acceleration again, after running over a light in a failing car as I prayed with tens of cars on the road behind me, I reached a gas station and confident that none of my friends or family will find me dead on a highway. I will never ever trust my car again. After diagnostics at a Nissan service center, I found that a transmission failure was the root cause

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #27

Sep 012015

Altima

  • 126,000 miles
I need a new transmission at 126,000 miles! car began making noise as if it was stuck in a gear, it became sluggish as I was trying to accelerate, the car would not accelerate. Drove it to sheehy Nissan a few days later and was told that I would have to call Consumer Affairs because I was outside the extended warranty of 120,000. My mileage was 126,000. Received call from sheehy service specialist leo saying that it would be fixed free of charge. The next day received another call from service specialist and was told that it was not approved by Consumer Affairs for repair. I called Consumer Affairs and was told that I would receive a call on Friday, Sept. 18 from Nissan's regional specialist, quinashay, that more information was being gathered from sheehy Nissan. Received call from quinashay saying that there was nothing nisan could do for me because I was outside the extended warranty period! this is my third Nissan purchase from Nissan stanza to a couple of Nissan Altima, always upgrading. I've been a loyal Nissan customer and for what! never thought I would be treated this way.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

problem #26

Sep 012015

Altima

  • miles

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

Got in my car, started the engine, put car in reverse, backed up, put car in drive, car hesitated to go got up to 10 miles per hour, car stopped in middle of the road. My car was still running but would not go. Towed to shop and it's my cvt transmission needs to be replaced. This is costing me $3,500 to replace. Very dangerous another car could have hit me because my car stopped in the middle of the road.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

problem #25

Jul 092014

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. While driving 75 mph, the vehicle jerked abnormally. In addition, when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was no failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000. The VIN was not available.

- Germantown , TN, USA

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problem #24

May 072015

Altima

  • 73,000 miles
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 but the car would not go more the 5 mph. Nissan says my car is not covered under warranty I had to pay $3000 to have the transmission replaced.

- Pembroke Pine, FL, USA

problem #23

Jan 052015

Altima

  • 124,400 miles

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

I own a 2008 Nissan Altima with 125000 miles which I purchased new. I called Nissan usa to report the dashboard melting problem and also report a whining noise coming from the transmission. A case was opened and within a couple of days I was told there was nothing they could do. Nissan would have replaced the transmission if I had 120,000 miles, but when I called to report the noisy transmission my actual miles were 124400 miles. They claimed that I'm no longer under the warranty because of the extra 4000 miles. I have owned three previous Nissan cars and so far I was very happy with the quality and reliability of the cars. It is clearly that the issues is related to the materials used and parts used in this model and year. I would like Nissan to take responsibility for the products they manufacture and sell.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #22

Jan 162015

Altima

  • miles
Oil cap will not unscrew on 2008 Nissan Altima manual transmission that is leaking oil.

- Desoto, MO, USA

problem #21

Jul 012014

Altima

  • 118,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle jerked and vibrated abnormally. Also, the contact mentioned that when the accelerator pedal was depressed the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure persisted. In addition, the contact stated that while the cruise control was activated, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle accelerated and the cruise control failed to deactivate. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,000.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #20

Aug 132014

Altima

  • 88,408 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph on a hill, the vehicle made an abnormal noise and suddenly decelerated to 40 mph without warning. The contact turned the vehicle off and after fifteen minutes it restarted resuming normal function. The failure recurred ten times, all while driving on hills. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the performance was reduced due to the cvt fluid temperature. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 88, 408.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #19

Mar 142010

Altima 4-cyl

  • 63,000 miles

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

I have a 2008 Nissan Altima and I have had to have 2 transmissions in my car. I had to replace at 63000 miles and now I need another transmission at 149000. This 2nd transmission has only about 85000. Nissan won't own up to their problem with transmission. I am not replacing again for a 3rd transmission in my car.

