Owners have filed 20 complaints
about the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid with NHTSA between 2009 and 2019.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 25
Against the median year of the Nissan Altima Hybrid. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
30% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 81
47% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2008 compares with every other Nissan Altima Hybrid
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
525.0%
2 crashes, 1 fires · median 13,500 mi
Engine & Cooling
420.0%
Median failure at 70,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
315.0%
2 crashes, 0 fires · median 10,700 mi
Electrical System
315.0%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
Stability & Traction Control
15.0%
Median failure at 13,500 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
15.0%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
Lights
15.0%
Median failure at 68,000 miles
Airbags
15.0%
Median failure at 171,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
15.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 11,200 mi
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
210.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
631.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
315.8%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
315.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
210.5%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
210.5%
150,000+ miles
15.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2009peak 2Apr 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
Recalls on the 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 200836312,880 units in Canada
Other
On certain vehicles, a varistor in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) control unit located in the passenger seat cushion may have been manufactured incorrectly. Under certain conditions, this could cause an interruption of signal between the OCS and the Airbag control unit (ACU). This could result in the passenger airbag being suppressed. The (red) supplemental airbag warning light would flash & the (amber) front passenger airbag status light would illuminate to alert the vehicle operator, however in case of a crash a suppressed airbag could result in personal injury or death. Correction: Dealers will test the signal between the OCS & ACU and if necessary will replace the seat cushion containing OCS hardware.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 10,700 milesGlendale, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A WALL AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FLOOR MAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,800. UPDATED 2/20/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BODY WORK WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 02/21/13
NHTSA complaint #10491681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,700 milesGlendale, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A WALL AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FLOOR MAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,800. UPDATED 2/20/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BODY WORK WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 02/21/13
NHTSA complaint #10491681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesOakland Gardens, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #10425409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesEL Monte, CACrashFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IMMEDIATELY, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP FOR DAMAGES SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT A SPECIALIST WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA complaint #10323030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,200 milesDover, MACrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, WHEN PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE ROLLED INDEPENDENTLY AND COLLIDED WITH AND DAMAGED A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND LOCKED AND I WAS WALKING AWAY WHEN I NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. FOLLOWING THE CRASH I UNLOCKED THE CAR, STARTED THE CAR AND MOVED IT FROM THE SCENE. I HAVE SINCE HAD IT EXAMINED BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND NO DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BRAKES OR OTHER SYSTEMS. THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE 2 POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS. THE FIRST THAT THE CAR WAS NOT PROPERLY SET INTO PARK AND THAT THE SLIGHT INCLINE KEPT THE DRUM OF THE BRAKE MOVING SUCH THAT IT DIDN'T SET. THE SECOND IS THAT THEY THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT IN CARS WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEYS. THE CAR CAN BE STOPPED WHEN THE CAR IS STILL IN GEAR AND SINCE THERE IS NO KEY TO REMOVE THERE IS NO SAFETY FEATURE TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM LEAVING THE CAR IN GEAR AND LEAVING THE VEHICLE. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I ALWAYS USE THE PARKING BRAKE. SOMETHING THAT I INTEND TO DO. I WAS NOT IN THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE VEHICLE THAT MY CAR HIT HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO LODGE A COMPLAINT FOR THE RECORD AND REQUEST THAT THERE BE SOME SORT OF REVIEW OF CASES LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10274184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 171,000 milesBridgeport, CT
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY. THE CONTACT CALLED PAUL MILLER NISSAN AT (203) 335-3181 (LOCATED AT 5420, 930 KINGS HWY E, FAIRFIELD, CT 06825) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT
NHTSA complaint #11194588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,754 milesWaterford, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID AND AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP FOR A SIGNAL. THE PEDAL WENT DOWN WITHOUT SLOWING THE CAR UNTIL IT WAS NEAR THE BOTTOM OF ITS TRAVEL AT WHICH TIME THE CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT HALT, THE ABS, VDC AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTINUED HOME WITHOUT TROUBLE UNTIL I WAS COMING INTO THE GARAGE AT WHICH TIME THE SAME THING HAPPENED.I HAVE CHECKED AND FOUND OTHERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. FORTUNATELY I WAS TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED WITH NO TRAFFIC.
