Problems · by component
2008 Nissan Altima service brakes problems
33 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2008 Nissan Altima cite service brakes, 3% of all 1,031 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
33
3% of all complaints
Crashes
4
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the service brakes
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“While pulling into a parking spot and coming to a halt, I put the car into park mode. My foot was still on the brake. Instantly the engine went into "overdrive" and lurched forward over a parking curb and through heavy brush and finally came to a stop after hitting a pine tree. The engine was still screaming and the tires still spinning until I hit the off button. I had my foot on the brake the entire time to no avail. The heavy brush slowed the car somewhat. The airbags didn't deploy. I had several witnesses and they all stated they saw my brake lights on. I plowed approx. 50 feet through the brush before hitting the tree. I was the only one involved and was not hurt. This was Thurs. Sept. 28, 2023. It was in a state park and no police report made. Park Ranger took down info.”
“Brake switch or Stop Light Switch goes out which causes brakes to become very stiff and not light up the brakes which causes car’s push start to not start car more than 5 times a week. I will always have to stomp the brake petal to activate the brakes to start the car.”
“I have had my cars rear brakes completely replaced once in the last 6 months and completely replaced the front brake system TWICE in 6 months. I’ve had to pay close to $4000 in repairs on only the cars front end so at this point any part that could be causing the excessive wearing out of my brakes could not possibly be doing so without me knowing about it from many inspections (mainly done by different Les schwab locations and my local Nissan dealership in Salem, OR). For some reason within a month of having the brakes replaced, they have began to squeal worse than ever before, I’m not exaggerating when I say that my 2008 Altima has brakes that are almost twice as loud as any city or school bus brakes that I’ve ever heard in my life. Something within the brake system is causing all these brand new parts to wear down to metal on metal screeeching”
“PURCHASED 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MARCH 6, 2021 FROM THE CAR HOUSE IN BUTLER, NJ. SINCE THE MOMENT I DROVE OFF THE LOT, MULTIPLE LIGHTS TURNED ON WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE ALTERNATOR AND MULTIPLE 02 SENSORS. THE NEXT DAY I HAD A GARAGE DO AN INSPECTION AND IT TURNED OUT THE CAR NEEDED A REAR CONTROL ARM, SHOCKS, BRAKES AND ROTORS IN ADDITON TO THE LIGHTS. THE DEALER SAID THAT I HAD A 90 DAY WARRANTY BUT WHEN I CALLED THE COMPANY THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THE CONTRACT. THE DEALER FIXED THE SENSORS AND ALTERNATOR SUPPOSEDLY, BUT HAVEN'T CONTACTED ME BACK ABOUT FIXING THE OTHER ISSUES AND EVERY TIME I CALL THEY HANG UP.”
“WHILE DRIVING ON I95 THE CAR SHUT OFF AND WAS STEERED VERY DIFFICULTLY TO THE OFF RAMP AND THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT OF THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND I EXITED THE CAR AND THE CAR PROCEEDED TO BE ENGULFED IN FLAMES BURNING THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR TO THE FRONT SEATS. FIRE RESCUE ARRIVED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE.1116”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE TPMS, BRAKE, AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,777.”
Showing 6 of 33 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.