Page 21 of 21 · complaints 1,001–1,031 of 1,031

2008 Nissan Altima complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2008 record →

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Nov 20, 2008AR

THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED ALL NIGHT AND AT 330 A.M. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT HAD NEVER BEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND THEY PUT OUT THE FIRE. THEY SAID THAT THE ELECTRICAL FUSE BOX CAUGHT ON FIRE. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Nov 13, 2008TX

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN JULY 2008. I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT TURNING ON AND OFF WHILE I HAVE A PASSENGER WHO WEIGHS 125LBS. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNS ON, THIS MEANS THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE IT NOR FIX IT. I'VE CALLED THE NISSAN CONSUMER HOTLINE NUMBER MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES AND JUST SEEM TO GET THE RUN AROUND. I'M TOLD MY FILE WAS "ASSIGNED" TO SOMEONE, BUT THIS "SOMEONE" CAN'T SEEM TO RETURN CALLS NOR ANSWER MY CALLS. I'M ASTOUNDED THAT THIS PROBLEM WITH MY AIRBAG IS NOT ELEVATED TO A PRIORITY STATUS AS THERE WILL BE A VERY LARGE LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN IF MY PASSENGER IS INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAG SENSOR. PLEASE HELP. I FEEL TOTALLY HELPLESS WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR

Seats
Filed Oct 30, 20082,387 milesNC

PURCHASED A 2008 ALTIMA 3.5 SE WITH POWER SEATS, BEFORE 2000 MILES NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS LOOSE AND HAD A VIBRATING EFFECT THEN THE SEAT STARTED POPPING OUT OF PLACE AS I WAS MAKING A TURN OR GOING AROUND A CURVE OR EXITING ONTO AN EXIT RAMP. I REPORTED IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE SEAT RAILS BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING AND THE DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THAT IT CAN'T DUPLICATE THE MOVEMENT SO THEY CAN'T REPAIR IT. A MOVING SEAT WHILE DRIVING IS NOT SAFE!! THE SEAT GOES TO THE LEFT AND THERE IS A POPPING SOUND AND SOMETIMES IT GOES FORWARD. *TR

Electrical SystemCrash
Filed Oct 13, 2008LA

I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. IT HAS A PUSH BUTTON STAR/STOP SWITCH AND NO KEYS ARE NEEDED. I ACCIDENTALLY LEFT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND PUSHED THE OFF BUTTON AND LEFT THE CAR. THE CAR TURNED OFF AND ROLLED OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems
Filed Oct 10, 200811,000 milesAZ

2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN WITH 13000 MILES. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON IF THE TIRES ARE AT THE SPECIFIED PRESSURE OF 32 PSI AS SPECIFIED BY THE PLACARD AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND THE FIX WAS TO INCREASE THE TIRE PRESSURE TO BETWEEN 35 AND 40 PSI. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE AS THE HANDLING CHANGES DRASTICALLY, THE RIDE DETERIORATES AND I'M SURE THE LIFE OF THE TIRES IS SHORTENED. AFTER DISCUSSING THE REPAIR WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY INFORMED ME THAT SINCE THE PRESSURE MONITORING IS A GOVERNMENT MANDATED ITEM, INCREASING THE PRESSURE IS ALL THEY ARE REQUIRED TO DO BY NISSAN, AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING ELSE THEY CAN DO. THAT IS AN UNACCEPTABLE FIX. I WAS READING IN A NISSAN HELP GROUP WEBSITE THAT THE PROBLEM IS AN OFTEN HAPPENING EVEN ON CARS RIGHT OUT OF THE SHOWROOM. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 6, 2008GA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THEN RESTARTED SOON AFTER. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THIS SPECIFIC FAILURE. SHE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SOON AFTER. SHE RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THIS FAILED COMPONENT AND THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

Visibility
Filed Oct 6, 20088,000 milesNJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, AN INTRUDER BROKE THE LOCK MECHANISM ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, BOTH OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE AND REAR WINDOWS AUTOMATICALLY RELEASED IN A DOWNWARD POSITION. THE POLICE WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,000.

