NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,028 reports146,311 miles · Apr 20, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering
HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT DEALERSHIP. UPON DRIVING BACK HOME THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I RECEIVED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH AND COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR START THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT IN A NEW BATTERY TO THE INTELLIGENT KEY AND ALSO JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE. STILL WOULD NOT START. NOTHING WARNS YOU OF THIS IS…
Read full complaint
HAD THE OIL CHANGED AT DEALERSHIP. UPON DRIVING BACK HOME THE CAR WOULD NOT START. I RECEIVED THE YELLOW KEY LIGHT ON THE DASH AND COULD NOT DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL OR START THE CAR. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT IN A NEW BATTERY TO THE INTELLIGENT KEY AND ALSO JUMPSTART THE VEHICLE. STILL WOULD NOT START. NOTHING WARNS YOU OF THIS ISSUE AND GLAD THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR PART FAILED. ON THE FOLLOWING DATE THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. ON MONDAY THE 7TH THE CAR WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE ELECTRIC STEERING LOCK ASSEMBLY FAILURE. SAME DAY I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS TO FIND OUT THERE WERE NO RECALLS NOR WOULD THEY OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE OR RECALL THIS PART AS THEY HAVE ON OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583853
30,000 miles · Apr 20, 2014
Structure
BEGINNING IN 2012 (LESS THAN 4 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR), I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT PORTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD WERE MELTING. IN THE YEARS SINCE, IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT, EVEN IN MUCH, MUCH OLDER CARS. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME …
Read full complaint
BEGINNING IN 2012 (LESS THAN 4 YEARS AFTER PURCHASING MY CAR), I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT PORTIONS OF THE DASHBOARD WERE MELTING. IN THE YEARS SINCE, IT HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME HE'S NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT, EVEN IN MUCH, MUCH OLDER CARS. FROM WHAT I CAN TELL, MANY OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A COSMETIC ISSUE, BUT RATHER A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. THE MELTING DASHBOARD IS SHINY AND REFLECTS SUNLIGHT, CAUSING SUDDEN BLINDING GLARES WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE SUDDEN FLASHES OF LIGHT SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY. THE REALITY OF BEING UNABLE TO SEE WHILE AT SPEEDS EXCEEDING 60 MILES IS INCREDIBLY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10583727
126,000 miles · Apr 16, 2014
Power Train
MY CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 126K MILES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW. I STARTED HEARING THE INFAMOUS "WHINING NOISE" ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND 100K MILES. HAD I BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE WHINING A LITTLE MORE SERI…
Read full complaint
MY CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITH 126K MILES. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION AND THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW. I STARTED HEARING THE INFAMOUS "WHINING NOISE" ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND 100K MILES. HAD I BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE RECALLS I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THE WHINING A LITTLE MORE SERIOUS AND RESEARCHED IT. WELL, TOO LATE BUT AFTER THE FACT I FOUND MANY YOUTUBE VIDEOS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. IF YOU HEAR THIS WHINING NOISE, IT'S YOUR TRANSMISSION. NISSAN KNOWS THEY PUT OUT A GARBAGE TRANSMISSION WHICH IS WHY THEY DOUBLED THE WARRANTY ON IT TO 10 YEARS OR 120K MILES. CONVENIENTLY, MINE DID NOT GO OUT UNTIL 126K. I BOUGHT THIS CAR THREE YEARS AGO WITH 17K MILES. YES, I DRIVE A LOT BUT IT'S FOR WORK AND IT'S PRIMARILY HIGHWAY MILEAGE. I WOULDN'T HAVE EVER EXPECTED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT IN A CAR THIS NEW. I HAVE LEARNED MY LESSON. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER PIECE OF JAP CRAP FROM NISSAN AS I AM NOW DUMPING 4K TO GET THIS REPAIRED. I CHECKED WITH NISSANUSA AND THEY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY NOR DID THEY OFFER ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE I AM 6K OVER THEIR EXTENDED (DOUBLED) WARRANTY. WHEN MY CAR BROKE DOWN I CALLED MY MECHANIC, WHO IS ASE CERTIFIED, AND SUPER TRUSTWORTHY. HE CAME AND TOWED IT, RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I CALLED NISSANUSA AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE UNTIL AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DIAGNOSED IT. I DID JUST THAT, PAID THE DEALER $150 TO TELL ME WHAT I ALREADY KNEW (BAD TRANSMISSION), ONLY TO HAVE NISSANUSA DENY ME ASSISTANCE AFTER THE DEALER CONFIRMED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THEN I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK TO MY MECHANIC AS THE DEALER'S QUOTE WAS OUTRAGEOUS. I WILL NEVER BUY A NISSAN AGAIN AND I HOPE YOU WON'T EITHER! *TT
NHTSA ODI #10583129
230,968 miles · Apr 16, 2014
