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 ↗2015 Nissan Altima brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2015 Nissan Altima have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the brakes, typically surfacing around 39,000 miles at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2011 Altima | 8 |
| 2012 Altima | 10 |
| 2013 Altima | 25 |
| 2014 Altima | 13 |
| 2015 Altima (this page) | 17 |
| 2017 Altima | 7 |
| 2018 Altima | 16 |
| 2019 Altima | 19 |
3crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 17 brakes complaints filed for the 2015 Nissan Altima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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 ↗2013-2017 ALTIMA AND 2014-2017 ROGUE; MIL ON WITH DTC P2004 STORED IF YOU CONFIRM MIL is ON with P2004 (INTAKE MANIFOLD RUNNER CONTROL VALVE POSITION SENSOR) stored. And There are no drivability issues. ACTION 1. Remove the intake manifold. 2. Replace the intake manifold runner control valve position sensor. 3. Re-install intake manifold.
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 ↗NISSAN: 2013-2015 ALTIMA, MURANO, ROGUE(T32). CONFIGURATION MUST BE PERFORMED ON THE SELECTED VEHICLES WHEN AN ABS CONTROL UNIT IS BEING REPLACED. UPDATED 9/10/15.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Brake noise dominates the 2015 Altima complaints. Owners report persistent squeaking or screeching that occurs during braking, often starting within the first year despite the car being brand new. Some dealerships attributed this to debris accumulation inside the brakes, requiring periodic cleaning every few months at costs around $300. Other shops struggled to fix the noise even after brake service, with one owner reporting the squeak worsened after a $195 repair attempt.
Brake engagement issues appear as a separate category. One owner experienced a right front brake locking on its own at low speed, causing wheel screeching and heat; this owner also reported spontaneous brief brake engagement at highway speeds without pedal pressure, accompanied by front-end shaking. Another owner reported total brake failure while attempting to stop at a red light—both the foot brake and e-brake malfunctioned, the car accelerated instead, and it rear-ended an SUV, resulting in injuries and totaling the vehicle. A third owner's brakes suddenly lost resistance while parking, causing pedal failure and a collision.
Brake light switch and sensor failures emerge in multiple reports. One owner's brake light remained on when brakes were not engaged, interfering with acceleration; another experienced intermittent failures where the brake pedal would not disengage properly, forcing the car into neutral at highway speeds. A third reported the car would not start even when the brake pedal was engaged.
Additional issues include rear brakes wearing to metal at 35,000 miles while front brakes showed minimal wear—suggesting a proportioning valve problem—and brake fluid leaking from an ABS actuator. Nissan recalls for loose front brake caliper mounting bolts and brake lamp relay switch issues are mentioned in a few narratives.
Same Nissan Altima brakes reports on nearby years: 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2018
Failure modes owners describe
Brake noise—squeaking and screeching
Persistent loud squeaking or high-pitched screeching that occurs during braking, often starting early in vehicle ownership. Some owners report the noise returns within days or weeks after dealership service, and others describe debris accumulation inside the brakes requiring repeated cleaning.
When: Early ownership; recurring throughout vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Loud squeaking when brake pedal depressed; High-pitched screeching during braking; Noise worse in motion than at low pressure; Noise returns days to weeks after repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships typically attempted brake pad replacement ($195–$400) or brake cleaning ($300). One owner had noise worsen after $195 service at independent shop. Some dealerships acknowledged this as a known issue with 2015 Altimas and performed free repairs under warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealerships described this as a known issue; one service rep suggested full brake system replacement for $400 or living with the noise.
Spontaneous brake engagement and lock-up
One or both front brakes engage without driver input, locking wheels and causing violent deceleration, shaking, and wheel screeching. Occurs at low speed in roundabouts and at highway speeds while merging or turning, with no visual brake wear or loose wheel detected afterward.
When: At low speed (3–5 mph roundabout) and at highway speeds (45+ mph merging/curves); occurred multiple times over 16-month ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Right front brake locked on at low speed; Wheel screeched; burning rubber smell; hot wheel afterward; Brief spontaneous brake engagement at highway speeds; Front-end shaking and wobbling sensation; Brake engages even when pedal not pressed
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented in narratives. Visual inspection of wheels revealed no looseness or wear.
