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Nissan Altima Brake Questions
Purchased car new and it has 35,000 miles on it. When I step on the brakes, the brake lights don't go on. Rear window light does work - tail lights work. Was recently close to getting rear-ended and this may be why. Checked fuse which is okay - is it possible that both lights went out simultaneously? Any help is appreciated as I know it will be dangerous to drive it at all this way.
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Glad to hear it was simple fix!
On a secluded patch of road I took it to 20-25 mph on dry pavement and stamped smartly on the brakes. The wheels lock and I leave rubber.
I have had two service managers tell me that this is correct behavior. One told me that Nissan decided that under 30mph, you stop faster by not engaging the ABS and letting the tires slide.
My '99 Mercury Mystique engages the ABS under these conditions.
Does this make sense? I thought part of the point was to make the car steerable under hard braking at any speed.
Traction control and dynamic stability control are unavailable for the I4 models. So what will happen if I need to stop quickly at 5mph in an icy parking lot or at low speeds on an icy road, will I be better off pumping the brakes?
Thats weird you are having your wheels lock up. I tried that once I never had a problem. My Nissan is a 2007 Altima, my problem is with the brakes. When I brake on slope or when I pull into a parking lot, there's a loud squeal. took it to the dealer twice and they are saying its not the brake. So, I am wondering if you came across the same situation. Now, I hear the squeal when I reverse. My 07 Altima is 2.5SL type.
Its not just a nissan thing either, any disk brake is prone to squeeling. Some do it, some don't.
EBD I think is part of the ABS mechanism, at least in the 08 Altimas, to "electronically controls the braking force applied to each individual wheel, and therefore maximizes the braking force to ensure a maximum braking effectiveness" (quoting wikipedia). Nissan's literature describes the feature as "4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)."
Does anyone know? Thank you!
I topped off the fluid level. Today the light still has not turned on. I had the tires rotated 2mos ago and was told the pads and rotors were in great shape. The last car I had lasted 5yrs without a brake job. That shows how easy I am on the brakes. Any other 07 drivers experience this yet?
I love my car even though it has had its share of annoyances with the keys being replaced, a muffler system on the air vent installed, and a couple of other recalls. I keep reminding myself that it was the first year of this body style and there will be fixes. People have always told me not to buy a car in the first year of its body style, but I did anyway. Overall, I love the feel and drive of the car,
Are you still encountering problems?
I'm calling another dealership to see if new rotors is covered under warranty. I have a feeling that it is, and since my car no longer drives like it's "supposed" to, I'm going to find a way to get new rotors.
BTW, my car has just over 13,000 miles on it. I noticed the problem around 10,000 miles, but it's gotten worse ever since I noticed it. It was virtually unbearable on really cold days. :sick:
Seriously, Nissan needs to fix this. This is a really bad defect in the car's design. I will also go so far as to say that if this problem reappears around roughly 10k miles after I get new rotors, I will be in the market for a different car. I will not be changing out 4 rotors and brake pads every 10,000 miles.. :mad:
Answer to these questions determine if I shall be buying the car, so an immediate answer would be appreciated please.
The squeaking is a result of the combo of rotors and pads, clearly they do not mix. Remember that Nissan in 2004 with the release of the Titan and Armada had to purchase back some vehicles because of excessive warping of the rotors. They have always cut corners on brakes IMO.
The oldest Altima in our stable is 7 years old has 145k and I just changed the front rotors for the second time which for me is pretty amazing seeing as I drive fast and brake late. Never have I had squeaking. The 08 Altima we have the brakes are garbage IMO. I swapped out the rotors and pads with after markets at 30k and it's as good as my 02. We'll see about the longevity of the aftermarket equipment. I do know there is no squeaking, or brake dust.
Also worth mentioning, Nissan parts are extremely over priced. The dealership quoted 550 for my front rotors and pads, parts were 280 of that. I did the job myself for 180 worth of parts and about 3 hours of a Saturday morning. Not a bad way to save 370 dollars.
Nissan Altima 2008 Sedan brake problems noise.
Squeal/Squeak noise from brakes:
• While moving forward
• With very light brake application (light pedal pressure)
• When the brakes are either hot (after 10 or more minutes of driving) or cold (after
vehicle has not been driven for 2 or more hours)
• At speeds less than 10MPH
I purchase a new 2008 Nissan Alima sedan in March 2008. It now has 12,000 miles. At around 11,000 miles I had brake noise. I kept thinking it would just go away because it is a new car. It was not very loud, but would squeal/squeak when braking, at low speeds. Annoying to say the least.
I took it to the dealer and they first told me it was normal for the Altima to have brake noise. I complained and said that a new car should not have brakes noise. They changed the rear brake pads. The noise problem persisted. I took the car back the next weekend. This time they said they could not duplicate the problem, but that the rotors had glazing (whatever that is) How is it that in one week the rotors have glazing??? They polished the rotors. That was this weekend. Now, my brakes are not as sensitive as they were. I have to brake harder and longer to get the same effect like two inches more. Now my car brakes like an older car.