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR STALLED OUT . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES. VEHICLE TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS STATED CHECKED FOR CODED ALL OK, HOWEVER INTERNAL HARD FAILURE NEW TRANSMISSION…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPH ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE CAR STALLED OUT . THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS OR CODES. VEHICLE TOWED IMMEDIATELY TO DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSIS STATED CHECKED FOR CODED ALL OK, HOWEVER INTERNAL HARD FAILURE NEW TRANSMISSION . 4000.00 VEHICLE WAS SERVICED ALWAYS AT CROWLEY NISSAN BRISTOL CT AND SERVICED ON 3/28/2014 CHECKED A WEEK PRIOR . PAPER WORK INDICATED TRANSMISSION FLUID FULL AND EXCELLENT. NISSAN USA REFUSED TO ASSIST IN ANY MATTER AND DEALERSHIP WAS THE WORST. THIS VEHICLE HAD ISSUES IN THE PAST HAVING NUMEROUS ITEMS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY . NEVER BUYING A NISSAN AGAIN... *TT
NHTSA ODI #10583096
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2014
StructureUnknown Or OtherCrash
ON FEBRUARY 2013 I HAD A FRONTAL CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD OF MY MELTING DASH BOARD ON MY 08 ALTIMA. MY DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING WITH OUT NO REASON. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD AS IT IS NOT PART OF A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WHICH MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RAVEN DEATH TO A MOTO…
Read full complaint
ON FEBRUARY 2013 I HAD A FRONTAL CAR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE GLARE ON MY WINDSHIELD OF MY MELTING DASH BOARD ON MY 08 ALTIMA. MY DASHBOARD SEEMS TO BE MELTING WITH OUT NO REASON. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE DEFECTIVE DASHBOARD AS IT IS NOT PART OF A RECALL. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WHICH MAY CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT RAVEN DEATH TO A MOTORIST OR PEDESTRIAN. NISSAN NEEDS TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT ON THEIR BEHALF FOR THE MAJORITY OF 08 ALTIMAS. *
NHTSA ODI #10583012
60,000 miles · Apr 8, 2014
Structure
THE DASHBOARD IS MELTING. THE MELTING DASHBOARD CAUSES A REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD AND IT IS HARD TO SEE IN BRIGHT LIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578396
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2014
Structure
MY DASHBOARD IS STICKY AND APPEARS TO BE MELTING AWAY. THIS SHINY SURFACE CAUSES AN AWFUL GLARED REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD. ALSO, IT CAUSES THE CAR TO APPEAR OLD AND EVERYTHING STICKS TO IT INCLUDING PAPERS AND INSECTS. IT'S PRETTY GROSS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577707
52,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Structure
AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT MY DETERIORATING DASHBOARD THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO A NISSAN DEALER AND GET AN ESTIMATE ON REPLACING THE DASH, THEN THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. I COMPLIED WITH THEM, MADE APPT.. RECEIVED THE ESTIMATE OF $1726.03. I PRESENTED THIS…
Read full complaint
AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT MY DETERIORATING DASHBOARD THEY TOLD ME TO GO TO A NISSAN DEALER AND GET AN ESTIMATE ON REPLACING THE DASH, THEN THEY WOULD LET ME KNOW IF THEY WOULD GIVE ME SOME FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. I COMPLIED WITH THEM, MADE APPT.. RECEIVED THE ESTIMATE OF $1726.03. I PRESENTED THIS TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS, THEN AFTER NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS TO FINALLY GET AN ANSWER OF "NO WE DECIDED NOT TO GIVE YOU ANY FINANCIAL SUPPORT BECAUSE THE CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY !! THIS IS NOT A DAMAGED PART DUE TO ACCIDENT, THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT!! THIS CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DURING THE DAY BECAUSE OF THE GLARE FROM THE SUN, AND UNSAFE AFTER DARK DUE TO HEADLIGHTS AND STREETLIGHTS. I HAVE TAKEN THIS COMPLAINT TO MY LOCAL T.V. INVESTIGATIONS AND DO NOT PLAN ON STOPPING UNTIL I GET A NEW DASHBOARD.. I HAVE SEEN THIS VERY SAME COMPLAINT ON NUMEROUS 2008'S !!!! THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT! HAS ANYBODY OUT THERE RECEIVED ANY RESOLUTION???!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575882
Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 2014
Air Bags
THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T CORRECTLY SENSE OR CLASSIFY A PASSENGER (MORE THAN 120 LBS) WHEN THEY ARE IN THE SEAT. THIS RESULTS IN THE AIR BAG BEING INCORRECTLY DEACTIVATED (SIMILAR TO RECENT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V138000). THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY GIVEN TO THE DEALER TO FIX UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBE…
Read full complaint
THE OCCUPANT SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DOESN'T CORRECTLY SENSE OR CLASSIFY A PASSENGER (MORE THAN 120 LBS) WHEN THEY ARE IN THE SEAT. THIS RESULTS IN THE AIR BAG BEING INCORRECTLY DEACTIVATED (SIMILAR TO RECENT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V138000). THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY GIVEN TO THE DEALER TO FIX UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V521000. THIS STILL OCCURS AND ADJUSTING HER POSITION OR THE SEAT POSITION DOESN'T ELIMINATE THE ISSUE SO PASSENGERS WOULD NOT HAVE AIR BAG PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575539
31,000 miles · Mar 26, 2014
Structure
THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY DETERIORATING. IT IS AS IF IT IS MELTING. SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE, AND IS NOW A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO THE LIGHT THAT REFLECTS OFF OF THE MELTED PARTS OF THE DASH. IT REFLECTS THE SUNLIGHT DURING THE DAY AND THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT DIRECTLY…
Read full complaint
