1. Nissan Altima
  2. Problems
  3. 2008
  4. Electrical System

2008 Nissan Altima Electrical System Problems

76
Owner complaint records in our dataset

Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.

Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.

Among these 76 stored complaint records:

  • 4 indicate a crash
  • 1 indicate injury
  • 4 indicate fire

What owners report

  • failure mileage · 13 records
  • push button · 11 records
  • needed replaced · 8 records
  • failure failure · 8 records
  • passenger side · 7 records
  • notified failure · 7 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
60–100k mi18
100–150k mi16
30–60k mi13
1–30k mi11
150–400k mi2

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • May 3, 2013 · 66,000 miles

    Electrical System · Steering

    I had only one issue with my 08 altima. The car would occasionally not recognize either of the key-fobs for what seemed like no reason. It did not seem to matter what time of day, temp., or weather. I even replaced the batteries of the key-fobs and the cars battery as well. (which was suggested as the first try to remedy this problem). On may 3, 2013 with about 66,000 miles or so (still a baby as far as car mileage…

    Crash reported

    ODI 10511342

  • February 1, 2013

    Air Bags · Electrical System

    The passenger airbag not on" light has been intermittently flashing. It now remains lit (passenger airbag off) when the seat is unoccupied and when a full grown adult or child sits in the passenger seat. I called nissan and gave them all my information and they informed me that my car was not included in the recall of campaign 08v521000, even though the conditions for repair fit the description. I want nissan to…

    ODI 10496491

  • January 12, 2013 · 39,837 miles

    Electrical System · Steering

    Drove car to work. After 3 hours of work went to start car, was able to open door but could not start car. Changed batteries in smart key, still would not start. Had car towed to nissan dealership. They informed us that it was the steering lock mechanism, a $1400 dollar repair. I called 1-800-nissan1 and argued with them for day's. They finally agreed to pay for the parts but i'm stuck with $311 in labor costs, and…

    ODI 10497593

  • October 12, 2012 · 28,000 miles

    Electrical System · Service Brakes

    To whom it may concern, i wrote this letter to consumer affairs and to the ceo of nissan: dear [xxx], my name is [xxx]and i am a current owner of a 2008 nissan altima. For the past three weeks, i have been dealing with nissan's west coast regional office in regards to issues i have been experiencing with my car. I have been treated very poorly and i am astonished and disgraced by both one of your nissan dealerships…

    ODI 10482923

  • August 31, 2012

    Electrical System · Power Window Devices And Controls

    Driver door power window control panel not working to operate front passenger window at all. *tr

    ODI 10520109

  • August 31, 2012 · 64,500 miles

    Electrical System · Engine · Power Train

    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…

    ODI 10474019

  • July 2, 2012 · 53,000 miles

    Electrical System · Power Train · Service Brakes

    I have 2008 nissan altima 2.5 s which has push button start. I.e. Person has to push button and press brake at same time to start the engine. There is a switch / sensor near brake pedal which sends signal that brake has been pressed (and also turns on rear brake lights). One day, all of sudden, when i tried to start car it didn't start. It keep saying press brake (accessories / radio etc all turn on). So the cycle…

    ODI 10475389

  • March 3, 2012

    Air Conditioner · Body · Electrical System

    Tl ' the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact stated that the dashboard in the vehicle was deteriorating. The dashboard was melting into other components in the vehicle and created a foul odor. In addition, the air conditioning was inoperable. The dealer stated that the dashboard and evaporator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was…

    ODI 10605185

  • January 20, 2012 · 24,000 miles

    Electrical System · Engine

    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…

    ODI 10465121

  • November 4, 2011 · 45,592 miles

    Electrical System

    This vehicle is a 2008, nissan altima with 45,500 miles driven at the time of failure. We purchased the car new in early 2008. The problem started when, on several occasions, my wife could not get the car to start. Then on nov. 4, 2011, i witnessed the failure myself. After contacting the texas aaa motor club and having them come and verify that the car's battery was fully charged and could run the starter, the car…

    ODI 10455315

  • July 19, 2011 · 50,000 miles

    Electrical System

    My 2008 altima with push button start has failed to start twice. Once at 25,000 miles and again at 50,000 miles. Both times the dealer replaced the brake switch which solved the problem. The second time the dealer took the switch apart and the contacts were pitted. *tr

