I took my car into the dealership because my brakes seemed to malfunction sporadically, and around the same time a brake light indicator came on my dashboard. The dealership diagnosed it as brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder, and said my master cylinder had to be replaced. I saw on the NHTSA website that there is a pending investigation of 07 & 08 Nissan Altima and a brake cylinder leak, and that the same model year Nissan Sentra have already been recalled for that same reason. I wanted to make you aware that I have also experienced this problem, which was a $550 fix.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Brake light warning comes on while driving.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

I took my 2008 Altima in for an oil change. About 1 week before oil change appointment September 21, 2011 my brake light would appear on dashboard--it wasn't a consistent and not every time I was driving car. I didn't even have to brake for this to occur. At dealership told them about issue and they looked into it. After servicing my car I was informed that my master cylinder was leaking and need to be replaced. I also needed back brakes. I was told that I should not drive car, because the brakes might not work. I was completely shocked!! I only have 27000 miles on my 2008 Altima. Of course it was out of warranty and cost a good amount of money out of my pocket. I did some research online and noticed that there are numerous other people have the same issue with their 2007 & 2008 Altima's. Nissan has a recall for the Sentra (?) vehicle that has the same issue. I believe this a manufactures defect and needs to be researched. I would appreciate this issue being looked into.

- Elgin, IL, USA

I recently having issue with my brake light coming on and off at random times. Which after researching online it appears to be a common issue for many others, with brake leaks. I have noticed a slight difference in the brake effectiveness, which causes concern for me. I have an 2008 Nissan Altima 2.5 SE with roughly 56,000 miles. I bought this car used with only 22K miles roughly in 2009 and have other issues with electrical work in the radio. The radio has already been replaced by the dealership when it was still under warranty and now it is happening again where my volume dial doesn't turn the volume up or down it locks between three volume numbers and at times the screen fades in and out.

- New Braunfels , TX, USA

Master cyclinder was leaking. Parking break light would stay on, but sometimes go off. Very similar to PE11020. I have dealer service records detailing the leak and the repair.

- Edmond, OK, USA

Master cylinder found to be leaking. Warning light was coming on.

- North Little Rock, AR, USA

Brake light started coming on and going off spontaneous through out each drive time and continued to stay on longer as time passed. Took my car in for service to the dealership, after a thorough inspection by the mechanic as he too was puzzled why my fluid level was low since the brakes themselves were working great it was determined my brake fluid was "somehow" leaking out of the container that holds the fluid into the rubber boot around it and was advised I needed to have the master brake valve replaced at a cost of $456. I questioned why this would happen and if it's been a problem and was advised they didn't know why it was just happening and no they had not seen this as a problem with other customers. I was advised it wasn't something that had to be fixed today but would need to be fixed but they would top off the fluid and I would be good, but for how long they couldn't tell me. In researching I see I am not the first to have this issue and probably won't be the last. I wanted to log my experience in hopes Nissan will do the right thing and fix this problem before it is related to a catastrophe!

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

Purchased 2008 Nissan Altima in 2009. Car was supposed to be certified. Immediately began hearing squealing/grinding with brakes. Complained to Nissan and the dealership. Dealership kept rotating rotors but no resolution. In 12/2010 had brakes changed at honcura auto and they used genuine Nissan parts. Within a month, same thing occurring. Something is wrong with the brakes and Nissan will not own up to it.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

I just bought a 2008 Nissan Altima and my brake light comes on when I accelerate. I have taken it to the dealership and they are saying that I have a master cylinder leak. There is definitely a problem.

- Marietta, GA, USA

My 2008 Nissan Altima master break cylinder needed to be replaced due to a leak after around 60K miles. Before the brake light came on there was a reduced braking capacity and at around 35-40K miles I bought new brake pads due to this loss of fluid thinking the brake pads needed to be replaced. After taking the wheels off I found the pads to be just fine and topped off the fluid. I had noted this many times when I brought it in for an oil change but I was told the brakes were in good shape. During one of the scheduled maintenances' the technician noticed the leaking brake master cylinder.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

