Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the ABS and TPMS warning lights illuminated and the vehicle started to stall. The contact saw smoke coming out from underneath the hood. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. An independent mechanic towed the vehicle to the contact's residence. The independent mechanic then diagnosed that the transmission fluid and engine coolant were leaking over the engine compartment. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V267000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that upon attempting to start the vehicle, the brakes seized. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …
As I was driving north on the 101 in the Carpinteria area, I attempted to brake for a construction zone slowdown. I had about 100ft to brake and was going 50mph compared to the 25mph of the cars up ahead. When I pressed the brakes, they did not fully engage and rather appeared to 'slip'. It felt like the brakes were engaged but not limiting the slow of the car in a significant manner. I rear-ended the car in front of me causing that car to hit the car in front of it. I could smell a strong burnt smell during and after the event. The car and brake piece are still available for inspection for another week or so until insurance is done investigating the car for the report, at which point it will be signed over to the scrapyard where it is currently being held (Steelhead Auto Recycler). …
The owners and or sellers of this dangerous and life threatening vehicle that was sold to me knowing that the car was in extremely bad condition. These criminals sold me the vehicle knowing that it was not smog cleared or approved. They sold me a fatal accident waiting to o happen! They intentionally modified the odometer/mileage to 85K/95K... But when I ran a check on car fax, it clearly showed that this vehicle was 206,851 miles of wear and tear to engine. The break system almost killed me on the freeway and made me lose control and forcefully made me spin out of driving control for 3 full spins in the middle of the freeway, bu the grace of god, I missed all incoming traffic.
On 01/25/2010, I was driving from work and while I attempted to stop to a light,the brakes failed to respond. I couldn't control the car anymore. The car slid, and hit another car in the back,but because the speed was low, the damage was minor. After that, the car was frozen ; the police came and the car was towed to a nearby autobody shop; after the outside damage was fixed, the car was transported to a Nissan dealership because the car was not drivable.(the soft ware was messed up,as the dealer told me).at the Nissan dealership, the software was reset. They couldn't guarantee though that this incident will not happen again. …
While approaching the gate to my office parking lot this morning, I attempted to come to a stop while the gate opened. As I approached the gate, I could have been travelling no faster than 4-5 miles per hour. The brakes failed to react. I floored the brakes, but to no avail, and crashed into the gate. Fearful of the safety of the car, I had it towed to the Nissan dealership, and I was informed that there have been past issues with the 2007 Nissan Altima master brake cylinder. After checking the car, I was informed that it was a problem with that part. It had leaked internally and at the time I attempted to brake there was simply no more fluid to provide pressure to the brakes. I asked if this could have happened at any speed, and was told that it could have done so. …
Slowly entering home garage. Braking. Vehicle abruptly accelerated into garage striking and destroying work bench and damaging rear garage wall. Left rubber burn marks where front (drive) wheels spun after impact and drag marks on floor where rear wheels were locked up and dragging. Filled garage and engine compartment of car with sheet rock dust from the impact with the interior wall. Do not recall when engine returned to idle but was able to shift into reverse and back away from damage area. Car was drivable and operated normally after restarting. Dealer estimated damage to car at $2667.99, reported incident to Nissan consumer affairs and was assigned case #[redacted]. I will now drive the car with extreme caution and discourage my wife from driving it. Waiting for response by Nissan representative, which was promised within two working days.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. When applying pressure to the brakes, the contact heard a loud grinding sound. After an inspection, the dealer stated that they would replace the brake rotors under warranty. The following day, she heard the noise again and the dealer stated that it was normal. Two months later, while driving in rainy weather, the contact was involved in a crash. Another dealer stated that the previous dealer did not replace the brake system, only the brake pads. The second dealer also stated that the brake system was defective. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The VIN, engine size, number of cylinders, speed, and powertrain were unknown. The failure mileage was 11,900 and current mileage was 20,000.
While traveling approx 50mph approaching a curve brake pedal was depressed and car would not stop. Driver noticed traffic slowing and reacted by shifting car to neutral and slowly applying parking brake. Doing such caused car to fishtail and slide (as roads were wet) and caused a collision. Driver has complained since 2007 to dealership regarding brakes and told each time (4 complaints) that nothing is wrong with brakes. Brakes were "replaced" 6 months ago by dealership (customer paid) however brake issues still remained. Such negligence has resulted in a car accident and thousands in property damage.
Tl contact owns a 2007 Nissan Altima. While driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal stuck to the floor when it was depressed. There was a loss of power steering and brakes and a crash occurred. The front end of the vehicle was damaged; however, there were no injuries. The road conditions were wet. A police report was filed. The cause of the failure was unknown. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it currently remains. The vehicle did not have antilock brakes. The current and failure mileages were 7,000.
At 50,000 miles, the brake light warning indicator on my 2007 Nissan Altima 2.5s began intermittently illuminating on the dashboard. Upon depression of the brake pedal, the light would turn off. At first, the warning light did not illuminate again after another week of driving. However, during the next several weeks, the brake warning light illuminated intermittently again and again during driving. Now, it is on almost all the time unless I am depressing the brake pedal. The brake fluid level is just north of "low." so, perhaps refilling the reservoir will correct the issue. Additionally, my pads are fairly worn and simply May need to be replaced. However, I have seen dozens of similar complaints online that indicate the master brake cylinder May be failing, and that is my chief concern. I have no difficulty stopping the car at this juncture. …
NHTSA investigations
Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-020 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in the subject vehicles.A total of 237 complaints were identified by ODI and Nissan.The majority of complaints and warranty claims reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination as the only symptom of a problem.Only 12…
Brake complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2007 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the brakes of the 2007 Nissan Altima, 15% of the model year's 471 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › pads (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Nissan Altima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2007 Nissan Altima, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Nissan Altima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.