NHTSA Complaint #10320184 — 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA

RE: 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA SE. SINCE APPROXIMATELY 3 YEARS AGO, I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES. I LIVE IN THE NE WHERE IT GETS COLD IN THE WINTERS, AND ONLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE TEMP. IS APPROX. BELOW 30 DEGREES. THIS PROBLEM HAS TYPICALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR HAS SAT IDLE ALL NIGHT, BUT HAS ALSO HAPPENED AT OTHER TIMES WHEN IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN FOR A FEW HOURS. WHEN FIRST STARTING THE CAR, THE BRAKE PEDAL IS SO STIFF THAT I CAN'T PRESS IT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR - ALMOST LIKE IT IS FROZEN. LUCKILY, I HAVE NOT YET HAD AN ACCIDENT, BUT HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED ONE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO SLOW DOWN, COMING TO A STOP SIGN OR PARKING LOT EXIT AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP, OR TRYING TO SLOW DOWN TO TURN A CORNER. I HAVE TO TRY TO REMEMBER TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL 10 - 15 TIMES EVERY TIME I START THE CAR IN COLD WEATHER, AS THIS IS THE ONLY WAY TO "LOOSEN" IT UP SO THAT IT WILL WORK CORRECTLY. SEVERAL MECHANICS HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSES THIS. WHEN I'M DRIVING THIS CAR, I'M ALWAYS AFRAID THAT THE BRAKES WILL TOTALLY GIVE OUT. *TR