- Shelton, WA, USA

problem #18

Jul 032014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
When I accelerate the vehicle it starts jerking. Issues with the tire light it won't come off and seat belt light. The engine light came on with P0744 code.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #17

Jun 132014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 122,005 miles
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 accelerate. I was able to get it safely off the road despite being in the fast lane during heavy rush hour traffic. I had the vehicle towed to the dealer that replaced the recalled transmission. On the morning of June 16, 2014 the service representative at the Nissan dealer advised me I needed a new transmission because the one I received was a 'bad apple". later that same day, he called back to advise me the issue was not the transmission but it was a software update that was not installed when the transmission was replaced in February. The software has been updated; however when the vehicle reaches a speed of 60-80mph the vehicle hesitates and acts just as it did when it shut down on June 13, 2014.

- Fallston, MD, USA

problem #16

May 312014

Altima

  • 111,500 miles
5/31/2014, as I was traveling down 75 North towards chattanooga going 80 miles per hour to maintain speed of traffic I noticed that my vehicle started slowing down and would not allow me to accelerate. I had to immediately put my emergency signal on in order to merge over to the far right emergency lane to stop the vehicle. Luckily traffic was not too heavy in order to move over to the emergency lane if so it probably would have been a fatal accident. I allowed the car to sit for a bit and then drove back to home to see if I could take the vehicle to a mechanic where I purchased a vehicle and to find out the issue. As I am driving the vehicle back home I have to drive the vehicle no more than 40 miles per hour in a 70 miles per hour zone with my hazards signals flashing because the vehicle would not go no faster than 40 miles per hour. I called the dealership and I was informed that I would need to bring my vehicle in on Monday because they close service at 12 O'clock on a Friday. The dealer where I purchased my vehicle want me to pay a fee in order for me to have the vehicle diagnosed because it was not under the extended warranty and I only had the vehicle less than a year, only 8 months. This is a very dangerous and serious situation where Nissan should recall the 2008 Nissan Altima and have this issue checked out because I'm sure I am not the only one with this issue.

- Snellville, GA, USA

problem #15

May 282014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 121,086 miles
Help (continuously variable transmission) Nissan apparently has a "extended warranty for the cvt on certain vehicle models including Altima between 2003-2010 year. The warranty states that you may replace part to 10years/120,000 miles which ever comes first. Here's the problem never got a letter with this extended warranty information so I could of had my cvt replaced. Two days ago as I was driving on one of fl. Busiest hwy where speeds are up to 70 mph my 08 Nissan Altima starts decelerate yes while my foot was on the gas pedal the car began to decelerate with out know notice the service engine soon light was not on so I was in a state of shock because I am in the middle lane of a three lane hwy freaked out cars coming behind me at high speeds I did but my emergency lights on so I could try to find away to maneuver my way off the hwy wait it gets better so as I have my foot on the gas pedal at a speed of 1 mph the car is in stall mode aka pressing on gas and just barely going. Well as I was getting in the outer lane to get off the hwy the car when from one mph and just accelerated I almost caused a major mva I ended up in the ditch luckily no one was hurt I immediately turned the car off. I ended up taking it to a mechanic who told me that it could be the fuel injector but couldn't be for sure because the service engine light was not on they couldn't detect the problem with the machine, the car service engine soon light came on soon after reaching over 120,000 miles.I wanted Nissan to have recall this is dangerous and it is not right something needs to be done before it becomes worse like it for Ford, GM ect....they should have sent people letters or ever put a courtesy consumer report thru news as to the extended warranty but they didn't do it why?(money)pleas this is dangerous I am not the first person with this same problem.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #14

