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Research · Midsize Cars

2008 Nissan AltimaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 1,031 owner complaints for the 2008 Nissan Altima. Most complaints involve structure (312) and visibility/wiper (168). The EPA rates it 22–26 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
22–26mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Sep 2010
Owner complaints
1,031
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

EquipmentReported Sep 10, 2010NHTSA 10V401000

Air bags

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Air bagsReported Oct 7, 2008NHTSA 08V521000

Suspension

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,018 MY 2008 ALTIMA VEHICLES. THE LEFT SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

SuspensionReported Jul 31, 2008NHTSA 08V363000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,031 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2007 – Oct 2026
  1. Structure312
  2. Visibility/wiper168
  3. Air bags142
  4. Electrical system90
  5. Power train80
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic58
  7. Engine54
  8. Steering37
  9. Vehicle speed control35

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Altima model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998125
199996
2000176
2001168
20021,062
2003883
2004276
20051,091
2006824
2007498
20081,031
20091,547
2010381
2011242
2012426
20132,315
20141,113
2015955
2016555
2017393
2018226
2019234
2020182
202171
202220
202330
202443
20257
20261
Crashes reported
54
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
34
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

312 reports5 crashes2 fires
“My 2008 Nissan Altima's dash is degrading and has caused a sticky residue to form on it. This stickiness is very shiny and causes a glare to occur on the windshield. I live in Kentucky and when the sun is shining, and actually basically anytime driving, the glare makes it nearly impossible to see. I almost hit another vehicle because I could not see but instead went off the road to avoid a collision. This is very unsafe.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 11, 2024StructureODI 11607772

Visibility/wiper

168 reports1 fire
“Glare off dash board is blinding on sunny days. Dashboard is melting, the melted dash reflection is distraciton/ binding on sunny days, and smell from dash is not pleasant. Not knowing actual product that is melting is concerning since melting plastics and vinyl can be toxic. Took car out for ride on sunny day had to pull over because of glare dashboard. Tried to contact Nissan about any products to resurface and contain the melted mess an smell. They offered no solutions besides take in to local dearliship. Not shelling out 500 dollars for nationally known defective material. You can contact any quality managment firm or producer that have working knowledge with plastics and vinyl to confirm that this is a major quality defect. I can not even find out what actual material was used to cover for soft dash.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 23, 2023Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11551334

Air bags

142 reports19 crashes
“Passenger air bag indicator light has been on for 2 years and have been unable to locate issue. All air bag systems test good except error code for passenger side air bag.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2025Air bagsODI 11696545
All 2008 Altima problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Subcompact Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Altima
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,400342
Altima
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233226$2,400342
Altima Coupe
Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,400342
Altima Coupe
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233226$2,400342
Altima
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$3,500404
Altima
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$3,500404
Altima Coupe
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$3,500404
Altima Coupe
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$3,500404
  • Altima
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Altima
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    23 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Altima Coupe
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Altima Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    23 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Altima
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Altima
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Altima Coupe
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Altima Coupe
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Nissan Altima as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 2742Vehicle 2668
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Altima questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Altima have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Nissan Altima problems?

Owners filed 1,031 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (312), visibility/wiper (168), air bags (142). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Nissan Altima get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Nissan Altima at 22–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026