2004 Nissan Altima Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 4%of 276 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Nissan Altima, 4% of the 276 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,400 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“When car sits in cold weather climate brake pedal gets hard and locks up. Loosing the ability to come to a stop. It usually happens when car has been sitting for a few hours in weather below 20 degrees. It's a common issue with Nissan owners having problem with nissans faulty brake vacuum valve.”
NHTSA complaint #10451606, filed 2012-03, 90,000 miles“When temperature drops below 32 degrees,when care is first started power brakes do not work until care warms up, taking care to dealer they said this is normal and you have to wait for car to warm up because of a check valve on brake booster having moisture inside.”
NHTSA complaint #10363617, filed 2010-11, 89,000 miles“When applying the brakes vehicle vibrated severely. Vehicle was taken to the dealer at 3,000 miles. Dealer replaced a bolt, and resurfaced the front rotors. At 11,000 miles the vehicle commenced to vibrate again. Vehicle was returned back to the dealer, and dealer replaced brake rotors, pads, and brakes assembly.”
NHTSA complaint #10113673, filed 2005-03, 3,000 miles“Every winter or when the weather gets cold there is a strong smell of raw gas coming in through the air vents, when car warms up in morning even with all windows open smell is choking and unbearable. Also brakes squeak terribly like a big truck when turning to left and braking, even at slow speeds, such as in a drive thru or parking. Even brand new brakes. Lastly and most scary is the driver seat shifts, rocks, forward and back when braking hard or during a sudden stop. Purchased car in 2007 as a lease return.”
NHTSA complaint #10486381, filed 2012-11, 40,000 miles“When applying brakes from 55-60 MPH it causes the vehicle to shimmy and/or vibrate. Vehicle has been to the dealer on three separate occasions. On the first incident dealer turned or resurfaced both front brake rotors at 9,761 miles; second incident occurred at 13,930, in which the dealer had to replace both front rotors and both front brake pads, and currently at 23,000 miles dealer needs to resurface both front rotors and replaced both front pads again. Consumer anticipates this problem would keep recurring.”
NHTSA complaint #10119245, filed 2005-04, 9,761 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192638Sep 15, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin has compiled Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) and Low Tire Pressure Warning System (LTPWS) information for: - Basic diagnosing of TPMS/LTPWS…
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 14% |
| 2024 | 5 | 12% |
| 2023 | 4 | 13% |
| 2022 | 5 | 16% |
| 2021 | 21 | 30% |
| 2020 | 18 | 10% |
| 2019 | 30 | 13% |
| 2018 | 49 | 22% |
| 2017 | 19 | 5% |
| 2016 | 11 | 2% |
| 2015 | 26 | 3% |
| 2014 | 28 | 3% |
| 2013 | 58 | 3% |
| 2012 | 20 | 5% |
| 2011 | 12 | 5% |
| 2010 | 32 | 8% |
| 2009 | 47 | 3% |
| 2008 | 93 | 9% |
| 2007 | 70 | 15% |
| 2006 | 26 | 3% |
| 2005 | 37 | 3% |
| 2004 | 10 | 4% |
| 2003 | 12 | 1% |
| 2002 | 29 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 4% |
| 2000 | 12 | 8% |
| 1999 | 15 | 17% |
| 1998 | 14 | 11% |
| 1997 | 9 | 8% |
| 1996 | 5 | 5% |
| 1995 | 10 | 6% |
| 1994 | 4 | 4% |
| 1993 | 6 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Altima
109 complaintsBody and structure
42 complaintsElectrical system
32 complaintsEngine
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
17 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsSteering
11 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Nissan Altima
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology