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,.
2008 Nissan Altima engine complaints
Page 3 of 4: complaints 41 to 70 of 74, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Oil cap will not unscrew on 2008 nissan altima manual transmission that is leaking oil.
I went to accelerate and car, I guess you could say it just gave out. It was still running but as I hit gas it would not go any faster. The car immediately started running very rough so I pulled over and turned engine off. I took it to a nissan dealership for diagnosis, and was told I need whole new motor due to the fact the camshaft broke. Now this is a part I am being told that should not break and it must be a manufacturing defect. I was told to check and see if any recalls have been put out on camshaft. I did and there have not been. I am filing complaint because I think there should be a recall. I now have to pay out of pocket (est. Is over $4,800!!!!) for repairs done to my car for something that should not have broke in the first place. And by the camshaft breaking it caused a list of other major damage to my engine, which is why I need to replace it!
As I got off the interstate (driving 60 MPH) then reduced my speed to 20 when I tried to accelerate it wouldn't go!! It would not accelerate and my RPM would climb up to 4 or 5! I had to drive all the way back home on interstate driving 20 mpg!!! It's happened only when I travel long distances!! I am highly dissatisfied with the altima! Everyone I encountered about the 2006-2008 altima regrets getting one.
While my husband and children were driving through ely, nv on their way to the lake, 300+ miles from home the car began to smoke. Upon pulling the release to pop the hood, the car burst into flames. My family escaped the vehicle injury free. My car is now a pile of melted metal. Someone please explain to me how this happens? And who is responsible? I had a year left to pay on this vehicle and barely 120,000 miles. What is my recourse? How do I replace my vehicle? Please help.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. After the vehicle was serviced by an independent mechanic, the catalytic converter failed. As a result, the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
I parked my 2008 nissan altima 3.5 se in front of my house took groceries into the house I return to the car and it would not start. The key symbol was on. I can without pressing the brake change modes just wont start.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, a rattling noise emitted from the engine. There was decreased on engine rpms when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician indicated that the exhaust heat shield needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem who stated that they had trigger an unknown voluntary recall for the issue specified. The failure mileage was unknown.
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 [xxx] 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. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Had the oil changed at dealership. Upon driving back home the car would not start. I received the yellow key light on the dash and could not depress the brake pedal or start the car. I attempted to put in a new battery to the intelligent key and also jumpstart the vehicle. Still would not start. Nothing warns you of this issue and glad that I was not driving the vehicle when this happened or part failed. On the following date the vehicle was towed to the local dealership. On monday the 7th the car was diagnosed with the electric steering lock assembly failure. Same day I contacted nissan consumer affairs to find out there were no recalls nor would they offer any assistance or recall this part as they have on other similar models.
I was traveling on this date from cranberry township, pennsylvania where I work as an engineer at westinghouse headquarter office to west chester, ohio where my family reside for a family thanksgiving gathering. It was 6:30 am and it was snowing. The traffic ahead begin slowing down for some reason. The visibility was becoming quite poor. I was in the middle of the 3-lane I-79 heading south-west. Hence I wanted to put on my hazard signal to alert the traffic behind me of the danger ahead. In the process I pushed on the on/off start button. The engine died right away while I was traveling at 50 MPH. All control was immediately lost in the process. Unable to steer my car either left or right I pushed on the hazard button to alert the vehicle behind od my distress. Luckily for me, the fellow behind slowed down and stayed behind me until I brought my car to a full and complete stop in the middle of the highway and put it in park to restart the engine and slowly continue my trip without further incident. I was extremely scared and surprise that it was possible at all to kill the engine while at speed on the road in this vehicle. I do believe this is a major flaw that could have been quite serious under different circumstances. Imagine it happened down the mountain in west virginia where I was heading next..... Thank you
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate without warning. The vehicle was coasted to the side of the road where the engine was turned off, and after restarting the vehicle resumed normally. The failure recurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they informed the contact that the crank shaft and speed sensors would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
I pulled in a parking space, foot on the brake, and before I could put it in park the car accelerated and took off. The brakes would not stop the car. I went about twenty feet, over curbs, sidewalk, another parking space, avoiding cars, skid marks made, and finally directed the car toward a dumpster and it stopped. It is a miracle that someone in my path wasn't killed. The engine was pushed back and so the body shop connected with nissan considered it a total loss.