THE DASH OF THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY DETERIORATING. IT IS AS IF IT IS MELTING. SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IT IS PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE, AND IS NOW A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, DUE TO THE LIGHT THAT REFLECTS OFF OF THE MELTED PARTS OF THE DASH. IT REFLECTS THE SUNLIGHT DURING THE DAY AND THE HEADLIGHTS AT NIGHT DIRECTLY INTO THE DRIVERS EYES... THIS IS A DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH NUMEROUS NISSAN ALTIMAS OF THE SAME YEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574898
Official recalls
4Sep 10, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE REPAIRS WILL BE PERFORMED BY GARMIN TECHNICIANS BY REPLACING THE BATTERY AND INSERTING A SPACER ON TOP OF THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN DIRECTLY AT 1-866-957-1981 OR NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Oct 7, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Air Bags
NISSAN IS RECALLING 204,361 MY 2007-2008 ALTIMA, ALTIMA HYBRID, 350Z, 350Z ROADSTER, MY 2008 ALTIMA COUPE, ROGUE, MY 2009 MURANO, AND INFINITI MY 2007-2008 G35 SEDAN, MY 2008 G37 COUPE AND EX35 PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS' OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (OCS) CONTROL UNITS. A VARISTOR IN THE OCS CONTROL UNIT LOCATED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT CUSHION MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OUT OF SPECIFICATION. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THIS COULD CAUSE AN INTERRUPTION OF SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL UNIT (ACU).
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE PASSENGER AIR BAG BEING SUPPRESSED WHICH COULD FAIL TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TEST THE SIGNAL BETWEEN THE OCS AND ACU SYSTEMS USING A SPECIAL TOOL TO CHECK THAT IT IS FUNCTIONING AS DESIGNED. IF NECESSARY, THE SEAT CUSHION (CONTAINING OCS HARDWARE) WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE MANUFACTURED TO SPECIFICATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 4, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261 OR INFINITI AT 1-800-662-6200.
Jul 31, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 1,018 MY 2008 ALTIMA VEHICLES. THE LEFT SIDE FRONT SUSPENSION TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO SPECIFICATION. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE BOLT TO BECOME LOOSE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BOLT WERE TO COME OUT, THE DRIVER MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY CONTROLLING THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TRANSVERSE LINK BOLT TO SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 11, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 28, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACED DURING SERVICE AT A DEALERSHIP, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) MAY HAVE BEEN INADVERTENTLY DEACTIVATED DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH THE DEALER SERVICE SOFTWARE. IF THE TPMS IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD NOT ALERT THE DRIVER TO A DECREASE IN THE TIRE PRESSURE AS DESIGNED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: DRIVING ON UNDER-INFLATED TIRES IS UNSAFE AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK THE TPMS FUNCTION AND REACTIVATE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE11020 · Brake Master Cylinder Internal Leak
Opened May 23, 2011 · Closed Mar 14, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE11-020 to investigate possible brake performance loss due to brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder into the brake booster in the subject vehicles.A total of 237 complaints were identified by ODI and Nissan.The majority of complaints and warranty claims reported that brake malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination as the only symptom of a problem.Only 12 complaints alleged any effect on brake performance and in each of these the drivers were able to stop the vehicles without incident.No crash claims could be attributed to the alleged defect. Returned part analysis data provided by Nissan showed that most of the master cylinders replaced under warranty did not have a leak condition.These replacements may have resulted from brake MIL illumination due to pad wear.For most of the warranty claims, in a few cases where a master cylinder leak was found, Nissan's testing showed that the leaks were extremely slow and would require thousands of miles or months of driving before brake performance could be affected.After an extensive study of replaced master cylinders for a presumed leak, Nissan was unable to identify any concern with the parts or design of the subject components that could affect brake performance. Nevertheless, Nissan does recognize a concern with premature brake MIL illumination and has decided to address this problem by conducting a voluntary service campaign covering approximately 1.17 million model year 2007 through 2012 Altima vehicles (up to June 25, 2011 production, the date of Nissan's running change for the longer life brake pad).Nissan's owner letter for the service campaign states, As your brake pads wear over time, the brake fluid level in the master cylinder reservoir will drop and may cause the brake warning lamp to illuminate.?Although this is a normal condition, there has been concern that the brake warning light illumination may be caused by a slow fluid leak over time.Nissan's service campaign will inspect the brake pads and test the master cylinder for leakage.If leakage is detected, Nissan will replace the master cylinder at no charge.If excessive pad wear is observed, customers will be notified and will be responsible for repairs.For more details concerning Nissan's service campaign, see the PE11-020 file on www.Safercar.gov. Based on the low failure rate for confirmed master cylinder leakage in the subject vehicles and the low probability that the condition would affect brake performance, this investigation is closed.