Air Bags
Filed Sep 18, 2008OH

PURCHASED CAR NEW IN JULY 2008, AND HAVE SINCE NOTICED THAT MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT WILL INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAG IS "OFF" WHEN I HAVE PASSENGERS IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. LIGHT WILL ALSO INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAG IS "OFF" WHEN THERE IS NOTHING IN THE SEAT. NOT A CONSISTENT PROBLEM, HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT INDICATE THAT THE AIR BAG IS "ON" WHEN THERE IS ONLY A SMALL BAG OR BOOKS ON THE SEAT. TOOK TO DEALER WHERE PURCHASED, THEY SAID MY AIRBAG IS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Sep 17, 20081,500 milesOH

PASSENGER AIR BAG ON PASSENGER SIDE SHOWS DISABLED WITH MY KIDS THAT ARE OVER 110 LBS IN THE SEAT. I HAD THE DEALER REVIEW THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ISSUE. WAS TOLD TO LOOK IN THE MANUAL AND THAT THE PERSON HAD TO SIT IN THE SEAT CORRECTLY OR THEY ARE TO LIGHT. THE SEATING WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG BLADDER IN THE SEAT IS VERY EASY TO MISS IF NOT SITTING FULLY IN THE BACK OF THE SEAT, WRONG THE PERSON IS SITTING FINE. IF I STOP THE CAR PUT IN PARK AND BACK IN DRIVE THE AIRBAG RE-ACTIVATES. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH MULTIPLE PEOPLE MULTIPLE TIMES MOSTLY DURING THE FIRST DRIVE OF THE DAY. *TR

Tires
Filed Sep 14, 200825,000 milesFL

I PURCHASED A 2008 ALTIMA FROM BILL RAY NISSAN (SANDFORD FL) IN OCT 07. AFTER ONLY 25,000 MILES THE TIRES (CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO 215/60R-16 94T) BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. LUCKILY I PURCHASED A TIRE WARRANTY FROM DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. OF COURSE THERE WAS NOTHING THAT NISSAN COULD DO ABOUT THE TIRES. THIS WAS DUE TO THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TIRE COMPANY WHICH WILL ONLY WARRANTY THE TIRES FOR MANUFACTURE 'DEFECTS'.I DIDN'T WANT TO WAIT FOR THE TIRES TO FALL APART AT HWY SPEEDS. SO WITH MY EXTRA INSURANCE THROUGH DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY THEY WERE ABLE TO PRORATE THE TIRES AND NOW I'M DRIVING ON SOME VERY QUIET TIRES FROM YOKOHAMA (215/60R-16 95H) WITH 33,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I'LL NEVER GO BACK TO CONTINENTAL TIRES. *TR

Seats
Filed Sep 12, 20081,000 milesCA

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN MARCH 2008 AND SHORTLY AFTER THE SEAT STARTED TO SQUIRM FROM SIDE TO SIDE IN TURNS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE SEAT RAILS WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM. APPROXIMATELY 1 MONTH LATER THE SEAT STARTED THE SAME BEHAVIOR WHEN CORNERING. I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. MY SEAT IS NOW BECOMING MORE AND MORE LOOSE. THERE ARE NUMEROUS OTHERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AND PROBLEM. REFER TO THIS SITE: HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/NEW-2007-2008-NISSAN-ALTIMA-DISCUSSION/268078-DOES-YOUR-DRIVER-SEAT-SQUIRM.HTML APPROXIMATELY 71 PERCENT OF 216 CUSTOMERS POLLED REPORT THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS POSSIBLE THE OTHER CUSTOMERS DO NOT HAVE POWER SEATS AS I. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE IN THE POWER SEAT ASSEMBLY. *TR

