2004 Nissan Armada: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Aug 20, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TN

The ecm tells the abs to kick on the parking brake causing it to not have brakes while driving down the road unless you pull over and turn the car off and back on.

Filed Nov 18, 2020 · Brakes · 72,000 miles · CA

This problem has happened numerous times at various speeds from 10mph to 70mph.while driving on city streets and freeways and need to come to a stop the brake light, vdc off light, and slip light came on. When brakes applied, very loud grinding/clunking metal noise happened and brakes would not engage only at about 10% of brakes working it seems. I stop turn off the car and start it back up and it seems to reset. This cannot happen as I almost got into numerous collisions because of this ABS brake malfunction !! Doing research on this problem from other armada owners forums this problem happens quiet frequently. Some owners came to the conclusion that its a faulty delta sensor in the brake booster. Nissan must recall this problem asap!!

Filed Oct 9, 2019 · Brakes · 191,000 miles · IL

Note that this vehicle was purchased used about 2 years ago without any service history from the previous owner. However I was able to confirm no outstanding recalls open on the VIN. While traveling home (45mph) I observed the brake light illuminate on the dashboard and noticed the brakes were malfunctioning. When attempting to depress the brake pedal the ABS/brakes appeared to make grinding/metallic noises and the brake pedal would vibrate and go to the floor. I thought that a brake line or fluid issue may have occurred, but when I stopped the vehicle and turned off the ignition I did not see any visual issues. Then upon restarting the vehicle the issue was no longer present. When I researched this issue I found hundreds of complaints about nissan brakes having similar issues and found a service bulletin ntb06-040.pdf regarding the issue. Upon using a scantool to read the vehicle codes I was able to confirm that dtc c1179 was present and that this issue was related to the service bulletin. The service bulletin indicates a software update addresses the issue. I contacted nissan consumer affairs and they indicated nissan would not be able to assist due to the age of the vehicle. I am concerned about the number of complaints I am seeing online (clubarmada, nissanhelp, etc) regaing this issue and feel that if a software update is needed to resolve than there is either 1) a software bug (which needs a recall) or 2) a defective sensor (delta sensor) that the software update chooses to ignore or diminish. Either way a random brake malfunction that can "fix" itself upon reboot (restarting the vehicle) seems suspicious and should be investigated.

Filed Aug 16, 2018 · Brakes · 55,000 miles · OH

At random times, usually when transmission in drive, the brake light displays on the dash and immediately the brakes do not work appropriately. The brake pedal sinks to the floor when depressed while making a loud groaning/grinding sound. The brakes fail. I have to stop the car by pumping the brake pedal, turning off the motor and then once auto restarts the problem is gone until next time. Very dangerous. At higher speeds could cause serious accident with injury or death. Happened several times on expressway. Happened in parking lots and on side streets. Frightening situation. Dealers act ignorant about this problem even tho this seems to be a common complaint with this vehicle. I understand it is the ABS booster that needs to be replaced. Others said it is the computer. I spent 4 hours 2 wks ago at dealer who "found nothing." yet the situation has increased fron a few times a year to 3 times this week.

Filed Jun 30, 2018 · Brakes · 105,000 miles · NJ

I was driving on freeway around 60mph on a sudden brake paddle got soft brakes light ABS light everything came on dashboard.whenever I pressed the brake it feels like not pressing anything but the brake was still working but not smooth.. It's like u pressing hard brake every time. But when I restarted the truck everything disappeared from dashboard n brake paddle started working normally. So whenever it was happening I was keep restarting the truck . So I I went to firestone they said I need to change master cylinder flash the brake fluid rotors n pads all way around which cost me almost 1500$ . Once they did those services after couple of months same problem occurring again. Now firestone said it's ABS probably. I looked online lots of had same this unknown problem n it's dangerous.. It's pointi on its reliability .. I can't even sell the truck cz I don't want to put anyone's life in danger so plz I really this it's need to be taken care by dealer . Thank you

