KnownCarProblems2008 Nissan Maxima Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 79 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Maxima, most often about the air bags (29% of complaints, typically around 67,500 miles). It is 16th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2008 Nissan Maxima problems
Air bags
23 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles.
I noticed a small crack on the passenger side dash. The small crack has grown to 4 inches. There is a clear "line" that the crack is following - and it appears to be exactly where the air bag would deploy. The dealership suggested that someone used a knife or scissors on the dash?? No vinyl repair shop will attempt a…
Air bag warning light came on. I took same to Nissan dealership service center and had a diagnostic test done on it which cost me $98.00 and the advised me that the air bag spring is weak, air bag has never been deploy and then the tell me if in an accident it may/may not deploy. (also if hit a hard enough bump it may…
Body and structure
21 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 98,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
After seeing a today show report earlier in 2015 about under carriage rust in Nissan altima's, I decided I should take a look underneath my 2008 Maxima. Sure enough, there are two large holes rusted all the way through on the driver and passenger side in the same spot. I was a little infuriated that the today show…
I noticed that there was rust on the passenger side undercarriage of my 2008 Nissan Maxima. When I put the vehicle on a lift I was stunned to see that the entire front passenger side undercarriage is completely rusted out and the drivers side is starting to rust. I contacted Nissan and they basically said too bad. Is…
Wheels and tires
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 9,000 miles. Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
2nd tire defective - goodyear eagle rsa tire- car has only 7639 miles on it and this is the second tire on the car that had to be replace with the same issue .
Complete tire blow out of front passenger side. Car was traveling @60 miles per hour. 2nd car with goodyear eagles on Nissan Maxima. Recalled tires on 2004. 2008 has same issue. Wait for recall again? Or wait until someone is killed? The car had 10,000 miles.
Transmission
8 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I left the ignition on and it ran the battery went down , when I realized the battery was dead we charged the battery next day I got in to drive the car the transmission was like in 1st gear of the 6 speed auto transmission , I was out of state and found a dealership it took them a week to replace it, but they did…
The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while at a complete stop and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the crank and cam sensors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was contacted…
Engine
7 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles.
While waiting for a traffic light to turn green the car stalled. Had to turn the car starter several times before the car would start again. The dealer diagnosed the issue as a failed cam and crank shaft sensor. Prior to this incident the car had trouble starting and would stall when the engine was cold. The dealer…
The timing chain tensioners prematurely wear, causing a whining noise as the chain rubs against the tensioner while the vehicle is turned on. This wear eventually grinds through the tensioner resulting in complete engine failure which can lead to a crash or injury. This began to happen for me just outside of the…
Electrical
6 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 77,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
When trying to adjust drivers side seat, the seat will not adjust but will eventually adjust after the driver has already started to drive. The seat then adjusts all the way to the front which puts the driver as close as possible to the steering wheel and also puts the drivers feet close to the brake and gas pedal…
The local dealer repair department eliminated the flashing air bag light on the dashboard with an adjustment to the computer. A few weeks later, the air bag light flashed again. This time, the same dealer replaced the passenger seat belt and the flashing light was extinguished. Again a few weeks later the same event…
Speed control
4 complaints · 5%The airbag system stopped working. The airbag light continues to flash and the cruise control has stopped working. The vehicle was stationary when this started.
My car accelerated causing damage to mailbox, telephones pole and I don't know what else? And myself, along with other people could have been seriously hurt, was driving down the street when a car pulled in front of me, I swerved to keep from hitting them, when I did that my car accelerated to high speed, while my…
Steering
4 complaints · 5%Tl contact owns a 2008 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that her vehicle cannot make a u-turn. The turns are too short for the steering wheel and not sharp enough for the vehicle. The dealer stated that the vehicle was designed in that manner. The contact stated that she will call the manufacturer and file a…
I got into my car and tried to start it and the ignition would not turn. This has happen several times since we purchased the car october 2007. We were told it was a built in safety factor and just turn the steering wheel and it would work. Well I tried to turn the wheel several times and it would not budge. I then…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Nissan Maxima recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Transmission hose leak
Summary
This pe was opened for model year (my) 2008 nissan maxima vehicles based on early warning data that the automatic transmission cooler hose may have pinholes and/or cracks resulting in a transmission fluid leak.the leaked fluid can contact the exhaust system and ignite.nissan has shown that the root cause of the pinholes and/or cracks in the hose is excessive stress during the manufacture forming process resulting in hose deformation at loading onto a mandrel, or damage during un-loading.regarding loading stress, nissan states, when excessive stress is applied while loading the hose onto the mandrel, hose deformation (which looks like a bulge) can occur around the bending area.a crack will st
Questions about the 2008 Nissan Maxima
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Nissan Maxima?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: air bags (23 complaints, typically around 67,500 miles); body and structure (21 complaints, typically around 98,000 miles); wheels and tires (8 complaints, typically around 9,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Nissan Maxima have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2008 Nissan Maxima. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Nissan Maxima?
- It is 16th of 24 Maxima model years by number of complaints, with 79 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.