Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% | 7,000 miles |
| 2024 | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2023 | 4 | 13% | 65,000 miles |
| 2022 | 5 | 16% | 55,000 miles |
| 2021 | 21 | 30% | 45,000 miles |
| 2020 | 18 | 11% | 18,000 miles |
| 2019 | 30 | 13% | 9,000 miles |
| 2018 | 49 | 22% | 34,000 miles |
| 2017 | 19 | 5% | 32,000 miles |
| 2016 | 11 | 2% | 61,000 miles |
| 2015 | 26 | 3% | 35,000 miles |
| 2014 | 28 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2013 | 58 | 3% | 34,000 miles |
| 2012 | 20 | 5% | 36,000 miles |
| 2011 | 12 | 5% | 20,000 miles |
| 2010 | 32 | 8% | 49,000 miles |
| 2009 | 47 | 3% | 55,000 miles |
| 2008 | 93 | 9% | 42,000 miles |
| 2007 | 70 | 15% | 50,000 miles |
| 2006 | 26 | 3% | 10,000 miles |
| 2005 | 37 | 3% | 50,000 miles |
| 2004 | 10 | 4% | 69,000 miles |
| 2003 | 12 | 1% | 74,000 miles |
| 2002 | 29 | 3% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% | 160,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 8% | 107,000 miles |
| 1999 | 15 | 17% | 256,000 miles |
| 1998 | 14 | 11% | 150,000 miles |
| 1997 | 9 | 8% | — |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% | — |
| 1995 | 10 | 6% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The vehicle was unknowingly purchased with an improperly assembled braking system from which is formally known as Koeppel Nissan. The braking assembly failed during operation, resulting in loss of proper braking capability and causing a collision. The braking failure created a serious safety risk to the myself (the driver) and others on the roadway. There were no warning lights, dashboard messages, or other indicators prior to the braking failure. The issue with the braking assembly was not identified at the time of purchase and when the vehicle was returned to Koeppel Nissan to have cosmetic damages fixed. A request was made to thoroughly check of the braking system. After repairs, Koeppel Nissan assured there were no issues with braking system. …
This incident happened twice in one week first with 2023 Nissan Sentra then replaced with a 2024 Nissan Altima both rented from Enterprise. I was traveling down the street from my house, a two-lane, steep hillside road, which I've traveled up and down for 30 years. I stopped behind a parked car on the right side of the road to let another car come up the hill and pass by before I continued down. As I continued down the hill, the car just began to accelerate and I could not stop it, I tried to break, but no response and the car kept accelerating for about 50 feet before crashing into. the granite hillside, lifting the car so it landed perpendicular to the road, setting off all airbags and blocking all traffic completely. …
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the windshield had cracked with no external cause. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was the windshield was replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 45-50 MPH, the vehicle ahead slowed down, slid and stopped side ways, approximately two feet in the emergency lane and two feet in the left lane. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal, the wheels locked but the ABS failed to engage, causing the vehicle to skid. Additionally, the contact attempted to turn to the right to avoid the other vehicle, but the steering wheel was locked. The contact used his physical strength to steer the steering wheel; however, the vehicle crashed into the passenger's side rear bumper and headlight of the other vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH on a snowy hill road, the ABS warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the ABS independently enabled, the vehicle jerked and veered off the road. The rear passenger side of the vehicle crashed into multiple trees. In addition, the vehicle crashed into the last tree which prevented the vehicle from entering into the river. The contact's spouse was an occupant in the vehicle and was seated in the front passenger's seat. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The damage to the vehicle consists of damage to the rear passenger side of the vehicle and the front passenger side door. No injuries were sustained. No police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. …
I got into 2 accidents with my 2022 Nissan Altima (October 12 & 13). on Oct.12 I backed into a parked vehicle in a parking lot.I did drive the car home. The next day after getting an estimate at a local auto body shop I drove home and my car would not stop in my driveway and I crashed into my garage door. The auto body shop towed the car back there. I have filed a consumer complaint with Nissan (case#49847642) they want to inspect the vehicle before any repairs are done to it. Estimated damages are car=$5000, garage door $4000. The contact stating the lack of progress concerning the damaged 2022 Nissan Altima. The vehicle is still at an auto body repair shop. Also the contact was told the decision would take 2-4 weeks and was advised not to have the car repaired until then.
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Altima. The contact stated after the vehicle received brakes services, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the contact smelled smoke. The contact stated that two weeks later while inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed smoke coming the wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the driver's side rear caliper needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
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. …
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima vehicles manufactured October 6, 2015, to October 7, 2015. The affected vehicles have front brake calipers whose mounting bolts may not be properly tightened.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will check the brake caliper mounting bolts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 14, 2015.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Certain of the brake hoses for the right rear wheel were routed incorrectly so that contact is made with a suspension component. This causes abrasion to the hose and eventual leakage.
Remedy: The right rear brake hose will be inspected to determine if it is routed correctly. Misrouted hoses will be inspected for damage, replaced if necessary, and correctly routed.
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Altima years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2008 (93), 2007 (70), 2013 (58), 2018 (49) and 2009 (47) model years. Brake complaints make up 9% of all complaints for the 2008.
Is there a recall for Nissan Altima brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 15V-733 (caliper, Nov 5, 2015); 95V-008 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jan 24, 1995). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Altima brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 46,000 miles; 59% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (30 mentions), followed by the foundation components (22).
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.