2008 Nissan Altima Brakes Problems

While pulling into a parking spot and coming to a halt, I put the car into park mode. My foot was still on the brake. Instantly the engine went into "overdrive" and lurched forward over a parking curb and through heavy brush and finally came to a stop after hitting a pine tree. The engine was still screaming and the tires still spinning until I hit the off button. I had my foot on the brake the entire time to no avail. The heavy brush slowed the car somewhat. The airbags didn't deploy. I had several witnesses and they all stated they saw my brake lights on. I plowed approx. 50 feet through the brush before hitting the tree. I was the only one involved and was not hurt. This was Thurs. Sept. 28, 2023. It was in a state park and no police report made. Park Ranger took down info.

NHTSA ID

11548592

Incident

Sep 28, 2023

Brake switch or Stop Light Switch goes out which causes brakes to become very stiff and not light up the brakes which causes car’s push start to not start car more than 5 times a week. I will always have to stomp the brake petal to activate the brakes to start the car.

NHTSA ID

11442903

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

I have had my cars rear brakes completely replaced once in the last 6 months and completely replaced the front brake system TWICE in 6 months. I’ve had to pay close to $4000 in repairs on only the cars front end so at this point any part that could be causing the excessive wearing out of my brakes could not possibly be doing so without me knowing about it from many inspections (mainly done by different Les schwab locations and my local Nissan dealership in Salem, OR). For some reason within a month of having the brakes replaced, they have began to squeal worse than ever before, I’m not exaggerating when I say that my 2008 Altima has brakes that are almost twice as loud as any city or school bus brakes that I’ve ever heard in my life. Something within the brake system is causing all these brand new parts to wear down to metal on metal screeeching

NHTSA ID

11430020

Incident

Aug 1, 2021

PURCHASED 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MARCH 6, 2021 FROM THE CAR HOUSE IN BUTLER, NJ. SINCE THE MOMENT I DROVE OFF THE LOT, MULTIPLE LIGHTS TURNED ON WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE ALTERNATOR AND MULTIPLE 02 SENSORS. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A GARAGE DO AN INSPECTION AND IT TURNED OUT THE CAR NEEDED A REAR CONTROL ARM, SHOCKS, BRAKES AND ROTORS IN ADDITON TO THE LIGHTS. THE DEALER SAID THAT I HAD A 90 DAY WARRANTY BUT WHEN I CALLED THE COMPANY THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE CONTRACT. THE DEALER FIXED THE SENSORS AND ALTERNATOR SUPPOSEDLY, BUT HAVEN'T CONTACTED ME BACK ABOUT FIXING THE OTHER ISSUES AND EVERY TIME I CALL THEY HANG UP.

NHTSA ID

11404707

Incident

Mar 6, 2021

Mileage

177,000 mi

BRAKES LOCKED AND STEERING LOCKED CAUSING A REAR END ACCIDENT DRIVING ON A CITY HIGHWAY GOING TO WORK.

NHTSA ID

11299169

Incident

Jan 13, 2020

Mileage

14,772 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON I95 THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WAS STEERED VERY DIFFICULTLY TO THE OFF RAMP AND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND I EXITED THE CAR AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO BE ENGULFED IN FLAMES BURNING THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR TO THE FRONT SEATS. FIRE RESCUE ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.1116

NHTSA ID

11289036

Incident

Nov 16, 2019

Mileage

119,000 mi

'TAKATA RECALL' BRAKES LOCK UP WHEN DRIVING. U CAN PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND CAR WONT MOVE. FEELS LIKE BRAKE IS ENGAGED BUT ITS NOT.

NHTSA ID

10966694

Incident

Mar 17, 2017

Mileage

155,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE TPMS, BRAKE, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,777.

NHTSA ID

10953873

Incident

Feb 9, 2017

Mileage

4,777 mi

BRAKES FELT AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON ALL THE TIME AND VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO IN FIRST GEAR AND IF I LET OFF THE GAS THE CAR WOULD COME TO A HALT. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER FOR MASTER CYLINDER CHANGEOUT. NISSAN CLAIMS MY VEHICLE ID WAS NOT A PART OF A KNOWN SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS VEHICLE 2007-2012. I THINK THIS MATTER WARRANTS FURTHER LOOKING INTO AS MY SON IS THE PRIMARY DRIVER

NHTSA ID

10907001

Incident

Sep 12, 2016

Mileage

91,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, AND SUDDENLY THE ABS VDC AND SLIP ILLUMINATED. THEN I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. THAT GUY TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKING LIGHT IS NOT WORKING. LUCKILY I WAS INSIDE MILITARY BASE AND PEOPLE WERE ALERT. IT HAPPENED ON THE STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ID

