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:
5 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,327 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2008 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2008 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 5)

problem #86

Feb 172024

Altima

  • miles

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

Parked car due to electrical and transmission issues had left it for a couple hours to receive assistance and the car was gone it had no plates because I was attempting to register the car that same day

- Northhampton, PA, USA

problem #85

Jun 172022

Altima

  • miles
I-??m having to replace at least 2 sensors every 6 or 7 months.

- Easley , SC, USA

problem #84

May 152022

Altima

  • miles
I pulled into Regions bank parking lot to use ATM machine and before I could even park my car accelerated for no reason. I had my foot on the brake but it just made it go faster. I crashed into the building and airbag deployed. This was the scariest driving experience I-??ve ever had. The car is totaled and caused serious damage to bank. I escaped by the grace of God with sprained wrist and elbow and knee abrasions.

- Grenada, MS, USA

problem #83

Jan 042022

Altima

  • 75,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while at a stop light the front passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger-??s side seat cushion sensor had failed. The dealer updated an unknown software; however, the failure reoccurred persistently. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side seat cushion needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V521000 (Air Bags, Electrical System). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #82

Jul 102021

Altima

  • miles
While driving down the highway at about 60 mph the vehicle shut off and has not restarted in almost 2 weeks. There was no indication or warning of any engine trouble prior to it shutting off. Luckily, I was getting off an exit and nobody was injured. Had I NOT been exciting the highway, there would have most certainly been a MULTI vehicle accident with severe injuries and possibly even death because of the high speeds. Once the car was completely stopped and off towards the shoulder I tried to restart but got a fast clicking noise, but wouldn't start. Let the car sit for a little tried to jump start it, but now the key indicator was being displayed which means the car wasn't recognizing the key even in the slot. This leads me to believe the security system/ immobilizer could've been what caused it to shut off. The car has not been looked at yet. Still waiting for Nissan dealer to diagnose it.

- Emmaus, PA, USA

problem #81

Mar 072021

Altima

  • 176,200 miles
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 robbed of my money. The dam car is stuck in limp mode. We was driving one day and all of sudden the car jerked really hard an lost power didnt have a clue what was going on.

- Anamosa, IA, USA

problem #80

Feb 172021

Altima

  • 208,000 miles

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

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 (E) when it has gas or full tank of gas in it. Also the mileage display is showing inaccurate readings and blinking on the dash on and off and my wife is scared now to drive her 2008 Nissan Altima on long drives with this problem going on!! it happened while in motion on a busy hwy 278 in batesville,

- Batesville, MS, USA

problem #79

May 202020

Altima

  • 195,000 miles
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 U help please itsbeen doing this since bought from an individual

- Salina, KS, USA

problem #78

Jul 202020

Altima

  • 111,000 miles
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.

- Mahanoy City, PA, USA

problem #77

Feb 012020

Altima

  • 150,000 miles
Orange key light indicator comes on and car will not start up.

- Fairburn, GA, USA

problem #76

Aug 292019

Altima

  • 150,000 miles

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

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 under the steering column can cause the issues and has a recall

- Broken Bow, OK, USA

problem #75

Mar 102018

Altima

  • miles
I can drive the car for several hours then after several hours the car shuts down slows down and then cuts completely off tries to restart the car it completely dies have to get a jump start. Couldn't get a reading on the car no codes would show up it's been doing this for several months now. It's very dangerous to drive not knowing when it will just shut off on me and my daughter.

- Harlem, GA, USA

problem #74

Jul 152016

Altima

  • 0 miles
My dash board is melting from the heat and cracking all around. My passenger air bag light keep coming on along with tire sensor. Had sensor replace several time and have same issue.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #73

Feb 052018

Altima

  • 139,000 miles
Car stopped, would not start, yellow key light on the left dashboard stays on. Car will not start at all

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #72

Aug 012017

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
The power start key isnt turning on the car, it allows you to enter the car but the start takes various attempts. The problem seems to be the lock steering feature malfunctions.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #71

Apr 242017

Altima

  • miles
The airbag sensor on the passenger seat stopped working about a year ago. I had to get my car inspected last month to drive in the state of va and to access the naval base for work. I failed the inspection because of it and had to pay $705 for a new seat. I saw a recall for this problem but was told by Nissan recall department my car wasn't covered. How can that be possible? I am requesting a full refund from Nissan as the issue was a safety recall issued in 2008. I appreciate your assistance in helping me accomplish it.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #70

Apr 132017

Altima

  • miles
The airbag sensor on the passenger seat stopped working about a year ago. I had to get my car inspected last month to drive in the state of Virginia and to access the naval base for work. I failed the inspection because of it and had to pay $705 for a new seat. I saw a recall for this problem but was told by Nissan recall department my car wasn't covered. How can that be possible? I am requesting a refund as the issue was a safety recall in 2008.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #69

Feb 232017

Altima 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start the intelligent key fob and the steering lock mechanism warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. Updated 06/01/17 the vehicle was repaired. Updated 10/19/2017

- Lees Summit, MO, USA

problem #68

Jan 022017

Altima 4-cyl

  • 30 miles
I have 2008 Nissan Altima. I noticed that my passenger side status light remains off with no passenger in it. I noticed that there was a recall for the same issue as mentioned in the link below. www-ODI.NHTSA.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/acm10619386/rcrit-08V521-7546.pdf please let me know what are my options to fix the issue without charge. I filed a complaint with Nissan and their reply was as below: Thank you for contacting Nissan North America regarding your 2008 Nissan Altima. A review of our system indicates that the above-referenced vehicle is not currently involved in any recall or service campaigns.case # [xxx] has been created to document your inquiry. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Copaigue, NY, USA

problem #67

Aug 042015

Altima

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. While parked, the vehicle failed to start on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering lock mechanism needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Lake Charles, LA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?