ABS/VDC CAN DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Nissan Altima brakes problems
severe 67 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
67
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
5crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 67 brakes complaints filed for the 2007 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 67 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 19 model years of Nissan Altima in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
NISSAN; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin has been amended. The APPLIED VEHICLES and CLAIMS INFORMATION sections have been revised. No other changes have been made. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has compiled Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) and Low Tire Pressure Warning System (LTPWS) information for: - Basic diagnosing of TPMS/LTPWS systems - Radio frequency interference causing a "No Data" (C1708, C1709, C1710, C1711) condition - Sensor leaks - Moving TPMS/LTPWS wheel assemblies from one vehicle to another and TPMS/LTPWS sensor registration - Air pressure changes with altitude and ambient temperatures - Aftermarket tire sealers - Aftermarket wheels - Inflating/deflating tires with TPMS/LTPWS sensors See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION When servicing run flat tires or low profile tires: - Special equipment and procedures are required to avoid damage. - Specifically, Tire Pressure Monitor transmitters (TPMS sensors) can be damaged when improperly dismounting and mounting tires. - TPMS sensors becoming damaged during mounting or dismounting tires are not covered under warranty. - To avoid such damage, ensure that the tire changer being used and the operator of the tire changer is capable of servicing run flat and low profile tires. - Operator?s manuals for such tire changers must be followed. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2007 Nissan Altimas describe two dominant brake failure patterns. The first centers on master cylinder leaks—typically internal—that cause the brake warning light to illuminate intermittently or continuously. Owners report topping off brake fluid only to find it low again days or weeks later. Low fluid creates mushy pedal feel, reduced stopping power, and in severe cases, pedal travel to the floor with little or no braking effect. Several owners say they discovered the leak only after a dealer inspection; one found it at 27,000 miles, another at 23,000.
The second pattern involves brake grab, jerk, or pulsation: owners press the pedal and feel the car slow normally, then experience a sudden hard catch or spike in braking force, requiring reapplication of the pedal. Mechanics have replaced pads, rotors, calipers, brake boosters, and complete master cylinders—sometimes multiple times—without resolving the issue. One owner reports the dealer called it "normal for Altimas."
A third issue, less frequent but serious, is squealing or grinding that persists even after pad and rotor replacement. One owner had new pads installed but claims the dealer showed him unmarked old pads, calling the fix complete—only to have squealing resume in the parking lot.
Several owners experienced actual brake failure in motion: one couldn't brake at 50 mph in rain and crashed; another lost brakes at 4–5 mph entering a parking gate. One owner's brakes "slipped" at highway speed, causing a multi-car rear-end collision with a burnt smell reported. Master cylinder leaks are cited by dealers and owners as the root cause in most cases; one dealer told an owner it was a "common problem" for the 2007 Altima.
Same Nissan Altima brakes reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
Failure modes owners describe
Master cylinder internal leak
Brake master cylinder leaks internally (into brake booster) or externally, causing progressive loss of brake fluid from the system. The sealed system cannot maintain pressure, leading to soft or failed brakes.
When: Variable; reported at 23,000 miles to 232,740 miles; most commonly 25,000–75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illuminates intermittently or continuously; Brake light goes off when brake pedal is depressed, then returns; Brake fluid level low in reservoir despite no external leaks; Soft, mushy brake pedal; Brake pedal travel extends toward floor; Reduced braking power; requires harder pedal pressure; Brakes fail to stop vehicle in motion
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder replacement cost ranges $450–$638.95 per owners; some dealers report part shortages or need for multiple replacements; one owner had cylinder replaced twice because first replacement did not hold pressure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer told owner it was a 'common problem.' Another noted Nissan Sentras were already recalled for the same component. No formal recall issued for 2007 Altima as of complaint dates. Dealers mention ongoing NHTSA investigation.
Brake grab, jerk, or pulsation during braking
Brakes apply inconsistently; pedal depression results in normal initial deceleration followed by sudden hard catch, jerk, or spike in braking force, requiring reapplication of pedal. Owner reports dealer claimed it was 'normal for Altimas.'
When: Reported at varying mileages; one case at 55,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed; car slows normally, then lurches or jerks; Braking force spikes after initial application; Pedal requires reapplication to maintain or achieve full stop; Car feels like brakes 'don't want to stop' at first; Rough, jagged slowdown compared to normal vehicles; Brakes catch when pedal is released
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report pads, rotors, calipers, brake booster, and master cylinder replaced without resolution in at least one case. One independent mechanic replaced pads, turned rotors, and bled lines; Nissan dealer then replaced brake booster and master cylinder—problem persisted.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealer stated the symptom was 'normal for the Altima'; no recall or TSB mentioned.