Seats
Filed Sep 12, 20081,000 milesVA

DRIVER'S SEAT ON '08 NISSAN ALTIMA MOVES SIDE TO SIDE AS YOU GO AROUND TURNS; VERY DISCONCERTING. FIRST RESPONSE FROM DEALERSHIP WAS "WE CAN NOT REPLICATE, AND THIS IS THE FIRST ONE WE'VE HEARD OF". NEXT VISIT I WAS TOLD "NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AND SHOULD HAVE A FIX IN 30 DAYS OR SO". THAT WAS 45 DAYS AGO. 2ND PROBLEM, MY PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON A LOT OF THE TIME MY WIFE IS SEATED IN THE SEAT. SHE'S ABOUT 150 POUNDS, SO THERE SHOULD NOT BE A WEIGHT PROBLEM. HAD IT IN TWICE FOR THIS, AND ANOTHER "CAN NOT REPLICATE". I'M CONCERNED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION, SHE WILL HAVE NO AIR BAG PROTECTION. *TR

Tires
Filed Sep 4, 20082,280 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING IN THE INTERSTATE MY REAR DRIVER'S TIRE WENT FLAT. I BOUGHT MY NISSAN ALTIMA BRAND NEW APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS AGO AND THERE ARE ONLY APPROXIMATELY 2400 MILES ON THE TIRES. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FLAT WAS SPLITTING SIDEWALLS. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S TIRE IS ALSO STARTING TO SHOW SIGNS OF SPLITTING SIDEWALLS.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 28, 20083,475 milesTX

FIRST DAY FOR PICK UP, HEADLIGHT POP, FIX IT THE NEXT DAY, TOOK 90 MINUTES JUST TO FIX ONE HEADLIGHT, AFTER 6 WEEKS, CAR TURNS OFF WHEN DRIVING ONE OF THE MOST BUSIEST HWY AND THE STEERING LOCKS; ONLY WAY TO START IT IS BY PUTTING IT TO "PARK" HOLD BRAKES DOWN ALL THE WAY THEN PUSH THE BUTTON AND COMING FROM THAT, IT WAS NOT SAFE AT ALL, DRIVERS WERE HONKING AND SWERVING JUST TO MANEUVER AWAY FROM ME, CALLED DEALERSHIP TO WHERE I PURCHASE CAR TO FIX THE PROBLEM, TOLD THEM THAT THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF 4 TIMES ON THE SAME HWY AND THANK GOD IT TURNED OFF ON A STRAIGHT AWAY NOT WHILE TURNING, SHOWED THEM A VIDEO IN WHICH I INTEND TO HOLD FOR EVIDENCE. DROP IT OFF 7:00AM, DEALERSHIP HAD SAID ABOUT CODES; THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND HAD REPLUG EVERY PLUG THAT WAS ON THE CAR IN WHICH IT WOULD BE RESET, GAVE CAR BACK WITHIN 9 HOURS SAYING THE CAR WILL NOT TURN OFF AGAIN AND IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN BRING IT BACK. AFTER A WEEK AND A HALF, THE CAR HAD TURNED OFF PLUS WITH THE GAUGES(NOT KNOWING THE SPEED I WAS GOING) AND RADIO DISPLAY WENT OUT AND THIS IS WHEN IT WAS RAINING HECTIC AND I WASN'T ABLE TO USE HIGH BEAMS AUTOMATICALLY TO WHERE IT LOCKS FORWARD BUT TO PULL IT TOWARDS ME MANUALLY WHILE DRIVING. ALREADY TOLD DEALERSHIP THAT THIS CAR IS A BIG CONCERN ON THE ROAD FOR SAFETY BECAUSE WHEN IT TURNS OFF I BECOME A CRASHING INCIDENT IN WHICH IF THAT HAPPENS I WILL BLAME NISSAN FOR THAT. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Aug 18, 200841,000 milesOH