Apr 102014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 126,000 miles
My cvt transmission went out with 126K miles. I was never notified of any recalls regarding the transmission and there have been a few. I started hearing the infamous "whining noise" about 6 months ago which would have been around 100K miles. Had I been notified of the recalls I would have taken the whining a little more serious and researched it. Well, too late but after the fact I found many youtube videos and hundreds of complaints from people with the exact same issue. If you hear this whining noise, it's your transmission. Nissan knows they put out a garbage transmission which is why they doubled the warranty on it to 10 years or 120K miles. Conveniently, mine did not go out until 126K. I bought this car three years ago with 17K miles. Yes, I drive a lot but it's for work and it's primarily highway mileage. I wouldn't have ever expected the transmission to go out in a car this new. I have learned my lesson. I will never buy another piece of jap crap from Nissan as I am now dumping 4K to get this repaired. I checked with nissanusa and they denied any responsibility nor did they offer any financial assistance because I am 6K over their extended (doubled) warranty. When my car broke down I called my mechanic, who is ase certified, and super trustworthy. He came and towed it, ran diagnostics on it and determined it was the transmission. I called nissanusa and was advised to have it towed to an authorized dealer because they would not offer assistance until an authorized dealer diagnosed it. I did just that, paid the dealer $150 to tell me what I already knew (bad transmission), only to have nissanusa deny me assistance after the dealer confirmed it was the transmission. Then I had to pay to have it towed back to my mechanic as the dealer's quote was outrageous. I will never buy a Nissan again and I hope you won't either!

- Laporte, IN, USA

problem #13

Apr 052014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 230,968 miles
I was driving at 65 mph on a major highway 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 coded all ok, however internal hard failure new transmission. $4000 vehicle was serviced always at crowley Nissan bristol ct and serviced on 3/28/2014 checked a week prior. Paper work indicated transmission fluid full and excellent. Nissan usa refused to assist in any matter and dealership was the worst. This vehicle had issues in the past having numerous items replaced under warranty. Never buying a Nissan again...

- Plainville, CT, USA

problem #12

Sep 062013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 54,000 miles
On 9/6 at approx. 3:30pm mnt the car began having issues accelerating past 60 mph on I-70 E in Colorado. At times it would even start de-accelerating. Around 4pm, smoke was coming out of the front hood. My boyfriend and I then pulled over to the side of the highway, and after about 10 minutes we noticed that transmission fluid was leaking from the car. After being towed to the mechanic about 20 miles away, he worked on the car for about an hour and completed an official diagnostic. He said the transmission fluid had overflowed from the transmission and that we could have had a fire on the highway. He also came to the conclusion that the transmission was blown and the car was not drivable. We had to store the car in the mechanic's parking lot for the night and get a rental car. We then had to stay in a hotel for the night in grand junction, co. The next day we called around to find a Nissan service center that would be open to accepting the car and could get the parts in a reasonable amount of time given that we were stranded in Colorado. We found a service center in Aurora about 250 miles away from grand junction. We worked with aaa to get the car towed to the dealership just before they closed. Since they were closing the Nissan service center did not have time to look at the car until Monday. I ended up being stranded in Colorado for a 6 days with my boyfriend, until the car was fixed. I am very displeased with Nissan's customer service. I called specialists for 3 days with no help. They have refused to compensate me for the other damages incurred by the faulty transmission. This trip cost $2,000 in unexpected costs due to be stranded, and my life was put in danger because none of the Nissan service adviser's told me about the issues with the cvt transmission (I took my car to be checked before the road trip in May 2013 and late August 2013).

- Evanston, IL, USA

problem #11

Jul 272013

Altima

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 mph, there was a sudden loss of acceleration power without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the inter-cooler kit for the power transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The approximate failure mileage was 67,000 and the current mileage was 69,000.

- Floor Park , NY, USA

problem #10

Sep 182013

Altima

  • 77,500 miles
Transmission wines, and wouldn't shift into gear from park 2 times froma parked situation. Numerous other ongoing small problems, which I've read about with customer complaints for this vehicle. I have them also. Radio display out, center console loose, with weight, car bottoms out on speed bumps, failed stop light/start brake switch,

- Parkton, MD, USA

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