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:
10 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
67,340 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 engine problems

engine 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 2)

problem #33

Sep 282023

Altima

  • miles

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

While pulling into a parking spot and coming to a halt, I put the car into park mode. My foot was still on the brake. Instantly the engine went into "overdrive" and lurched forward over a parking curb and through heavy brush and finally came to a stop after hitting a pine tree. The engine was still screaming and the tires still spinning until I hit the off button. I had my foot on the brake the entire time to no avail. The heavy brush slowed the car somewhat. The airbags didn't deploy. I had several witnesses and they all stated they saw my brake lights on. I plowed approx. 50 feet through the brush before hitting the tree. I was the only one involved and was not hurt. This was Thurs. Sept. 28, 2023. It was in a state park and no police report made. Park Ranger took down info.

- Murrells Inlet, SC, USA

problem #32

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 #31

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 #30

Feb 102020

Altima

  • 170,000 miles

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

We were driving on I-695 in baltimore area when I started to notice that while pressing acceleration paddle, the car was not moving forward. It started to stall and eventually stopped completely. Luckily, I was able to pull it to the curbside before a collision may have occurred. But someone with less driving capabilities may have ended up in an accident due to the car stalling without any warning. Later on I found out the transmission failed and Nissan didn't care at all when I contacted them. I got transmission replaced myself. I thought I should speak out about this because a transmission stalling a vehicle at nearly 65 mph is a safety issue that needs to be addresses.

- Middle River, MD, USA

problem #29

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 #28

Mar 062020

Altima

  • miles
My car has a slow take off and it takes a while to drive properly like it has to warm up. The power steering leaks out and I don't no why.my sensors for check engine is on and I took it to auto zone to get it checked and it's a sensor and just need a tune up but the tire sensor stays on after I put air in the tires it so many small things that can turn into big issues.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #27

Apr 012018

Altima

  • 6,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan rogue. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle shuddered and slowed down abruptly without the brake pedal being depressed. Also, there was an abnormal beeping noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to hudson Nissan charleston (1714 savannah hwy, charleston, SC 29407, (843) 571-2810) to be diagnosed, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 6,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Johns Island, SC, USA

problem #26

Jun 012018

Altima

  • miles
I own a 2008 Nissan Altima. I was driving down a major highway one evening when all of a sudden the car begins to slow down. I press the gas pedal and the car seems to go even slower. It was myself and my youngest daughter. I was scared to death. The speed limit on the highway was 70 mph and my car would not go over 35 mph. I pulled over to a gas station and a nice man looked at the car and could find nothing wrong with it. So get back on the way to go back because I didn't trust the car to make it to my destination. It did the ame thing again. So I drove with my hazard lights on all the way home and parked it. Now it drives fine right in the small town I live in but I cant drive it out of town at all, which really defeats the purpose.

- Clinton, NC, USA

problem #25

Nov 152017

Altima

  • 171,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. On several occasions, when the vehicle was idling or when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle stalled and lost power. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the crank shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 171,000.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #24

Aug 152015

Altima 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #23

Apr 152016

Altima

  • 116,000 miles

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

The contact's husband owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 65 mph, the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to conyers Nissan in conyers, ga where the dealer stated that the vehicle needed a tune-up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced. However, the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to conyers Nissan in conyers, ga where it was diagnosed that the transmission had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they would pay for half of the repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

- Conyers, GA, USA

problem #22

May 312016

Altima

  • 139,400 miles
I have been experiencing recurring issues involving the gas pedal failing to work in my 2008 Nissan Altima. Whether on the highway, at a stop sign, or merging onto a highway the gas pedal will unexpectedly fail to accelerate the vehicle. I will press the pedal with absolute no acceleration from the vehicle. I have to floor the pedal to get minimal exceleration before the car suddenly picks up speed. I have almsot been rear ended while awaiting for the car to accelerate to proper take off speed. I have had the transmission fluid checked and a tune up done... still trying to assess whats wrong with the vehicle.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #21

