2008 Nissan Sentra brakes problems

21 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 24,000. 4 crashes reported.

owner complaints: 21
of this car's complaints: 13%
typical mileage: 24,000
crashes: 4
recalls: 2

Which part fails

Foundation components: master cylinder
2

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Nissan Sentra brakes problems in other years

Related recalls

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported November 3, 2009 · 10,586 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2008 sentra passenger vehicles equipped with bosch master cylinders. Brake fluid may leak from the master cylinder. If the amount of brake fluid in the master cylinder reservoir decreases to below the minimum level, the brake system warning indicator will illuminate as designed and the brakes will not function properly.
Risk: If the warning lamp is continuously ignored, one of the brake circuits on the vehicle may fail increasing stopping distances and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the master cylinder brake booster assembly free of charge. The recall began on december 14, 2009. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 09V431000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinderReported July 11, 2008 · 169,202 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Nissan is recalling 169,202 my 2007-2008 sentra passenger vehicles equipped robert bosch master cylinder. Due to the machining irregularity by the supplier, the internal seal groove in the body of some brake master cylinders may allow for a gap in the groove contact area of the seal. This may result in brake fluid slowly leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster assembly, causing the brake warning light to illuminate.
Risk: If the warning lamp is ignored, one of the brake circuits on the vehicle may not operate as designed increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the master cylinder/brake booster assembly and if brake fluid leakage is detected, the master cylinder will be replaced with a new one free of charge. The recall began on august 20, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.

Recall number 08V311000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Scope of Recalls 08V311 and 09V431Opened December 20, 2016, closed October 2, 2017

Nissan conducted safety recalls 08V‑311 and 09V‑431 to remedy leaking master cylinders on certain MY 2007 and 2008 Nissan Sentra vehicles.The recall populations were determined based on production changes to the master cylinder which were fully implemented into production on April 18, 2008.the federal safety agency utilized vehicle owner questionnaire (VOQ) reports and did not request field information from Nissan.ODI identified two MY 2008 Nissan Sentra VOQs including the petitioner?s vehicle, which were not covered by the recalls and reported a leaking master cylinder.Both of these incidents occurred 6 or more years into the service life of the vehicle.ODI also identified three VOQs which reported a leaking master cylinder after receiving the recall remedy.While one of these failures occurred within 36 months of the recall remedy, the other two occurred at a later time.ODI notes that the original recall addressed failures which occurred early in the life of the vehicle, typically during the first 36 months of service.Master cylinders are generally expected to experience wear and thus will display a finite service life.After a thorough review of the available data in the federal safety agency's VOQ database, the agency has not identified a trend that would call into question the scope or adequacy of Nissan's recalls.Accordingly, and in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, ODI is denying the petition.A detailed summary of ODI's analysis of this petition is available in the investigative file for this action, and will be published in the Federal Register also.The agency reserves the right to revise this assessment should future circumstances warrant.The VOQs cited above can be viewed at under the following reference numbers: 10299791 10330891 10449038 10567372 10638813 10805749 10839357

DP16002

What 2008 Nissan Sentra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 14, 2022 · Brakes · PA

Just driving down the highway (no brakes applied) and the master cylinder went bad and lost power brakes.

Filed Mar 20, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · MS

I purchased the car drove it home with no problem. 2 days after my purchase it drives very slow and won't pick up speed.

Filed Jul 24, 2020 · Brakes · NY

Master cylinder is leaking and brake light is coming on

Filed Jul 10, 2018 · Brakes · OH

Master cylinder recall

Filed Jun 1, 2018 · Brakes, Engine · 153,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan sentra. While driving unknown speeds, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact called orr nissan (3131 e beebe capps expy, searcy, ar 72143, (501) 268-5333) and was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 153,000.

Filed May 5, 2016 · Airbags, Brakes · VA · crash

I was in an accident, and air bag failed to deploy. Brakes may have not been repaired to full functional capacity from the dealership when serviced which resulted in not braking in time and loss of control of vehicle. I looked up the vehicle on a nissan recall website and found out that it's one of the ones on the recall list.

Filed Oct 5, 2015 · Brakes · NC

Petition for defect investigation and recall expansion for my 2007-2008 nissan sentra vehicles experiencing master brake cylinder leakage. *smd a complaint was sent in to the north carolina consumers council, by a complainant. The complainant stated the master brake cylinder leak was due to a leaking rear seal resulting in a loss of brake fluid. It was also noted the vehicle had an original master brake cylinder that was never serviced. It was discovered the vehicle was slowly leaking brake fluid for several years with no external sign of a leak. Upon inspection, the vehicle had a significant quantity of brake fluid accumulated in the vacuum brake booster, located to and attached to the rear of the brake master cylinder. The condition was described in recalls 08v311000 and 09v431000.

Filed Sep 24, 2014 · Brakes · 24,000 miles · FL

I have noticed the my brake light came on. I added a brake fluid and the light went off. My mechanic has examined the car and determined that my brake master cylinder is leaking. After doing some research I noticed that my brake cylinder is under recall. I contacted nissan and they said that they inspected the brake cylinder few years ago and that it wasn't affected by the recall. The affected master brake cylinder is bosch, and the same brand is installed in my car. Two days later my brakes completely failed, just like the recall states may happen. Nissan refused to change the affect brake cylinder!!!!

Filed Feb 27, 2014 · Brakes · MO

Per nissan recall 169.202, my 2008 sentra is equipped with robert bosch master cylinder. The master cylinder has been inspected and needs to be replaced. The dealer was contacted as soon as this information was made known to me, but the dealer refused to honor the recall. The dealer was not helpful. All information and the link to this form was supplied to me by firestone, not by the dealer. This recall and repair of the master cylinder should be honored.

Filed Feb 23, 2012 · Brakes, Engine · 47,751 miles · VA · fire

While driving vehicle engine lost power and vehicle slowed. When an attempt was made to determine the cause of the power loss heavy black smoke and flames were observed from the engine compartment. Vehicle became fully involved within 3 minutes. Local fire department responded to extingush fire. Cause undertermined. Fires point of origin was in the area of the ECM/brake master cylinder. Well maintained vehicle, no fluid leaks,mechanical issues or warning lights prior to incident.

Questions about the 2008 Nissan Sentra brakes

Does the 2008 Nissan Sentra have brakes problems?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Nissan Sentra, 13% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2008 Nissan Sentra brakes problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 24,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2008 Nissan Sentra brakes?

Yes, 2 recalls: 09V431000, 08V311000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Sentra have bad brakes?

The Nissan Sentra model years with the most brakes complaints are 2013 (97 complaints), 2018 (40 complaints) and 2019 (38 complaints).