2018 Nissan Rogue: brakes engage by themselves (phantom braking)

Filed May 16, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

The vehicle experienced multiple incidents of unintended/sudden braking without an obvious hazard present. Approximately six weeks ago, while traveling eastbound through downtown [XXX] , with children in the vehicle and traffic behind me, the vehicle abruptly engaged braking on its own, causing a sudden slowdown and creating a potential rear-end collision hazard. A second similar incident occurred a few weeks later while slowly pulling into a Target Drive-Up parking space, where the vehicle again unexpectedly braked without driver command. The issue appears possibly related to the automatic emergency braking/forward collision avoidance system, although the exact cause is currently UNKNOWN. No collision occurred, but the unexpected braking created a significant safety concern for vehicle occupants and surrounding traffic. The vehicle has also experienced ongoing electrical-related issues, including repeated “No Key Detected” warnings despite prior dealership reprogramming/rekeying attempts involving both the keys and vehicle system. The Bluetooth/radio system has also repeatedly malfunctioned despite dealership updates and/or repairs. To date, the issues appear intermittent and progressively worsening. The vehicle has been serviced previously by dealership personnel for some of the electrical/key-related concerns. The exact root cause has not yet been identified or confirmed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Feb 16, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · OH

Driving 55 mph down road when my 2018 Nissan rogue SL AWD automatically slammed on the brakes by itself. Lights on the dashboard flashed and it made horrible breaking sound The force flung me forward but seat belt locked up holding me in place. There was absolutely nothing or no one fffcccffin front me. Luckily no one was behind me eor they would’ve hit me. Can’t figure out a way to turn off this safety collision feature because it’s a put hazard!

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · RI

The backup camera picture/screen has randomly cut out while backing up putting myself and whatever is behind me at risk for collision. In the section where it asks for the date, it's happens randomly since I bought it. Whenever I've taken it to my mechanic they have not been able to reproduce it. The emergency braking system has activated with nothing around. It's in the dealers now. It was listed as a recall on a RI safety but not associated with my vin so the nissan dealer is saying that it's not covered under recall because it shows only the brake recall. the software update is costing me 169. He says that it should fix both problems.

Filed May 28, 2021 · Driver assistance · CA

It started braking by itself while I was driving 65 mph on the freeway. Scary Sh**. This happened 7 times before I was able to get safely home. It happened even when slowing to 30mph. And the brake lights do not go on when this happens, my boyfriend was following me. I’m shocked there has not been a recall for this after reading online of other complaints and lawsuits. Huge safety issue. This isn’t a bad water pump issue it’s a peoples lives issue. I called Nissan and opened a case with them (case # 43890104) for the issue and to try to get my $165.00 back that I had to pay my local Nissan dealer. Although Nissan is going to reimburse me the $165.00 I paid, I strongly feel it needs a recall for this issue. People need to be aware that their lives are in danger. Please help. Make Nissan do the right thing and do a recall.

Filed Feb 28, 2020 · Acceleration, Airbags · 28,000 miles · IL · crash

Car accelerated on it's own while parking. Jumped over the stop and crashed into a building. Automatic braking system did not stop the car and air bags did not engage. This car has been serviced for braking for no reason and a new transmission has been installed and now this. I believe this is a lemon. Love the car but to many problems. No my car insurance premiums will rise or be cancelled.

Filed Jan 14, 2020 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · GA

I bought the vehicle 5 months ago, when I am driving past 40 minutes it will brake for no reason even when nothing is in front of me. I took it to awesome nissan in brunswick, ga they said they fixed the recalls. On my way home on the highway it was doing it again and I spun out but got back in control, and I called them they said to bring it back in when I did they had my car for 5 days and drove it 14 miles and called and said there was nothing wrong with my vehicle. My car will try to stop at any given time and is to dangerous to drive. I called nissan they will not help me. This is going to be the 3rd time I take it in and this time I have to pay over $1,000.00 to get it repaired since I can not find anyone who will help me.

Filed Jan 6, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 41,875 miles · OH

I was pulling into my garage a few days ago and the emergency brake system engaged. There was absolutely nothing in front of me when this happened. Again today, I was driving down the city road going approximately 25 MPH and the car it happened again. The warning flashed, car beeped and just stopped for no reason at all. Nothing in front and thankfully no cars behind me. This is extremely dangerous and scary! Thank goodness I was not in an accident due to this issue.

Filed Dec 22, 2019 · Brakes · 21,926 miles · TX

While the vehicle was in motion driving straight at approximately 30 miles per hour, at 7:52am on university blvd at highway 75, the automatic emergency braking system engaged for no reason causing the vehicles brakes to inappropriately engage. This was a failure of the automatic emergency braking system due to the random nature and the fact there was no hazard or condition requiring the automatic emergency braking to become engaged. This is not the first time this has happened and at least one previous safety complaint has been entered. This failure of the automatic emergency braking system do cause the vehicle to stop and is a very serious safety concern.

Filed Nov 15, 2019 · Brakes · ME

Vehicle suddenly slammed on brakes by itself, and the car shook violently. (I believe the ABS system activated itself for no apparent reason). Driving approximately 40 MPH. Daytime. Clear weather. No traffic around. No obstacles on roadway. Very scary and dangerous. The electronics on this car, in general, are highly unreliable.

Filed Oct 8, 2019 · Brakes · 1,000 miles · NY

I have had my 2018 nissan rouge for a little over a year. Over the year the vehicle has for no reason at all stopped on its own, a few times while driving on highway going 65 MPH. It has happened roughly a total of 10 times, at first I thought I was completely insane, how is a car braking on its own. But then it continued to happen and now I've seen stories of other people experiencing the same thing. The scariest time was when my fiance and I were on a highway doing roughly 65 MPH and the car for absolutely no reason started to brake - it felt like I was going to go though my windshield. There was noting in the road, no bumps - clear, flat road and just suddenly its starts stopping. It scared the life out of both of us and I have felt very unsafe operating the vehicle ever since. Luckily no one was hurt but it feels like only a mater of time before I am not so lucky. Nissan needs to address this issue and fix it, I want a different car, I don;t feel safe.

Filed Jul 10, 2019 · Driver assistance · 40,000 miles · WA

On 4 different occasions, the automatic braking has engaged for no reason while I have been driving. Luckily each one of the times I was not driving freeway speeds. Also, countless times I get an error message saying that something is obstructing the sensor, but there are no obstructions. This has got me worried and dont feel safe.

Filed Jun 14, 2019 · 6,067 miles · NC

The automatic braking system engaged for no reason while traveling forward at 30mph. This happened on a city street with a slight decline and no cars around the vehicle. There was a sharp deceleration accompanied by a grinding sound. This lasted a brief second or two, then the vehicle resumed forward motion. The vehicle did not come to a complete stop. This is the second time this has happened with this vehicle. The last time it happened (the first week we had the vehicle) the dealer replaced the distance sensor. Obviously there is still a problem.