2008 Nissan Altima
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 1,029 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.
Of the 2008 reports, 53 involved a crash and 13 involved a fire. 33 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Equipment, electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)Sep 10, 2010
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.
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
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.
Campaign 10V401000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bagsOct 7, 2008
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).
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 08V521000 on NHTSA.gov
SuspensionJul 31, 2008
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.
IF THE BOLT WERE TO COME OUT, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 08V363000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, ignition, moduleDec 28, 2007
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.
DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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.
Campaign 07V599000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: service brakes
92 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Feb 5, 2013
I HAD NOTICED MONTHS AGO THAT THE BRAKE PERFORMANCE WAS NOT UP TO PAR, BUT AS CONDITIONS WERE GENERALLY DRY, IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. I DID HAVE NEW ROTORS AND PADS INSTALLED AT 50,000 MILES, BUT HAD NO BETTER BRAKE PERFORMANCE. AS SOON AS WE EXPERIENCED SNOWY/ICY CONDITIONS IT BECAME A PROBLEM AS THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN SLIDE WITH THE BRAKES LOCKED, EVEN THOUGH SNOW TIRES WERE INSTALLED. I THEN DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING AT ALL, AND THE HASH MARKS FROM MANUFACTURES GRINDING ON THE NEW REAR DISCS WAS VIRTUALLY UNTOUCHED. THE REAR BRAKES WERE BLED, AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF AIR IN THE LINE WHICH POINTED TO A PROBLEM UPSTREAM. WITH THE REAR OF THE CAR RAISED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL FULLY DEPRESSED, THE REAR WHEELS COULD STILL BE TURNED BY HAND. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER IS WEEPING AT THE BOOSTER. *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 1, 2012
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, I WROTE THIS LETTER TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND TO THE CEO OF NISSAN: DEAR [XXX], MY NAME IS [XXX]AND I AM A CURRENT OWNER OF A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. FOR THE PAST THREE WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH NISSAN'S WEST COAST REGIONAL OFFICE IN REGARDS TO ISSUES I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING WITH MY CAR. I HAVE BEEN TREATED VERY POORLY AND I AM ASTONISHED AND DISGRACED BY BOTH ONE OF YOUR NISSAN DEALERSHIPS HERE IN LOS ANGELES AND BY YOUR CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVES. AS A LEADER MYSELF FOR ONE OF THE MOST VALUABLE COMPANY'S IN THE WORLD, I HAVE FOUND MYSELF AT A LOSS FOR WORDS. [XXX], A MAN WHO HAS BEEN EMPOWERED TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR NISSAN, STATED BY BRETT LOCHER, HIS SUPERVISOR, HAS DECIDED THAT NISSAN SHOULD NOT FIX THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING SINCE THE FIRST DAY I LEASED THE CAR. I WAS LIED TO BY THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY VEHICLE HAD TEMPORARY BATTERY ISSUES. LATER ON IN THE YEAR, I EXPERIENCED SIMILAR ISSUES. I WAS ADVISED BY YOUR DEALERSHIP IN GLENDALE, CA TO PAY FOR A NEW BATTERY EXCHANGE. AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, I EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUES UNTIL RECENTLY WHEN MY CAR BECAME INACTIVE TO THE THE START/STOP IGNITION SWITCH NOT RESPONDING WITH THE BRAKE HARNESS. ALTHOUGH I ADVISED YOUR REPRESENTATIVES THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WAY BEFORE MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY CONTINUED TO EXPLAIN TO ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THE CAR WITHOUT CHARGE BECAUSE NOW ITS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR HAS AROUND 29,000 MILES AND HAS NEVER NEEDED SERVICE. I AM DISAPPOINTED FROM AN ETHICAL STANDPOINT AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY CAR FIXED. IT'S TIME FOR NISSAN TO STOP SERVING CRACKERS AND CHEESE AND BEGIN TO SERVE CAVIAR FOR CUSTOMER RETENTION. [XXX] CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS NEEDED! MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS ALL OVER THE NET. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Oct 12, 2012
PRESSED ON THE BRAKE WHILE PUSHING START BUTTON TO START CAR. CAR COULDN'T RECOGNIZE PRESSURE ON BRAKE AND WOULDN'T START. THIS HAPPENED ON 20+ OCCASIONS. AFTER A PERIOD OF 10-30 MINUTES EACH TIME, CAR WOULD EVENTUALLY START. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 25, 2012
