2008 Nissan Altima MPG
The 2008 Nissan Altima gets 19–23 mpg in the city and 26–32 on the highway (22–26 combined), across the 8 gasoline versions the EPA rated.
The most efficient pairs the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive, at 26 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 3.5-liter 6-cylinder engine with a CVT and front-wheel drive and is rated 22 mpg combined. The EPA also rated a hybrid version, the best at 34 mpg combined.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altima Hybrid | 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 | 33 | 34 | Regular · 261 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 31 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 2.5 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | Regular · 342 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Premium · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima Coupe | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Premium · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Premium · 404 g CO₂/mi |
| Altima | 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Premium · 404 g CO₂/mi |
2008 Nissan Altima fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2008 Nissan Altima costs about $2,510 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (26 mpg combined), or roughly 17 cents a mile.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2008 Nissan Altima specs
2008 Nissan Altima buyers could choose between 3 engines, according to EPA records: 2.5 L 4-cyl, 3.5 L 6-cyl and 2.5 L 4-cyl hybrid. It came with continuously variable (CVT) and manual transmissions, with front-wheel drive. The EPA classes it as a midsize car.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 3.5 L | 6 | Automatic (variable gear ratios); Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 2.5 L hybrid | 4 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2008 Nissan Altima problems
Owners have filed 1,046 complaints about the 2008 Nissan Altima with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Structure is the most-reported area (22% of component mentions), followed by visibility/wiper (12%) and air bags (11%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 55 complaints a year: fewer than the 2009 (89 a year).
That ranks 5th of 17 Nissan Altima model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 1,046, 58 mention a crash, 14 a fire and 27 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 313 | 22% |
| Unknown or other | 199 | 14% |
| Visibility/wiper | 168 | 12% |
| Air bags | 148 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 93 | 7% |
| Power train | 81 | 6% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 60 | 4% |
| Engine | 57 | 4% |
| Vehicle speed control | 38 | 3% |
| Steering | 37 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 36 | 3% |
| Seats | 24 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 2% |
| Visibility | 21 | 2% |
| Suspension | 16 | 1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 15 | 1% |
| Tires | 13 | <1% |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | <1% |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 9 | <1% |
| Wheels | 9 | <1% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | <1% |
| Seat belts | 7 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 5 | <1% |
| Equipment | 3 | <1% |
| Child seat | 2 | <1% |
| Electric service brakes | 2 | <1% |
| Equipment adaptive/mobility | 1 | <1% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | <1% |
| Other fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
The dashboard of the car melted that causes a very bright glare.
Glare off dash board is blinding on sunny days. Dashboard is melting, the melted dash reflection is distraciton/ binding on sunny days, and smell from dash is not pleasant. …
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.
2008 Nissan Altima recalls
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 Nissan Altima.
The most recent, campaign 10V401000 from September 2010, concerns equipment.
Electrical system accounts for 2 of the 4 campaigns, more than any other area.
08V521000 · October 7, 2008 · Electrical system, Air bags
Problem: 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).
Risk: 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.
08V363000 · July 31, 2008 · Suspension
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
07V599000 · December 28, 2007 · Electrical system
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Altima years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10V401000 | September 10, 2010 | Equipment | 2008–2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA has not published 5-star crash ratings for the 2008 Nissan Altima.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Nissan Altimas can be compared fairly. Among other 2008 models in the EPA's midsize cars class, the 2008 Chevy Malibu (25 mpg), 2008 Kia Optima (25 mpg) and 2008 Toyota Camry (25 mpg) come closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 34 | 1,046 | 55 | 4 |
| 2009 | 34 | 1,601 | 89 | 4 |
| 2010 | 34 | 393 | 23 | 3 |
| 2011 | 33 | 246 | 15 | 1 |
Every Nissan Altima model year compared →
Similar 2008 models
FAQ
Is the 2008 Altima a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2008 Nissan Altima has 55 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (5th most of 17 model years), 4 recall campaigns and up to 34 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2008 Altima problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are structure (313), visibility/wiper (168) and air bags (148). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2008 Altima have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Altima get?
The EPA rates the gasoline versions at 22–26 mpg combined (19–23 city, 26–32 highway). The hybrid version reaches up to 34 mpg combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Altima per year?
About $2,510 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).