The following had to be fixed all on one visit: my alternator replaced; top motor mount replaced, brake sensor replaced, battery replaced, and had an oil cooler leak fixed. All was covered with my extended warranty ($858 otherwise). It has had a total of 4 batteries, 2 alternators, 2 manna folds (a recall), new shocks and struts (I paid for) and my transmission warranty was extended to 120,000 miles. (there was also another recall to the fuel tank but can't remember any specifics). I take great care of my car, have it maintained regularly, and only use quality gas. This is my fourth nissan and I am greatly disappointed in the quality. I am debating as to whether or not I should trade it in.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact stated that carbon monoxide was leaking into the vents from the exhaust manifold. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership, who stated that the manifold would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 87,000. Updated 02/13/13*lj updated 02/14/13
My daughter and I were about 30 minutes north of san antonio on our way home to dallas. In an instance my car stopped accelerating and the MPH declined. I checked to make sure the car was still in drive and it was. I pulled over as to not cause an accident and turned off my car. It took a few times to start it back as it would start and die. About the 3rd try it started and I revved the gas - it sounded normal so I drove to an autozone - it was the closest. I asked if they would check the computer to see what it said and they said it wouldn't read w/o a code. I took the car 10/1/12 to bankston nissan in dallas (the car drove fine all the way home) and they said it may be too much CVT fluid. Took it in and they couldn't duplicate the issue and the fluid was fine - did not need to be changed or anything. The tech said when it happens again to pull over and have it towed to a nissan - he thinks maybe since I restarted it may have cleared the codes. I asked if he thought it would happen again and he said yes. Looking online I see this same description and issue over and over again. I even called nissan consumer affairs and received a call back... This did not happen before when I had a master cylinder issue that was recalled 6 months later. Nissan at that time just said sorry. This time I got a call back inquiring, but then still get a sorry. I think something is up. They all seem to know the issue but w/o a code they wont replace the transmission under warranty. What if there is never a code??!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact stated that while traveling 5 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who confirmed that the motor mounts needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 52,385. Updated 10/17/12 *cn the repairs were made on 09/25/12. Updated 10/22/12
Vehicle was driving along with other normal traffic when it suddenly lost power and stalled on an incline. Driver carefully steered vehicle to a safe place downhill and called a towing company to tow vehicle to driver's residence. Upon visual inspection of engine compartment, a rubber seal on the ECM wiring harness was found buckled up. On trying to remove and re-insert the harness, it was found that ECM terminals had corroded and some pin contact had actually fallen off. Upon doing some research, this was found to be an issue covered under federal emissions warranty. Driver/owner called the local nissan dealership who immediately, presumably at their own expense, towed the car to their facility, checked and found the ECM to be faulty but blamed the faulty wiring harness for the failure. And further, the dealer claimed since the harness carries a 3 year warranty and was the "cause" of the ECM failure, this was no longer covered under federal emissions warranty resulting in a bill of $2,000+ for replacing the faulty - corroded - wiring harness and the faulty ECM. Attempts to have the dealer do more research or contact nissan USA for advise fell on deaf ears. If the car had stalled on high speed and caused fatalities on the highway, would these repairs then have been "part" of federal emissions warranty coverage for publicity purposes? It is out of sheer luck that 1. The car stalled while going downhill and, 2. The car was traveling at 40 miles per hour. I desperately need advise on this while I await for delivery of a special order for the ECM and harness. In the meantime, my rental car expenses are piling up and are not covered by any warranty.
I was driving the car normally when I noticed the light " check engine soon" turned on. I stopped the car at tires plus and asked to check the oil. The diagnosis was that there was no oil circulation. I was advised to not drive the car and tow it to the nissan dealer. Tires plus also provided me with a technical service bulletin issued by nissan (classification ec07-014, reference # ntb08-17, issued on january 22nd, 2008) reporting problems with the ivt solenoid valve for some vehiclesmanufactured in 2008. My VIN was included in that range of vins informed in the technical bulletin. I towed the car to the nissan dealer and contacted consumer affairs. Nissan is rejecting the claim because the car is out of the warranty. Also, nissan is saying that the problem was absence of oil and they found sludge. They are asking me assume the costs if they open the engine to investigate the problem.I am afraid that the engine is damaged.
I have experienced several incidences where when pressing the brake & trying to start the car (by the push start ignition) the car will not turn over. All electrical components in the vehicle will turn on (radio, power windows, air, etc) but the car will not start. I've had the battery tested numerous times and it always passes as a good battery. After doing some research online, I found several forums where others have complained about the same problem with their 2008 nissan altimas. From the sounds of it, it might be a problem with a brake cable. With as many other complaints that I've seen on this, how come there hasn't been a recall issued?
This is a vehicle that is meticulously maintained and it uses excessive amounts of oil, 2 to 3+ quarts every 1000 to 2000 miles. It is the same type of vehicle, nissan altima 2.5l engine, that was recalled for the same issue in 2006. I have seen many other owners complaining of the same issue, on web boards and complaints on the federal safety agency, only to have the dealer tell them that the drive train warranty has been exceeded and the motor needs to be replaced at the customers' expense. This seems to be an ongoing engine manufacturing issue that nissan is trying not to take responsibility for.
