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2008 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 Nissan Maxima has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Floorboard and undercarriage rust corrosion.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 Nissan Maxima.

Reported to NHTSA

Floorboard and undercarriage rust corrosion

STRUCTURE

15 NHTSA complaints · 2013-12 → 2023-01

“FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED OUT TO CARPET ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD AND NOW A SAFETY HAZARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10555370
“I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA AND I NOTICED THAT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THE FLOOR BOARD IS RUSTED PRETTY BAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10992782
“MY 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA SL FLOORBOARDS HAVE RUSTED ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE RUST WAS SO BAD, THE CAR WOULD NOT PASS THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA VEHICLE INSPECTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10836800

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission failure and replacement

POWER TRAIN

7 NHTSA complaints · 2008-08 → 2019-11

“I WAS BACKING THE CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE CAR STOPPED MOVING IN REVERSE AND MOVED FORWARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10252900
“HAVE A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA AND JUST FOUND OUT I NEED A TRANSMISSION AFTER ONLY HAVING IT 2YRS ..DEALER NEVER TOLD ME THAT IT HAD A PROBLEM WHEN HE SOLD TO ME”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162962
“WHEN I SHIFT THE GEARS FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE AND VICE VERSA - I CAN HEAR THE CLIKING AS IT SHIFT S AND JERKS AS IT DOES IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10237925

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread and sidewall failure on factory Goodyear tires

TIRES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2008-05 → 2008-10

“COMPLETE TIRE BLOW OUT OF FRONT PASSENGER SIDE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10245454
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10243784
“NOTICED NEW TIRE - APPROX 3400 MILES HAD A BUBBLE IN THE SIDE WALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10229190

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light and occupant sensor malfunction

AIR BAGS

17 NHTSA complaints · 2008-04 → 2020-02

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11244206
“AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARS AT ALL TIMES ON DASHBOARD BLINKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10995439
“AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10871548

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dashboard cracking near passenger air bag panel

AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2015-01 → 2017-10

“MY PASSAGE SIDE AIR BAG LEATHER IS SPLITTING!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11035939
“I NOTICED A SMALL CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DASH. THE SMALL CRACK HAS GROWN TO 4 INCHES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10692507
“I STARTED NOTICING A CRACK IN THE DASHBOARD - PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT IN THE SUMMER. THE CRACK CONTINUES TO GROW AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE AIRBAG IS ABOUT TO BURST OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10671144

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stall from camshaft or crankshaft sensor failure

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2019-03

“THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS PREMATURELY WEAR, CAUSING A WHINING NOISE AS THE CHAIN RUBS AGAINST THE TENSIONER WHILE THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11192618
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10950158
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THAT DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A LOUD TICKING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10524522

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

68 crashes 1990–2024

How the 68 occupant deaths break down

51

driver deaths

17

passenger deaths

68

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2007 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

0

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 Nissan Maxima reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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