NHTSA complaint #10985586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesOLD Lyme, CT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRAVELING SOUTH INTERSTATE 95 PASSING LANE ON CURVE @ EAST LYME CT. CAR SUDDENLY DECELERATED RAPIDLY. ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT RESPOND TO DEPRESSION. I COULDN'T IMMEDIATELY COAST INTO RIGHT LANE & NO BREAKDOWN LANE ON MY SIDE. CARS BEHIND ME, APPARENTLY BECAUSE THERE WERE NO BRAKE LIGHTS ACTIVATED, DROVE RIGHT TO MY BUMPER & BEGAN HONKING. WHEN SURPRISINGLY THE ACCELERATOR RESPONDED FROM COMPLETE HALT , RIGHT LANE CLEARED AND I MOVED THROUGH IT IMMEDIATELY ONTO EXIT RAMP. I WAS BAFFLED & CAR WAS RESPONDING SO I ROUNDED INTO EAST LYME STOP & SHOP PARKING LOT WITH BLINKERS ON. AFTER COMPOSING MYSELF, I CONTINUED HOME ON BACK ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. TWO WEEKS LATER LEAVING MY DEVELOPMENT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 30 (SLIGHT UPHILL) AND SAME THING HAPPENED WITH MY WIFE PRESENT; VEHICLE BEHIND WAS ALERTED BY HAND SIGNALS TO PASS. AFTER ACCELERATOR RECOVERED FUNCTION WITHIN MINUTES (SLOWER THAN PREVIOUS INCIDENT) I CONTACTED NISSAN REPAIR GROSSMAN'S OLD SAYBROOK FROM HOME. THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN. I SAID IS IT SAFE? THEY SAID I COULD CONTACT AAA. I CALLED A FRIEND WITH A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER WHICH INDICATED A "TRANSMISSION MODULE" FAILURE. THEN, AT NISSAN, SHOP FOREMAN CLAIMED THAT SINCE THERE WAS NO DASH INDICATOR OR TROUBLE CODE WITH HIS DEVICE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. 1/4 MILE AWAY, THE CAR STALLED IN MIDDLE OF LARGE INTERSECTION MAKING A TURN BLOCKING EVERYONE. WHEN IT RECOVERED, I RETURNED AND HE AGAIN CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND KEPT ASKING ME WHERE I BOUGHT IT. I TOLD HIM IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, UNTIL A MECHANIC OVERHEARD AND CONVINCED HIM TO ALLOW INVESTIGATION. MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGED CODE. TEST DRIVE NOTHING HAPPENED. SHOP FOREMAN REFUSED TO NOTE "ACCELERATOR FAILURE" & WROTE POWER FAILURE. THEY RIDICULED WHEN TOLD ONLINE SEARCH "ACCELERATOR FAILURE" GETS HITS. SHOP HAS IT SINCE SEPTEMBER 15TH TO DATE WITHOUT NOTICE? OPTIONS?
NHTSA complaint #10783741 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,000 milesEagan, MN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NISSAN DEALER IS SAYING I MUST REPLACE PART # 48700-9N00B, THIS SAME PART IS UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE ALTIMA 2009-2012. CAN I GET A NEW VERSION OF THESE.
NHTSA complaint #10693178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,500 milesHopewell Junction, NY
ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. OBD2 CODE WAS P0303 AND INTERMITTENTLY CODE P0300 INDICATING CYLINDER #3 AND MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRING. TOOK THE CAR TO LOCAL GARAGE. INSTALLED NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WITH NISSANS GUIDANCE,THEY PERFORMED UPPER INTAKE CLEANING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON FOR SAME CODES. NOTIFIED NISSAN AND BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AS ADVISED. DEALER REPLACED COIL PACK #3 AND PERFORMED FUEL INDUCTION CLEANING. CEL CAME BACK UP AND DEALER RECOMMENDED REMOVAL OF HEAD TO INSPECT FOR WARPAGE AFTER ALREADY SPENDING $1200 ON THIS ISSUE. NISSAN SAID THEY COULDN'T LET ME KNOW IF ANY OR NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE ON THE ISSUE UNTIL I PAY ANOTHER $600 TO INSPECT THE HEAD WHEN A COMPRESSION TEST SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED WHEN NISSAN FIRST WORKED ON THE VEHICLE. OVERALL, NOT SATISFIED WITH NISSAN FOR DROPPING THE BALL ON AN OBVIOUS RECALL UNDER SERVICE BULLETIN NTB-10-056.
