2005 Nissan Armada: shudder or vibration when accelerating

Filed Jul 8, 2015 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · VA

The brake, slip and vdc off light come on at once. Lose brake pedal pressure. Pedal goes almost to floor with noise like the ABS is on, grinding sound shuddering happens. Turn off and turn on vehicle, issue goes away for anywhere from a day to a few week then happens again. It has happened on mostly dry smooth pavement. It could happen few times a day or few times a week and sometimes not for weeks. I am very afraid to drive because luckily it had happened every time I was 20 MPH or below.

Filed Sep 23, 2014 · Brakes · 83,921 miles · VA

Brake judder from front brakes.[xxx]. I have had numerous episodes like this "bad ABS, I think, on armada". Everything goes well and am traveling at low speed or pulling out of the parking and step on the brakes and hear a terrible grinding sound coming from the brakes in addition to a spring like sound and a significant reduction in braking power. This continues until I pull off the road and shut off the engine and then start it back up and the brakes work fine. This has happen 8-10 times since may 2014. It did happen couple of time when I was traveling with 20-30 MPH and I come to stop, causing groaning, banging noises and feel spongy.this started happening in the same week or so after I had brake work done by dealer. I had taken my car to dealer to replace rotor and pads. This didn't happen before that time. I took the car back to dealer in july and complained about this issue. They reset the module and suggested to replace the booster if it happens again. I ran the scanner to see error code c1179, delta stroke sensor. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 24, 2014 · Steering · 45,000 miles · TN

The first incident took place approximately 1 year after purchase, but it was not as severe, so I will begin with the first severe occurrence, which took place in the summer of 2009. At about 55 miles per hour the vehicle shakes, and the steering seemed a bit loose. But because I like my nissan, I just drove it very carefully. Then in 2014, it became almost impossible to control. I began to research problems that others were having as originally I thought the problem I was having was related to the brake system. But it was shaking even without applying the brakes. I have owned vehicles that cost considerably less, and I have never had a problem where the steering shaft connection to the rack and pinion assembly became so worn that both the steering shaft and the rack and pinion assembly had to be replaced. This seems to be an engineering defect or poor workmanship, and a definite safety hazard, and if I had not had the presence of mind to have it checked out, or the finances to have it repaired, it would certainly have resulted in a car crash and possible loss of life, as when the steering started to degrade without my applying the brakes, it degraded quite rapidly. I paid auto-nation nissan of memphis $1989.60 to repair, and it only put me back to the point where the shuddering or shaking only occurs when I apply the brakes. I would not be able in good conscious to sale this vehicle to anyone, though I am sure that north american nissan would have no problem doing so.

Filed Aug 13, 2013 · Acceleration, Brakes · 85,000 miles · AL

Problem with car accelerating spontaneously when brake booster sensor fails at random times. Initial problem with brake peddle going soft and the anti-lock braking system gets activated when braking trying to do standard braking. The brake light turns on, the peddle goes to the floor, brakes are not normal and very touchy and the car shudders viciously to a stop while. Loud noise is scary while brakes not firing in the usual peddle position and feel like mush. Now in january a new situation started occurring when the brake booster would fail is that the armada would also accelerate the engine on pressing the brake. I went to stop my armada's and the engine surged its rpms while the anti-lock relays were firing. I stood on the brake peddle with my every muscle in my body to try to get the nissan armada to stop. I could not shift the car into neutral because the shifting lock seemed to engaged. I ended up turning off the engine and was able to stop. I called nissan america to report this issue. Also stopped by the local nissan dealership and service manage informed me that the braking issue was caused by the delta sensor in the brake booster and was a know issue but that this was the first time he heard about the spontaneous acceleration when applying the brakes at low speed and that he only had heard about the spontaneous acceleration when applying the brakes at higher speeds. He said this was caused also by the delta sensor in the brake booster. I think I understood him in saying that when this sensor fails it allows the booster to inject air into the intake that causes the car to accelerate. I replaced my brake booster yesterday to find today that my armada has the same deadly issue! Please have nissan fix this known safety issue!

