Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
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.
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. …
Parked car due to electrical and transmission issues had left it for a couple hours to receive assistance and the car was gone it had no plates because I was attempting to register the car that same day
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.
Purchase car 2010 ABS brake came on all time dealer try to reset ABS light it would turn off for few days and come make on they dont no why it doing it :( its 2015 and light still on. 2014 I was on interstate going 65 MPH then all sudden my Nissan started losing power fast when I pushed on gas was not reading. Had to pull to side of road and we had checked all fluids and looked for any leaks which all was good. I had gotten and my oil changed before my trip. Sat on side interstate for 20 mins try to restart it started OK just had no power like gas was nit flowing right. Waiting another 10 mins trying again. Finally gain power and was able to get to my destination. Had it checked by shop couldn't fine problem. …
The following scenario has occurred 7 times in the last week.when accelerating from a complete stop rpms will momentarily increase to approx 2000 RPM then reduce to approx 1000. Engine. Continues to run smoothly with no lurching or jerking. The vehicle simply rolls slowly into the intersection or onto the roadway. No amount of manipulation of the gas pedal results in any throttle response. Placing gear shifter in park and shifting back to drive seems to restore throttle response. This is a very dangerous situation. Today this occurred while pulling across the east bound lanes of hwy 278 to proceed in a westerly direction. Vehicle moved very slowly across two lanes of oncoming traffic traveling 65 to 70 MPH. Will be contacting local Nissan service center today to determine if any corrective measures have been taken by Nissan.
I was driving on hwy 610 in houston, texas when the vehicle engine shut off and caught fire. I had gone to the dealership several times initially for a start up key issue, then tires, hub cap, and then the engine shut off on the hwy January 25th 2014, the warranty company noted that there were underlying issues with the vehicle when it was first sold, made a proposal to the dealership, and dealership eventually placed an engine I was told later by a younger gentleman named [redacted] that is was a sued engine. I had taken it home, and next day had issues again. Took it in to get spark plugs changed, but the end result was fire on the hwy way May 12, 2014.
Tl contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. While driving 60 MPH, the contact struck debris on the roadway. As a result, a piece of metal became lodged in the fuel tank and was hanging down. The failure caused a fuel leak. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they are replacing the fuel tank. The dealer stated that whatever he struck caused gasoline to leak from the fuel tank. The contact stated that the location and lack of protection of the fuel tank a safety issue. The failure mileage was 15000. Updated 04-28-09 cw the drivers side track seat was slow at moving. Updated 04/30/09.
My wife's car shutdown on her last month and I had it towed to a local repair shop and they indicated the fuel pump was bad so I ordered a new one and things went fine for about a week and now the fuel hand just fluctuats up and down and just suddenly drops to (e) when it has gas or full tank of gas in it. Also the mileage display is showing inaccurate readings and blinking on the dash on and off and my wife is scared now to drive her 2008 Nissan Altima on long drives with this problem going on!! It happened while in motion on a busy hwy 278 in batesville,ms
Upon driving the vehicle there was a strong smell of gasoline inside the cabin of the vehicle. The vehicle started smoking while driving immediately the car ran hot. Had the car towed to nearest dealer that then informed that the exhaust manifold/catalyst converter had failed and was leaking. Which they informed me was very dangerous but they where not responsible for repairs which LED to cracked heads on the motor and eventually total engine failure. What a safe vehicle for a single mother of two children? Not so much,.
Fuel System complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 Nissan Altima, 2% of the model year's 1,030 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Nissan Altima fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 92,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.