Guys:
Saturday 01/09/2010; while going at 35 MPH, I had a catastrophic brake failure on my NAH. The brakes were non responsive, could have been a major potential for a FATAL accident if I was doing 65 MPH on highway. Enough to say I am totally pissed about this and Want ANSWERS from Nissan!.

I was alerted by a ABS and Brake warning lights and a continuous alarm in the cabin. when I hit brakes, Nothing happened, I put in low gear and pulled over and tried several times to restart, but no change to the condition, brakes still inoperable.

The car is with the dealer now and I will update this thread as more information flows in.

My tow cost $197 to tow me 5 (Yes FIVE) miles to the dealership because the towing company they sent charge commercial rates and because the road side assistance program covers only $100, I am Out 97 dollars! I have another major issue with this and I have asked for the regional specialist of Nissan to contact me, they said it will be within 2 business days and I hope that's true or else I have another thing coming!

Nissan Case# 6699786

Tip: Do not buy the roadside assistance and get a AAA Plus membership instead

 

You should file a claim w/NHTSA (http://www.safercar.gov/). If there are enough legitimate cases, it could cause a recall.

I believe Nissan should cover your towing. In the 08 NAH warranty booklet, it states on page 5:
Check yours for the same statement. Non-working brakes makes a car virtually inoperative due to the obvious safety problem.

 

All Great suggestions.
Thank You

 

yikes. hope that they figure out what the heck happened and provide you with proper explainations as well as an acceptable solution. I do believe the tow is covered. The anger is justified but don't forget to be glad you are ok and can now ***** them out, even if its just to give thema piece of your mind. Good luck.

 

wow, what actually happened? were there any warning signs or all of a sudden the lights came on and everything failed?

 

I was just wondering tonight about Toyota's impact on Nissan's hybrids. They share the technology, you know. Were you aware that there was a recall for computers on the Hybrids? I took mine in, it was done, and I was called again alerting me that the recall was incomplete. I knew something was wrong after it was done, I can't get a clear reading on the energy flow. I have the fully equipped model with the technology package -- really not worth it.

I never had a chance to go take care of it. I heard that not going in for the recall could cause huge problems. It was just by chance that I found out about it. Nissan never wrote to me about it to my knowledge, nor did the dealership where I was having it serviced. I have a maintenance plan.

I just don't know whether that recall affected the braking system. I think I heard the car could just lose power on the highway or something. The original recall for the computer did ease that awful shudder between the gas and electric engines. Still has some way to go. With your story, though, I better go get it taken care of! Good luck and thanks for posting!

 

Please post some facts instead of speculation. I did a search for recalls on the 08 NAH via www.safercar.gov and there's no recall for the "computers". The only ones that come up are at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls...intVersion=YES.

Perhaps you're confusing a TSB w/a recall? If so, please post the TSB.

 

I think the "recall for computers on the Hybrids" was the ECM reprogram with correct VIN thing. Had nothing to do with performance or the flow meters.

 

I am not sure. I called the service department yesterday and asked what the extended recall was about. It will take 45 minutes. It has something to do with the emissions. The first recall I went for, I discovered when I called Nissan. I don't know where it is online. Nissan customer service told me about the recall and to go to a dealership that knew about hybrids to have it done. Sorry, I can't be more forthcoming, I am very busy with something else. Call and ask Nissan customer service and they will tell you. If I find it, I will let you know. I don't think any of the service departments took care of the recalls for my car that you shared on your link. I asked about it today, and the service manager did not know of anything else. Nissan is supposed to have a good car, but trying to weed through their terrible salespeople, and some of the very stupid dealerships who take hybrid cars in for service, but don't know what they're doing, is quite another thing. Friday or Saturday, I will have to sit and wait about an hour for them to do whatever they want. Then, I will have to go plea for them to fix the $6000 technology package that stopped working right after the computer was updated, or whatever.

I did ask about the brake failure. Do you know that Toyota's hybrid technology is not only licensed to Nissan, but many major brands? I am just passing along the details. I don't have time to be an academic an investigative journalist with this information. All I can say is that l heard it from the service department at one of the dealerships. I was assured that catastrophic brake failure was an aberration for the Altima Hybrid. We'll see what they find out about AirBoss's car. Keep us posted!

 

Ditto, I've been very busy w/work doing 10-12 hour days.

Your receipt should indicate what was performed. It would enlighten us all if you could provide a campaign # and a summary.

BTW, http://x.nissanhelp.com/forums/Knowl...html?catid=244 has lists of NAH TSBs. Supposedly, you can DL 1 file/day w/free registration. I used to visit http://maxima.theowensfamily.com/tsb/ for Maxima TSBs, but all they have is older Maxima TSBs.