Vehicle hesitates to shift the transmission during acceleration. Most noticeable while the vehicle is going up an hill. The transmission produce a whining sound if the pedal is depressed to increase the acceleration. Transmission was replaced at just below 33,000 miles by the dealer. The ABS motor is running intermittently when the surface is dry and no rain or snow. This car was…
2008 Nissan Maxima body problems
moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
When does it fail?
Of the 16 body complaints filed for the 2008 Nissan Maxima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 11 model years of Nissan Maxima in our records for body problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Body accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Prospective buyers of 2008 Maximas should inspect floorboards and undercarriage carefully, particularly the driver and passenger sides, as severe rust-through is a recurring issue that can compromise vehicle safety and pass inspections. Nissan has not offered recalls or warranty assistance for this defect, and repair costs run $600–$850 or higher.
The dominant issue across these complaints is premature floorboard rust on 2008 Maximas. Owners consistently describe holes rusted completely through the driver and passenger side floor pans—typically discovered around 5–7 years old. The corrosion traps moisture between floor layers, a structural defect owners say results from poor sealing during manufacturing. Multiple owners report the carpet is literally the only barrier between their feet and the road; one body shop refused to work on a vehicle due to severity. Repair costs run $600–$850 and include cutting out rusted sections, welding new supports and floorboards, then resealing and repairing carpet. One owner's vehicle failed state inspection because of the rust. Nissan has declined all warranty assistance on out-of-warranty vehicles. A TODAY Show report in April 2015 covered the same issue on Nissan Altima models, suggesting this is a platform-wide defect. Secondary issues include rust on hood and door hinges, an unexplained front hood-to-bumper gap that dealers could not correct, and one report of a sunroof spontaneously shattering at highway speed with no impact.
Same Nissan Maxima body reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Floorboard Rust-Through
Severe corrosion of driver and passenger side floor pans, creating holes that penetrate through to the interior. Moisture trapped between floor layers causes accelerated rust. Owners report the carpet is the only barrier between their feet and the road surface.
When: 5-7 years old; complaints filed around 2014-2015
Symptoms owners cite: Visible holes rusted through floorboards on driver and passenger sides; Foot sinking into soft floorboard material; Undercarriage completely rusted out on front passenger side; Moisture/water damage visible underneath vehicle when lifted; Carpet worn through or failing to contain structural deterioration
Repairs/costs cited: Body shops quoted $600–$850 for repairs, which include cutting out rusted sections, welding in new supports, installing new floorboards, resealing, and carpet repair. One owner reported body shop refused to work on vehicle due to severity.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined warranty coverage on all out-of-warranty vehicles; owner noted TODAY Show (April 6, 2015) covered similar issue on Nissan Altima, suggesting platform-wide defect awareness.
Hood and Door Hinge Rust
Corrosion of hood and door hinges. One narrative mentions this alongside floorboard rust and transmission issues, indicating broader corrosion problems on the vehicle body.
When: Not specified; noted alongside other age-related defects
Symptoms owners cite: Visible rust on hood hinges; Visible rust on door hinges
Front Hood-to-Bumper Gap
Large gap between front hood and front bumper present at 15,000 miles. Authorized dealer inspected and confirmed the bumper was built to factory standards but could not repair the alignment issue.
When: First noticed at 15,000 miles; reported at 30,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Large visible gap between front hood and front bumper; Misalignment of front end panels
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to repair; stated bumper met factory standards.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Authorized dealer inspection; no repair performed
Sunroof Spontaneous Shattering
Sunroof shattered without impact while vehicle was being driven at highway speed. No external contact or debris noted before failure.
When: Occurred during highway driving; exact mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Sunroof spontaneously shattered into multiple pieces while driving at 60 mph; No impact, falling object, or nearby vehicle reported
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Floor boards have rusted out to carpet on both sides of the vehicle. Car is 5 years old and now a safety hazard. I am the original owner, has been well taken care of. *tr
Floorboards rusted out.
Driver and passenger floor rusted big whole on both side. Just look under the car this week when I took it to the mechanic
Had body trouble with your 2008 Nissan Maxima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the body problem on the 2008 Nissan Maxima?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $1,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 92,000 and 148,000 miles, with the median around 115,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 92,000; a quarter make it past 148,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,500 for body repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to body?
No active recalls currently cover body issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Nissan/Maxima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.