2008 Nissan Altima: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Sep 16, 2019 · Electrical, Steering · 150,000 miles · OK

I was driving down a dirt road and my car died I tried to start it back up but it wouldn't do anything I can't turn on any lights unlock or lock the car nothing. Shows a light on the dash that looks like the key fob and looked it up and it says that something under the steering column can cause the issues and has a recall

Filed Jan 15, 2018 · 190,000 miles · TX

My driver's side door is not locking with the key fob. This allows anyone to open my door, but it does set off my alarm. My car has been broken into twice while parked in a secured access garage because they are able to open the door, snatch and grab. I read online that this is a safety issue because drivers should be able to lock their doors.

Filed Feb 23, 2017 · Electrical · 102,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start the intelligent key fob and the steering lock mechanism warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 102,000. Updated 06/01/17*lj the vehicle was repaired. Updated 10/19/2017

Filed Jan 27, 2016 · Electrical · 24,000 miles · OH

Intelligent key indicator on dash indicates low battery in key fob. At startup battery replaced twice and other fob used. Still lights on dash. Car starts for now but afraid it will not. Have seen this compliant on other 2008 nissan altimas

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Steering · 62,500 miles · CA

This is the 5th time this has happened in the last 4 weeks and each time I have been left stranded. The escl - electronic steering column lock has failed. My car unlocks/locks properly with the key fob, aux electrical works fine, headlights, radio ect.. However the brake will not depress and the steering wheel is locked not allowing me to start my vehicle leaving me stranded. This is bs! I am very upsetnissan should have a recall and replace this part, but instead I was told this will cost me upward of $1,000 to repair. Please help!!!!

Filed Jan 15, 2015 · Electrical, Seats · DE

Not so much one specific incident but a few over a couple of months. First and most importantly the seat moves side to side and seems to be off track. The internet mentions many instances of seat problems and I don't understand how a car seat can be a problem, I've owned many cars and know many folks who owned many cars and never ever heard of a seat being a problem ever. But I'm going to be charged $89.95 to "diagnose" a seat problem that apparently if isn't affected by the tech bulletin could pay upwards of $1500 for a car seat. 2nd issue is my rear door locks stopped working. First it was the driver side back door and the lock stopped responding to the key fob and internal lock button. Week and a half later the passenger back door locks stopped working. Looking up this on the internet it's a common problem for nissan's. The dealer conveniently is going to charge me two (2) diagnostic charges of $89.95 to determine what the problem is with the door locks (again not 1 charge for both but two separate charges). The internet says actuators which I'll update later after this week if that's the issue. I'd think the federal safety agency should investigate these two claims for a potential recall to save consumers from be fleeced for what appear to be consistent issues that aren't wear and tear issues and appear to be defects.

Filed Aug 25, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 70,000 miles · GA

I parked my 2008 nissan altima 3.5se at my door took groceries inside and went back to park my car,and it would not start I could go thru the different modes of the push button start but the car would not start. I get it towed to nissan and the tell me my electronic steering column lock has gone bad they also tell me they have a recall on the same part on the 2009 models. Price tag to fix the e.s.c.l $800 this is so unfair I believe the 08 models altima should be added to the already ineffect recall for the same exact part.

Filed Jul 8, 2013 · Electrical · 35,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact stated that the intelligent key would not unlock the doors for a considerable amount of time. After the doors were unlocked, the contact attempted to start the vehicle but the no key warning light illuminated. The contact then changed the batteries in the key fob but the failure recurred. The vehicle had not been repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure and current mileage was 35,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2013 · Electrical, Locks · 77,000 miles · PA

Power door locks malfunctioning on 3 of the 4 doors. Depending on day, sometimes one or more locks will not lock when using key fob or when using power lock button on driver door. At other times, one or more locks will not open when using key fob or when using power lock button on driver door. I am fearful that after a crash I will try to unlock doors to no avail. I have also found my doors unlocked when returning to my vehicle, even after hitting the lock button when exiting the vehicle. I am fearful that a car thief or murderer may have access to my vehicle because of this issue. Additionally, I have tried to access my vehicle quickly in dangerous neighborhoods, but I've had to try multiple times to unlock the doors.

Filed Sep 14, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 53,000 miles · KS

I have 2008 nissan altima 2.5 s which has push button start. I.e. Person has to push button and press brake at same time to start the engine. There is a switch / sensor near brake pedal which sends signal that brake has been pressed (and also turns on rear brake lights). One day, all of sudden, when I tried to start car it didn't start. It keep saying press brake (accessories / radio etc all turn on). So the cycle of accessories - on- off kept on happening. I thought battery is weak and even tried jump start. So, after trying pushing brake + button for 30minutes , car finally started. This happened 2-3 times and I got very frustrated....finally I started reading online about this problem. Many people have posted same complain / issue. They suggested to check whether rear brake lights turn on when I press brake or not.. If not then the switch is bad .. I saw many people were able to fix problem by replacing switch ($50 expense). I did the same and car has been working fine since then (2-3 months). Dealer tries to charge $150 only for switch and then $500 for other stuff to eliminate root cause of issue.. As many people are effected by this issue, I firmly believe that nissan should recall and fix this issue at their cost. Dealers are making tons of money off 2007-2008 altima owners.

Filed Aug 19, 2011 · Electrical · 49,437 miles · IA

I recently had a service call with my nissan dealer to fix a intermittent starting issue (push button start) on my 2008 nissan altima. It turns out that the brake light switch was defective and needed to be replaced. I believe that this is a safety issue that should be looked at since nissan does not believe it warrants a recall. If it were not for the intermittent starting problem I would not have known that my brake lights were not working. Given that this is intermittent the vehicle does have the possibility to start yet later not have brake lights functioning. With the replacement of the switch the issue has gone away.

Filed Aug 13, 2011 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · ME

My 2008 altima with push button start has failed to start twice. Once at 25,000 miles and again at 50,000 miles. Both times the dealer replaced the brake switch which solved the problem. The second time the dealer took the switch apart and the contacts were pitted.