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY SEAL BETWEEN THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND THE GAS CAP. THIS REQUIRES SANDING OF THE FILLER PIPE. THE SAME PROBLEM WAS FIXED LESS THAN TWO YEARS AGO AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN QUESTIONED ABOUT THE REPEAT REPAIR, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT 2 YEARS WAS A "GOOD" AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THIS REPAIR WHICH USUALLY HAS TO BE REPEATED IN A YEAR OR YEAR AND A HALF. SINCE I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM BEFORE, IT SOUNDS LIKE DEFECTIVE PARTS AND/OR DESIGN TO ME. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 16, 20086,000 milesMA

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA IN MARCH OF 2008, AFTER 2000 MILES I HEARD THE BRAKES START TO SQUEAK, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE AUGUST 8TH AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES, THEY DID AND TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CALIPERS REPLACED, I ASKED IF THERE WAS A RECALL AND WAS TOLD NO, THERE IS A BULLETIN THOUGH. I THOUGHT THAT OTHER OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THIS PROBLEM BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION BEFORE THE WARRANTY IS UP AND THEY HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. *TR

Visibility
Filed Aug 5, 2008111 milesMD

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA COUPE. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE CONTACT COULD NOT SEE THROUGH THE REAR WINDOW DUE TO ITS POOR DESIGN. SHE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR DUE TO POOR VISIBILITY. THE DEALER REIMBURSED THE CONTACT FOR THE FULL PURCHASE PRICE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 111. UPDATED 09/15/08 *BF UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Aug 1, 20081,000 milesKS

THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT ACTIVATE WHEN A PERSON OCCUPIES THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE OCCUPANT WEIGHS MORE THE 100LBS AND SITS IN A NORMAL FASHION ON THE SEAT. DEALER INSPECTED BUT DID NOT FIND ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RISK FOR A PASSENGER IN THIS CAR. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jun 24, 20081,000 milesCA

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM HANLESS HILLTOP NISSAN, RICHMOND, CA FOR MYSELF ON MARCH 30, 2008. I DROVE THE CAR ONE DAY AND RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER TO INQUIRE AS TO WHAT VEHICLE WAS GIVEN TO ME, BECAUSE IS WAS NOT THE VEHICLE THAT I TEST DROVE, I WAS TOLD BY MY SALE PERSON THAT IT WAS THE VEHICLE THAT WAS TEST DRIVEN. THE REASON I WENT BACK TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE VEHICLE WAS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CAR DROVE. BASICALLY, THE CAR DRIVES LIKE AN OLD BEAT UP 1955 VEHICLE. THE CARS STEERING IS ALL OVER THE ROAD, IT FEELS UNSAFE. THE CAR BOTTOMED OUT SEVERAL TIMES, EVEN AFTER I HAD IT IN THE DEALERSHIP. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY ANOTHER NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT.. WELL, AFTER MY CONTINUED COMPLAINTS, HANLESS NISSAN FINALLY AGREED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, THE SUSPENSION HAD BASICALLY COME APART. THEY REPLACED TWO BOLTS AT THE DIRECTION OF NISSAN.. WELL, THIS DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE A DAY AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BOLTS, THE CAR BOTTOMED OUT AGAIN WHILE GOING OVER A SAFETY ROAD BUMP. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE HANLESS NISSAN, BUT THEY SAID, BECAUSE THEY CAN NOT RECREATE THE EXACT PROBLEM, NISSAN WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY, IF THEY WERE TO REPLACE THE SHOCK OR DO ANY OTHER WORK ON THE VEHICLE WITHOUT THEM FIRST AGREEING TO THE WORK ORDER. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH A NISSAN REPRESENTATIVE WAYNE NEVILLE AT 866.799.1690 EXT 1442 ALL THE WHILE, I WAS DISCUSSING THIS WITH THE DEALERSHIP. I THOUGHT NISSAN HAD MY BEST I