THE PUSH START ENGINE IGNITION DEPENDS UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO START THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD NOT BE PRESSED COMPLETELY IN ORDER FOR THE PUSH START TO OPERATE CORRECTLY. THIS HAS SINCE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. WE MUST PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL A NUMBER OF TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. ACCORDING TO THE AUTO DEALER THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROBLEM BUT UPON SEARCH OF THE INTERNET I HAVE FOUND MANY CASES OF SIMILAR PROBLEM. NISSAN DEALER OFFERS TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PART AT A FEE. REQUEST THAT NISSAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAULTY BRAKE BUTTON THAT APPEARS TO BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM ON MANY NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Service brakes, Sep 14, 2012
I HAVE 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 S WHICH HAS PUSH BUTTON START. I.E. PERSON HAS TO PUSH BUTTON AND PRESS BRAKE AT SAME TIME TO START THE ENGINE. THERE IS A SWITCH / SENSOR NEAR BRAKE PEDAL WHICH SENDS SIGNAL THAT BRAKE HAS BEEN PRESSED (AND ALSO TURNS ON REAR BRAKE LIGHTS). ONE DAY, ALL OF SUDDEN, WHEN I TRIED TO START CAR IT DIDN'T START. IT KEEP SAYING PRESS BRAKE (ACCESSORIES / RADIO ETC ALL TURN ON). SO THE CYCLE OF ACCESSORIES - ON- OFF KEPT ON HAPPENING. I THOUGHT BATTERY IS WEAK AND EVEN TRIED JUMP START. SO, AFTER TRYING PUSHING BRAKE + BUTTON FOR 30MINUTES , CAR FINALLY STARTED. THIS HAPPENED 2-3 TIMES AND I GOT VERY FRUSTRATED....FINALLY I STARTED READING ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. MANY PEOPLE HAVE POSTED SAME COMPLAIN / ISSUE. THEY SUGGESTED TO CHECK WHETHER REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TURN ON WHEN I PRESS BRAKE OR NOT.. IF NOT THEN THE SWITCH IS BAD .. I SAW MANY PEOPLE WERE ABLE TO FIX PROBLEM BY REPLACING SWITCH ($50 EXPENSE). I DID THE SAME AND CAR HAS BEEN WORKING FINE SINCE THEN (2-3 MONTHS). DEALER TRIES TO CHARGE $150 ONLY FOR SWITCH AND THEN $500 FOR OTHER STUFF TO ELIMINATE ROOT CAUSE OF ISSUE.. AS MANY PEOPLE ARE EFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE, I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT NISSAN SHOULD RECALL AND FIX THIS ISSUE AT THEIR COST. DEALERS ARE MAKING TONS OF MONEY OFF 2007-2008 ALTIMA OWNERS. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 7, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE START THE VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BRAKE SWITCH FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,310 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
Service brakes, Aug 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE ATTEMPTED TO USE THE PUSH BUTTON IGNITION START AND APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES SEIZED ABNORMALLY AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE CONTACT PLAYED AROUND WITH SEVERAL WIRES ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Service brakes, May 18, 2012
THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. IT LEAKED FLUID ONTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER CAUSING THE BOOSTER TO FAIL. WHEN RELEASED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD STAY DEPRESSED MOMENTARILY AND THEN POP UP ABRUPTLY AND THEN WHEN DEPRESSED AGAIN THE BRAKES WOULD GRAB. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Exterior lighting, Mar 20, 2012
STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO ACTIVATE BRAKE-LIGHTS,WHICH ALSO INHIBITS STARTER.IF BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK ONCE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE BEEN REPAIRING THING FOR 50 YEARS AND AM 99.9% SURE THE PINS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCHES ARE HANGING UP INSIDE THE BORES,SINCE WEDGING SNOW SCRAPER AGAINST BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHING PLUNGERS UNTIL THEY POPPED ALL THE WAY OUT ALLOWS STARTING. PHONING A NISSAN DEALER'S PARTS DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED AVAILABILITY THEN GAVE ME A PRICE OF $39.17 FOR SWITCH(ES). NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO HUNCHING UNDER THE DASH,I TALKED TO SERVICE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH TO INSTALL.AN "IMPROVED BRAKE WIRING HARNESS"IS NEEDED FOR "RARE" OCCURRENCES AT COST OF $238 AND LABOR OF $149.WHEN I ASKED IF THIS MIGHT BE A RECALL OR UNDER WARRANTY HE SAID"COULD NOT MAKE ANY MONEY" THAT WAY. IF IT IS A DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION PROBLEM NISSAN SHOULD EAT THE COST.INTERNET SEARCH HAS SOME DEALER RECOMMENDING PUSHING HARDER ON PEDAL OR POUNDING-PULSING.SOME REPLACED SWITCHES SHOWED PITTING OF CONTACTS{TOO MUCH CURRENT TOO OFTEN?} DO DOZENS OF CARS HAVE TO GET REAR-ENDED BEFORE ACTION TAKES PLACE??????????????????????? OR DOES MY WIFE HAVE TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T START AND SHE WILL LOSE HER JOB? *JS *KB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 12, 2012
PURSUANT TO APPEARANCE OF BRAKE WARNING LIGHT VEHICLE TAKEN TO NISSAN DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 12, 2012
