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:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
83,555 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

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2008 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #11

Apr 052014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 146,311 miles

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

Had the oil changed at dealership. Upon driving back home the car would not start. I received the yellow key light on the dash and could not depress the brake pedal or start the car. I attempted to put in a new battery to the intelligent key and also jumpstart the vehicle. Still would not start. Nothing warns you of this issue and glad that I was not driving the vehicle when this happened or part failed. On the following date the vehicle was towed to the local dealership. On Monday the 7th the car was diagnosed with the electric steering lock assembly failure. Same day I contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs to find out there were no recalls nor would they offer any assistance or recall this part as they have on other similar models.

- Stafford, VA, USA

problem #10

Nov 262013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
I was traveling on this date from cranberry township, Pennsylvania where I work as an engineer at westinghouse headquarter office to West chester, Ohio where my family reside for a family thanksgiving gathering. It was 6:30 am and it was snowing. The traffic ahead begin slowing down for some reason. The visibility was becoming quite poor. I was in the middle of the 3-lane I-79 heading South-West. Hence I wanted to put on my hazard signal to alert the traffic behind me of the danger ahead. In the process I pushed on the on/off start button. The engine died right away while I was traveling at 50 mph. All control was immediately lost in the process. Unable to steer my car either left or right I pushed on the hazard button to alert the vehicle behind od my distress. Luckily for me, the fellow behind slowed down and stayed behind me until I brought my car to a full and complete stop in the middle of the highway and put it in park to restart the engine and slowly continue my trip without further incident. I was extremely scared and surprise that it was possible at all to kill the engine while at speed on the road in this vehicle. I do believe this is a major flaw that could have been quite serious under different circumstances. Imagine it happened down the mountain in West Virginia where I was heading next..... thank you

- Cranberry Twp, PA, USA

problem #9

Nov 072013

Altima

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road where the engine was turned off, and after restarting the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they informed the contact that the crank shaft and speed sensors would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Mechanicsville, IA, USA

problem #8

Aug 302013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 32,000 miles

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

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

problem #7

Aug 302013

Altima

  • 66,775 miles
The following had to be fixed all on one visit: My alternator replaced; top motor mount replaced, brake sensor replaced, battery replaced, and had an oil cooler leak fixed. All was covered with my extended warranty ($858 otherwise). It has had a total of 4 batteries, 2 alternators, 2 manna folds (a recall), new shocks and struts (I paid for) and my transmission warranty was extended to 120,000 miles. (there was also another recall to the fuel tank but can't remember any specifics). I take great care of my car, have it maintained regularly, and only use quality gas. This is my fourth Nissan and I am greatly disappointed in the quality. I am debating as to whether or not I should trade it in.

- Bakersfield, CA, USA

problem #6

Dec 272012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that carbon monoxide was leaking into the vents from the exhaust manifold. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership, who stated that the manifold would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 87,000. Updated 02/13/13 updated 02/14/13

- Mcdonald , PA, USA

problem #5

Sep 302012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 71,000 miles

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

My daughter and I were about 30 minutes North of san antonio on our way home to dallas. In an instance my car stopped accelerating and the mph declined. I checked to make sure the car was still in drive and it was. I pulled over as to not cause an accident and turned off my car. It took a few times to start it back as it would start and die. About the 3rd try it started and I revved the gas - it sounded normal so I drove to an autozone - it was the closest. I asked if they would check the computer to see what it said and they said it wouldn't read w/O a code. I took the car 10/1/12 to bankston Nissan in dallas (the car drove fine all the way home) and they said it may be too much cvt fluid. Took it in and they couldn't duplicate the issue and the fluid was fine - did not need to be changed or anything. The tech said when it happens again to pull over and have it towed to a Nissan - he thinks maybe since I restarted it may have cleared the codes. I asked if he thought it would happen again and he said yes. Looking online I see this same description and issue over and over again. I even called Nissan Consumer Affairs and received a call back... this did not happen before when I had a master cylinder issue that was recalled 6 months later. Nissan at that time just said sorry. This time I got a call back inquiring, but then still get a sorry. I think something is up. They all seem to know the issue but w/O a code they wont replace the transmission under warranty. What if there is never a code??!!!

- Dallas, TX, USA

problem #4

Aug 212012

Altima

  • 52,385 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while traveling 5 mph, the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 52,385. Updated 10/17/12 the repairs were made on 09/25/12. Updated 10/22/12

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #3

Aug 312012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 64,500 miles
Vehicle was driving along with other normal traffic when it suddenly lost power and stalled on an incline. Driver carefully steered vehicle to a safe place downhill and called a towing company to tow vehicle to driver's residence. Upon visual inspection of engine compartment, a rubber seal on the ECM wiring harness was found buckled up. On trying to remove and re-insert the harness, it was found that ECM terminals had corroded and some pin contact had actually fallen off. Upon doing some research, this was found to be an issue covered under federal emissions warranty. Driver/owner called the local Nissan dealership who immediately, presumably at their own expense, towed the car to their facility, checked and found the ECM to be faulty but blamed the faulty wiring harness for the failure. And further, the dealer claimed since the harness carries a 3 year warranty and was the "cause" of the ECM failure, this was no longer covered under federal emissions warranty resulting in a bill of $2,000+ for replacing the faulty - corroded - wiring harness and the faulty ECM. Attempts to have the dealer do more research or contact Nissan usa for advise fell on deaf ears. If the car had stalled on high speed and caused fatalities on the highway, would these repairs then have been "part" of federal emissions warranty coverage for publicity purposes? it is out of sheer luck that 1. the car stalled while going downhill and, 2. the car was traveling at 40 miles per hour. I desperately need advise on this while I await for delivery of a special order for the ECM and harness. In the meantime, my rental car expenses are piling up and are not covered by any warranty.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #2

Jun 222012

Altima

  • 32,000 miles
I was driving the car normally when I noticed the light " check engine soon" turned on. I stopped the car at tires plus and asked to check the oil. The diagnosis was that there was no oil circulation. I was advised to not drive the car and tow it to the Nissan dealer. Tires plus also provided me with a technical service bulletin issued by Nissan (classification EC07-014, reference # ntb08-17, issued on January 22nd, 2008) reporting problems with the ivt solenoid valve for some vehiclesmanufactured in 2008. My VIN was included in that range of vins informed in the technical bulletin. I towed the car to the Nissan dealer and contacted Consumer Affairs. Nissan is rejecting the claim because the car is out of the warranty. Also, Nissan is saying that the problem was absence of oil and they found sludge. They are asking me assume the costs if they open the engine to investigate the problem.I am afraid that the engine is damaged.

- Doral, FL, USA

problem #1

Jan 202012

Altima

  • 24,000 miles
I have experienced several incidences where when pressing the brake & trying to start the car (by the push start ignition) the car will not turn over. All electrical components in the vehicle will turn on (radio, power windows, air, etc) but the car will not start. I've had the battery tested numerous times and it always passes as a good battery. After doing some research online, I found several forums where others have complained about the same problem with their 2008 Nissan Altima. From the sounds of it, it might be a problem with a brake cable. With as many other complaints that I've seen on this, how come there hasn't been a recall issued?

- Mesa, AZ, USA

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