2008 Nissan Altima
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches leads by volume: 343 of 1,044 complaints (33%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 498 in 2007 to 1,044 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,600–2,950 | 1,850–3,500 | 1,850–3,500 | 1,850–3,700 | 1,850–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–24 | 22–34 | 22–34 | 21–34 | 21–34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–21 / 25–29 | 19–35 / 26–33 | 19–35 / 26–33 | 18–35 / 26–33 | 18–35 / 27–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–423 | 261–404 | 261–404 | 261–423 | 261–423 | |
| Complaints filed | 824 | 498 | 1,044 | 1,601 | 392 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 43 | 30 | 57 | 38 | 25 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 22 | 14 | 8 | 11 | |
| Injuries reported | 52 | 16 | 33 | 21 | 37 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Altima have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Nissan Altima?
Body, Seats & Latches: 343 of 1,044 NHTSA complaints (33%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Nissan Altima get?
EPA rates it 22–34 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Nissan Altima?
EPA estimates $1,850–$3,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 23 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg | 31 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 23 mpg | 32 mpg | 26 mpg | $2,400 | 342 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 35 mpg (high) | 33 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (high) | $1,850 (low) | 261 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 78 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 81 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 19 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 93 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 104 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 37 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 146 | 22 | 0 | 22 | 2 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 39 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 343 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 198 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 201 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM) · Campaign 10V401000 · Sep 10, 2010
Defect: 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.
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · Campaign 08V521000 · Oct 7, 2008
Defect: 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).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
SUSPENSION · Campaign 08V363000 · Jul 31, 2008
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THE BOLT WERE TO COME OUT, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT TO SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE · Campaign 07V599000 · Dec 28, 2007
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.
Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.