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Nissan Altima Brake Questions

135 messages,  Last post on Jul 07, 2012 at 10:21 PM

You are in the Nissan Altima Forum.

What is this discussion about? Nissan Altima, Lights, Brakes, Sedan

Messages Page 5 of 14

#38 of 135 Re: Horrible Squeaking Brakes [madpistol] by victor2k6

Feb 17, 2009 (7:20 pm)

Replying to: madpistol (Jan 17, 2009 11:52 pm)
i have a 2007 Nissan altima i bought it Dec 2006 around 5000 mile squeaking brakes took it to dealer the told me it was normal but they clean the rotors and brake pads after couples day noise came back took back like 3 more times and finally replace the brake pads but they cut the rotors noise stop for months but the noise came back took it back twice to dealer they replace brake pads again and cut rotors noise went away maybe six month but the noise came back but no more warranty so i made a bad mistake June 2008 i replace rotors and brake pads with ebc brakes 260 dollars to garbage noise went away but after six month i had vibration trying to stop so i have no choice to replace Dec 31 2008 with rotors and brake from Nissan 275 dollars because the dealer gave me a discount Feb 2009 noise is coming back again little by little aim so frustrated i think i going to trade my car maybe to get a 2007 Nissan maxima b/c i don't to start paying another car for 5 more years we should file a lawsuit again Nissan b/c i know there is a lot people with this problem

#39 of 135 Re: Horrible Squeaking Brakes [victor2k6] by shang1

Feb 26, 2009 (9:33 am)

Replying to: victor2k6 (Feb 17, 2009 7:20 pm)
A few of you mentioned "2007 was the first year for this body style". So is everyone here talking about 2007 coupe or 2007 sedan? Also, everyone here is talking about squeaking noise when applying brakes. I want to clarify if all of you infact mean squeaking noise or you guys mean to say that the car shudders and shakes and vibrates like crazy when you apply brakes. The vibration and shudder I feel when applying brakes is the type you would normally feel when the rotars/pads are gone!
  
Answer to these questions determine if I shall be buying the car, so an immediate answer would be appreciated please.

#40 of 135 Re: Horrible Squeaking Brakes [shang1] by rccbrandon

Feb 26, 2009 (10:27 am)

Replying to: shang1 (Feb 26, 2009 9:33 am)
My 2007 Altima is a Sedan. I had the squeaking problem at the end of 2007 and took the car to the dealer several times. The dealer replaced the brake kit (calipers, etc.) and the car was fine for months. Then at the end of 2008 the problem started again. Sometime the squeak is very bad but it seems to go away after I've been driving for a few minutes. It seems like it's worse in the cold weather if I don't let the car heat up for several minutes first. At times, the sounds almost like a grinding sound like when the pads are gone, but I just had my inspection in January and they said that my brakes are just fine and not worn.

#41 of 135 Re: Horrible Squeaking Brakes [rccbrandon] by shang1

Feb 26, 2009 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: rccbrandon (Feb 26, 2009 10:27 am)
I understand the squeaking issue now. However, do any of you ever consistently face issues where the entire car shudders and vibrates when you brake?"

#42 of 135 Re: Horrible Squeaking Brakes [shang1] by 03vert

Mar 09, 2009 (7:51 am)

Replying to: shang1 (Feb 26, 2009 12:16 pm)
Shaking and shuddering most likely means your rotors are warped. If Nissan resurfaced them in an attempt to solve the squeaking you have a case that they should replace them at n/c.
 
The squeaking is a result of the combo of rotors and pads, clearly they do not mix. Remember that Nissan in 2004 with the release of the Titan and Armada had to purchase back some vehicles because of excessive warping of the rotors. They have always cut corners on brakes IMO.
 
The oldest Altima in our stable is 7 years old has 145k and I just changed the front rotors for the second time which for me is pretty amazing seeing as I drive fast and brake late. Never have I had squeaking. The 08 Altima we have the brakes are garbage IMO. I swapped out the rotors and pads with after markets at 30k and it's as good as my 02. We'll see about the longevity of the aftermarket equipment. I do know there is no squeaking, or brake dust.
 
Also worth mentioning, Nissan parts are extremely over priced. The dealership quoted 550 for my front rotors and pads, parts were 280 of that. I did the job myself for 180 worth of parts and about 3 hours of a Saturday morning. Not a bad way to save 370 dollars.

#45 of 135 Re: Horrible Squeaking Brakes [madpistol] by altgirl

Mar 09, 2009 (7:50 pm)

Replying to: madpistol (Jan 17, 2009 11:52 pm)
The problem:
Nissan Altima 2008 Sedan brake problems noise.
Squeal/Squeak noise from brakes:
• While moving forward
• With very light brake application (light pedal pressure)
• When the brakes are either hot (after 10 or more minutes of driving) or cold (after
vehicle has not been driven for 2 or more hours)
• At speeds less than 10MPH
 
I purchase a new 2008 Nissan Alima sedan in March 2008. It now has 12,000 miles. At around 11,000 miles I had brake noise. I kept thinking it would just go away because it is a new car. It was not very loud, but would squeal/squeak when braking, at low speeds. Annoying to say the least.
 
I took it to the dealer and they first told me it was normal for the Altima to have brake noise. I complained and said that a new car should not have brakes noise. They changed the rear brake pads. The noise problem persisted. I took the car back the next weekend. This time they said they could not duplicate the problem, but that the rotors had glazing (whatever that is) How is it that in one week the rotors have glazing??? They polished the rotors. That was this weekend. Now, my brakes are not as sensitive as they were. I have to brake harder and longer to get the same effect like two inches more. Now my car brakes like an older car.
 