10851812

Incident

Mar 23, 2016

Mileage

91,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UNTIL AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. MA 10/2 *CN

NHTSA ID

10745108

Incident

Mar 1, 2015

Mileage

67,000 mi

VEHICLE, IS MAKING A RUBBERISH NOISE IN THE BRAKE BOOSTER WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED DOWN, BRAKES IN THE VEHICLE ARE RELATIVELY NEW AND WHEN REQUIRED TO A HARD BRAKE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND WELL. I HAD TO REFILL THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WITH A LITTLE BIT OF FLUID NOT MUCH. I BELIEVE IT MIGHT BE LEACKING SMALL AMOUNTS OF FLUID TO THE BOOSTER OVER TIME, I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM SOMEONE ELSE KNOWN TO ME, SO I HAVE KNOWN THE CAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND ITS BEING HAVING THIS ISSUE FOR A WHILE NOW. I HAVE SEEN MANY THREADS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, WHICH MUST BE SOLVED WITH NISSAN. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM AT 53 000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

10722947

Incident

May 30, 2015

Mileage

52,800 mi

PURCHASE CAR 2010 ABS BRAKE CAME ON ALL TIME DEALER TRY TO RESET ABS LIGHT IT WOULD TURN OFF FOR FEW DAYS AND COME MAKE ON THEY DONT NO WHY IT DOING IT :( ITS 2015 AND LIGHT STILL ON. 2014 I WAS ON INTERSTATE GOING 65 MPH THEN ALL SUDDEN MY NISSAN STARTED LOSING POWER FAST WHEN I PUSHED ON GAS WAS NOT READING. HAD TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AND WE HAD CHECKED ALL FLUIDS AND LOOKED FOR ANY LEAKS WHICH ALL WAS GOOD. I HAD GOTTEN AND MY OIL CHANGED BEFORE MY TRIP. SAT ON SIDE INTERSTATE FOR 20 MINS TRY TO RESTART IT STARTED OK JUST HAD NO POWER LIKE GAS WAS NIT FLOWING RIGHT. WAITING ANOTHER 10 MINS TRYING AGAIN. FINALLY GAIN POWER AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY DESTINATION. HAD IT CHECKED BY SHOP COULDN'T FINE PROBLEM. THE CAR SOMETIME DON'T TURN OVER ON PUSH START AND I HAVE TO SLAM DOWN ON MY BREAK TO START IT ABOUT 5 TIMES TOOK TO NISSAN DEALER SAID THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY IT KEEPS STICKING AND NOT TURNING OVER I ALSO HAD TO CHANGE MY BATTERY 3 TIMES FROM 2010 TO 2014 . WHICH THAT'S NOT GOOD. I SEE ALL THESE 2008 NISSANS GETTING RECALLED THEN I LOOK AT THE MY CAR AND HOW MUCH MONEY I HAD TO PAY OUT POCKET FOR THE SAME RECALLS ON OTHER NISSAN . FOUND OUT EXHAUST MANIFOLD HAS BEEN RECALLED ON MANY 2008 NISSANS BUT MINE AND THAT IS ONE OF PROBLEMS WRONG ! *TR

NHTSA ID

10703930

Incident

Oct 1, 2014

Mileage

90,000 mi

CAR WILL NOT START EVEN THOUGH THERE IS POWER. THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. DEALER HAS REPLACED BATTERY. PROBLEM OCCURRED 1 MONTH LATER. BRAKE SWITCH APPEARS TO BE THE PROBLEM. HAVE BEEN ABLE TO START AFTER "PLAYING" WITH THE BRAKE SWITCH. DEALER REPLACED SWITCH BUT THE CAR WONT START AGAIN 5 WEEKS LATER. *TR

NHTSA ID

10660253

Incident

Nov 21, 2014

Mileage

50,001 mi

IT ALL STARTED A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AND I COULD NOT FIND A LEAK OR FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. THEN I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING JUST COULDN'T FIND WHERE. WE REALIZED IT WAS THE MASTER CYLINDER AND REPLACED THAT AS WELL AS THE BOOSTER BOX (WHERE IT WAS LEAKING.) THAT MASTER CYLINDER WAS FAULTY AND WE HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN. IN MARCH I WAS DRIVING 12 HOURS BACK TO MY HOMETOWN FOR VACATION AFTER BEING TOLD MY CAR WAS OKAY AND MID TRIP I LOST MY BRAKES GETTING OFF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO MY TOWN USING THE LITTLE BRAKE I HAD LEFT SINCE THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. THE SHOP THEN DOES MY PADS, CALIPERS, ROTORS THINKING THAT IS THE ISSUE SEEING AS I'VE BEEN THROUGH 2 MASTER CYLINDERS; THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM IT WAS ANOTHER FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER. THAT FINALLY WAS REPLACED AND SO FAR SO GOOD. THANKFULLY NOTHING HAPPENED TO ME BUT I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A BAD ACCIDENT. I ALSO CALLED NISSAN TO BE REIMBURSED LIKE THE CAMPAIGN SAYS AND WAS DENIED. EVERYTHING ABOUT MY SITUATION FITS THE CAMPAIGN AND SEEING AS THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE I SHOULD AT LEAST BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10640029