NHTSA complaint #10605621 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesEast Amherst, NY
ENGINE
A CARBON BUILDUP IN THE CYLINDER HEAD CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE AND DURING INITIAL START UP AND STUTTER/SHAKE DURING ACCELERATION. THIS BUILD UP IS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. IT CAUSE MULTIPLE UNSAFE INSTANCES WHEN TRYING TO MERGE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND SAFELY NAVIGATE IN NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE TO NISSAN AND THEY HAVE REDESIGNED THE HEAD BUT ARE UNWILLING TO HELP WITH THE ISSUE. THIS OCCURRED ON OUR VEHICLE WITH ONLY 35,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10564384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesAnaheim, CA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
HI, I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONING BECAUSE OF AN UNRELIABLE BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH. I BECAME AWARE OF THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILING. AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN ALTIMA 2007-2008 OWNERS, BUT WAS NEVER ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. I HAVE A THREE MONTH OLD BABY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IN A REAR END COLLISION. PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS ISSUE GETS ADDRESSED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENT OCCURS. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
NHTSA complaint #10545667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesAnaheim, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
HI, I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE INTERMITTENTLY MALFUNCTIONING BECAUSE OF AN UNRELIABLE BRAKE LIGHTS SWITCH. I BECAME AWARE OF THE ISSUE BECAUSE THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION WAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILING. AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN ALTIMA 2007-2008 OWNERS, BUT WAS NEVER ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. I HAVE A THREE MONTH OLD BABY THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED IN A REAR END COLLISION. PLEASE MAKE SURE THIS ISSUE GETS ADDRESSED BEFORE ANY ACCIDENT OCCURS. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
NHTSA complaint #10545667 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesJonesboro, GA
ENGINE
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSTIC ERROR CODE WAS P0300 INDICATING INTERMITTENT MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRING. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. WAS INFORMED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ALTIMA HYBRIDS DUE TO CARBONATION OF THE ENGINE DUE TO FREQUENT STARTS AND STOPS. NISSAN HAS REDESIGNED THE CYLINDER HEAD AND AT ONE TIME CONSIDERED A RECALL BUT THEN DECIDED AGAINST IT AND ARE HANDLING IT ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. INITIATED CONTACT WITH NISSAN CORPORATION. NISSAN RESPONDED BACK IN 10 DAYS THAT THEY WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE THE CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANYMORE (WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 60,000 MILES). NEWLY DESIGNED CYLINDER HEAD WAS GOING TO COST $2700. DECIDED TO DECARBONIZE THE CAR ENGINE USING A KIT. CAR HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE SINCE THEN. COST $185. BOTTOM LINE: NISSAN SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE REPAIR COST BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSED BY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CYLINDER HEAD. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE ADVISED ABOUT TRYING DECARBONIZATION. OVERALL VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY I WAS TREATED BY THE COMPANY AND THE DEALER. THIS IS THE 6TH NISSAN PRODUCT I HAVE BOUGHT IN THE LAST 20 YEARS, AND WILL MORE LIKELY BE THE LAST ONE.
NHTSA complaint #10534282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,700 milesGlendale, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A WALL AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FLOOR MAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,800. UPDATED 2/20/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BODY WORK WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 02/21/13
NHTSA complaint #10491681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,700 milesGlendale, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN APPLIED, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A WALL AND ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE FLOOR MAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,700. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,800. UPDATED 2/20/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BODY WORK WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED 02/21/13
NHTSA complaint #10491681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 16,000 milesLOS Angeles, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE STARTED SPORADICALLY. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED UNTIL THE VEHICLE COULD NO LONGER BE STARTED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE SENSOR CABLES CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000....UPDATED 10/17/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE START ENGINE BUTTON FAILED ABOUT 30 TIMES, WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED AAA KNEW EXACTLY WHAT CABLES TO TIGHTEN UNDER THE STEERING. UPDATED 10/17/12
NHTSA complaint #10470788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesOakland Gardens, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
NHTSA complaint #10425409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsford, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. THERE WERE TWO INCIDENTS OF THE CAR RUNNING EVEN THOUGH I LEFT IT FOR QUITE A WHILE. FIRST, IN A SHOPPING MALL I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS OFF, AND IT REMAINED RUNNING FOR QUITE A WHILE. IN A SECOND INCIDENT IT STAYED RUNNING AT THE CURB FOR 3 HOURS UNTIL I RETURNED. I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS OFF WHEN I LEFT IT, BUT IT WAS NOT OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10383091 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesPoughkeepsie, NY
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
NISSAN 2008 ALTIMA HYBRID WINDOWS ROLL DOWN (DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE) BY THEMSELVES AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND WE LEAVE THE CAR LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #10367938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesPoughkeepsie, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NISSAN 2008 ALTIMA HYBRID WINDOWS ROLL DOWN (DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE) BY THEMSELVES AFTER THE ENGINE IS SHUT OFF AND WE LEAVE THE CAR LOCKED.
