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Chart based on 68 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2008 Nissan Altima
Engine not specified
8000 mi
My Airbag sensor is apparently faulty so my passenger airbag is always disengaged. They reset the warning light but it came back on a few days later. I havent been back yet.
Passenger airbag light likes to turn intermittently itself off while seat is occupied. Seat has already been replaced, problem still exists.
2000 mi
TPSM light came on. I checked the pressure, and it was fine. But light stayed on, so I took it to the dealer. They took 3 hours to 'fix' it.
15000 mi
Replace TPMS tire valve
18000 mi
Tsb on airbag sensor. Reflashed and repaired. Low cell on key fob. Won't recharge. That's going in next.
50000 mi
US $300
Alternator broke. Replaced with new part. No warning. Left stranded out of town.
63000 mi
US $200
Tire pressure sensor had to be reprogrammed because it constantly showed low tire pressure.
13000 mi
One morning the drivers side lock would not remotely unlock. This was after I had already opened the door once and started the car to warm it up. Door unlocked fine the first time but refused to unlock the second time. Had to climb in/out passenger door.
11780 mi
Driver's auto window up stopped working. Service manager advised that a computer reset was required. Inspect headlight delay operation - headlights remain on for an excessive period of time. Requested delay be reduced or turned off. Dealer adjusted headlights to shut off after 30 seconds - stated this is the minimum delay period possible. Smart key fob LOW BATTERY warning displayed. Vehicle only one year old. Dealer replaced Smart key fob battery.
16740 mi
C $211
Approx 2 weeks after the problem was serviced (and fixed?) in February, it re-occurred. The driver's window auto up function would not work. Dealership advised that the problem was a faulty window motor and it was replaced on this occasion.
25420 mi
Now the 3rd time the driver's window auto up has been serviced - 1st time - needed a reflash, 2nd time - changed the window regulator, this time - needed another flash & was told that problem is caused by holding the switch too long -huh???
29760 mi
Driver's window auto up feature stopped working AGAIN. Previous repairs involved several reflashes, new regulator motor. This time, I asked if I could do the reflash and was told "yes" - hold button ON for +3 secs after the window closes.
28000 mi
Battery failure, new battery replaced by owner. Original battery lasted slightly more than 4 years.
the FOB sensor on the driver side door was malfunctioning. discovered problem and ordered handle, but did not fix problem. replaced the wiring harness and ECU and did not fix problem. turns out to be a damaged wire in the dash.
59700 mi
US $50
Radio display LCD backlight seems to have been bleeding.
17000 mi
TPMS went off showing low tire pressure. I checked them at 35psi, dealer said they were at 26psi. They corrected and reset the TPMS light. No charge.
56800 mi
when it gets cold, TPMS light always comes on; is a hassle to reset. happens VERY often if car is left out of garage overnight.
Tire pressure sensor was broken. Did not repair due to high cost.
43000 mi
Tire pressure sensor never fixed.
22000 mi
At times when the brake pedal was depressed to start the car, the brake lights wouldn't come on, so the car wasn't registering the brake in order to start the car. The dealer diagnosed a faulty brake switch. Problem is fixed & the car starts everytime now
19000 mi
Told by friends that rear speakers did not work and music could not be heard. Dealer stated that speakers were Bass only and that adjustments should be made at the radio to make music heard in back seat.
34000 mi
Bad/musty odor coming from the air vents, even after change of cabin air filter. Dealer stated that mold had grown in vent system due to moisture not draining. Disinfectant sprayed in vents by dealer.
86300 mi
US $850
A new A/C compressor had to be installed.
90000 mi
US $1600
and air conditioning.
91000 mi
US $300
The vehicle also had an electrical problem that the Nissan Medina dealership in Caguas, Puerto Rico quoted a repair cost of in excess of $1300. A local independent mechanic shop repaired the issue for less than $300.00. A local independent mechanic shop repaired the electrical issue for less than $300.00.
238000 mi
US $12
Headlight passenger low beam replaced.