Rattling noise coming from underneath the car. I question this everytime I take my car in for service back to 2008 and everytime I get the same answer "it's normal, it's just the heat shield plate heating up and cooling down. It doesn't affect the safety & function of the vehicle and there is no fix for it". It's amazing I paid $30k for a car that rattles on regular basis and there is no fix for it. You would think after the many complaints on this nissan could atleast come up with a fix! They say it does not affect the function/safety of the vehicle but I beg to differ, I get hesitations when the accelerator is pressed. If this was "normal" then every car sold would make this noise but they don't so it's obviously not normal and a problem.
2008 nissan altima sedan belt tensioner bolts failed. One bolt still located in the tensioner pulley hole along with a piece of either the back timing cover or the lower engine cover. Firestone and nissan claim to be astonished how this happened. Damages are now estimated to be in the range of $3,900 with 20 hours of labor to remove the engine and replace the cover.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. The contact noticed a loud ticking noise coming from the front end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that there was a crack in the exhaust manifold. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The contact was awaiting a service appointment with the dealer for repairs, since it was covered under the warranty. The approximate failure mileage was 39,000 and the current mileage was 40,000.
2008 nissan altima, purchased november 2007. While traveling on the merritt parkway in conneticut, the service engine light came on, and there was a loss of power. After pulling off to the side of the road, black smoke started coming from the engine compartment and a few seconds later, the car erupted in flames. The car is a total loss and pictures are available if required.
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. While the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that carbon monoxide was leaking into the vehicle because a cracked weld on the front exhaust pipe. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was awaiting a response. The failure mileage was 60,154. The current mileage was 30,631. Updated 2/28/11 *cn the consumer stated the vehicle was repaired. Updated 05/20/11
I bought a car in march 2009. Last saturday, may 15 2010, I was driving to my friend graduation,shortly after leaving houston,I started seeing smoke coming from the hood of the car. Alarmed, I pulled my car over as far as I could and decided to step outside to see where the smoke where coming from. I popped the hood, saw flames. I had gotten a few hundred feet away and watch my car burn. Helpless. I do not understand how a car would catch fire by itself.I really believe that the fire wasn't the result of my negligence . I have done all my maintenance and every thing. And now that it happened,I made some research and it turns out that some of the model of nissan altima was subject to a recall and it fits the profile sort of speak.
Vehicle rides unstable. Sharp turns causes car to become unstable, loses controls of turn. Tires or rims unbalanced. Have vehicle seem many times and the problem can not be corrected. Neither representative would confirm problem. Told by american tires sale associate, nissan will not reimburse them for correcting the problems. They rebalanced the tires, but this did not correct the problem. Advise right front tire problem, but they would not give a write up on the problem. My vehicle has had too many recalls. Hanlees richmond hilltop nissan should have known about the many recalls, prior to selling this vehicle. March 26, 2009 had car in for servicing, driver seat broken, brake hardware damaged - brakes replaced. Mileage at time of servicing 12,800. I had complained about these problems from day one. I spoke with the finance associate about replacing the car, but he refused.. I have noted from servicing order on march 26, 2009 - heat shield problem - high RPM on initial startup. Antioch service advisor did not address this matter, because nissan has not issued a correction order on this as of today. This is a brand new car that has many problems from the first day of purchase! I have tried so many times to get help from the service center as well as nissan consumer services. Not help!!!
I bought my car in july 2008 from power nissan of tempe, az about a month or so later I noticed when driving my car for more than 5 miles around town. I would smell an overheating odor and my car would start driving very sluggish. Car was slow to accelerate. My temperature gage on the dash has never indicated that the car was overheating. I took the car into the nearest dealership and reported the problem. I left my car overnight with them and picked it up the next day with them telling me that they could not find a leak anywhere. So I took the car home. No sooner than that I started to smell the again. So I pulled over and looked under the hood to find that the antifreeze was leaking out of the overflow cap. There are remainders of antifreeze still on the oveflow container. I took it back to the dealership and reported the problem again. I was told that all the nissans are doing that and it was normal. As long as the temperature gage wasn't reading hot. I don't think this is normal and someone needs to look into this defect asap! Im getting nowhere with nissan.
I was driving on the highway traveling 65mph when all of a sudden there was a loud popping sound and I could hear noise under the car, all the lights on my dash lit up, check engine light, coolant light, battery, I then lost power steering and lost acceleration, cars were speeding by me and I coasted to the off ramp. I got towed to the dealer but service dept was closed because it was sunday. The following day the service dept. Called and said the car was repaired. My husband went to get the car and they had said that it was the retentioner belt and that the pulley had sheared off. They said they had a customer the week before with the same problem. We also understand that nissan was aware of this faulty part.
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