Total brake failure during braking
Complete loss of braking force when driver pressed brake pedal. Foot brake and e-brake both malfunctioned simultaneously; vehicle accelerated instead of slowing. ABS also failed to function. Resulted in rear-end collision with injuries to occupant.
When: Occurred while attempting to brake at red light
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pressed but car accelerated faster; E-brake engaged but car continued accelerating; ABS did not activate; No braking effect despite driver input
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; no repair attempted
Brake pedal sudden loss of resistance
Brake pedal suddenly lost resistance (dropped into vacuum), resulting in complete loss of braking force. Owner attempting low-speed parking maneuver accidentally switched to accelerator, causing collision.
When: While parking at low speed
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal suddenly lost resistance; No braking effect; Pedal dropped suddenly
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented
Brake light switch failure—intermittent engagement
Brake light switch remains stuck in engaged position or cycles intermittently. Once brake pedal engaged, the switch does not disengage, causing transmission to enter neutral and preventing normal acceleration. Also prevents engine start even when brake pedal is properly engaged.
When: July 2018 (intermittent over one month) and July 2019; occurred at 50+ mph highway speeds and at stop signs
Symptoms owners cite: Brake light stays on when brakes not applied; Once engaged, brake signal does not disengage; Car forces into neutral gear; Car will not start even with brake pedal engaged; Electronics don't recognize brake pedal engagement
Repairs/costs cited: No repair costs documented in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Existing recall mentioned for 2013–2015 models (brake lamp relay switch), but owner's VIN reported as not covered by recall despite matching fault.
Uneven rear/front brake wear and proportioning imbalance
Rear brakes wore down to metal with only 35,000 miles on odometer while front brakes showed minimal wear and required no replacement. Owner and independent analysis (citing SAE Vehicle Dynamics publication) suggest malfunctioning or mis-adjusted proportioning valve, creating imbalanced braking force and potential stability/handling hazard.
When: At 35,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rear brakes worn to metal; Front brakes with far less wear; Unequal braking force distribution; Potential stability and handling issues
Repairs/costs cited: No repair documented
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer provided contradictory explanations (rear disc brakes wear faster; depends on driver; older cars apply more force to front) and refused to investigate as safety issue. Nissan North America deferred to dealer expertise without providing technical opinion.
Brake fluid leak from ABS actuator
Brake fluid leaked from the ABS actuator assembly. Cause not diagnosed or repaired.
When: At 82,431 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake fluid leak from ABS actuator
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified
Brake pad premature failure with jerky stops
Brake pads failed and required replacement. Vehicle jerked and stopped abruptly regardless of brake pedal pressure applied. Failure recurred after dealer pad replacement.
When: At approximately 39,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud screeching noise during braking; Vehicle jerked and stopped quickly; Brake pad failure; Failure recurred after replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed failed brake pads; vehicle was not repaired. No costs documented.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified
Front brake caliper loose mounting bolts
Subject of Nissan recall for 2015 Altimas manufactured October 6–7, 2015: front brake calipers with improperly tightened mounting bolts. One owner reported two crashes in 2016 and 2017 believed related to this defect; uncertain whether dealer addressed issue before leasing vehicle in March 2016.
When: Vehicles manufactured October 6–7, 2015; crashes occurred August 2016 and December 2017
Symptoms owners cite: Brake caliper mounting bolts not properly tightened
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan recall issued; owner uncertain if repair completed before lease
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan North America recall issued for 2015 Altima and 2016 Maxima with manufacturing dates October 6–7, 2015
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I took my car to be serviced at discount tire shop in hollywood, california. I paid $195.00 to have my brakes replaced, because the brakes were squeaking. I re-quested having my brakes replaced. Not once did the tech ask if I wanted my old brakes confiscated. The tech told me that there did not seem to be anything with the brakes. He asked me if I wanted to have the brakes repaired; I told him…
I was at the top of the street when I tried to press on the brakes to slow down because of a red light ahead. The brakes malfunctioned and my car accelerated faster. I then stepped on my e-brakes and my car continued to go faster instead of slowing down. The next thing I remember is rear ending the back of a SUV. I have anti-lock brakes and they did not work either. I was about 200ft away from…
Had brakes trouble with your 2015 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 2015 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 17 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 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 26,310 and 68,745 miles, with the median around 39,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 26,310; a quarter make it past 68,745. 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/2015/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.