Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking lot, the contact shifted into drive(D) and then to reverse(R) to exit the parking lot, and while driving 3 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to stop as intended. The contact attempted to forcefully depress the brake pedal; however, the vehicle failed to stop. Due to the failure, the vehicle crashed into another vehicle. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 97,350.
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the brakes independently activated, and the rear of the vehicle fishtailed. The contact stated an unknown warning light showing an image of the rear of the vehicle was briefly illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that the driver's side front seat frame was fractured, and the seat was loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the brake failure was not duplicated. The contact was informed that the driver's side front seat rack was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been taken to several dealers; however, the brake failure was not duplicated. The contact was afraid to continue driving the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. …
I was driving on the interstate in a construction zone and begin reducing speed from about 62 mph after noticing brake lights from cars in the far distance. As the car start to reduce speed, I begin to apply the brakes as I'm approaching the stopped traffic and instead of stopping my car kept going. I pressed the brakes harder, and the car began to slide. After sliding about 9-10 car lengths, I was stopped by rear ending the vehicle in front of me. There was an error message on the dash "Chassis Control System Error See Owner's Manual" that appeared on the dash. I was struck in the back by a Toyota 4Runner resulting in my car being totaled.
The contact rented a 2021 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, and the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that it felt like the brakes were inoperable. The vehicle was then taken back to the rental car agency. The vehicle was not diagnosed, and the contact was unsure if the vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,794. The VIN was not available.
My car is supposed to have an automatic braking system/collision detection. Two cars in front of me slammed on their brakes and the car in front of me slammed on his brake, and I didn't have enough time to react. I totalled my car, but my car is supposed to have a safety feature that automatically brakes. The faulty automatic braking didn't engage as it should have.
Driving down the street a truck in front of the lady in front of me. It was a green light he decided to stop. She stopped I put I started to stop my brakes would not stop the car nor did the emergency front collision brakes work I could not stop the car.
Vehicle Breaking on Its Own While Driving I am writing to file a formal safety complaint and to demand immediate corporate intervention regarding an extremely dangerous mechanical/ADAS defect. My Nissan Altima has serious, ongoing safety issues where the vehicle will unexpectedly and aggressively apply the brakes on its own while I am driving, including on highways and regular roads. This defect happens without my input, without warning, and creates a major risk of being rear-ended, losing control of the vehicle, or causing a serious accident. This issue is Not minor. It is a life-threatening malfunction that makes the vehicle unsafe to operate. …
The system malfunctioning is the front sensor braking. My safety and others were put at risk with this because multiple times my car has braked me and or completely stopped me because it's malfunctioning , it happens while I am on a busy street and someone even almost rear ended me because my car braked out of nowhere. It's called "Phantom Braking". No, the problem has not been confirmed by dealer became they stopped answering. I took it to the manufacture but they want to charge me too much. Yes and it first appeared Feb 2nd , a day after I bought the car. So at first it will aggressively brake me and I can tell when it's going to start braking me because this loud scratching/grinding noise appear .. the noise sounds like it's coming from the bottom and I can feel it vibrating my car when I relax my feet on the brakes or the floor. …
I Serviced my vehicle with a Nissan Dealership, and was told brake pads were good. Within a couple of weeks there was a scratching sound like the brake warning indicator. I brought my car to a mechanic to be repaired but brake pads were confirmed to be fine. Further investigation indicates a bad brake caliper in the rear. Mechanic contacted Nissan to order a rear caliper and was told it's a known issue with the rear calipers. With the caliper not functioning properly this is a direct safety violation and can cause my brakes to seize or not function hindering my/others ability to stop. I will have the repairs done with my mechanic and I have submitted a case file with Nissan. If Nissan is aware of the brake calipers having issues then this should be on the recall list and immediately fixed.
The forward emergency braking system periodically will engage with no reason. I did not record the first date this happened. It was in July 2021. This first happened not long after I purchased the car last year on the interstate in heavy traffic with low speed and nothing close enough to set it off. Sometimes just the emergency light will just appear and disappear quickly and sometimes it comes on and the brakes go on. The dealer service and the regional technician has inspected it a few times and could find no error but it only happens sporadically. I checked recently and there is a class action suit against Nissan for the same problem in Tennessee. There seems to be the same problem with other models from 2019 to present.
Brake complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2021 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Nissan Altima, 30% of the model year's 70 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2021 Nissan Altima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2021 Nissan Altima, though it has 2 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 2021 Nissan Altima brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury 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.