RoadVitals

2017 Nissan Altima Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Jul 18, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 390 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2017 Nissan Altima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 19 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 18, 2026

Driving on the freeway and car goes into limp mode very dangerous situation as spend was reduced and almost got rear ended by truck

NHTSA ID
11751253
Incident
Jul 9, 2026
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jul 12, 2026

Car not starting. Narrowed down to brake light switch not functioning properly. Jumped across the switch, car started. Push button ignition requires brakes to be depressed to start the vehicle. We have been close to being rear-ended twice lately. No warning lights signifying a problem. This is the second Altima I owned with this exact same failure to occur. First was a 2010 Altima S 2.5

NHTSA ID
11749825
Incident
Jul 12, 2026
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting
Filed Apr 11, 2025

I'm driving in my car is cool right right left line a nice Crush the part of the car and the front left

NHTSA ID
11654014
Incident
Jul 12, 2023
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 7, 2024
Crash reported

I left for work, acceleration at slow speed around 30 mph within 40 seconds, the car began to gain speed, I let off the gas pedal, still accelerated. I tried slowly using brakes to slow down - no response. At this point, I notice that cruise control light, was lit up, on the dashboard but not set. I'm now gaining speed of 72 MPH. Not even 1 mile, from turn off. I literally fish tailed three times, then the car slowed down and I ended up sideways, in a ditch. Chipped hubcap and some plastic piece hanging, from underneath the car. I had a bystander, whom was headed towards me - stop in fear of what happened. Got the car out of ditch. I parked, checked for leaks, nothing. Since this incident, I'm in fear of this happening again. I'm assumption was the accelerator stuck. No brakes is dangerous, let alone feeling like my life was gonna end. I cried. Thinking Jesus my children were home. I have noticed that both airbag "warning" signs have displayed and won't go off. I would hate to have or hear of a fatality, from this. Please look into other reports. I felt like I couldn't even explain this bizarre, unlikely/impossible event to happen but it did.

NHTSA ID
11607152
Incident
Jul 10, 2024
BrakesDriver assistanceSeat belts
Filed Jun 22, 2022

Passenger seat belts does lock all the time. Front brakes I've had issues with since day one. Dealer tells me on 3 occasions there fine nothing wrong but have gone thur 5 brake pads sets. Now when I step on brakes or give gad to go it's like the throttle cable or something isn't working because it won't go. Have to either give it afew than try paddle or put in N than back to drive. Happens alot in traffic.

NHTSA ID
11470537
Incident
Jun 13, 2022
Brakes
Filed Jul 7, 2021

Had to replace rear brake pads at 21,100 miles…very odd to have to replace at such a low mileage. Also, the major issue I’m having is with water leaking into my car…the dealership first said they thought it was due to clogged sunroof drains….they were wrong…took it back after issue still happening, and now they are saying that the sunroof drains are deformed…the water is coming in from under the dash onto the passenger side of the floor and going to the back. Also, leaking from the top edge onto the passenger seat. There also is some water on the driver seat, and the driver’s seatbelt feels damp. Under both the passenger & driver’s seat there is rust….this car was brand new when I got it. The car has heated/power seats. I’m concerned that this water damage may cause other issues down the road..including safety issues. Rust and mold are not good. There also is a bad odor.

NHTSA ID
11423763
Incident
Jun 16, 2021
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jan 22, 2021
1 injury reported

THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING, DOES NOT MAINTAIN A SOLID SPEED, INCREASES AND DECREASES SPEED ON IT OWN, WHEN STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH NOT GO WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED, IT WILL TAKE A FEW MOMENTS AND THEN ACCELERATE AT A REALLY HIGH SPEED OR FORCE. THE WINDOWS RANDOMLY STOP WORKING, THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF, THE STEERING COLUMN TIGHTENS AND THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE ROAD. IT WILL DISPLAY THAT THE KEY IS MISSING AND TURN OFF. IT HAS TAKEN SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESTART THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS DURING IDLE AND IN MOTION, ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE CITY.

