2004 Nissan Armada: brake failure

Filed May 25, 2022 · Brakes · WA

This issue had been going on for years with my 2004 Nissan Armada. Driving down the freeway at approximately 70mph and the brake light comes on out of no where. When this happens there us no way to safe stop the vehicle because the brakes will not engage. There is this rattling and grinding sound that happens each time. The only way to safely continue is turn the truck off and back on. This needs to be corrected immediately before there is a fatal because of brake failure. Nissan refuse to research all the complaints.

Filed Feb 23, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 220,000 miles · TX

The vehicle will start having erratic rpms, hesitation to accelerate, engine rpms will not go above 2000-2500 or below 1000-300 without severe hesitation, then sometimes it will just completely shut down everything no matter if stopped at a light or driving highway speeds. Total loss of vehicle control happens... No brakes, power steering, no acceleration. Every light turns on on dash and if your driving at the time you better hope that you can quickly throw it in neutral, crank the engine at least 2-4 times before it'll start up, then kick it back in drive to gain control of the vehicle again so you can pull over somewhere safe before you get into a serious wreck. Taking it to nissan was pointless since after you get the armada restarted, it doesn't retain any codes that the dealership can use to diagnose the problem nor can the mechanic replicate the issue on test drives. At which point I look like I'm the crazy one, then they send me off on my way with no answers. The only other problem that the armada had long before this problem, during it, and currently is a cracked exhaust manifold which, too, is apparently a very common issue that plagues other armadas which nissan refused to acknowledge as a very common problem and issue a recall. This issue is hard to support with pics or documents since it almost always occurs while the vehicle is in motion so you're too occupied trying not to kill yourself or others on the road and when you do go to nissan there no codes to pull since I guess the vehicle erases it after the complete loss of power. Feels like I'm chasing my tail...

Filed Sep 24, 2019 · Brakes · CA

I was on the freeway going 60 MPH when this happened .having problems with the brake booster brake pedal goes all the way to the floor and doesn't wanna break on time also makes a weird noises this only happens when the brake light is on I have to turn off the vehicle and start again and then it won't do it for a while and then after a while it happen again so scary

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 Sep 29, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 200,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan armada. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced failures with starting, violent vibrations, and jerking. In addition, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the vehicle and the brakes failed to operate. The contact stated that the brake and tipm warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake lights needed to be reset. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed May 27, 2015 · Brakes · 136,000 miles · NJ

I was driving and went to brake the vehicle and the pedal went to the floor the brake light came on in the dash and it was making grinding noises and there were no brakes. I pulled over and turned the car off and started again and it was ok. It happens periodically.

Filed Nov 19, 2014 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · FL

I have issues with my brakes on a frequent basis. Since I purchased my car, I have been having this issue. I have taken my car to several nissan dealers. When my car was under warranty and I would also get the run around. I have been told my nissan that unless the issue happens when the car is in the shop then they are unable to diagnose the problem. When I apply the brakes, the brake pedal went to the floor and I hear a loud grinding noise from the front of the vehicle. This happens while I am driving. The only way to get it to work is if turn off the truck while cruising and turn it back on while cruising and it fixes the issue and I am able to stop fine. I have contacted nissan before and they failed to help me. I have two small children. This issue is happening with several people. The nissan armada 2004 was the first armada model, which this issue is a factory defect that is impacting hundreds of car owners. This issue needs to be taken seriously, since brakes is life threatening.

Filed Nov 17, 2014 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · NJ

Every once in a while, when I apply the brakes, the brake pedal went to the floor and I heard a loud grinding noise from the front of the vehicle. This happens randomly. It could happen once or twice a month and then not at all for the next month. I immediately shut off the truck while cruising and turn it back on while cruising and it fixes the issue and I am able to stop fine. I have contacted nissan before and they failed to help me. Through hundreds of posts of armada owner with the same issue it seem to be the brake booster in which an be up to 1500$ to fix. I cannot afford this fix and it seem that it should be a recall. Were talking about brakes. I have 3 children and am very concerned. Please help me with this repair - this has happened over 20 times.

Filed Oct 27, 2014 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · GA

While leaving work, I was traveling about 20mph when I applied the brakes and the truck would not stop. The brake pedal went to the floor, I heard a grinding noise and the brake light came on. The truck finally came to a stop after I pulled over to the side. I turned the truck off for about 30 seconds and restarted it, the brake light went off and the truck started to brake normally. I took it in to the dealership and they told me they did not find anything wrong. I have owned my truck for several years and it has continued to perform this way periodically(2 times a month). This is very dangerous and I pray everytime we drive it. Nissan has yet to do anything about this. For this reason, I will never purchase another nissan product.

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Brakes · 24,521 miles · TX

The brake light will go on while the car is in motion. When the brake is applied at this time there is a significant loss of breaking power as well as a grinding and jerking motion. It is extremely difficult to bring the vehicle to a stop. I have also noticed that if I turn on the vehicle and leave it in part position for 10 minutes or so, the brake light will also go on. If I put the car into drive, the same loss of braking power occurs. I have experienced the loss of braking power in various situations from going 75 miles on the freeway to as little as bringing the car out of parked position. There are many complaints with the same loss of power and nissan has failed to issue a recall.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Brakes · 40,000 miles · CA

I purchased a brand new nissan armada back in 2004. Starting around 2006 I had a brake failure issue. The emergency light comes on unexpectedly and the brakes would not apply properly. You can hear a grinding, cranking, spring noise when "trying" to stop the behemoth vehicle. I took the car in to several nissan dealers (while it was under warranty) but they all could not find anything wrong because... It was not happening at the time I took it in. This went on for years and years!!! How can I get it fixed under warranty, if the nissan dealership can't tell me the problem? Recently nissan then advised me to do a diagnostic check. So after paying $115 out of pocket to prove something is wrong, they told me that the master cylinder booster sensor was "defective". So I let nissan north america know about the "defect" and of course their response was "your vehicle is no longer under warranty". How heinous of a company can nissan be? Not care for the thousands of drivers including their families (it is a family car) and others who are at risk of being injured or killed because of this defect! On top of that they know about the issue! They have sold me a vehicle with defective parts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! They need to be fined and be accountable and fix the defective problem for all the consumers who are going through this terrible stressful issue not knowing when your vehicle cannot brake! This is a big safety and liability issue that needs to be fixed and addressed by nissan asap.

Filed Jun 3, 2014 · Brakes · 190,426 miles · VA

Yesterday I left the parking lot after work and after driving for a few minutes I noticed that the parking brake light was on. The parking brake was in the up position and the car was in drive. I have had issues with lights coming on even if nothing is wrong (tire pressure light). At the time I was traveling at a low rate of speed due to five o'clock traffic. So after getting onto the freeway the speed increased then I noticed when I depressed the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle began to shudder/shake and the brakes didn't seem to be working as they should. It was a noticeable grinding noise as well. So I continued on slowly(35mph) until I reached a point that I could stop. I checked to see if maybe I had leaking brake fluid. I saw nothing coming from under the car. I stopped the car in order to do this. Well once I got back in and started the vehicle the light was off and the brakes were working as if nothing had happened. I am concerned because I see blogs where people have had the same problem as me. What I didn't see was a recall or any acknowledgement that the armada has a malfunction of some sort with the braking system. I have been reading about anything I can find that identifies the part or problem. So far nothing...I will be taking my armada to the dealership to get a diagnostic just to see what if any code will match my description of the events yesterday. I am worried that I will experience brake failure altogehter.