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:
17 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
17 / 1
Average Mileage:
60,623 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 2 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #97

Jul 032018

Altima

  • miles

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

A service light appeared on dashboard failing my state inspection. I didn't know there was an issue until a diagnostic was done. The same issues were reported on my car that are the same as thousands of other Nissan Altima 2008 that were recalled. However Nissan stated my car was not under recall even though I reported the same issues that are under recall. They refused to help me or give me any options. They said they were not responsible for any costs. The issues reported under diagnostic was occupant sensor ( passenger seat cushion) code B 1018.

- Kearneysville, WV, USA

problem #96

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 #95

Feb 222018

Altima

  • miles
Airbags did not pass inspection, received rejection sticker. Airbag sensors are defective. Both airbag lights are showing on the dashboard when the driver and passenger are sitting in the vehicle. This should be a recall, please advise. Thank you.

- Saugus, MA, USA

problem #94

Feb 242018

Altima

  • 175,000 miles

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

While vehicle was in motion with a passenger sitting in front passenger seat when the instrument cluster air bag light began flashing and passenger air bag indicator displayed off. Vehicle has a fault in the passenger air bag occupant classification system, requiring the passenger front seat cushion assembly to be replaced.

- Hutchinson, MN, USA

problem #93

Dec 012017

Altima

  • 50,000 miles
My 2008 Altima sedan had about 50,000 miles on it when in December 2017 I experienced an air bag warning light that flashed on the instrument cluster along with a warning light on the dash that indicated the passenger air bag was off. These warnings appeared no matter if the passenger seat was empty or if an adult passenger occupied it. This happened anytime the car was running (stopped or moving at any speed). I went online and found out that my VIN was not covered by any active recalls. Further research showed that Nissan vehicles had many problems with passenger air bag warnings related to sensors and occupant classification systems for a broad range of Nissan and infiniti vehicles for several model years since 2007. There was one NHTSA recall (#08V-521) related to this issue that covered my model and year, but this applied to only a small group of Nissan vehicles manufactured in 2007-2009 that exhibited a specific diagnostic trouble code. My vehicle was manufactured one month after the last month included in this recall, but the passenger seat air bag sensor was manufactured during the last month of production included in the recall. The problems with the passenger air bag warnings go beyond the original recall. This is a significant safety issue that I believe warrants expansion of the above recall or a new recall. I don't believe Nissan is living up to its safety responsibilities. I have completed significant research into this issue (see attachment) that should convince NHTSA of the need for further investigation into this defect. I have invested a significant amount of time in researching this issue and creating the attached report. I would appreciate a response from NHTSA stating if they intend to pursue Nissan to issue additional recalls, or not.

- Lisle, IL, USA

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problem #92

Jul 062016

Altima

  • 55,000 miles
Dashboard is melting and cracking to the point where I can see the foam material that the dash is made out of make seeing out the windshield very difficult, especially when coming out of a tunnel during the day and not being able to see momentarily making driving very difficult. Bought a dash cover to hopefully slow down the process and so I could see out the windshield clearly. Also the passenger air bag light does lights up intermittently when no one is in the passenger seat. Bought the car, 2008 Altima coupe, in North Florida and has been driven in Florida, Georgia and Hawaii, where I currently live, year round. I have had the car for almost 4 years and have less than 75000 miles.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #91

Oct 082017

Altima

  • 128,000 miles

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

Passenger air bag light on even thought someone in seat

- Kapolei, HI, USA

problem #90

Sep 012016

Altima

  • miles
Since purchasing the vehicle in 2014, the dashboard has been continuously melting and cracking to the point where the glare from the black melted dashboard has severely decreased visibility. Additinally, as more cracks have appeared the car no longer recognizes when a passenger is in the passenger seat and shows the airbag as 'off.'

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #89

Dec 022016

Altima

  • 175,000 miles
My passanger airbag is not working when somebody is sitting in the seat it is still off when driving, their was an open recall on this but when I call Nissan its not my model

- Prairie Du Rocher, IL, USA

problem #88

Jul 072017

Altima

  • 114,352 miles
Takata recall, got in a car accident and the air bags didn't deploy. My car was a total loss. Were there any airbags in the car"????"

- Hartsville, SC, USA

problem #87

Jun 082017

Altima

  • miles

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

My passanger airbag is not working when somebody is sitting in the seat it is still off when driving, their was an open recall on this but when I call Nissan its not my model

- Clarksville, TN, USA

problem #86

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 #85

Apr 052017

Altima

  • 115,000 miles
Dash pad, which also covers the passenger air bag is now cracked, and is sticky. I know that Nissan settled with Florida residents for this problem, however, other cars are affected. In southeast Texas, we have just as much, if not more heat that seems to be causing failure of the dash cover. We are now afraid to drive the car, as since it is cracked and sticky, we do not know if we will be properly protected with the air bag should we have a problem. This is a serious safety issue, not just cosmetic, and all cars should be included, not just Florida. Please review this issue, and get all of us covered.

- League City, TX, USA

problem #84

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 #83

May 022017

Altima

  • 150,100 miles
I have a Altima coupe that has an intermittent fault with the passenger side bag airbag sensor. I drive down the road and it comes in and out randomly even with a passenger in the car. The car is at a Nissan dealership shop to be inspected and determine cause.

- Moncks Corner, SC, USA

problem #82

Apr 072017

Altima

  • 119,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. While driving various speeds or while the vehicle was parked, the tire pressure and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the cause of the air bag warning indicator issue; however, it was determined that the tires needed air. The tires were inflated to the manufacturer's recommendation, but the tire pressure indicator was still illuminated. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a Nissan dealer for proper diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 119,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #81

Feb 092017

Altima

  • 4,777 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. When the vehicle was started, the TPMS, brake, and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,777.

- South Daytona, FL, USA

problem #80

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 #79

May 012016

Altima 4-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
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

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