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 6, 2008TX

I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM BAKER-JACKSON NISSAN, HOUSTON, FOR MY DAUGHTER ON MAY 21. MY DAUGHTER DROVE THE CAR ONE DAY AND RETURNED IT TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN HER CITY OF ARLINGTON, TEXAS. THIS DEALERSHIP, DON DAVIS NISSAN, INFORMED US THEY DON'T KNOW HOW WE WERE SOLD THIS CAR, BECAUSE THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD BASICALLY COME APART. THE STUDS HOLDING THE STRUTS WERE MISSING AND BROKEN OFF; ONE MISSING COMPLETELY AND THE OTHER SHEARED OFF. THEY INDICATED MY DAUGHTER WAS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE ARRIVED IN ARLINGTON SAFELY WITHOUT A MAJOR ACCIDENT OCCURRING. I HAVE ASKED NISSAN TO REPLACE THE CAR WITH AN EXACT MAKE/MODEL/STYLE, BUT TO DATE THEY HAVE NOT AND ARE TELLING ME THEY ARE PLANNING TO REPAIR THE CAR. THEY SENT A NISSAN ENGINEER OUT TO THE ARLINGTON DEALERSHIP TO REVIEW, AND HE INDICATED TO THE SERVICE SHOP PERSONNEL, THE STUDS WERE NOT TORQUED PROPERLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER. I HAVE PLACED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS, I HAVE TALKED TO BAKER-JACKSON NISSAN TO REPLACE THE CAR----TO DATE, I AM ONLY GETTING THE RUN AROUND FROM BOTH. WE HAVE ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR 1 DAY AND HAVE BEEN INCONVENIENCED FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS NOW. I THINK NISSAN MAY BE TRYING TO COVER UP A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. I'M READY TO GO PUBLIC WITH THIS AND AM CONSIDERING LEGAL ACTIONS. CAN SOMEONE FROM THIS OFFICE PLEASE CALL ME AND DISCUSS MY OPTIONS. I DON'T TRUST THIS CAR, EVEN IF IT IS REPAIRED---WHAT ELSE COULD BE WRONG WITH IT. WE ARE VERY DIS-SATISFIED, UNHAPPY AND FRUSTRAT

Steering
Filed Jun 4, 2008CT

2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER COMPLAINT FOR POWER STEERING DEFECT IN A NISSAN VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT SOME BOLTS FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE THAT CAUSED THE TENSIONER BELT FOR THE POWER STEERING TO BREAK. *KB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 29, 20084,800 milesMA

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING 65MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND I COULD HEAR NOISE UNDER THE CAR, ALL THE LIGHTS ON MY DASH LIT UP, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, COOLANT LIGHT, BATTERY, I THEN LOST POWER STEERING AND LOST ACCELERATION, CARS WERE SPEEDING BY ME AND I COASTED TO THE OFF RAMP. I GOT TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT SERVICE DEPT WAS CLOSED BECAUSE IT WAS SUNDAY. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED AND SAID THE CAR WAS REPAIRED. MY HUSBAND WENT TO GET THE CAR AND THEY HAD SAID THAT IT WAS THE RETENTIONER BELT AND THAT THE PULLEY HAD SHEARED OFF. THEY SAID THEY HAD A CUSTOMER THE WEEK BEFORE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THIS FAULTY PART. *TR

Seats › Front Assembly › Head Restraint
Filed Apr 17, 2008TX

FAULTY HEADREST DESIGN. PUSHES THE HEAD OF MANY DRIVERS RADICALLY FORWARD, MAKING IT PAINFUL AND DANGEROUS TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline
Filed Mar 25, 20081,500 milesAZ

MY NIECE TOOK OUR ALTIMA TO CALIFORNIA (LESS THAN 2,000 MILES ON IT AT THIS TIME). THE CARS BELT WAS BROKEN WHEN THE TENSIONER PULLEY BROKE OFF OF THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED THE POWER STEERING TO FAIL AND OVERHEATED THE ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN IN MOSSEY NISSAN'S SHOP IN EL CAJON FOR THREE WEEKS NOW DUE TO BACK ORDERED PARTS. *TR

