Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Was driving and heard a knocking sound similar to taps coming from the engine. Pulled over turned car off and turned it back on and knocking sound stopped. Drive about another mile and black smoke came out the vents. Pulled over and got out of vehicle. By the time I was out of the vehicle the car was on fire. By the time the fire department arrived car was completely engulfed. No check engine light was on and car gave no previous warning as to what could have happened.
In 2018 I was driving back home from Derby, Kansas to Denver, Colorado in the middle of summertime, and my air conditioner started blowing hot air and the AC did not need to be charged. This was in my 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe that I purchased in April 2008 with 4 miles on it and have taken amazing care of it and still have it to this day and is in excellent condition other than these issues. About an hour later, my car starting making a revving noise when I accelerated but my car was not accelerating and I would have to pull off on the side of the road, in 100 degree weather, no air conditioning, with my dogs, and wait for 30 minutes and then I could start driving for about 10 minutes, and then I had to repeat this all the way back to Denver. A normally 8 hour trip took me over 20 hours due to this. …
I purchased a crankshaft from CarID and had a friend replace it with the old one in my 2008 Nissan Altima. Immediately after the repair, I noticed my steering power was gone. I had them put in the old crankshaft and regained my steering. I told CarID that the part was either defective or the wrong part despite their website claiming otherwise. They told me it wasn't under warranty and refused to refund or exchange the crankshaft. Well, this isn't a warranty issue, this is a defective part issue. On their own website they list the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, which my situation falls under. Their part (WVE 5S11487 - Crankshaft Position Sensor) led to the failure of my steering. I called WVE, who said they do not sell directly to CarID and the part was most likely bought from a third party, hence the lack of warranty. …
While driving down the highway at about 60 mph the vehicle shut off and has not restarted in almost 2 weeks. There was no indication or warning of any engine trouble prior to it shutting off. Luckily, I was getting off an exit and nobody was injured. Had I NOT been exciting the highway, there would have most certainly been a MULTI vehicle accident with severe injuries and possibly even death because of the high speeds. Once the car was completely stopped and off towards the shoulder I tried to restart but got a fast clicking noise, but wouldn't start. Let the car sit for a little tried to jump start it, but now the key indicator was being displayed which means the car wasn't recognizing the key even in the slot. This leads me to believe the security system/ immobilizer could've been what caused it to shut off. The car has not been looked at yet. …
When I start my car and let it warm up, then reverse then put it in drive, I put my foot on the gas and the RPMS SHOOT UP TO 3 to 4 RPMS, I have to remove my four from the gas then my car is very slow and stays at 2 1/2 - 3 RPMS for several miles . Checked Fluids etc and still have the same issue with it every day. Also my passenger air bag is always off , no matter if someone who is 50 lbs or 250 lbs it is always off and I can not get it to come on . Finally when using my turn signals my blinkers work but never go off unless I manually do it myself. And I fo not get a warning sound telling me that my blinker is still on . It will stay on for hours if I do not notice it and I am driving long distance.
After driving over a hour or so the rpm will stick at 3 and the mph will not go over 60. The car occasionally lose power as well. I have already had the throttle body and the alternator recently done.
At around 11:50 pm Monday August 21, 2017 my son parked his Nissan Altima on residential street in front of a friends house while he ran in for a bit before heading home, about 10 minutes later 2 loud "pops" rattled the home. They stepped out front to find that his 2008 Nissan Altima was fully engulfed in flames 20-30 feet high. At 00:11 the fire department arrived and worked to extinguished the car, finally finding it safe to leave at 01:17. They car is obviously a total loss. I am requesting an investigation into the cause of this random "explosion" of the vehicle while parked. Thankfully, no one was injured and no other structures were damaged (possible damage to the city road), this very well could have resulted in a devastating outcome.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact and the air bags failed to deploy. No injuries were sustained. A police report was filed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.
While driving on i95 the car shut off and was steered very difficultly to the off ramp and the side of the road. Smoke started to come out of the front of the car and I exited the car and the car proceeded to be engulfed in flames burning the front half of the car to the front seats. Fire rescue arrived to put out the fire.1116
Loud bang and oil cooler busted while driving down the road at 55 MPH, it started smoking and then fire coming from under the hood I pulled over turned of the ignition and got out and the car was fully engulfed in flames within minutes
Engine complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Nissan Altima, 7% of the model year's 1,030 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Altima engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 8 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.