2008 Nissan Altima: grinding or squealing brakes

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 Aug 9, 2016 · 132,000 miles · MI

While driving my car, it started to make "grinding" movements and stopped moving while I was driving. I was lucky that I didn't crash. I'm filing this complaint because of the various problems I've had with this CVT transmission -- including wheezing noises and shifting problems and now complete transmission failure. Called nissan they refuse to help because my car has 132k miles and their extended warranty only goes to 120k. I've only had this car for 5 years. It's only 8 years old. They instituted this extended warranty due to so many complaining about the problems with the CVT. But I'm over the warranty and now I'm on the hook for 4k in transmission repair. I feel this is unfair as I have maintained my vehicle.

Filed Feb 5, 2013 · Brakes · 52,000 miles · IL

I had noticed months ago that the brake performance was not up to par, but as conditions were generally dry, it was not a problem. I did have new rotors and pads installed at 50,000 miles, but had no better brake performance. As soon as we experienced snowy/icy conditions it became a problem as the vehicle would then slide with the brakes locked, even though snow tires were installed. I then determined that the rear brakes were not working at all, and the hash marks from manufactures grinding on the new rear discs was virtually untouched. The rear brakes were bled, and there was no evidence of air in the line which pointed to a problem upstream. With the rear of the car raised and the brake pedal fully depressed, the rear wheels could still be turned by hand. There is evidence that the master cylinder is weeping at the booster.

Filed Jan 24, 2012 · Brakes · NC

Leaking master cylinder caused brake light and vdc/slip lights to come on intermittently. My car has 54,000 miles. This same issue happened at 31,000 miles, but the dealer told me it was my brake pads and replaced the front and rear brake pads at that time. The brakes have squeaked horribly since the pads were replaced. Now having trouble finding a part because apparently this is happening to many, many nissan owners.

Filed Dec 19, 2011 · Transmission · MA

I have 2008 nissan altima with a manual transmission. About three weeks ago I noticed that the vehicle has been "dragging" in first and second gear. I have not noticed any problem with the clutch. The gears shift as normal but there is a squeaking noise. Even in 3-6 gears the vehicle will not pick up speed as it should. I took it to the dealership and they tell me it is the clutch that is worn out. There is no check engine light or any warning sign showing. Normally a clutch burns out and the pedal will fall flat to the floor. In this case none of that has happened. I bought the vehicle from the dealership in 2009 with 11000 miles on. I have been driving a jetta with manual transmission since january 2005 with no such problems. My research on internet indicate other people have similar problem with nissan manual transmissions.

Filed Aug 11, 2011 · Brakes · 24,000 miles · TX

Purchased 2008 nissan altima in 2009. Car was supposed to be certified. Immediately began hearing squealing/grinding with brakes. Complained to nissan and the dealership. Dealership kept rotating rotors but no resolution. In 12/2010 had brakes changed at honcura auto and they used genuine nissan parts. Within a month, same thing occurring. Something is wrong with the brakes and nissan will not own up to it.

Filed Aug 16, 2010 · Brakes · 12,000 miles · NY

My brakes on my 2008 nissan altima have been making a loud grinding noise almost 1 year now. I have notified the dealer which I bought the car from and they said nothing was wrong with the brakes when they completed a visual inspection. I feel unsafe with this type of ongoing noise and this occurs everyday,especially when the brake pads and rotors heat up,I will get a loud grinding noise. I have complained to nissan several times and they have not did anything to help resolve this issue. My car only has 25,000 miles and I done think its suppose to be time for a brake change?? Has anyone or is anyone else experiencing this same issue?

Filed Jul 31, 2010 · Brakes · 3,800 miles · NJ

I would like to report a chronic brake problem I have had with my 2008 nissan altima, since the date of purchase in may of 2008. To date, I have had to bring in the car for repairs ranging from squealing noises right down to out and out grinding which began only 3-4k miles after I purchased the car. After the first several repairs, which did absolutely "nothing' as I noticed the brakes squealing still just days after I brought the car in, the car dealership advised me there was a technical service bulletin (tsb) issued which required them to perform a 'complete" brake pad replacement, which included brake pads, rotors and brand new replacements of all other parts that the brakes use. Since that time, the brakes continue to make this annoying squealing noise and when the dealership is questioned about it, they simply revert back to what they told me the very first time I called them about this 3-4 months after I bought the car, which was that this sound was normal with all cars and was nothing to be alarmed about, which sounded totally preposterous to me and was even proven incorrect months later after the initial complaint when they advised me there was that technical service bulletin (tsb) issued regarding this problem which resulted in the aforementioned complete overhaul repair. It was noted that, among other reasons, this occurs as a result of the problem is caused by the semi-metallic pads used by nissan and/or other cheap or poor quality brake products used. From what I have learned there have been "three" tsb's issued relating to brake problems with the 2008 nissan altima as follows: ntb07-003c murano and altima; squeak noise when brake pedal is pressed. Ntb08-047 altima: rear brake noise at slow speeds ntb08-057 2007-2008 altima; front brake noise at slow speeds.

Filed Nov 30, 2009 · Transmission · 3,000 miles · VA

Purchased a 2008 nissan altima, drove the car for 3,000 miles. Cvt transmission started making strange noises. Turned out to be defective. They replaced it, but did not put it back together properly. Been having problems with it ever since. Nov 30, 2009 took vehicle in for scheduled maintenance, had them examine transmission again for a grinding noise. They did not "see" anything wrong with it but acknowledged transmission could be defective. Car is going in for more "tests". Nissan extended the warranty to 10 years 120,000 miles for CVT's, however I don't feel safe driving the vehicle.

Filed May 18, 2009 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · AZ

My 2008 nissan altima had squeaky brakes for months before dealership would admit there was a problem. First time I took car in about brakes was told that the brakes sometimes make a noise nothing to worry about. Second time they told me they had to replace the brakes and both calipers on front.everything was fixed according to the service bulletin. I've noticed that my transmission makes a whinny noise when driving up grades. Took it in and was told they couldn't duplicate the reported problem. Go figure.. I wish someone would do us all a favor and recall this vehicle. Please! We all have been ripped off by nissan! Car has had too many problems from day one! Regret buying it!!

Filed Apr 21, 2009 · Brakes · 27,252 miles · AZ

I have just purchased a used 2008 nissan altima sedan. The brakes are very squeaky. The brakes squeak when you press on them lightly going around 10 MPH or less.

Filed Mar 31, 2009 · Brakes · 30,000 miles · CA

I have a 2008 nissan altima coupe with 30k miles and the brakes are squeaking nonstop. I took the pad off on all 4 sides and there is plenty of pad left. I sanded the syface of the pad, cleaned the brake assembly and still they squeak non stop. The only time they will not squeak is if I brake super hard.