Filed Jun 25, 2017 · Brakes · 134,000 miles · FL

I was driving down a main roadway when the brake, vdc, ABS and 4x4 lights all came on. The car also started making a bonging grinding and vibrating when I pressed the brakes. I pulled off to the side of the road and turned the car off. I checked to see if I could find anything wrong. I couldn't see anything so I turned the car back on and all the lights were still on but the noise and vibrating had stopped. I made it home without it making the noise again. The next weeks went by and all the lights are still on and it makes the noise and vibration each time I turn the car on but and I pressed the brakes a few times it goes away expect the lights are always on now.

Filed Apr 21, 2017 · Brakes · 85,000 miles · CA

Takata recall "ABS braking system ,entire system fails the brake light and ABS brakel light, tics light all come on instrument panel,when stepping on brake pedal, then a wierd noise sound then brake pedal sinks to floor with the brakes grabbing and locking up causing tires to lock and slide, this happens frequently sometimes twice in the same time ,then it might go without occurring for weeks or months at a time, this is very dangerous I just happen to know somewhat how to deal with problem, as I'm applying brakes when it always happen, but if I was braking heavily and it happen no way ,would I not crash into what ever in front of me, it only happens while truck is in motion , and during braking.

Filed May 24, 2016 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · OR

I was driving about 30 MPH on a city street and step on the brakes when approaching a stop sign. The brake pedal felt real soft and I could hear a grinding sound coming from the brakes and the ABS and vdc lights came on. I had to pull off the road, turn the vehicle off and on again a couple of times before I could continue driving. This has happened to my wife and I 13 times.

Filed Aug 14, 2015 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · NV

We are having a brake issue that is very random. So far it has happened at low speeds. When it happens the break pedal will get very soft and the ABS will activate along with the break light on the dash. When you turn the armada off and restart everything resets and is normal. We have already replaced the brake booster, master cylinder, and had the computer reprogrammed. This problem has not been resolved by nissan, all they say is all the parts have been replaced and or reprogrammed so unless it can be duplicated there is nothing that can be done. This is very disappointing they are suppose to be reliable. We are also surprised that this has not been a recall because of safety

Filed Nov 22, 2014 · Brakes · 60,000 miles · CO

When coming to a stop and applying the brakes, the vehicle lost most of its braking power. The pedal went soft and began pulsating with a grinding noise. The brake light came on. It acted as though the ABS system was activated. The brake system stayed in the failed mode until I could pull over and turn the engine off and the computer would reset itself.

Filed Sep 6, 2014 · Brakes · 12,300 miles · GA

I have a 04 nissian armada ..well about a month or two I was going threw town around 35 MPH and I when to stop at light and didnt have but 20% brakes and the brake light was on I was scared to death I got stop at store cut the car off and hit emeregcy cause my hubby thought it m8ight have been on but it wasnt I craced car back up and brake light was off and seem like everything was fine but I got it towed to shop where they said brakes and everything looked great well a couple weeks ago the same thing happen I was going threw town around 25 MPH and the brake light was on not the ABS the brake light was on and I had very little brakes got to store cut car off and it was fine I took back to shop and got brakes rotors new brake everything and it did it again I am pi$$ed I have read over 250 review on this same problem happen to other people when is nissan going to do something I dont have money to put in this car that I thought was top of the line when I got it this is a issue that is going to kill someone nissan is going to be just like general motors please someone help me and tell me what to do.

Filed Jun 25, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 108,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan armada. The contact stated while traveling at any speed, the ABS sensor illuminated and there was a loud springing sound intermittently coming from the brakes. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer. The technician cleared the computer for the vdc code, replaced the ball bearings and the differential housing. The failure recurred. The contact had to continuously turn off the vehicle and restart it in order to reset the ABS sensor and the vdc sensor to no avail. The vehicle was to be inspected, diagnosed and repaired. The contact was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id numbers: 07e046000 (equipment). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000. Pam updated 8/11/14