BRAKE LIGHT BEGAN GOING ON/OFF INTERMITTENTLY STARTING ON JANUARY 10, 2012. DEFINITELY MORE COMMON ON DAYS WITH TEMPS AT FREEZING OR BELOW. LIGHT WOULD EVENTUALLY GO OUT ONCE CAR WARMED UP, BUT WOULD COME BACK ON AFTER USING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. BRAKES DID SEEM TO STOP OKAY, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE A FEW TIMES VERY RECENTLY THAT THEY MADE AN UNUSUAL NOISE. CHECKED/ADDED BRAKE FLUID SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS. HAD CAR SERVICED AT LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP LAST WEEK AND WAS TOLD THAT MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED REPLACED DUE TO A LEAK. COST WAS $100 OUT OF POCKET -- REMAINDER COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AS MY VEHICLE NOW HAS 41,494 MILES ON IT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 23, 2012
THE FOOT BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY DURING DRIVING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 8, 2012
I TOOK MY CAR FOR SERVICE AT THE NISSAN DEALER FOR A OIL CHANGE AND TO CHECK UP MY BRAKES PAD BECAUSE THE CAR FEEL WEIRD WHEN BRAKING. COME TO FIND OUT THAT MY BRAKE PADS ARE GOOD BUT MY MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING . I REFUSE TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE BECAUSE THIS IS A MANUFACTURE PROBLEM BECAUSE MY BRAKES LIGHT HASN'T CAME ON. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IF THIS IS A DEFECT FROM MANUFACTURER BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO REPLACE IT AND THEY HAVE MORE THAN 400,000 CARS REPORT IT THEIR SYSTEM. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 5, 2012
BRAKE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON, SUGGESTING I NEED TO ADD BRAKE FLUID. I'VE READ THIS IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL AND PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO SPEND A LOT TO REPLACE A LEAKY MASTER CYLINDER. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL TO CORRECT THIS DEFECT. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 24, 2012
LEAKING MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED BRAKE LIGHT AND VDC/SLIP LIGHTS TO COME ON INTERMITTENTLY. MY CAR HAS 54,000 MILES. THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AT 31,000 MILES, BUT THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS MY BRAKE PADS AND REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS AT THAT TIME. THE BRAKES HAVE SQUEAKED HORRIBLY SINCE THE PADS WERE REPLACED. NOW HAVING TROUBLE FINDING A PART BECAUSE APPARENTLY THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY, MANY NISSAN OWNERS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 22, 2012
BRAKE LAMP SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED AT 10000 (APRIL 2009) AND 43000 (JANUARY 2012) MILES, AND REPLACED. WHEN THIS OCCURS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED, WHICH IS A HAZARD THAT COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. BECAUSE BRAKE MUST BE APPLIED FOR ENGINE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WILL ALSO NOT START. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 22, 2012
THE BRAKE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING INTERMITTENTLY EVEN THOUGH THE HAND-BRAKE WASN'T ON AND THERE WAS NO NOTICEABLE PROBLEM DURING BRAKING. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I RELUCTANTLY AGREED TO PAY THE $560 FOR THE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID IT WAS NEVER A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE RISKS WITH YOUR BRAKES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2011
BRAKE LIGHT STARTED COMING ON INTERMITTENTLY. CAR WAS IN MOTION. BRAKES WERE NOT IN USE WHEN LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKES FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. NISSAN DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LEAK IN THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE BOOSTER ASSEMBLY. $476.00 REPAIR. THIS IS DEFINITELY A DESIGN FLAW OR INFERIOR WORKMANSHIP/PARTS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 9, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS ILLUMINATED SO THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN UNKNOWN MANUFACTURER'S RECALL THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RELEASED BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM WITH THE MANUFACTURER IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 2, 2011
DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID OUT THE BACK OF THE CYLINDER INTO THE VACUUM HOUSING. THE LEAK WAS NOT NOTICEABLE ON THE GROUND OR ON THE MOTOR. HADN'T NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GETTING LOWER AND LOWER. THERE IS A SMALL BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASH. THE LIGHT WAS ON AND HAD BEEN ON FOR SOME TIME. IT'S THE SAME LIGHT THAT COMES ON WHEN YOU APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE. THIS MASKED THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM AS WE THOUGHT THERE WAS AN ADJUSTMENT NEEDED TO THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL AND INSTEAD THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 1, 2011
MASTER CYLINDER LEAK, HAD TO REPLACE MASTER CYLINDER OR IT COULD HAVE LEAD TO A BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 20, 2011