I had noticed for about a week that the brake light indicator on my dash board kept coming on. On Monday 6/27/2011 I took my car to my local Nissan dealer. There they diagnosed that the braking system's master cylinder and booster assembly had leaked brake fluid making the car unsafe to drive. They replaced with a new brake master cylinder, booster assembly, and other parts. The dealer made the repair and I returned to drive my car away on 6/29/2011. Total cost with parts, labor, and tax was $608.62. I have kept the receipt in my records. I had the brake light indicator go off several times from when I purchased it new to when this last incident happened. I"M assuming in the past they just topped off the brake fluid during regularly scheduled maintenance. The brakes had always been very touchy and overly tight to the touch. With the repair the braking system is not as tight but still very responsive. As a result of this slow leak over the years I always noticed that the brake fluid reservoir would be low as well and that did not seem correct for a new car. I purchased this car brand new and I am the only owner. Since the breaking light indicator had been a normal occurrence many times I am surprised that my Nissan technician did not thoroughly inspect the breaking system at some point in the past years. I was out of warranty due to the mileage and paid for the cost out of my personal funds. I am hoping if there is a recall I will be compensated for this repair since I am claiming this as the responsibility of the car manufacturer Nissan and/or any other associated entities. Thank you,

- Exton , PA, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Nissan Altima. The contact was driving approximately 5 mph when the brake warning indicator illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. The failure progressed over time until it occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the master cylinder was leaking brake fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Currently there was an open investigation associated with NHTSA action number PE11020 (hydraulic: Foundation components: Master cylinder). The approximate failure mileage was 26,000.

- Pismo Beach , CA, USA

I own a 2008 Nissan Altima that was having brake problems. I had it checked out by a mechanic and he found that the master cylinder had been leaking fluid internally. I would be happy to discuss the problem with your Agency if needed. My name is [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Laurel, MS, USA

"brake" indicator light began coming on intermittently while driving. Took the car in for service, found out the brake master cylinder is leaking and needs replaced. Vehicle is a 2008 Nissan Altima and only has 41,000 miles on it. Vehicle was recently in for maintenance service in December 2010, no indication of problem was given following inspection.

- Hilliard, OH, USA

My Nissan Altima 2008 sedan has had so many brake problems, I have changed pads and rotors and what not 7 times since I bought the car two years ago. I have complained to Nissan in orland park, il and I always here the same thing. The Altima does that! now again I have the same problems.

- Chicago, IL, USA

We have had to replace the brakes three time within the past 9 months.

- Mebane, NC, USA

The dashboard warning lamps "dsc off", "slip" and "brake" indicator sporadically were coming on. The warning indications became more frequent. Took it to the dealer, and they said it is the brake master cylinder leaking brake fluid into the vacuum booster. Since the leak is contained in the vehicle, the leak is not apparent on the ground. If brake fluid gets too low, total loss of brakes could result in a crash. The replacement master cylinder is back ordered, and may take weeks to arrive. Internet research shows that the leaking master cylinder is a very common defect. Vehicle only has 30K miles.

- Lincoln University, PA, USA

Required to replace brake master cylinder due to leakage of fluid. The brakes began not working properly and the bake alert light came on. This is certainly not a component that should malfunction at this low mileage! there are many complaints about this problem on the internet(forums-blogs) and warnings about buying the 08 Altima. Nissan has recalled other models for this problem but the Altima is not included. This is obviously a manufacturing failure and Nissan should be standing back of their product!! brake problems pose a great danger to peoples lives. There may not have been any deaths associated with this problem, but is that what has to happen? in this economy wounding our wallets is harmful. Between the internet and consumer reports Nissan will hopefully pay for not voluntarily stepping up and taking care of their inferior manufacturing in a competitive market.

- Guntersville, AL, USA

Brake light kept coming on and off for a week or so. Took it to the Nissan dealer where I bought it and they said it was master cylinder leaking. They have to wait on part because it is on backorder.

- Sikeston, MO, USA

Brake/vcs off/slip lights began flickering on dash about 2 weeks ago. Brought car into dealer on Dec 01 2010, and was advised that the master brake cylinder was leaking. Due to safety concerns, I left my car at the dealership. Currently waiting on a new master brake cylinder, the part is on nationwide backorder.

- Caledonia, MI, USA