I did some internet searching and found that in April 2008 there was a Service Bulletin posted on this exact problem. (will post bulletin below) I found that many people are having the same problem, because it is an inherent problem for 2007-2008 models.
My friend purchased the exact same car at around the same time I did and she is also having the same problem. She took her car for service and they did not want to change the brakes, said it was normal wear and tear. I told her to take it to the dealer I went to, although that obviously is not going to help in the long run.
Will this keeping happening every 10,000 miles? Because that seems to be the case in what is being said in the forums. The dealer tried to make it sound like they were doing me a favor that the brake and rotors are wear and tear items not under warranty. A friend who worked for Nissan said the only reason they would fix or repair the brakes is because they know it is an on going problem. What is going to happen when I am out of warranty???? Will this happen every 10,000 miles?????
My cousins husband who is an adjuster for a popular automobile insurance company said the car is to new for brake and rotor problems. He said it is likely that the car will always have this problem. Just wondering if anyone has had similar problems. My brakes are not the same as before the repair, and now frankly I am pissed. :mad:
Please post if you have had similar problems and what if any have been your resolutions.
This is the service bulletin:
2007-2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID; REAR BRAKE NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS
Squeal/Squeak noise from rear brakes:
• While moving forward
• With very light brake application (light pedal pressure)
• When the brakes are either hot (after 10 or more minutes of driving) or cold (after
vehicle has not been driven for 2 or more hours)
• At speeds less than 10MPH
• While traveling straight
The dealer told me that the front brake pads were worn down almost to the metal and they were NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY because they considered this "normal" wear and tear!!!! I asked how brakes could wear out in only 13K miles. I've owned many cars over the years and have never had to replace front pads until 30-40k miles.
The dealer will speak to Nissan next week to see what they can do, but if I have to pay to have brakes replaced every 13k miles, I'm seriously considering selling the car and NEVER buying another Nissan again. There is no excuse for this.
Ironically, I bought a Nissan because I was fed up with the poor reliability of the American cars that I've owned. The Hondas that I have owned have lasted forever.
When you call the Nissan number they will take you information and ask what the problem is. They will give you a case number and assign a representative to you. The rep. will call you in a day or two. When they call you, you have to sound really upset. Tell them you purchased a new car because you did not want the headaches. You could have purchased an older car and been better off (something to that affect). About the brakes you have to tell them that you have visited several ASI certified mechanics and they all state that 13,000 miles is not normal wear and tear for any vehicle (normal wear and tear is like 40,000 - 50,000 miles) Let the rep. know that you are aware that there is a service bulletin out for Nissan Altima's for brakes noise problems. That you are also aware that there are OTHER Altima owners experiencing the same problem. Do not accept them telling you that it is normal wear and tear. Tell them that you will file a case with the BBB autoline and will seek to file under lemon law. At this point they should offer to change the brakes for free. Finally tell them that you believe this is going to keep happening every 10,000 miles or so and that you want an extended warrarnty with a clause for the brakes. Threaten to get an attorney.
I looked up lemon law in my state and the car must have the same problem 3X within 24 months to qualify. Of course there is lots more and many things you must do for that. Look up lemon law in your state.
I did all of the above. Nissan changed my brakes at about 10,500 miles (free). A week later the noise started again. Then, they resurfaced the rotors. The noise went away for a while but then it came back. Nissan just changed my brakes last week for the second time. I am now at 14,500 miles. They had a Nissan engineer fly in from Georgia to Florida to check for the brake noise. It was slight but I made a big fuss, because I don't want them to keep telling me it is normal wear and tear. I gave the engineer the whole speech about why I bought a Nissan and I put my hard earned money into this vehicle, they should back it up. They gave me a rental for two days and changed the brakes to high performance brakes and new rotors. They can only resurface them once and they had already done that. It's only been a week.
I save all my dealer visit paperwork and am following up with a letter. All of this was dealing directly with Nissan not the dealer. I am still trying to get an extended warranty with some clause in there for the brakes. They do not want to give it to me. They did offer me 2 years of free service (oil changes and tire rotation) but that is not what I want. I want the warranty.
I know this is long, It took me making a lot of noise to get anything done. My friend also has the same problem. She did the same as I did but she is more passive and did not get the same results. Don't take no for an answer keep insisting. I know, what a hassle. I wish I would have bought a Honda or a Toyota.
I've been fighting back and forth with the dealer and service people who were far from inclined to helping. My car has less than 15,000 miles and I just had my brakes changed again by another mechanic. Im going into the second month and of course the squealing is back. It sounds like Im driving a bus!!!
I dont know what else to do!!! :mad:
Brooklyn, NY
I also get a "thud" noise when the car stops. I'll stop for a light, stop sign, or for good and within a few seconds, I get a 'thud' from the back of the car. ??? Have no clue what that noise is.
I loved my first altima, and I like this altima. But the noise is driving me nuts.