Incident

Mar 16, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHED THE IGNITION BUTTON. THE VEHICLE STARTED AFTER THIRTY MINUTES. THE FAILURE WOULD ALWAYS OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A LENGTHY PERIOD OF TIME. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10615656

Incident

Jun 13, 2014

Mileage

140,000 mi

WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL AND THEN I TRIED TO GET OUT OF CRUISE AND STEP ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT GOT STUCK, I REALIZED I WASN'T ABLE TO GET OVER TO THE FIRST LANE DUE TO TRAFFIC, SO I TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL OVER TO THE MEDIAN CLOSEST TO THE THIRD LANE, HOWEVER, THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING AND I WASN'T ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, I EVEN TRIED TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO SHUT THE CAR OFF BUT IT WOULDN'T SHUT DOWN, THERE WAS NO SMELL OF SMOKE OR ANYTHING AND THAN AS THE CAR BEGIN SLOWING ON ITS OWN, ALL OF A SUDDEN SMOKE JUST POOFED UP AND I GRABBED MY PURSE AND PHONE AND JUMPED OUT OF THE MOVING CAR . RAN AWAY FROM THE CAR AND REALIZE THAT I HAD TAKEN MY WALLET OUT OF MY PURSE PREVIOUS AND I TURNED TO GO BACK BUT THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. I CALLED 911 TO GET ASSISTANCE. *JS

NHTSA ID

10585597

Incident

Apr 28, 2014

Mileage

215,000 mi

THE SWITCH THAT ALLOWS THE CAR TO START AND LIGHTS THE BRAKE LIGHTS IS STICKING, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF. THE CAR NOT STARTING IS ANNOYING, IF THE SWITCH STICKS AFTER THE CAR IS STARTED THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE, THAT IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR FAILS TO START WITH REGULARITY, IF THE SWITCH IS MANIPULATED IT STARTS, I DO NOT KNOW IF THE BREAK LIGHTS ARE FAILING BUT I ASSUME THIS IS OCCURRING. THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR REPLACEMENT OF THESE SWITCHES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10557639

Incident

Dec 17, 2013

Mileage

105,000 mi

I PULLED IN A PARKING SPACE, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, AND BEFORE I COULD PUT IT IN PARK THE CAR ACCELERATED AND TOOK OFF. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE CAR. I WENT ABOUT TWENTY FEET, OVER CURBS, SIDEWALK, ANOTHER PARKING SPACE, AVOIDING CARS, SKID MARKS MADE, AND FINALLY DIRECTED THE CAR TOWARD A DUMPSTER AND IT STOPPED. IT IS A MIRACLE THAT SOMEONE IN MY PATH WASN'T KILLED. THE ENGINE WAS PUSHED BACK AND SO THE BODY SHOP CONNECTED WITH NISSAN CONSIDERED IT A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10546536

Incident

Aug 30, 2013

Mileage

32,000 mi

THE FOLLOWING HAD TO BE FIXED ALL ON ONE VISIT: MY ALTERNATOR REPLACED; TOP MOTOR MOUNT REPLACED, BRAKE SENSOR REPLACED, BATTERY REPLACED, AND HAD AN OIL COOLER LEAK FIXED. ALL WAS COVERED WITH MY EXTENDED WARRANTY ($858 OTHERWISE). IT HAS HAD A TOTAL OF 4 BATTERIES, 2 ALTERNATORS, 2 MANNA FOLDS (A RECALL), NEW SHOCKS AND STRUTS (I PAID FOR) AND MY TRANSMISSION WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 120,000 MILES. (THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER RECALL TO THE FUEL TANK BUT CAN'T REMEMBER ANY SPECIFICS). I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY CAR, HAVE IT MAINTAINED REGULARLY, AND ONLY USE QUALITY GAS. THIS IS MY FOURTH NISSAN AND I AM GREATLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE QUALITY. I AM DEBATING AS TO WHETHER OR NOT I SHOULD TRADE IT IN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10543645