NHTSA ID
11389384
Incident
Jan 1, 2021
Mileage
90,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jun 24, 2020

I HAVE A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF. I REPORTED THE ISSUE TO NISSAN BUT I WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS NOT LISTED IN THE CAMPAIGN THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO. *TR

NHTSA ID
11330584
Incident
Jun 3, 2020
Mileage
90,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 14, 2020

MY CAR GET CRAZY ELECTRICAL DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE TRANSMISSION SLEEP ALONE 5 MINUTES LATER CAR TURN ON BY SELF LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN STAR HAPPENED I TRY TO STOP THE CAR BRAKE DON'T WORK CAR STILL RUNNING ONLY THINK ITS WORK EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ID
11324532
Incident
Feb 13, 2020
Mileage
75 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 12, 2020
Crash reported

MY 6 ALTIMA, THIS ONE, HAS BY FAR BEEN THE WORST!I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP FOR RECALLS & RECVD A NEW BATTERY, I TOLD THEM THE BRAKES DON'T STOP THE VEHICLE, THEY TURNED FRONT ROTERS, I TOOK IT BACK FOR SEVERE SQUEAKY SQU DEALERSHIP DID NOT HEAR A THING! I HAVE SINCE BEEN IN A REAR END COLLISION UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND A DRIVER LEFT TURN COLLISION AGAIN UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND RECVD ANOTHER NEW BATTERY BUT BRAKES ARE FINE!! LAST NIGHT IN THE RAIN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, NOT HYDROPLANING, AGAIN ALMOST HIT A STOPPED CAR & SWERVED. THEYKEEP INSISTING IT IS MY DRIVING CAUSING THE ISSUE, MY CAR HAS 20,00 MI I WANT A BRAND NEW ALTIMA WITH PROPERLY WORKING PARTS! I CALLED BOTH BRANCH & DISTRICT MANAGER WITH NO RETURN CALL! I WILL ESCALATE TO THE TOP OF NISSAN!

NHTSA ID
11317756
Incident
Mar 12, 2020
Mileage
19,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 19, 2020

BOTH THE DRIVE SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BRAKES ON MY 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA SR SQUEAK ONLY WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. THE NOISE IS VERY PRONOUNCED WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN OUT OF THE GARAGE IN THE MORNING IN REVERSE. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN PARKED ANYWHERE ELSE FOR A WHILE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE COLD THEY ALWAYS SQUEAK WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN REVERSE. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED IN 2017 AND THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN SQUEAKING FOR YEARS.

NHTSA ID
11300293
Incident
Mar 20, 2017
Brakes
Filed Dec 27, 2019

I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT TO ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE ALSO.. I BOUGHT MY NISSAN BRAND NEW AUGUST 2017, NOT EVEN A YEAR OLD IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES , WITH THE PUSH BUTTON START AND THE BRAKES. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR STOP. I COULD NOT MOVE IT THIS WAS 2018 WHERE YOU CANT MOVE THE CAR OR START IT . IT WAS TOWED TO NISSAN DEALER. THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE BRAKE SWITCH SYSTEM FAILURE .THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM WITH 2017 NISSAN ALTIMAS. VERY DANGEROUS! IN 2019 THE SAME ISSUE HAPPEN AGAIN BRAKE SWITCH SYSTEM FAILURE. I ALSO HAVE RECEIPTS STATING THIS. THE CAR STOP ON A BUSY STREET. I WAITED 2 HOURS FOR NISSAN ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE , THEY TOWED IT TO NISSAN. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. THER SHOULD BE A RECALL ABOUT THE BRAKE SWITCH SYSTEM FAILURE.THE TOWED IT TO KLINE NISSAN IN MAPLEWOOD. THIS ISSUE HAPPEN TWICE I DON'T KNOW I MAY HAPPEN AGAIN. I COULD HAVE BEEN ON THE FREEWAY CAR JUST STOPS!! I DID CONTACT NISSAN NORTH AMERICA,CONSUMER AFFAIRS. THEY DID NOTHING I STATED THAT VERY DANGEROUS BRAKE ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL .

