2008 Nissan Altima brakes problems

93 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 42,000. 9 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 93
of this car's complaints: 9%
typical mileage: 42,000
crashes: 9
recalls: 0

Which part fails

Foundation components: master cylinder
1
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Nissan Altima brakes problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Nissan Altima brakes

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Grinding brakes 14 Brake failure 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Brake Master Cylinder Internal LeakOpened May 23, 2011, closed March 14, 2012

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 complaints alleged any effect on brake performance and in each of these the drivers were able to stop the vehicles without incident.No crash claims could be attributed to the alleged defect. Returned part analysis data provided by Nissan showed that most of the master cylinders replaced under warranty did not have a leak condition.These replacements may have resulted from brake MIL illumination due to pad wear.For most of the warranty claims, in a few cases where a master cylinder leak was found, Nissan's testing showed that the leaks were extremely slow and would require thousands of miles or months of driving before brake performance could be affected.After an extensive study of replaced master cylinders for a presumed leak, Nissan was unable to identify any concern with the parts or design of the subject components that could affect brake performance. Nevertheless, Nissan does recognize a concern with premature brake MIL illumination and has decided to address this problem by conducting a voluntary service campaign covering approximately 1.17 million model year 2007 through 2012 Altima vehicles (up to June 25, 2011 production, the date of Nissan's running change for the longer life brake pad).Nissan's owner letter for the service campaign states, As your brake pads wear over time, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will drop and may cause the brake warning lamp to illuminate.?Although this is a normal condition, there has been concern that the brake warning light illumination may be caused by a slow fluid leak over time.Nissan's service campaign will inspect the brake pads and test the master cylinder for leakage.If leakage is detected, Nissan will replace the master cylinder at no charge.If excessive pad wear is observed, customers will be notified and will be responsible for repairs.For more details concerning Nissan's service campaign, see the PE11-020 file on Based on the low failure rate for confirmed master cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.

PE11020

What 2008 Nissan Altima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Brakes · 80,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

The contact's mother owned a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while her mother was driving 20 MPH, the brakes suddenly stopped responding when the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle crashed into a pole. The brake pedal was depressed, and the parking brake was activated, but the vehicle failed to respond. The driver sustained injuries to the face with cuts and bruises to the stomach, chest, arms, back and neck pain. The vehicle was towed. The vehicle was serviced at a Nissan dealer. The local dealer was notified. The vehicle was totaled. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000

Filed Oct 6, 2023 · Acceleration, Airbags · SC · crash

While pulling into a parking spot and coming to a halt, I put the car into park mode. My foot was still on the brake. Instantly the engine went into "overdrive" and lurched forward over a parking curb and through heavy brush and finally came to a stop after hitting a pine tree. The engine was still screaming and the tires still spinning until I hit the off button. I had my foot on the brake the entire time to no avail. The heavy brush slowed the car somewhat. The airbags didn't deploy. I had several witnesses and they all stated they saw my brake lights on. I plowed approx. 50 feet through the brush before hitting the tree. I was the only one involved and was not hurt. This was Thurs. Sept. 28, 2023. It was in a state park and no police report made. Park Ranger took down info.

Filed Dec 6, 2021 · Brakes · TN

Brake switch or Stop Light Switch goes out which causes brakes to become very stiff and not light up the brakes which causes car’s push start to not start car more than 5 times a week. I will always have to stomp the brake petal to activate the brakes to start the car.

Filed Aug 22, 2021 · Brakes, Driver assistance · OR

I have had my cars rear brakes completely replaced once in the last 6 months and completely replaced the front brake system TWICE in 6 months. I’ve had to pay close to $4000 in repairs on only the cars front end so at this point any part that could be causing the excessive wearing out of my brakes could not possibly be doing so without me knowing about it from many inspections (mainly done by different Les schwab locations and my local Nissan dealership in Salem, OR). For some reason within a month of having the brakes replaced, they have began to squeal worse than ever before, I’m not exaggerating when I say that my 2008 Altima has brakes that are almost twice as loud as any city or school bus brakes that I’ve ever heard in my life. Something within the brake system is causing all these brand new parts to wear down to metal on metal screeeching

Filed Mar 24, 2021 · Brakes, Engine · 177,000 miles · PA

Purchased 2008 nissan altima on march 6, 2021 from the car house in butler, nj. Since the moment I drove off the lot, multiple lights turned on which turned out to be alternator and multiple 02 sensors. The next day I had a garage do an inspection and it turned out the car needed a rear control arm, shocks, brakes and rotors in additon to the lights. The dealer said that I had a 90 day warranty but when I called the company they had no record of the contract. The dealer fixed the sensors and alternator supposedly, but haven't contacted me back about fixing the other issues and every time I call they hang up.

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 14,772 miles · LA · crash

Brakes locked and steering locked causing a rear end accident driving on a city highway going to work.

Filed Dec 14, 2019 · Body, Brakes · 119,000 miles · FL · fire

While driving on i95 the car shut off and was steered very difficultly to the off ramp and the side of the road. Smoke started to come out of the front of the car and I exited the car and the car proceeded to be engulfed in flames burning the front half of the car to the front seats. Fire rescue arrived to put out the fire.1116

Filed Mar 18, 2017 · Brakes · 155,000 miles · NM

'takata recall' brakes lock up when driving. U can put it in drive or reverse and car wont move. Feels like brake is engaged but its not.

Filed Feb 10, 2017 · Airbags, Brakes · 4,777 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan altima. When the vehicle was started, the TPMS, brake, and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 4,777.

Filed Sep 15, 2016 · Brakes · 91,000 miles · CT

Brakes felt as if the emergency brake was on all the time and vehicle would only go in first gear and if I let off the gas the car would come to a halt. Car was towed to dealer for master cylinder changeout. Nissan claims my vehicle id was not a part of a known service bulletin for this vehicle 2007-2012. I think this matter warrants further looking into as my son is the primary driver

Questions about the 2008 Nissan Altima brakes

Does the 2008 Nissan Altima have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 93 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Nissan Altima, 9% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Altima brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 42,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Nissan Altima brakes?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Nissan Altima have bad brakes?

The Nissan Altima model years with the most brakes complaints are 2008 (93 complaints), 2007 (70 complaints) and 2013 (58 complaints).