Nissan Sentra spongy pedal problems

Filed Jan 26, 2026 · Brakes · 44,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Sentra. The contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that the brake pedal was stiff. The contact stated that the message "Put Foot on Brake Pedal" was displayed. While standing on the brake pedal, the vehicle started. The failure recurred while attempting to start the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that there would be a charge for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that after investigating the failure online, the contact learned that the failure was a common failure and could be related to a sensor malfunction. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed; however, the contact was later referred to the federal safety agency Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.

Filed Jul 11, 2025 · Brakes · MI

I experienced a second brake booster failure within 1300 miles of the replacement. The booster should be available for inspection, but I do not have it. The dealership has it. On May 9, 2025, at 38,349 miles, my booster failed, experiencing a very loud audible boom and insulation hanging under my car. It was taken to a Nissan dealership and they verified it was something they’d never seen before. It was replaced, then on June 23, at 39,630 miles, it failed again. I had my 4 year old daughter in the car the second time and thankfully was able to stop, but it could have been catastrophic in heavier traffic or at higher speeds. It was inspected by a second Nissan dealership. They advised there was oil in my brake fluid, but did not advise how it could have happened. They also said they aren’t sure what caused it and they’ve also never seen this before. One failure is rare, a second within 1300 miles is extremely rare. The symptoms, I feel, began in January. During a warranty strut replacement, I advised that my brakes were doing something strange and I wasn’t sure if it was the brakes or transmission. I was recommended to have a cvt flush and brake fluid change. I feel this was the booster, but the dealership said there are no symptoms of a failing booster. If those were not symptoms of the booster, then the first symptom began around May 5. When I would start my car, I noticed the brake pedal was stiff until I started it. It drove normal until I pressed the brake while idling in my driveway preparing to leave and heard a loud boom, followed by a hissing sound coming from my brake and a very stiff pedal. My brake is still very stiff when I go to start my car (as if I’ve pressed the brake multiple times, but I am pressing it for the first time). This is potentially the first symptom I experienced before the first failure, it’s a symptom that has not gone away since the first failure. The first failure was also reported and the complaint number is: 11663673

Filed Aug 14, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 60,820 miles · FL

2016 nissan sentra sr (current mileage est. 60,000 miles) the ignition issue on my vehicle has started around 20,000 miles. Normally, the vehicle is in motion on a highway during my commute to and from work (which is 60 miles a day), the slip traction light stays on for days regardless of weather conditions. During this time the acceleration of my vehicle is stalling. A jerking motion as I press the accelerator. A repair was initiated but no to avail, the acceleration is still stalling. There is a fault in the electronic stability system. When the car is stationary, the brake switch acts up and the car can't turn on. The brake gets stiff and I'm unable to turn on the vehicle for 10 -30 minutes. Pushing the ignition button alone, the car will light up and the radio will turn on therefore there is no issue with the battery. The brake switch has been replaced twice in two consecutive months. Currently this issue is occurring with a new brake switch in my vehicle. Also, if my car is parked after an hour or so , I have difficulty turning on the car, brake pedal gets hard and I wait once again until the pedal unlocks. At the gas station, I turned off my vehicle to fill up my tank, five minutes later I'm unable to turn my vehicle on, again brake pedal is hard. All oil changes and recommended maintenance has been performed on my vehicle.

Filed Oct 11, 2017 · Airbags, Brakes · 63,000 miles · DE · crash · 2 injuries

Brakes failed to function when attempting to stop while going 35 MPH on a dry, straight roadway. The pedal had some tension behind it but didn't feel right, kind of spongy and it went all the way to the floor. Several pumps of the break did not result in significant braking so I spun the steering wheel to the right to try to avoid the car that was stopping, but could not clear it and my car has been totaled and I am in pain. Airbags also failed to deploy, and I'd have thought a 35 MPH crash should have been sufficient to trigger the inertia sensor.

Filed Sep 18, 2016 · Brakes · 33,297 miles · FL

While getting ready to enter a highway, the brake pedal became spongy, and went completely down to the floor. On pumping the pedal, the braking power would come and go. The car had to be towed to a repair shop where it was uncovered that the brake master cylinder had gone bad. The car has only 33279 miles on it and was recently serviced by a nissan dealer.

Filed Jun 7, 2013 · Brakes, Engine · 100 miles · NY

When I am stopped at a light, the car seems to creep forward when brake pedal depressed. I need to continually apply more pressure and the pedal becomes spongy. Also, I now notice that when stopped or going slow, engine fumes are coming from my air/heating vents. Don't know if its exhaust or an oil leak somewhere. Car only has 400 miles on it and I've had car since end of february 2013.

Filed Feb 12, 2007 · Airbags, Brakes · 101,108 miles · NC · crash

Braking system failed to fully function. When I pressed the brake pedal to slow down, the vehicle slowed. However, as I pressed the brake pedal harder to come to a full stop, the vehicle did not respond. A two vehicle car crash resulted, and the sentra is a total loss. The air bags did not deploy. The brakes were last serviced on 10-23-06. I do not trust the dealership, since I have had previous problems. I had the same supspension problems with the vehicle - tires wearing prematurely on the inside. In one instance, nissan of hickory told me there were no problems with my vehicle. After two hours, the service manager walked me into the garage, where he tried to prove the problem was my tires. I pointed to a leaking shock on my vehicle, and he was suprised and upset that I noticed it. He then told me they did not take the tires off my vehicle in the two hours I was waiting. I have no confidence in nissan of hickory to examine my vehicle because of that incident.

Filed Dec 8, 2004 · Brakes, Seats · 102,000 miles · NY

Windshield linkage were defective, and windshield wipers did not work. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and this vehicle was not included in recall.98v093000. *ak the consumer had the link assembly replaced. *tc the brakes felt spongy and the left front seat did not move properly on track. *sc

Filed Oct 7, 2003 · Body, Brakes · AZ

I purchased my sentra in dec of 2002. One week after I bought it, I had to take it in because it clunked when you turned the wheel. Took it back to dealer and front suspension was loose. Fixed the clunk. Started to notice that 2 qts of engine oil was gone and the coolant level kept dropping even though I kept pouring more in. Took it back to dealer, claimed there was air bubble in engine and to let it go. Still noticing engine oil smell and coolant level low. Dealer claims nothing is wrong. Passenger side window leaks, had run channel replaced twice. Around 7000 mi, I noticed that the tranny squeaked b/w 3rd and 4th gear. Been to dealer 4 times, claim to tighten mount bolts, belts, and exhaust manifold. Still squeaking. Rear bumper is now falling off and gear shift is starting to stick. Had rear brakes adjusted at 7500 mi and again at 11000 mi. Brakes still seam spongy and lose stopping ability. Been to dealer around 20 times since december.

Filed May 10, 1997 · Brakes · FL

Spongy brakes/vibrate, vehicle hard to stop