NHTSA ID
11291432
Incident
Oct 17, 2019
Mileage
32,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 27, 2019

MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM FRED HAAS NISSAN - TOMBALL, TX ON MARCH 5, 2018. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 42,250 MILES ON IT AND HAS DEVELOPED A BRAKING ISSUE. THE MASTER CYLINDER OR BRAKE BOOSTER IS FAILING ON THE CAR WHICH IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCE TO ALMOST DOUBLE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNWILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS DUE TO IT BEING JUST OUTSIDE OF THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY.

NHTSA ID
11246723
Incident
Aug 22, 2019
Mileage
42,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 14, 2019

WHEN I STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO PROCEED IT WOULD BARELY MOVE AND THEN TAKE OFF. MY CAR HAS UNDER 19,500 MILES AND THE CAMERA IS MESSED UP, MY CAR WOULDN'T START BEFORE, MY BLUETOOTH HESITATES AT TIMES AND MY WARNING LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. NOW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS AND I GET MY OIL CHANGES DONE AND JUST GOT MY BRAKES DONE AND MY CAR IS SQUEALING AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11231692
Incident
Jul 14, 2019
Mileage
19,260 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2019

I PURCHASED MY CAR IN 2018, IN FEBRUARY OF 2019 I HAD MY FRONT BRAKES CHANGED, NOT EVEN TWO MONTHS LATER THE SQUEAKING NOISE STARTED AGAIN ON THE SAME FRONT BRAKE MECHANIC TOLD ME THEY WAS DEFECTED BRAKE PADS SO HE CHANGED THEM AND PLACE SOME NEW ONES ON THE CAR. NOW I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM SHOP AND TWO DAYS LATER THE BRAKES ARE SQUEAKING AGAIN. I'VE INQUIRED WITH OTHERS WHO HAS THE SAME MODEL CAR AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AT THIS POINT I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO BECAUSE I SHOULDN'T GO THROUGH THAT MANY BRAKE PADS ON A NEW VEHICLE. THE SQUEAKING USUALLY TAKE PLACE WHEN I PRESS BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP.

NHTSA ID
11221777
Incident
Mar 16, 2019
Mileage
13,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 18, 2019

NISSAN AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING. THE ALARM GOES OFF 'FRONT RADAR UNAVAILABLE DUE TO OBSTRUCTION" AND LITTLE SYMBOL LIGHTS UP OF TWO CARS CRASHING ON DASHBOARD PANEL. MY VEHICLE STOPS SHORT INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THIS WARNING OCCURS. I HAVE NOTICED THE PROBLEM IS MORE FREQUENT WHEN I MAKE A TURN, GO OVER A SPEED BUMP OR IN INCLEMENT WEATHER IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY... CAR COMES TO COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE BRAKE. I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED TWICE TODAY BECAUSE OF THIS. ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK TODAY THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON 3 TIMES AFTER MAKING SEVERAL RIGHT TURNS ON CITY STREET IT WAS ALSO RAINING. MY CAR STOPPED SHORT AND CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BREAKS TO AVOID HITTING ME. .

NHTSA ID
11220971
Incident
Jun 18, 2019
Mileage
8 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 18, 2018
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED INDEPENDENTLY OFF A CLIFF AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED WRIST, BACK, HEAD, AND LEG INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A TOW LOT. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER (BULLOCK TOYOTA, (662) 773-6281, 269 N COURT AVE, LOUISVILLE, MS 39339). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
11130271
Incident
Aug 10, 2018
Mileage
35,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Sep 20, 2017

EMERGENCY FORWARD BRAKING DOES NOT DO ANYTHING THAT THE NISSAN BOOK OUTLINES OR THE ON LINE VIDEO OUTLINES . I HAVE TWO CASE NUMBERS 25746321 AND25772524 AND TWO DEALERSHIPS THE WORK REPORT SAYS NO CODE NO PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11024585
Incident
Mar 13, 2017
Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 2017

2017 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE MALFUNCTION. *LD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED 2 VEHICLES FROM A RENTAL COMPANY WITH MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES. UPDATED 07/10/2017*JS

NHTSA ID
10965508
Incident
Jan 25, 2017

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .