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:
18 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
17 / 1
Average Mileage:
59,604 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2008 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #79

May 012016

Altima 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles

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

A passenger sitting causes the airbag light to flash and turns off the airbag" if the seat is equipped with the same OCS control unit, my vehicle should have been included. I am experiencing the same problem as the recall in November 2008 that did not include my VIN" Nissan concluded I should pay the dealer to check it out.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #78

Sep 102016

Altima

  • 127,300 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 3 mph, a second vehicle traveling approximately 30 mph crashed into the rear driver side of the contact's vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained back injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was destroyed. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 127,300.

- Wake Forest, NC, USA

problem #77

Aug 162016

Altima

  • miles
Melting and sticky dash board & air bag light is

- Lithonia, GA, USA

problem #76

May 082016

Altima 4-cyl

  • 113,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 40 mph, the contact noticed that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who advised him to go to an authorized dealer to get the vehicle repaired per a recall. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in their air bag recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000. Updated 09/30/16

- Burr Ridge, IL, USA

problem #75

Jul 042016

Altima

  • 191,000 miles
The occupant classification system is designed to classify the size and weight of the front seat passenger and, under certain conditions, automatically turn off the passenger air bag. The software is incorrectly classifying the passenger seat as empty when it is occupied by an adult. It happens when in motion and stationary. It happens on a street and also on the highway. It is intermittent when it happens and it cannot be duplicated upon request but it does happen consistently. I have submitted other requests in the past but was told my vehicle was not affected by the other recalls at that time. (July 2011). I also own a 2013 Nissan Altima and just received a NHTSA recall 16V-244 recall notice for the same thing.

- Mcleansville, NC, USA

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problem #74

Jun 112016

Altima

  • 191,000 miles
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. While driving 30 mph, another vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and crashed into the rear passenger side door of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact's vehicle rolled over multiple times and crashed into a sign. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact lost consciousness and sustained face, head, neck, shoulder, and knee injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 191,000.

- Muskegon, MI, USA

problem #73

Jan 232016

Altima

  • 93,000 miles

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

Have a 2008 Nissan Altima that the air bag light on the passenger side stays on whether there is an occupant in the passenger seat or not. This could result in the passenger air bag not functioning properly in a crash. Problem is due to faulty sensor system. This has been an on going problem for Nissan that has resulted in previous recalls and several customer complaints. Nissan now has a recall of 3.53 million vehicles model years 2013-2017 regarding this very same issue. NHTSA please investigate that this recall should expand further to vehicles prior to 2013. In 2008 this problem was detected and recalled. The us National Highway Traffic Safety Administration upgraded an investigation into this air bag deployment issue after reviewing complaints whether prior Nissan recalls adequatley addressed the problem. There are several complaints on this very website regarding this same air bag issues/sensor system problem with earlier model year Nissan vehicles. I do not understand how Nissan can only recall 2013-2017 model years when earlier models vehicles are having the exact same issues. Nissan is turning their backs on safety.

- Noblesville, IN, USA

problem #72

Jan 012008

Altima

  • miles
The system improperly classifies an adult front seat passenger as a child or as an empty seat, illuminating the passenger air bag is off on the dash. The dealership has stated that when this is illuminated the air bag would not deploy in a crash. They have failed to diagnose this concern stating that there would need to be an error showing up on the driver dash in order for testing to be done. I have noticed that Nissan has a recall for this exact problem with vehicles in the model years of 2013-2017. I believe that this problem extends well beyond the years stated in the recall and should be examined further. Nissan Consumer Affairs has refused to acknowledge this concern without supporting documentation from a diagnostic testing.

- Milwaukie, OR, USA

problem #71

Dec 292015

Altima

  • 118,000 miles
I have taken my Altima to a Nissan dealership on a few occasions and everytime I go they say my car is not on the recall list. Atm I have no airbags and I do a lot of driving which is very dangerous.

- Eustis, FL, USA

problem #70

Mar 022016

Altima

  • 10,000 miles
When an adult is setting in the passenger seat the air bag indicator light will periodically go on. This has been an ongoing issue for years. St. charles Nissan tech found occupant sensor failure to be causing the issue. There is a recall involving this issue, NHTSA campaign id number 08V521000. My car's VIN is not part of the open recall, however, since it is the same problem in the same year vehicle, I wondered if the recall should be expanded. I have not been informed at what VIN they stopped in the recall.

- Wentzville, MO, USA

problem #69

Feb 122016

Altima

  • 1 miles

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

Passenger air bag: Light stays on when person in the seat. Nissan voluntary recall:PB090/P8242-dealer will check each vehicle falling between 07-08 Altima; fault in seat cushion, dealer instructed to replace each vehicle falling within that range. Nissan refuses to replace or check problem.

- North Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #68

Jun 012015

Altima

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag light remained illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing an air bag replacement. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 67,000.

- North Miami, FL, USA

problem #67

Jul 102012

Altima

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag off warning light illuminated sporadically. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V521000 (air bags, electrical system). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #66

Jan 262016

Altima

  • 180,661 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the air bag and tire pressure warning lights were constantly illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 109,271.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #65

Nov 272015

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. While making a right turn at 10 mph, the glare from the sun obstructed the contact's vision. As a result, the contact crashed into a cinder block. As the contact was exiting the vehicle, the air bags deployed and caused head and chest injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 02/10/16; updated 05/10/18

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #64

Nov 282015

Altima

  • 107,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the contact stated that the front passenger side tire blew out. The vehicle dropped down to the sidewalk on to the curb causing the air bags to deploy. The contact mentioned that the side curtain and the seat air bags deployed. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.

- Stone Mountain, GA, USA

problem #63

Oct 122015

Altima

  • 118,760 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dashboard was cracked and caused the air bags to become exposed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,760.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #62

Jun 052013

Altima

  • 100,000 miles
Was driving down major highway in NJ and car began to slow down rapidly. Was able to get to side of road before completely dying. Car was towed to transmission repair place and cost 2000 to repair. Now in 2015 I have the very same problem. Car needed another transmission at the tune of 2000 more dollars. These transmissions are known for trouble. If someone's going down street in fast lane and this happens they can be killed. It gives no warning at all when it's about to fail. I do believe Nissan should repair/replace this issue before someone is killed. Could be me or my family. There are numerous posts about this I hope something is done fast. The passenger airbag light comes on saying off when an adult passenger is in car.

- Galloway, NJ, USA

problem #61

Sep 152010

Altima

  • 14,000 miles
When adult is riding in the passenger seat warning light on dash says the passenger side air bag is off. Then the light goes off, after a while it will come back on and go off again. It does not matter the length of the trip it happens during every trip. This has been happening since the car was still under warranty and the dealer claims they check all the "codes" and could not find any problems. I had it back to the dealer at least 6 to 8 times for this problem with no solution.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #60

Jun 252015

Altima

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. When the vehicle was started, the passenger side air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the air bag sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 09/25/15

- Ludlow, MA, USA

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