Filed Sep 22, 2010 · Acceleration, Brakes · 72,449 miles · PA

Previously reported under complaint #odi id number : 10339985. A summary of the problem:the issue/problem: the brake light comes on. When brakes are used, there is decreased braking power. The brakes make a crunching, springy noise with the pedal being extremely soft until it gets closer to the floor and begins to give braking power. When ignition is turned off, the problem resolves at least temporarily. When the engine has turned off, I have had the problem reoccur as soon as 5 minutes and as long as 31 months. I made a video of one of my instances @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmtpofdbjr8 I first experienced the braking problem back in 3/06 with ~12,000 miles on the vehicle. The dealer was not able to duplicate the issue, but it had happened to me 3-4 times prior to getting it to the dealer. During the visit, they performed the judder brake bulletin service. The description of the judder brake bulletin did not seem to fit my problem, but the car no longer had the issue. Then the issue recurred at ~46,000 miles in 10/08. Again the brakes did not have full power for 3-5 times prior to getting it to the dealer. I was able to demonstrate the problem to my local mechanic, but when he shut down the engine, the problem resolved. I returned the car to the dealer. The computer did not have any repair codes stored, but they performed tsb 06-040, a computer software update. The car was fine until 6/25/10 when the problem recurred. It occurred three times throughout the day. I started tracking the occurrences: 6/27 x 1, 6/28 x1. I made a appointment with the service manager at the dealership on 6/29. I kept the car and it reproduced the problem 7/1 and 7/4@ 70,697miles. I made arrangements to allow them to take the car and get a loaner so that they could hopefully reproduce the problem. During this july 10 visit they had the car over 3 weeks and completed 2 software updates @ nc. On 9/2/10 @ 72,449 miles, the braking prob has recurred.

Filed Jun 25, 2010 · Brakes · 12,311 miles · PA

3/28/2006 when braking there is intermittently a pulsation,75% decreased braking ability, brake light on. Braking decrease is a hazard! : dealer found steering wheel shakes when braking. Installed updated brake kit & brake judder bulletin. Still occurring every once in a while . . .once ever several months, but cannot reproduce exact symptoms at dealer. 10/20/2008: when braking there is intermittently a pulsation,decreased braking ability, brake light on. Symptom appeared and stopped at local mechanic. He tested car, but symptoms disappear when car shut off and restarted. Dealer found no codes present. Not able to reproduce problem. Performed tsb 06-040 and advised it may not fix problem. Software updated and problem seemed to be resolved until 6/25/2010: when braking there is intermittently a pulsation,75% decreased braking ability, brake light on. Braking decrease is a hazard! Reading about same problem in forums without a good solution. Hate to be a death or injury to get this problem noticed. Will take back to the dealer, but expect the same "not sure it is fixed" response.

Filed Sep 26, 2008 · Brakes · 57,126 miles · AZ

I was driving my 2005 nissan armada se when coming up to a stop light and had to apply my brakes to stop and they failed. The brake pedal shuddered and could hear a metal squeal coming from the front brakes. Scared me to death. Had my infant son with me and was really shaken that I almost hit another car in front of me. Since I wasn't in a area to where I could pull over right away, I began to pull away from the stop light very slowly. When no cars were around and I felt it safe to apply my brakes again, the same thing happened! The brake light on the instrument panel came on and I felt a grinding noise, and shudder feeling when apply pressure on the brake pedal. I finally pulled the vehicle over right away and called for a tow truck to tow to dealer. Explained to dealer what had happened and they told me they had heard about this type of problem before and that nissan had released a service bulletin about it. My service advisor told me that it was a vdc (vehicle dynamic control) module failure. He went on to say that sometimes you can turn off the vehicle and turn back on and it will reset itself. Very scary!!! I purchased an extended warranty when I purchased my armada and the dealer told me that this was not covered and it would cost me $115 to fix. I think nissan would be well advised to issue a recall about this situation. I would hate to be going down the highway at 75 MPH and have to apply my brakes suddenly and have them not work properly or scary yet someone gets killed.