    ODI 10419283

  • July 11, 2011 · 49,437 miles

    Electrical System

    I recently had a service call with my nissan dealer to fix a intermittent starting issue (push button start) on my 2008 nissan altima. It turns out that the brake light switch was defective and needed to be replaced. I believe that this is a safety issue that should be looked at since nissan does not believe it warrants a recall. If it were not for the intermittent starting problem i would not have known that my…

    ODI 10420739

  • June 1, 2011 · 50,000 miles

    Electrical System · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    I recently having issue with my brake light coming on and off at random times. Which after researching online it appears to be a common issue for many others, with brake leaks. I have noticed a slight difference in the brake effectiveness, which causes concern for me. I have an 2008 nissan altima 2.5 se with roughly 56,000 miles. I bought this car used with only 22k miles roughly in 2009 and have other issues with…

    ODI 10428657

  • December 20, 2010 · 40,000 miles

    Electrical System

    Tl*the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact stated the keyless ignition push button start and remote keyless fob failed to operate approximately four times. In addition, both key and battery warning symbols illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. The contact replaced two key fob batteries and the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing where they…

    ODI 10402200

  • December 15, 2010 · 130,000 miles

    Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control

    As i got off the interstate (driving 60 mph) then reduced my speed to 20 when i tried to accelerate it wouldn't go!! It would not accelerate and my rpm would climb up to 4 or 5! I had to drive all the way back home on interstate driving 20 mpg!!! It's happened only when i travel long distances!! I am highly dissatisfied with the altima! Everyone i encountered about the 2006-2008 altima regrets getting one. *tr

    ODI 10654744

  • January 17, 2010 · 18,000 miles

    Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · Electrical System

    Tl*the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact was driving approximately between 10-15 mph on wet road conditions. When braking the anti-lock brake system failed to engage. The vehicle slid across the roadway and crashed into another vehicle. There were no personal injuries. The police was not called to the scene. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to the residence. The vehicle was towed to an…

    Crash reported

    ODI 10315695

  • May 6, 2009

    Electrical System

    Would like to bring to your attention a defect that i believe needs to be corrected in at least some, if not all, of nissan, latest altima vehicles. The problem occurs when the car is left running and the vehicle doors are closed with the remote "keyless". This problem could create a serious safety & health issue if a driver forgets to shut off the engine before using the remote key to close the vehicle doors. *tr

    ODI 10304356

  • April 20, 2009 · 26,000 miles

    Electrical System · Fuel System, Gasoline

    While driving down road a strong odor of gasoline would fill the inside of car also had smell of antifreeze inside car took it to paul barnett nissan in brookhaven they could not duplicate the problem car was sluggish while driving and the radio went out twice . The interior lights would become very bright and dim while driving. *tr

    Fire reported

    ODI 10266777

  • April 4, 2009 · 10,000 miles

    Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    Brake lamp switch malfunctioned at 10000 (april 2009) and 43000 (january 2012) miles, and replaced. When this occurs, the brake lights will not illuminate when the brake is applied, which is a hazard that could result in a crash. Because brake must be applied for engine ignition, the vehicle will also not start. *tr

    ODI 10444777

  • March 9, 2009 · 10,000 miles

    Electrical System

    2008 altima has push start button that won't work at random times. Dealer has not been able to resolve the issue. They have asked me to stomp on the brake pedal real hard when this happens to engage the brake sensor so the car would start. Still unresolved and i'm unhappy. *tr

    ODI 10339894

  • February 23, 2009

    Electrical System

    I recently purchased a 2008 nissan altima coupe. To turn the car on/off it utilizes a push button rather than an actual key. The other morning i drove to work and parked in the public garage @ 8:00 am. I must have forgotten to push the off button because when i returned to the vehicle that evening 4:30 pm it was running and had burned 1/4 of a tank of gas. Besides feeling real stupid, i thought about how dangerous…

    ODI 10259736

  • November 17, 2008

    Electrical System

    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

    Fire reported

    ODI 10249450

  • October 11, 2008

    Electrical System

    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

    Crash reported

    ODI 10245239

  • September 19, 2008

    Electrical System

    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…

    ODI 10244480

  • July 31, 2008 · 3,475 miles

    Electrical · Electrical System · Exterior Lighting

    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…

    ODI 10240150