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly1 injured
Filed Mar 24, 20083,600 milesAK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND THE FRAGMENTS CASCADED ON TO THE CONTACT. HE HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL TO HAVE GLASS REMOVED FROM HIS FACE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 3,600. UPDATED 5/19/08 *CN UPDATED 05/19/08

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Feb 1, 2008660 milesCT

I HEARD A NOISE WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING FELL OFF BUT THE CAR ONLY HAD 600 MILES ON IT SO I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A ROCK OR SOMETHING IN THE ROAD THAT GOT KICKED UP. ABOUT A MINUTE LATER MY ACCESSORY BELT THAT CONTROLS THE POWER STEERING, THE WATER PUMP, THE ALTERNATOR AND THE TENSIONER PULLEY FLEW OFF. AFTER GETTING TOWED TO THE DEALER I FOUND OUT THAT THE PULLEY BROKE OFF WHICH CAUSE THE BELT TO COME OFF. I HAD THE TENSIONER PULLEY AND THE BELT REPLACED, BUT NOW IT SEEMS IT MAY HAVE CAUSE ANOTHER PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE NOW IT MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE (IT IS GOING INTO THE SHOP FOR THIS PROBLEM THIS WEEKEND). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and Associated Pulleys
Filed Jan 30, 2008887 milesNJ

TENSIONER FROM ENGINE THAT CREATES TENSION TO THE BELT FELL OFF WHILE I MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jan 25, 200824 milesSC

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG TURNS ITSELF OFF SPORADICALLY WHEN I (160 LBS) OR MY HUSBAND (190 LBS) SIT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT NISSAN STATED THAT MY AIRBAG SENSOR WAS OPERATING AS PER SPECIFICATION. THERE IS NO MANUAL OVERRIDE SWITCH TO FORCE THE AIRBAG TO INFLATE DURING A CRASH. THE OWNER'S MANUAL STATES THAT THE AIRBAG MAY TURN ITSELF OFF WHEN SMALL ADULTS ARE SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, BUT OFFERS NO SOLUTION FOR THIS SITUATION. DOES THIS MEAN THAT NISSAN IS WILLFULLY DEPRIVING SMALL ADULTS (AND, IN OUR CASE, NOT SO SMALL ADULTS) OF THEIR AIRBAG PROTECTION? THIS IS A FATAL DESIGN FLAW. THERE MUST BE A RECALL TO INSTALL A MANUAL OVERRIDE SWITCH FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIRBAG. THE CAR'S COMPUTER MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO DECIDE WHO GETS AN AIRBAG AND WHO DOESN'T. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 31, 2007900 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE CONSTANTLY MAKES A NOISE WHILE PARKED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT TO DISCONNECT AND RECONNECT THE BATTERY UNTIL THE PART ARRIVES IN JANUARY OF 2008. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF THE NAME OF THE PART THAT NEEDS REPLACING. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 900. UPDATED 01-29-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE DOES NOT DRIVE ABOVE 40 MPH . UPDATED 01/29/08 *TR

Tires
Filed Dec 27, 200780 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES (TIRE SIZE 235/55R17 99 H). WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD VIBRATING SOUND THEN LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BRIEFLY. UPON INSPECTION, SHE DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 324 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80. UPDATED 01/29/08. *LJ

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module
Filed Nov 5, 2007IL

PURCHASED A 2008 NISSAN ALTMA SEPT 17,2007. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT ALWAYS GO OFF WHILE A PASSENGER IS SEATED AND RIDING IN THE AUTO. WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT INFLATE. WHEN MY WIFE IS RIDING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, HER LIFE IS IN DANGER. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2008 Nissan Altima → · Every Altima year → · How the figures are calculated →