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 #20

Feb 102016

Altima

  • miles
Hola me llamo[xxx] tengoi un Nissan Altima 2008 cuyo lo comple con 81 millas E cual ah empesado a tener ploblema la pisarra esta deretida completa rajada tiene olor a plastico derretido cuando en la tarde salgo del trabjo tien un olor super fuerte no puedo andarcon mi nina en el auto me dirigi ala Nissan Y me trataron super mal que pagar 4.000 mil dolares creo que no ES justo cuando la culpa ES de ellos vi en telemundo lo casoo pero la marca de mi carro no esta incluida so por favor si pudieran ayudarme SE lo agradeseria SE le puedo enviare fotos sin ploblema estoy bastante dijustado con el fabrivcante altualmet estoy pagando el carro con el banco ES estresante andar asi en la calle eh visto barios modelo 2008 iguales con la pisarra deretida hable con lo dueno Y le comente que yo habia ido al dile que eras ploblema de factoria que el dile me avian tratdo super mal pero bueno espero quealguien lea esto gracias 'information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #19

Dec 122015

Altima

  • 83,300 miles
While I was driving on the street my car completely powered down, I was so scared, because there was moving traffic behind me. I tried stepping on the brakes and then hitting the gas again but the car would not move. I had to quickly put my parking lights on and pray that no one would hit me. Then I turned the car off and on a couple of times and it started moving, only to power down two blocks later. I was able to pull over to the side this time and I waited a while and then turned the car back on. This time the service engine light came on. I took my car to auto zone and codes came up for the speed sensor and throttle sensor. This was so scary and hazardous, thank god I got off the highway beforehand because there was too much traffic!

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #18

Nov 062014

Altima

  • 90,000 miles
My vehicle's transmission failed after only 90,000 miles. Nissan replaced the transmission for free under their extended cvt warranty program, however, less than a year later, the check engine light came on while making a long distance trip on the interstate. According to Nissan the cvt fluid required for the cvt transmission can become glue like and gunk up at high speeds or in hot weather, causing the engine to overheat and the car to stall. The solution for this problem is an external coolant system for the cvt fluid provided to the customer at their expense to keep the transmission fluid from becoming thick. I am extremely disgusted with my Nissan experience, they knowingly are making transmissions which fail after less than 100,000 miles and are requiring them to use Nissan cvt fluid which is a fail also.

- Longview, TX, USA

problem #17

Jan 082015

Altima 4-cyl

  • 106,000 miles
While driving on the highway, my cvt began to make a whining sound and decreased speed down form 70+ miles all the way down to 30-40 miles almost causing me to have an accident. This is not safe and can cause an accident or even death. Being afraid to drive your vehicle on the highway/freeway shouldn't be an issue.

- Palm Bay, FL, USA

problem #16

Dec 152010

Altima 4-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
As I got off the interstate (driving 60 mph) then reduced my speed to 20 when I tried to accelerate it wouldn't go!! it would not accelerate and my RPM would climb up to 4 or 5! I had to drive all the way back home on interstate driving 20 mpg!!! it's happened only when I travel long distances!! I am highly dissatisfied with the Altima! everyone I encountered about the 2006-2008 Altima regrets getting one.

- Hammond, LA, USA

problem #15

Apr 282014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 215,000 miles
Was driving to work on the highway using cruise control and then I tried to get out of cruise and step on the gas pedal but it got stuck, I realized I wasn't able to get over to the first lane due to traffic, so I tried to slow down to pull over to the median closest to the third lane, however, the brakes stopped working and I wasn't able to stop the vehicle, I even tried to press the button to shut the car off but it wouldn't shut down, there was no smell of smoke or anything and than as the car begin slowing on its own, all of a sudden smoke just poofed up and I grabbed my purse and phone and jumped out of the moving car. Ran away from the car and realize that I had taken my wallet out of my purse previous and I turned to go back but the car was engulfed in flames. I called 911 to get assistance.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #14

Aug 302013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 32,000 miles
I pulled in a parking space, foot on the brake, and before I could put it in park the car accelerated and took off. The brakes would not stop the car. I went about twenty feet, over curbs, sidewalk, another parking space, avoiding cars, skid marks made, and finally directed the car toward a dumpster and it stopped. It is a miracle that someone in my path wasn't killed. The engine was pushed back and so the body shop connected with Nissan considered it a total loss.

- Western Springs, IL, USA

Read the next 13 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?