WHILE DRIVING, AND EVEN A FEW SECONDS RIGHT AFTER STOPPING, THE BRAKE LIGHT CONTINUES TO STAY ON, SOMETIMES BLINKING. AFTER CHECKING THAT MY PADS WERE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE, I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND A LOT OF ALTIMA OWNERS THAT WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH THEIR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDERS. I CHECKED MY MC BUT FOUND NO VISIBLE SIGNS OF LEAKAGE. HOWEVER, I NOTICED THAT MY FLUID LEVEL WAS ON THE MINIMUM LINE. AFTER HAVING A CERTIFIED MECHANIC LOOK AT IT, HE ADVISED ME THAT THE MC WAS FAULTY AND WAS LEAKING INTO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. AFTER READING THAT ARE MORE THAN HUNDREDS OF DOCUMENTED CASES, AND POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF UNDOCUMENTED CASES, I FEEL THAT NISSAN HAS AN OBLIGATION TO INFORM THEIR CUSTOMERS ABOUT THE FAULTY BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND REPLACE THE FAULTY PART FREE OF CHARGE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 15, 2011
PURCHASED USED NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 V6 ENGINE VEHICLE WITH 18K MILES ON 10/29/11. ON A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO BRAKE THE CAR FELT AS IF I WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL OF IT AND ACCELERATED. HOWEVER ON 11/14/2011, I SLOWED DOWN TO STOP AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AS USUAL SLOWLY TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV UP AND MADE AN INCREASINGLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT WANTED TO MOVE FORWARD IN TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE HARDER I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE MORE IT REVVED UP. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AT ANY POINT. AFTER THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, IT LURCHED FORWARD AND I IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE CAR WAS PURCHASED LESS THAN A BLOCK AWAY. THE SERVICE MAN PLACED IT ON THE COMPUTER AND ALL KINDS OF RED LIGHTS FLICKERED. HE SAID SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT WE DON'T NO WHAT. THEY SEEMED TO BE AT A LOST. FINALLY I WAS TOLD THEY NEEDED TO DRIVE IT TO TRY TO RECREATE THE OCCURRENCE. CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AFTER 3 DAYS. THEY HAVE GIVEN ME A CAR TO DRIVE. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS PURCHASE. CERTIFIED VEHICLE WITH A WRAP AROUND SERVICE WARRANTY WILL HOPEFULLY SAVE US EXPENSIVE REPAIR BILLS. IN ANY CASE I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL. I WANT TO TRADE IT AND REQUEST A BUY BACK IF THIS MATTER IS NOT RESOLVED. HAVING THE MECHANIC TELL ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE BECAUSE WE COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES. OUR 11 YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND WAS VERY FRIGHTENED. NO CAR IS WORTH THE RISK OF DRIVING DANGEROUSLY. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 9, 2011
I HAVE A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5S. AT AROUND 33,500 MILES I NOTICED MY BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON. I PROMPTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT MY MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER HAD A LEAK IN IT. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE WARRANTY ON IT EXPIRED AT 30,000 MILES. I WAS QUOTED A PRICE AROUND $450. BEWILDERED BY THE COST AND UPSET THAT THEY WOULDN'T COVER IT SO CLOSE PAST WARRANTY I LEFT AND HAD A FRIEND WHO WORKS AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP REPLACE IT W/ A GENUINE NISSAN PART FOR $240. I ATE THE COST OF REPAIR THINKING IT WAS BAD LUCK AND MOVED ON. MY ALTIMA IS NOW AT 78,000 MILES AND ONCE AGAIN THE BRAKE LIGHT IS COMING ON. I'M POSITIVE THAT ONCE AGAIN THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE VISITED THE WEBSITE HTTP://WWW.NISSANCLUB.COM/FORUMS/2007-NISSAN-ALTIMA-DISCUSSION-2-5-3-5/298430-WARNING-MASTER-CYLINDER-PROBLEM-MUST-READ-10.HTML AND ALSO SAW THAT NHTSA HAS OPENED AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS. I WOULD LIKE MY ALTIMA RECALLED OR TO BE COMPENSATED FOR BOTH REPAIRS. (THIS LETTER HAS ALSO BEEN SENT TO NISSAN USA. AWAITING FEEDBACK). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Nov 7, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC-FOUNDATION COMPONENTS-MASTER CYLINDER : AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING WITH A BRAKE INDICATOR LIGHT COMING ON, CROWN NISSAN SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INDICATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING INTO THE POWER BOOSTER, LOWERING THE BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. TOTAL CHARGES WERE $684.55 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A 3 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 41,321 HIGHWAY MILES DRIVEN LIGHTLY. IT APPEARS TO BE A SIMILAR SITUATION AS THE 2007 AND 2008 NISSAN SENTRA AND ALTHOUGH THE TWO MODELS DO NOT SHARE THE SAME PARTS, THE MANUFACTURER IS LIKELY TO BE THE SAME. THIS SHOULD BE A FACTORY RECALL ISSUE.