NHTSA complaint #10367938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,000 milesEL Monte, CACrashFire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. IMMEDIATELY, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE AND THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR. THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE WHICH RESULTED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE NOT CALLED TO THE SCENE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP FOR DAMAGES SUSTAINED IN THE CRASH. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT A SPECIALIST WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA complaint #10323030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,500 milesSacramento, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID SEDAN : WHILE DRIVING THE WARNING INDICATOR FOR ABS ILLUMINATED. WHILE SLOWING VEHICLE TO LEAVE ROADWAY A LOUD METALLIC IMPACT NOISE WAS HEARD, FOLLOWED BY VIBRATION. UPON PULLING OFF OF ROADWAY ONTO SOFT SHOULDER THE VEHICLE SLID AND WAS BARELY CONTROLLABLE. WAS ADVISED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT DEALERSHIP THAT RIGHT FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED BY POSSIBLE ROCK/DEBRIS IMPACT. WIRE LEADING TO SENSOR WAS SHEARED. HAD DEALERSHIP RETURN OLD PART. WIRE TO HARNESS WOULD INDICATED SHEARED BY IMPACT SINCE ENDS ARE FRAYED. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE COMING FROM RT FRONT. NOT A WARRANTY ITEM SINCE PART DAMAGED FROM ROAD DEBRIS. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THIS WIRE HARNESS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT AND APPEARS TO BE UNPROTECTED FROM TYPICAL DRIVING, SUCH AS ROCKS AND OTHER ROAD DEBRIS. UPON FAILURE OF THE ABS, THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL WHILE BRAKING, ESPECIALLY IF THIS FAILURE OCCURS ON WET OR OTHERWISE SLIPPERY SURFACES. THE WIRE LEADS TO EACH WHEEL ABS SENSOR SHOULD BE INSULATED AND SHEATHED, AND LOCATED IN A LESS VULNERABLE AREA WITHIN THE STRUT/WHEELHOUSE AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10293276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,500 milesSacramento, CA
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
2008 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID SEDAN : WHILE DRIVING THE WARNING INDICATOR FOR ABS ILLUMINATED. WHILE SLOWING VEHICLE TO LEAVE ROADWAY A LOUD METALLIC IMPACT NOISE WAS HEARD, FOLLOWED BY VIBRATION. UPON PULLING OFF OF ROADWAY ONTO SOFT SHOULDER THE VEHICLE SLID AND WAS BARELY CONTROLLABLE. WAS ADVISED BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT DEALERSHIP THAT RIGHT FRONT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SENSOR WAS DAMAGED BY POSSIBLE ROCK/DEBRIS IMPACT. WIRE LEADING TO SENSOR WAS SHEARED. HAD DEALERSHIP RETURN OLD PART. WIRE TO HARNESS WOULD INDICATED SHEARED BY IMPACT SINCE ENDS ARE FRAYED. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE LOUD METAL TO METAL NOISE COMING FROM RT FRONT. NOT A WARRANTY ITEM SINCE PART DAMAGED FROM ROAD DEBRIS. IT IS MY CONCERN THAT THIS WIRE HARNESS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY COMPONENT AND APPEARS TO BE UNPROTECTED FROM TYPICAL DRIVING, SUCH AS ROCKS AND OTHER ROAD DEBRIS. UPON FAILURE OF THE ABS, THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO CONTROL WHILE BRAKING, ESPECIALLY IF THIS FAILURE OCCURS ON WET OR OTHERWISE SLIPPERY SURFACES. THE WIRE LEADS TO EACH WHEEL ABS SENSOR SHOULD BE INSULATED AND SHEATHED, AND LOCATED IN A LESS VULNERABLE AREA WITHIN THE STRUT/WHEELHOUSE AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10293276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,200 milesDover, MACrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA, WHEN PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE ROLLED INDEPENDENTLY AND COLLIDED WITH AND DAMAGED A PARKED VEHICLE. THE CAR WAS IN PARK AND LOCKED AND I WAS WALKING AWAY WHEN I NOTED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING. FOLLOWING THE CRASH I UNLOCKED THE CAR, STARTED THE CAR AND MOVED IT FROM THE SCENE. I HAVE SINCE HAD IT EXAMINED BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND NO DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BRAKES OR OTHER SYSTEMS. THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE 2 POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS. THE FIRST THAT THE CAR WAS NOT PROPERLY SET INTO PARK AND THAT THE SLIGHT INCLINE KEPT THE DRUM OF THE BRAKE MOVING SUCH THAT IT DIDN'T SET. THE SECOND IS THAT THEY THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT IN CARS WITH THE INTELLIGENT KEYS. THE CAR CAN BE STOPPED WHEN THE CAR IS STILL IN GEAR AND SINCE THERE IS NO KEY TO REMOVE THERE IS NO SAFETY FEATURE TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM LEAVING THE CAR IN GEAR AND LEAVING THE VEHICLE. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I ALWAYS USE THE PARKING BRAKE. SOMETHING THAT I INTEND TO DO. I WAS NOT IN THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE VEHICLE THAT MY CAR HIT HOWEVER, I WOULD LIKE TO LODGE A COMPLAINT FOR THE RECORD AND REQUEST THAT THERE BE SOME SORT OF REVIEW OF CASES LIKE THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10274184 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.