Filed Mar 31, 2008 · Brakes · 39,940 miles · CA

Had a near miss vehicle accident due to the vdc (vehicle dynamic control) module/computer failure and caused brake system to malfunction and not stop car. While traveling 30 MPH +/- in a left turn lane and tried to stop at a red light. The brakes did not grab right, had a severe metal squeal. The brake pedal shuddered. The car went through the stop line into the intersection and oncoming traffic. The one car coming head on was able to stop. They made an emergency stop. Had to turn left into the parking lot and to a clear area in the lot to let vehicle slow on its own and finally stop. Vehicle brake lamp was lit on the instrument cluster. Put vehicle into park and light stayed lit. Put vehicle back in drive and tested brakes. They still would not brake correctly and had that loud noise with a shudder felt on the pedal. Called the dealer where car has been in for same complaint 2 times. They asked if I could drive it in, I said no and had to pay for a tow. When car was at dealer and restarted brake light was off and no problem with brakes. Dealer did a check of codes from onboard computer. Had a c-1179. I was told there was a known issue with this complaint and the vdc failure. There was a tsb for this condition, it had been out for more than a year. We have had the car in for a complaint of sudden brake pedal shudder and screech noise 2 times in the last year. Nissan dealer said it was a brake and rotor problem and had a tsb for the replacement. Dealer did tsb work for a brake judder 2 times. Told dealer this was the worst time this happened. That prior times the brake light was gone when we restarted the car and the brake problem was gone. Bought car pre-owned. Car showed a brake rotor tsb was done. Current dealer performed 2 more brake rotor tsb's. I question whether other complaints of a brake pedal shudder vs judder is not a mild form of the vdc failure? Thanks to the other driver on being alert and making this a near miss accident and not a full on collision.

Filed Aug 20, 2006 · Brakes · 680 miles · GA

3/10/05 purchased car new. 3/17/05 car in shop for brake and steering vibration. 4/11/05 entire front curtain airbags, harness and wiring had to be replaced. Car in shop 8 days. Car has been in shop a total of 12 time since purchase. Mostly for brakes, pulling, vibration, judder, broken parts. Also having problems with seat stains that will not stay out of our fabulous nasa fabric! Will be trying to obtain replacement vehicle either with dealership or attorney. You have 12 complaints and more that are similar. Why no recall. There is even a nissan lemon law website. Please help!

Filed Jul 11, 2005 · Brakes · 70 miles · IL

We purchased the vehicle the end of 3/05. W/in days we noticed a "shimmy" in the steering and the vehicle was difficult to control at speeds of 50+. Steering would veer to the left and wheel would jerk to side when encountering slight bumps in the road. When applying the brakes, the car would vibrate & shudder and was even more difficult to control (at any speed). It took more pressure than usual to get car to stop. The most frightening part was that the car was especially hard to control in rainy conditions. When driving at speeds of between 25-35 MPH, in a moderate rainfall, the car hydroplaned on 5 occassions within a distance of approx. 60 miles. Also, the tire pressure light would come on intermittently. Within the first week, I brought the car into a dealership to have my tire pressure checked. It was fine and they had no explanation for the light appearing. I was out of state at the time & they suggested I bring it into my dealership. I brought it into the dealership to have the alignment checked, which is what I thought the problem was. They balanced my tires and told me this was why my tire pressure light was going on. After the problem continued, I was told it was a problem with the brakes and that nissan was aware of this problem . I was told that they did not have the parts to fix the problem. They were waiting for the parts to arrive, but had no idea when this would be. This is a safety issue and I am fearful of driving this vehicle. I have contacted nissan north america and received no satisfaction. This is a serious issue and I am furious that I cannot get the manufacturer to commit to a date that they will replace these brakes. Nissan n.a. Representative told me that it's not a safety issue & my difficulties handling the vehicle in adverse conditions was "external". The car is hard to handle in the best of conditions. It only makes sense that the more difficult the driving conditions, the harder this vehicle would be to control.

Filed Jun 13, 2005 · Brakes · 2,100 miles · NY

I am leasing a 2005 nissan armada. Currently there are 3300 miles on the truck and I already took it to the dealer 2 for brake issues. There is a very a hard brake judder once brake pedal is pressed with the truck going over 20 miles per hour. I took it to the dealer at 1900 miles and they said it is not a big deal and they will repair it when I take the truck in for maintenance at 3500 miles. Now I took it in for maintenance when the problem is worse and they are saying they have no parts to fix the truck since nissan has not send them. Service department has been excellent and tried to help with all my questions but it doesn ot look like it is up to them anymore. The truck is almost in the un-drivable condition.

Filed May 20, 2005 · Brakes · 1,300 miles · NY

Brakes on my 2005 nissan armada. When braking the steering wheel starts to judder or shake. The car is only two months old with 1,300 miles. I now hear that this is a common problem. I would like there to be a recall on this matter.