I did some internet searching and found that in April 2008 there was a Service Bulletin posted on this exact problem. (will post bulletin below) I found that many people are having the same problem, because it is an inherent problem for 2007-2008 models.
 
My friend purchased the exact same car at around the same time I did and she is also having the same problem. She took her car for service and they did not want to change the brakes, said it was normal wear and tear. I told her to take it to the dealer I went to, although that obviously is not going to help in the long run.
 
Will this keeping happening every 10,000 miles? Because that seems to be the case in what is being said in the forums. The dealer tried to make it sound like they were doing me a favor that the brake and rotors are wear and tear items not under warranty. A friend who worked for Nissan said the only reason they would fix or repair the brakes is because they know it is an on going problem. What is going to happen when I am out of warranty???? Will this happen every 10,000 miles?????
 
My cousins husband who is an adjuster for a popular automobile insurance company said the car is to new for brake and rotor problems. He said it is likely that the car will always have this problem. Just wondering if anyone has had similar problems. My brakes are not the same as before the repair, and now frankly I am pissed.
 
Please post if you have had similar problems and what if any have been your resolutions.
 
This is the service bulletin:
2007-2008 NISSAN ALTIMA SEDAN, ALTIMA COUPE, ALTIMA HYBRID; REAR BRAKE NOISE AT SLOW SPEEDS
Squeal/Squeak noise from rear brakes:
• While moving forward
• With very light brake application (light pedal pressure)
• When the brakes are either hot (after 10 or more minutes of driving) or cold (after
vehicle has not been driven for 2 or more hours)
• At speeds less than 10MPH
• While traveling straight

#46 of 135 Re: Horrible Squeaking Brakes [altgirl] by ohionittfan

May 02, 2009 (6:10 am)

Replying to: altgirl (Mar 09, 2009 7:50 pm)
I am having the same problem now with my 2008 Altima 2.5S. At 13030 miles, I took it to the dealer for a grinding noise coming from the passenger side only. The noise occurred whether or not I was using the brakes, but it was intermittent. I had noticed the noise about a week earlier.
 
The dealer told me that the front brake pads were worn down almost to the metal and they were NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY because they considered this "normal" wear and tear!!!! I asked how brakes could wear out in only 13K miles. I've owned many cars over the years and have never had to replace front pads until 30-40k miles.
 
The dealer will speak to Nissan next week to see what they can do, but if I have to pay to have brakes replaced every 13k miles, I'm seriously considering selling the car and NEVER buying another Nissan again. There is no excuse for this.
 
Ironically, I bought a Nissan because I was fed up with the poor reliability of the American cars that I've owned. The Hondas that I have owned have lasted forever.

#47 of 135 Re: Horrible Squeaking Brakes [ohionittfan] by altgirl

May 02, 2009 (8:32 am)

Replying to: ohionittfan (May 02, 2009 6:10 am)
It is not normal wear and tear call the 1-866 number that is in the Nissan owners manual in the glove compartment. You have to start a case with them. You do not need to go through the dealer. You are still under warranty YOU HAVE to call Nissan yourself and start a case. The dealer does not have your best interest at heart. My exhusband worked for Nissan for a short time and I asked him what I needed to do, he told me to deal with Nissan directly after I started having problems with the car. He said that is the only way to get resolution. The dealer won't do anything for you he and was is right.
   
When you call the Nissan number they will take you information and ask what the problem is. They will give you a case number and assign a representative to you. The rep. will call you in a day or two. When they call you, you have to sound really upset. Tell them you purchased a new car because you did not want the headaches. You could have purchased an older car and been better off (something to that affect). About the brakes you have to tell them that you have visited several ASI certified mechanics and they all state that 13,000 miles is not normal wear and tear for any vehicle (normal wear and tear is like 40,000 - 50,000 miles) Let the rep. know that you are aware that there is a service bulletin out for Nissan Altima's for brakes noise problems. That you are also aware that there are OTHER Altima owners experiencing the same problem. Do not accept them telling you that it is normal wear and tear. Tell them that you will file a case with the BBB autoline and will seek to file under lemon law. At this point they should offer to change the brakes for free. Finally tell them that you believe this is going to keep happening every 10,000 miles or so and that you want an extended warrarnty with a clause for the brakes. Threaten to get an attorney.
 
I looked up lemon law in my state and the car must have the same problem 3X within 24 months to qualify. Of course there is lots more and many things you must do for that. Look up lemon law in your state.
 
I did all of the above. Nissan changed my brakes at about 10,500 miles (free). A week later the noise started again. Then, they resurfaced the rotors. The noise went away for a while but then it came back. Nissan just changed my brakes last week for the second time. I am now at 14,500 miles. They had a Nissan engineer fly in from Georgia to Florida to check for the brake noise. It was slight but I made a big fuss, because I don't want them to keep telling me it is normal wear and tear. I gave the engineer the whole speech about why I bought a Nissan and I put my hard earned money into this vehicle, they should back it up. They gave me a rental for two days and changed the brakes to high performance brakes and new rotors. They can only resurface them once and they had already done that. It's only been a week.
 
I save all my dealer visit paperwork and am following up with a letter. All of this was dealing directly with Nissan not the dealer. I am still trying to get an extended warranty with some clause in there for the brakes. They do not want to give it to me. They did offer me 2 years of free service (oil changes and tire rotation) but that is not what I want. I want the warranty.
 
I know this is long, It took me making a lot of noise to get anything done. My friend also has the same problem. She did the same as I did but she is more passive and did not get the same results. Don't take no for an answer keep insisting. I know, what a hassle. I wish I would have bought a Honda or a Toyota.

Messages Page 5 of 14

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