Incident

Aug 30, 2013

Mileage

66,775 mi

WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE TO START THE ENGINE, IT WILL NOT START AND THE LIGHT ON THE DASH COMES AND SAYS PRESS THE BRAKE TO START. THE SWITCH DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THAT I AM PRESSING THE BRAKE. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT MAY HAPPEN EVERYDAY FOR A WEEK AND THEN MAY NOT HAPPEN AGAIN FOR 3 WEEKS. IF YOU PRESS THE BRAKE IN AND PRESS THE BUTTONS UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT HELPS TO RECOGNIZE THE PEDAL IS PRESSED. I HAVE CHECKED SEVERAL ON LINE FORUMS WHERE MANY CAR OWNERS HAVE POSTED THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH ALTIMAS OF SIMILAR YEAR MODELS 2007 TO 2010. *JS

NHTSA ID

10538189

Incident

Feb 15, 2012

Mileage

50,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKES BECAME UNRESPONSIVE, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT HAND AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL HOWEVER SHE WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525623

Incident

Jul 6, 2012

Mileage

51,000 mi

RAMSEY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED MY WORN ROTORS WITH "WARPED" ROTORS...I NEED REPLACEMENT OF BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS, ACCORDING TO RAMSEY NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT INSTALLED, ALLEGEDLY, ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURED BRAKES AND ROTORS TO REPLACE MY WORN PARTS. THE DAY I PICKED MY CAR BACK UP FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, I DROVE OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP PARKING LOT ONTO THE HIGHWAY - IT ONLY TOOK THE FIRST BRAKE, LITERALLY, GOING AT AROUND 40-50 MPH TO NOTICE THAT MY CAR WAS SHAKING. CONFUSED, I IMMEDIATELY CALLED NISSAN SERVICE TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. THEY ASSURED ME THAT THIS WAS THE NORMAL "BREAK IN" PERIOD FOR THE BRAKES AND THAT I WOULD LIKELY EXPERIENCE THIS FOR THE NEXT 500-1000 MILES; KEEP IN MIND THAT I HAD NO REASON TO NOT BELIEVE THEM AS I WAS CONFIDENT THEY HAD AT LEAST TESTED THE BRAKES/ROTORS BEFORE GIVING THE CAR BACK TO ME. APPROXIMATELY 5-6 WEEKS LATER, I WAS STILL EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE; NISSAN SERVICE LATER CONFIRMED THAT MY FRONT ROTORS WERE "WARPED". NISSAN SERVICE HAD ULTIMATELY INSTALLED INADEQUATE AND FAULTY ROTORS IN MY CAR. ACCORDING TO A INDIVIDUAL AUTO MECHANIC WHO RUNS INSPECTIONS, MY CAR WOULD IMMEDIATELY FAIL INSPECTION. CLEARLY, WITH THESE FAULTY ROTORS, MY BRAKING ABILITY WAS SEVERELY DIMINISHED; IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THE LAST THING I WOULD WANT TO BE UNSURE OF IS MY BRAKES/ROTORS, WHICH SHOULD BE WORKING 100 OUT OF 100 TIMES IN EXTREME SITUATIONS. THESE WERE ROTORS WOULD CAUSE MY CAR TO FAIL INSPECTION AND THUS PUT IN DANGER THE LIVES OF ME, MY FAMILY, AND THE PEOPLE AROUND ME. HAD I KNOWN THAT THESE WERE FAULTY ROTORS, I IMMEDIATELY WOULD HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED. BUT I DROVE AROUND FOR OVER A MONTH WITH A BRAKING SYSTEM THAT WOULD FAIL INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID

10525536

Incident

May 15, 2013

Mileage

72,000 mi

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE TRIED TO START THE CAR BUT THE BRAKE RESISTS BEING PRESSED IN. I PRESS THE PUSH TO START BUTTON BUT THE CAR DOES NOT START, ONLY THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON (AS THOUGH I AM NOT PUSHING THE BREAK IN). I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID I NEEDED TO REPLACE MY BRAKE SWITCH AND HARNESS FOR THE LOW, LOW PRICE OF $500. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT SO THEY CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NISSAN IMMEDIATELY, AS I SEE ALL OVER THE WEB THAT EVERYONE WITH A 2007 OR 2008 ALTIMA IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. WHAT ARE RECALLS FOR EXCEPT FOR PRECISELY THIS TYPE OF ISSUE?? *TR

NHTSA ID

10523587

Incident

Jun 29, 2013

Mileage

103,000 mi

MY BRAKE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON AND OFF. I HAD LESS THAN 25K MILES ON MY CAR. I AM REPORTING THIS BECAUSE I HAVE READ OF NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS RE THIS ON THE INTERNET BUT NO KNOWN RECALL BY NISSAN. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING. *TR

NHTSA ID

10510761

Incident

Nov 6, 2012

Mileage

20,000 mi