Check a VIN

2008 Nissan Altima engine problems

74 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
74
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
90,000
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Exhaust system
    4
  • Engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
    2
  • Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor
    1
  • Engine: gasoline
    1
  • Engine
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Nissan Altima engine problems in other years

19931995200020052010201520202024

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Nissan Altima engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Won't start 32Loss of power 17Check engine light 16Stalling 16Overheating 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2008 Nissan Altima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 7, 2025 · Engine, Fuel system · SC

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2024 · Engine · LA

Leaking power stearing fluid. The seems to be an issue with fuel system. No light just does not seem to accelerate properly.

Filed Nov 7, 2023 · Engine · MD · fire

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.

Filed Jul 21, 2022 · Engine · FL

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. The last I heard from CarID on this issue, they told me they would assist within 24-72 hours. That was 7 days ago. I emailed them a follow-up email yesterday that has gone ignored as well. CarID has not only shown any interest in resolving this issue amicably but shown willful disregard for the danger that their defective parts pose to their customers.

Filed May 7, 2022 · Engine, Fuel system · CO

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 have to rent a car now I go out of town because I am not going to pay to fix whatever is wrong with it when this is obviously a major problem because there have been so many reports. I drive it when going on short trips so its driven, but its pretty much been non-reliable since 2018. I hope there is a thorough investigation of this and a recall is done because this is crazy and was not safe at all to drive and it actually still happens when it is hot out and I drive more than 30 minutes. No error lights come on and all gagues are normal and no mechanics can seem to figure it out so I can't get it fixed. I will never buy a brand new car again because a used one will last longer, and definitely not a Nissan or anything affiliated or has parts made buy them.

Filed Feb 20, 2022 · Airbags, Engine · NJ

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.

Filed Jul 22, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · PA

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. Still waiting for Nissan dealer to diagnose it.

Filed Mar 24, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · 177,000 miles · PA

Purchased 2008 nissan altima on march 6, 2021 from the car house in butler, nj. Since the moment I drove off the lot, multiple lights turned on which turned out to be alternator and multiple 02 sensors. The next day I had a garage do an inspection and it turned out the car needed a rear control arm, shocks, brakes and rotors in additon to the lights. The dealer said that I had a 90 day warranty but when I called the company they had no record of the contract. The dealer fixed the sensors and alternator supposedly, but haven't contacted me back about fixing the other issues and every time I call they hang up.

Filed Jul 21, 2020 · Electrical, Engine · 111,000 miles · PA

Problems with the front passenger side suspension the engine of the vehicle slows/stalls when driven in high heat weather driving on the interstate the vehicle began to slow/stall.

Filed Jun 21, 2020 · Driver assistance, Engine · 184,000 miles · CO

Problem is intermittent. Car will be in motion on highway flat land/uphill/downhill any land and my car will intermittently loose power its a 2008 altima 2.5s I will have no choice but to stop my car on the side of the highway in a deadly and heavily used canyon with not many places available to pull your car over. If there is it's very tight. When I pull over I shut it off for about a minute or two then I start it back up while in park I gently press the gas to accelerate it a little and nothing happens. The RPM stick wont move. I have been coming down an off ramp onto the freeway and I wont be able to accelerate in order gain a safe and legal speed to enter on a heavily trafficked highway with no where to pull over, almost caused a huge deadly accident because of this however the car RPM stick went up and down the car felt like it was trying to accelerate after a few "attempts" from the engine it went from me feeling the car almost forceful engine shut off with the lose of accelerating and unable to accelerate and hearing the car almost die and went from me decelerating hard at 40 MPH on a slight downhill off ramp freeway at 40 MPH to all of a sudden taking off as if the car was a rocket and didnt have any problems with maintaining speed. This has happened 9 times since I purchased and happens intermittently. The car will not typically have this issue if I make a short in town trip or a few errands in town no faster than 30mph speeds and no hard it fast acceleration on flat land. I lost the paperwork from the automotive shop however can easily obtain it showing that the car needs a new catalytic converter repair costing around 1300. Check engine light remains on even after being cleared will throw the same p024 error code. I just bought this car bought and am unable to safely drive it without a deadly outcome.

Questions about the 2008 Nissan Altima engine

Does the 2008 Nissan Altima have engine problems?

Owners have filed 74 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Nissan Altima, 7% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Altima engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Nissan Altima engine?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Nissan Altima have bad engine?

The Nissan Altima model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (682 complaints), 2003 (559 complaints) and 2005 (395 complaints).

Other 2008 Nissan Altima problems

Body 312Visibility 188Airbags 142Brakes 93Electrical 90Transmission 80Steering 37Acceleration 35Seats 24Fuel system 21Suspension 16Tires 12Driver assistance 9Lights 9Wheels 9Locks 7Seat belts 7

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2008 Nissan Altima?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history