Every time I drive under an over pass my vehicle will come to a stop. Placing me in DANGER with traffic.
2021 Nissan Altima brakes problems
severe 13 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
What stands out
Brakes accounts for 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Multiple 2021 Altima owners report autonomous emergency braking (AEB) engaging without cause—sometimes multiple times daily—creating rear-end collision risk in traffic and on highways. Some owners also report brake pedal failure to stop the vehicle, with dealers unable or unwilling to reproduce or fix the issues.
The 13 complaints cluster around two main brake system problems: unintended AEB activation and brake pedal failure.
Phantom braking is the dominant issue. Owners describe the forward collision warning and braking system firing without a vehicle or obstacle present. Triggers include shadows under overpasses, entering dark road sections, weather changes, and misaligned radar. One owner's car braked from 47 mph to 28 mph on the Bay Bridge; another's stopped completely every time passing an overpass. Braking happens sporadically—sometimes multiple times daily—and can cause fishtailing, sliding, engine stalls, and dangerous traffic situations. One rental car braked sharply at 62 mph in a construction zone; the driver couldn't stop and rear-ended the car ahead, totaling the vehicle.
Brake pedal failure is reported in two incidents. One owner depressed the pedal at 62 mph and the vehicle kept going despite harder application; another found the brakes completely unresponsive at 45 mph with no warning lights.
Rear caliper malfunction was confirmed by an independent mechanic who noted Nissan acknowledged it as a known issue when ordering the replacement part.
Dealers consistently report they cannot duplicate the AEB issues, and most complaints remain unrepaired. One owner notes a class action suit exists against Nissan for this problem across 2019–present model years.
Same Nissan Altima brakes reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Phantom braking (autonomous emergency braking system)
Forward emergency braking system engages without cause, often triggered by misinterpreted sensor data (shadows, overpasses, misaligned radar). Can occur during highway driving, in traffic, or at overpasses with no vehicle or obstacle present. Owners report aggressive braking, engine stalling, and complete vehicle stoppage in active traffic.
When: Starts early in ownership (days to months); sporadic, happens multiple times per week or daily in some cases; occurs at various speeds (low speed to 62+ mph) and in specific conditions (overpasses, construction zones, weather changes, entering dark sections of road)
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle brakes suddenly without warning or visible obstacle; Loud scratching or grinding noise from bottom of vehicle before braking occurs; Forward emergency braking light appears and disappears on dashboard; Multiple warning lights: 'malfunction: see owner's manual,' VDC light, front/rear AEB lights; Engine stalls during braking event; Fishtailing or sliding; Collision warnings disabled or flashed intermittently; No override capability reported by owner
Codes mentioned: Chassis Control System Error
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cannot duplicate the issue; no repairs performed in most cases. Owners mention some dealers stopped answering or declined service due to cost. One owner reports mechanic advised it is a known issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware and case filed in at least one complaint. Class action suit mentioned against Nissan for same issue across 2019–present model years. One mechanic noted Nissan acknowledged rear caliper as a known issue. No recalls or TSBs mentioned.
Rear caliper malfunction
Rear brake caliper not functioning properly, confirmed by independent mechanic as a defect. Mechanic stated Nissan acknowledged it as a known issue. Risk of brake seizing or complete brake failure.
When: Within a couple of weeks of purchase; early in vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Scratching sound resembling brake warning indicator; Brake pads confirmed good, but scratching persists
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic ordered replacement rear caliper. Mechanic noted Nissan acknowledged this as a known issue when ordering the part.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Mechanic reported Nissan confirmed known issue with rear calipers. Owner filed case with Nissan and requested recall.
Brake pedal unresponsiveness / brake failure
Brake pedal depressed but vehicle fails to stop or respond to braking input. One owner reported complete brake failure on highway at 62 mph; another at 45 mph on rental. Vehicle slid or continued forward despite brake application.
When: Approximately 44,794 miles (rental incident); highway driving during construction or heavy traffic
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal pressed with no response; Vehicle continues forward despite brake application; Vehicle slides or does not decelerate as expected; Brakes feel inoperable
Codes mentioned: Chassis Control System Error
Repairs/costs cited: Incidents not diagnosed or repaired. One resulted in rear-end collision totaling the vehicle.
Automatic emergency braking malfunction at railway crossing
AEB system activated unprompted while approaching a railway crossing with no obstacle or vehicle triggering it, creating collision risk if a vehicle were behind.
When: At least three occurrences reported; timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic emergency braking engages without warning or trigger; No warning light before malfunction
Repairs/costs cited: Not confirmed by dealer
Parking / low-speed reverse braking malfunction
Vehicle applies brakes unexpectedly when put in reverse at low speed or while parked, with loud noise and complete stop even when no obstacle is present. Occurs multiple times over ownership.
When: Starting from early ownership; repeated over months
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise when brakes engage in reverse; Vehicle stops suddenly with nothing behind it; Happens while exiting driveway and parking lot
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to find problem when inspected once
Brake pedal unresponsiveness at traffic stop (no emergency braking backup)
Brake pedal failure to stop vehicle; forward collision emergency braking system also did not engage as backup. Occurred at traffic light with vehicle directly in front.
When: While driving on street at green light
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes would not stop the car; Emergency front collision braking did not activate
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
When traveling in a rental from SFO to Concord CA, on the Bay Bridge at 9 am on the 26 of September 2023, just as I entered the underpass section near Treasure Island, the front sensor malfunctioned and auto braked from 47 mph to 28, generated audible, tactile, and visual alarms, even though the car in front was not decelerating (auto lights, tail lights in from of me as the car went into a dark…
I Serviced my vehicle with a Nissan Dealership, and was told brake pads were good. Within a couple of weeks there was a scratching sound like the brake warning indicator. I brought my car to a mechanic to be repaired but brake pads were confirmed to be fine. Further investigation indicates a bad brake caliper in the rear. Mechanic contacted Nissan to order a rear caliper and was told it’s a known…
The forward emergency braking system periodically will engage with no reason. I did not record the first date this happened. It was in July 2021. This first happened not long after I purchased the car last year on the interstate in heavy traffic with low speed and nothing close enough to set it off. Sometimes just the emergency light will just appear and disappear quickly and…
1. The automatic emergency braking activated while approaching a railway crossing. And yes, it is available for inspection. 2. If anyone had been behind me, it very likely would have resulted in a collision. 3. Not yet confirmed by the dealer, but has happened to me three times. 4. No. 5. No warning before the malfunction.
While driving, most times at higher speeds, the light with the car and lines behind it (VDC light?) will turn on, and then a minute later the front and back AEB lights turn on and the dashboard says “malfunction: see owner’s manual.” This happens multiple times per week, sometimes multiple times a day. There have been other recalls for this issue with other Nissan Altima years with this system.
Had brakes trouble with your 2021 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 2021 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 42,897 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2021/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.