Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While pulling into a parking spot and coming to a halt, I put the car into park mode. My foot was still on the brake. Instantly the engine went into "overdrive" and lurched forward over a parking curb and through heavy brush and finally came to a stop after hitting a pine tree. The engine was still screaming and the tires still spinning until I hit the off button. I had my foot on the brake the entire time to no avail. The heavy brush slowed the car somewhat. The airbags didn't deploy. I had several witnesses and they all stated they saw my brake lights on. I plowed approx. 50 feet through the brush before hitting the tree. I was the only one involved and was not hurt. This was Thurs. Sept. 28, 2023. It was in a state park and no police report made. Park Ranger took down info.
I pulled into Regions bank parking lot to use ATM machine and before I could even park my car accelerated for no reason. I had my foot on the brake but it just made it go faster. I crashed into the building and airbag deployed. This was the scariest driving experience I've ever had. The car is totaled and caused serious damage to bank. I escaped by the grace of God with sprained wrist and elbow and knee abrasions.
My vehicle's transmission failed after only 90,000 miles. Nissan replaced the transmission for free under their extended CVT warranty program, however, less than a year later, the check engine light came on while making a long distance trip on the interstate. According to Nissan the CVT fluid required for the CVT transmission can become glue like and gunk up at high speeds or in hot weather, causing the engine to overheat and the car to stall. The solution for this problem is an external coolant system for the CVT fluid provided to the customer at their expense to keep the transmission fluid from becoming thick. I am extremely disgusted with my Nissan experience, they knowingly are making transmissions which fail after less than 100,000 miles and are requiring them to use Nissan CVT fluid which is a fail also.
Was driving to work on the highway using cruise control and then I tried to get out of cruise and step on the gas pedal but it got stuck, I realized I wasn't able to get over to the first lane due to traffic, so I tried to slow down to pull over to the median closest to the third lane, however, the brakes stopped working and I wasn't able to stop the vehicle, I even tried to press the button to shut the car off but it wouldn't shut down, there was no smell of smoke or anything and than as the car begin slowing on its own, all of a sudden smoke just poofed up and I grabbed my purse and phone and jumped out of the moving car . Ran away from the car and realize that I had taken my wallet out of my purse previous and I turned to go back but the car was engulfed in flames. I called 911 to get assistance.
While I was driving on the street my car completely powered down, I was so scared, because there was moving traffic behind me. I tried stepping on the brakes and then hitting the gas again but the car would not move. I had to quickly put my parking lights on and pray that no one would hit me. Then I turned the car off and on a couple of times and it started moving, only to power down two blocks later. I was able to pull over to the side this time and I waited a while and then turned the car back on. This time the service engine light came on. I took my car to auto zone and codes came up for the speed sensor and throttle sensor. This was so scary and hazardous, thank god I got off the highway beforehand because there was too much traffic!
Tl* the contact's husband owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was taken to conyers Nissan in conyers, ga where the dealer stated that the vehicle needed a tune-up. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced. However, the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to conyers Nissan in conyers, ga where it was diagnosed that the transmission had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they would pay for half of the repairs. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
We were driving on I-695 in baltimore area when I started to notice that while pressing acceleration paddle, the car was not moving forward. It started to stall and eventually stopped completely. Luckily, I was able to pull it to the curbside before a collision May have occurred. But someone with less driving capabilities May have ended up in an accident due to the car stalling without any warning. Later on I found out the transmission failed and Nissan didn't care at all when I contacted them. I got transmission replaced myself. I thought I should speak out about this because a transmission stalling a vehicle at nearly 65 MPH is a safety issue that needs to be addresses.
I have been experiencing recurring issues involving the gas pedal failing to work in my 2008 Nissan Altima. Whether on the highway, at a stop sign, or merging onto a highway the gas pedal will unexpectedly fail to accelerate the vehicle. I will press the pedal with absolute no acceleration from the vehicle. I have to floor the pedal to get minimal exceleration before the car suddenly picks up speed. I have almsot been rear ended while awaiting for the car to accelerate to proper take off speed. I have had the transmission fluid checked and a tune up done... Still trying to assess whats wrong with the vehicle.
When I was driving in a high way. Suddenly my car started accelerating more and more. Then I noticed I did not have speed control of my car. I tried to stop, the car but it did not respond . I braked as hard as I could without success. I avoided to crash other vehicles going from right to left and viceversa. I guess I avoid to crash three or four vehicles, including a big trailer. In other words, it happens to me like the last Toyota recall for gas pedal issues. I felt like the gas pedal was stuck. Finally, my car out of control crashed other car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan rogue. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and slowed down abruptly without the brake pedal being depressed. Also, there was an abnormal beeping noise. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to hudson Nissan charleston (1714 savannah hwy, charleston, sc 29407, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but they were unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 6,000. The VIN was unknown.
Acceleration complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Nissan Altima, 3% of the model year's 1,030 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Altima acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2008 Nissan Altima, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Altima acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 10 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.