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2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE CVT

The 2008 Nissan Altima Coupe 3.5 SE CVT is a 270-hp 3.5-liter V6 coupe with a xtronic cvt and front-wheel drive. It starts at $25,531 MSRP and is rated at 22 mpg combined.

It makes 270 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 258 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (22 mpg combined).

The Altima measures 182.5 inches long on a 105.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,271 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeCoupe
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$25,531 ($38,540 *)
MSRP with Destination$26,156 ($39,483 *)
Destination Charge$625
Engine
Engine Type3.5L V6 (VQ35DE)
Displacement3.5 L
Horsepower270 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque258 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 24-valve
Injection TypeSequential Multi-Port Fuel Injection (SMPI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
TransmissionXtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
1st Gear2.37
Reverse1.77
Final Drive5.17
Fuel Economy
City19 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined22 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium
Tank Capacity20 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent strut
Rear SuspensionMulti-link
Front Stabilizer Bar0.95 in
Rear Stabilizer Bar0.72 in
Brakes
Front Brake Disc11.7 in x 1.02 in, vented
Rear Brake Disc11.5 in x 0.35 in
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front17 x 7.5 in
Wheels Rear17 x 7.5 in
Tires FrontP215/55R17
Tires RearP215/55R17
Dimensions & Weight
Length182.5 in
Width70.7 in
Height55.3 in
Wheelbase105.3 in
Front Track60.7 in
Rear Track60.4 in
Cargo Volume7.4 ft³
Curb Weight3,271 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front37.2 in
Headroom Rear35.6 in
Legroom Front42.5 in
Legroom Rear34.4 in
Shoulder Room Front53.9 in
Shoulder Room Rear52.4 in
Hip Room Front54.2 in
Hip Room Rear47.6 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2008 Nissan Altima 2-DR. w/SAB
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2008 Nissan Altima 4-DR. w/SAB: overall not rated

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2008 Nissan ALTIMA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Sep 10, 2010 · EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 10V401000

Oct 7, 2008 · AIR BAGS

NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.

NHTSA campaign 08V521000

Jul 31, 2008 · SUSPENSION

NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,018 MY 2008 ALTIMA VEHICLES. THE LEFT SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.

Consequence: IF THE BOLT WERE TO COME OUT, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT TO SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 08V363000

Dec 28, 2007 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.

Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 07V599000

1,030 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2008 Nissan ALTIMA

Owner Complaints

1,030 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Nissan ALTIMA (54 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 27 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Structure312
Unknown Or Other199
Visibility/Wiper168
Air Bags142
Service Brakes93
Electrical System90
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 5, 2026 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic Crash 1 injury
“The contact's mother owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her mother was driving 20 MPH, the brakes suddenly stopped responding when the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle…”
Sep 28, 2026 · Suspension, Fuel/Propulsion System
“just reporting same issues suspension is horrible and problem with fuel. code p0955 and p2a00”
Apr 25, 2026 · Unknown Or Other
“Like many others in this make/model, dashboard is melting, resulting in glare onto windshield, off-gassing of chemicals, and concerns that airbags may not properly deploy. Inspected only by vehicle…”
Oct 30, 2025 · Unknown Or Other
“Had to have AC system repaired three times for the same issue. Evaporator/Heater Core needed to be replaced twice along with other repairs to AC system. Nissan would not back up evaporator repair.”
Oct 30, 2025 · Air Bags
“Passenger air bag indicator light has been on for 2 years and have been unable to locate issue. All air bag systems test good except error code for passenger side air bag.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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