Brake squealing or grinding
Continuous or intermittent high-pitched squeal or grinding noise when brakes are applied, persisting across multiple brake pad and rotor replacements. Dealers often attribute it to dust or normal wear but fail to eliminate it.
When: Reported from 7,500 miles onward; one case began within two days of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Loud squeal when brake pedal pressed; Grinding noise during braking; Noise persists after brake pad replacement; Noise continues after rotor turning or replacement; Noise recurs shortly after dealer service; Squealing worse in wet/rainy conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers performed cleaning, application of anti-squeal compound, pad replacement, and rotor turning/replacement; one owner reports dealer showed unmarked pads claiming replacement was done, then squeal recurred in parking lot.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan dealers acknowledged hearing the squeal but stated it was not a defect. One dealer said 2008 Altimas did not have this problem. Nissan USA told one owner they could not help when contacted.
Brake pedal stuck or stiff when car is parked
Brake pedal becomes difficult or nearly impossible to depress when engine is off or car has been parked for extended periods. Pedal stiffness correlates with time since last engine start—minimal stiffness after short periods, nearly impossible to depress after days.
When: Reported at 50,000 miles; onset correlates with duration of parking
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal shows considerable mechanical resistance when depressed before starting car; After car sits 3+ days, pedal nearly impossible to depress; After car sits 2–3 hours, pedal has minimal stiffness; Pedal pressure required is directly proportional to parking duration; Pedal held to floor; car will not start until pedal automatically depresses after hours
Repairs/costs cited: One owner notes no repair action taken; issue documented but unresolved.
Brake failure in motion—complete loss of braking
Sudden, catastrophic loss of braking power while driving. Pedal may go to floor with little or no resistance; car continues at speed or decelerates minimally despite brake application. Multiple owners report collisions resulting from this failure.
When: Reported at 4–5 mph in parking lot, 20 mph in wet conditions, 50 mph on highway
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pressed; brakes do not engage or engage weakly; Pedal goes to floor with minimal resistance; Car does not decelerate despite full brake application; Brakes feel like they 'slip' despite engagement; Strong burnt smell during or after braking; Inability to stop vehicle in traffic or controlled situations
Repairs/costs cited: One owner's vehicle involved in multi-car rear-end collision; vehicle scrapped. Another crashed into parking gate at low speed. One owner in wet conditions lost brakes at 50 mph, shifted to neutral, applied parking brake—fishtail and collision resulted. Vehicle involved in crash was towed; dealer later stated brakes were never properly replaced despite earlier complaint.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer confirmed 'past issues with 2007 Nissan Altima master brake cylinder'; master cylinder replaced. Another situation involved no manufacturer response; police report filed.
Brake warning light malfunction
Brake warning light illuminates intermittently or continuously but does not stay on when actual brake failure occurs. In at least one case, light went off after warmup despite complete loss of brake fluid and failed brakes, creating false reassurance.
When: At various mileages; one case reported at time of brake failure
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light comes on and goes off intermittently during normal driving; Light appears to turn off as car warms up, despite active brake system failure; Light is misleading; brakes have failed despite light turning off; Light may go off when brake pedal is depressed
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports: brake light came on, went off after warmup, then experienced complete brake failure. Dealer later confirmed brake fluid had leaked out of master cylinder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner noted that warning light should have remained on to alert driver of hazard.
Brake safety switch failure
Brake safety switch under brake pedal fails, preventing car from starting or restarting. Switch controls brake interlock that allows engine start only when brake is engaged.
When: Reported at 36,000 miles; issue occurred repeatedly
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle with push-button start will not start consistently; Car starts, can be driven somewhere, then won't restart; Brake safety switch not registering reliably; Requires brake pedal engagement to start, but switch does not consistently recognize engagement
Repairs/costs cited: Brake safety switch was replaced by independent mechanic; Nissan confirmed they have 'sold that part very often.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan confirmed the part is sold very frequently, but no recall or TSB mentioned.
Synthesized from 67 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
After noticing that my brake light was coming on intermittently for a couple weeks, I took it to my Nissan dealership for service. While servicing the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a crack in the brake master cylinder. I was informed by the service department that they had serviced a number of Nissan altimas for the exact same issue. My service advisor mentioned that there is an…
Master cylinder cracked and leaking. Apparently, we're not the first to have a faulty master cylinder in this vehicle. *tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2007 Nissan altima. When applying pressure to the brakes, the contact heard a loud grinding sound. After an inspection, the dealer stated that they would replace the brake rotors under warranty. The following day, she heard the noise again and the dealer stated that it was normal. Two months later, while driving in rainy weather, the contact was involved in a crash.…
Had brakes trouble with your 2007 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2007 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 67 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 53 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 29,000 and 67,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,000; a quarter make it past 67,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.