243000 mi
Low Beam Headlight-driver's
11250 mi
TPMS light had to be reset twice by dealer. Tire pressure set to 40psi
69000 mi
Front Passenger side TPMS sensor replaced. Diagnosed as a dead battery in the sensor.
104000 mi
US $180
AC went from blowing ice cold to completely warm. No leaks and diagnostic procedure and forums pointed to failed AC clutch electromagnet. Magnet replaced along with pulley and clutch (parts kit) and problem is resolved.
108000 mi
Battery died suddenly after 18 months, 5th battery on this vehicle!
119000 mi
US $140
Car occasionally would not start. Brake pedal switch was failing which was replaced.
17000 mi
US $81
Single CD Stereo display "splotchy" after extreme cold spell (for Florida). Replaced entire stereo unit.
52500 mi
Brake switch would not engage in order for car to start; brake lights would not turn on. Had to remove and fiddle with existing brake switch under pedal to fix. No recurring issues so far but keeping on eye on it.
63000 mi
US $30
Brake switch does not engage properly. Car will not start, brake lights do not light. Bought new brake switch online. Unplugged old and plugged in new. Problem solved. No recurring issues.
101060 mi
C $52
A/C stopped working. The compressor clutch failed. New part was $52 CND online. Replaced at home. Repair easily done without an A/C recharge.
84000 mi
US $189
Battery completely discharged due to something being left on while car was parked
Brake pedal sensor/switch was broken, car sometimes wouldn't start because it didn't recognize the pedal was pressed. Got the part replaced with a supposedly upgraded part.
65000 mi
US $700
Car would not start due to a faulty brake sensor. Since the brake sensor did not detect that the brake pedal was depressed, the car could not be started. Replacement of brake sensor also required a new wiring harness.
41000 mi
Service Engine Soon light came on. Dealer said is was caused by the 12v battery.
48000 mi
US $420
heater/AC fan died. Required replacement.
98000 mi
Blown out passenger-side headlight
7440 mi
I had to replace the 12 volt battery last year and it cost well over $300; the dealer told me it was okay to disconnect it as the insurance expired and I have 3 other cars. Could not get into the trunk to reconnect it.
11160 mi
C $300
12 volt battery died, even though I replaced it less than five years ago. The car would not start, so I bought a new Nissan OEM AGM battery and vent. Vent was just a piece of cheap plastic that barely fit the battery and it cost over $30.
14260 mi
12 Volt AGM battery died and was replaced at no charge under warranty.
Alternator gave out on my way home. Doing the repair myself saves me 900$ but is a pain in the butt. You have to remove half the front of your vehicle.
2000 mi
Parking brake light on dash does not illuminate when brake lever engaged. Part (switch) on nationwide backorder according to dealer.
3000 mi
Backordered switch installed, to fix non-illuminating parking brake light on dash.
62500 mi
US $76
Car failed to start after sitting 11 days, again the next morning (after getting jump previous day). Battery diagnosed as bad, had 35 mo left of 84 mo warranty (Nissan factory batter).
74000 mi
Voltage fluctuates b/w 12.0 and 14.5 V while driving or idling, no relation to RPM. Causes headlights to vary in brightness significantly. Elec syst & battery checked out "fine." I still consider this an issue and researching it more myself.
93000 mi
US $79
SRS light flashing on dashboard. Diagnostic run, indicates it is short in side curtain airbag. Requires a dealer to repair the issue according to the shop I took it to.
94000 mi
US $250
Resolve SRS flashing light on dash
3000 mi
Rear speaker blew. It was replaced.
50000 mi
Air pressure warning indicated low tire pressure. Took to Dearler for repair. Replaced 2 Valve Stems with sensors and reset Computer.
85000 mi
AC kicked the bucket in February, not repaired. One HID blew out in July, not repaired.
22060 mi
Drivers side window control stopped working. Part replaced under warrenty.
179 mi
US $1085
replaced compressor due to leaking seal behind compressor clutch. I couldn't find a shop to repair the functioning compressor. Replaced low pressure line and receiver dryer along with compressor.
See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how
frequently 2008 Nissan Altima problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.