Automatic emergency braking system has serious issues that Nissan knows about but can't fix. Warning lights on dash come on at random times, both solidly out and flashing, and even worse, at times with no other cars on the highway, the vehicle decides to slam on the brakes. Very dangerous. All the dealer can say is we checked the car and no codes were found, yet there are multiple complaints…
2019 Nissan Altima brakes problems
severe 19 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
4crashes
2fires
2injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 19 brakes complaints filed for the 2019 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
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2019 Altima's automatic emergency braking system has a documented pattern of misfiring—slamming brakes when nothing is in the road, failing to brake when vehicles are present, and generating false warning lights that dealers cannot diagnose or fix. In addition, some units show outright brake failure at low speeds, resulting in collisions.
Owners describe two distinct brake problems in the 2019 Altima. The first is a widespread AEB malfunction where the system activates without cause, braking hard and suddenly when no vehicles or obstacles are nearby. This happens repeatedly—some owners report ten instances in a single month—across various speeds and locations including parking lots, highways, bridges, and city streets. Red warning lights flash on the dash; dealers test the vehicles and find no diagnostic codes, calling it unreproducible. One owner mentions Nissan performed an AEB reprogramming; another dealership replaced the radar. Neither resolved the problem.
The second problem is straightforward brake system failure: drivers depress the pedal at 20 mph and the vehicle won't stop, leading to collisions. One case involved a rear brake caliper failure that required replacing the entire rear braking system. A third pattern shows the AEB sensor light illuminating randomly, triggered by bridges or low-light conditions, even after owners clean the sensors.
One complaint details the opposite failure—AEB that should have engaged at a red light with traffic ahead did not respond. Another owner's adaptive cruise control disabled after an electronic braking malfunction.
Owners stress the collision risk. Nissan has fielded complaints (case number 38133183 documented), but dealers consistently report inability to isolate or fix the faults. Two class-action lawsuits are underway.
Same Nissan Altima brakes reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2021
Failure modes owners describe
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system activates without objects present
AEB engages unexpectedly when no vehicles, obstacles, or obstructions are detected nearby. Occurs at various speeds and locations, including parking lots, highways, bridges, and city streets. Owners report the system braking hard and suddenly, creating collision risk and startling occupants.
When: Various speeds (10–50 MPH); occurs randomly and repeatedly. Some incidents reported within first month of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: AEB suddenly engages with no objects in vicinity; Hard braking with no warning; Red warning lights flashing on dashboard; Brake pedal unresponsive or vehicle brakes on its own; Repeated incidents across different driving conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to reproduce the fault or locate diagnostic codes. Some dealerships have reprogrammed the AEB system; one case noted radar replacement. No confirmed permanent fix reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan acknowledges owner contact in some cases (case number 38133183 provided); however, dealers cannot isolate the problem. Multiple complaints suggest this is a known pattern issue. Two class-action lawsuits mentioned by owners.
Brake system failure at low speed (mechanical braking malfunction)
Vehicle fails to stop when brake pedal is depressed at low speeds (15–20 MPH). Incidents resulted in rear-end and front-end collisions. Emergency brake malfunction light illuminated during at least one failure event. Violent shaking noted during failure.
When: 2,300–16,000 miles; incidents occurred at 20 MPH and 35 MPH in two separate cases
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal depressed but vehicle does not stop; Vehicle shakes violently; Emergency brake malfunction warning light illuminates; Collision occurs as result of brake failure
Repairs/costs cited: One case involved rear brake caliper failure requiring entire rear braking system replacement. Vehicles not yet repaired or diagnostic results not provided in other cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware in one case (case number 38133183); diagnostic appointment scheduled. No warranty information or TSBs mentioned.
AEB sensor light illuminates randomly; false obstacle detection
Sensor warning light activates without cause, especially under bridges or in low-light conditions. Owners report cleaning sensors with no effect. Light flashes 90% of the time in one case, indicating a persistent malfunction rather than environmental debris.
When: Occurs at various mileages and repeatedly (10+ times in one month)
Symptoms owners cite: AEB sensor warning light flashes or stays illuminated; False obstacle detected on display; Warning indicates obstruction in road when none exists; Problem persists even after sensor cleaning
Repairs/costs cited: Owner mentions one case where a faulty sonar control unit was identified as the cause. No parts costs cited.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined responsibility in at least one case, blaming bumper damage instead. No recalls or TSBs specifically mentioned.
AEB fails to engage when needed (false negative)
Automatic emergency braking does not activate when another vehicle is present in the vehicle's path. Owner had AEB set to 3-vehicle distance setting but the system failed to slow or stop the vehicle at a red light with traffic ahead.
When: 2019 model year; reported at a red light in city driving
Symptoms owners cite: AEB does not slow or stop vehicle when vehicle is ahead; System set to short following distance but fails to respond; No braking assistance despite configured proximity alert
ABS activates on its own without slipping conditions
Anti-lock brake system engages spontaneously while driving at highway speeds without loss of traction. Occurred multiple times during single rental period.
When: 2,500 miles; at 50 MPH
Symptoms owners cite: ABS activates without wheel slip or loss of traction; Occurs multiple times during short driving period; No wet or slippery road conditions
Adaptive cruise control inoperative due to electronic braking malfunction
Electronic braking system malfunction disables the adaptive cruise control feature. Owner states cruise will not engage and understands this is a known Nissan issue they will not address.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Adaptive cruise control will not engage; Electronic braking system malfunction indicator; Cruise disabled while regular braking still functions
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner indicates Nissan aware of issue but unwilling to repair.
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I was driving on a slightly damp road in the evening (dark). A warning flashed on my dashboard saying that their was obstruction in the road. Suddenly my braking assistance activated causing my car to come to a complete stop. I checked my surroundings, nothing was in the road, beside me, or behind me. Nissan has not claim responsibility for this sensor error. Instead told me that there were…
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Nissan altima. While driving 20 MPH and depressing the brake pedal to make a right turn, the vehicle failed to stop and shook violently. In addition, the instrument panel illuminated, indicating a malfunction. As a result, the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bag did not deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was driven to…
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Nissan altima. The contact stated that while driving, the automatic emergency braking sensor light randomly illuminated. On one occasion while driving approximately 35 MPH, the automatic emergency braking sensor light illuminated and the vehicle abruptly stopped. During the failure, there were no vehicles or objects present nor in near proximity to the vehicle. The…
Had brakes trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 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 13 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 2,790 and 24,000 miles, with the median around 10,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 2,790; a quarter make it past 24,000. 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/2019/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.