NHTSA Complaint #10438943 — 2008 NISSAN FRONTIER

LEFT REAR AXLE SEAL FAILED AND GREASE FROM AXLE COATED CALIPER AND BRAKE DISC, RENDERING BRAKING INEFFECTIVE ON THAT WHEEL. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH NISSAN WITH A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (NTB100008) ISSUED, BUT NISSAN ONLY SELECTIVELY APPLIES THE REPAIR. GREASE COATING THE BRAKE APPEARS VISUALLY THE SAME AS BRAKE DUST, AND OWNER'S MANUAL REQUIRES INSPECTION OF SEALS ONLY EVERY 7500 MILES, SO BRAKING MAY BE LOST FOR A CONSIDERABLE PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE DISCOVERY. SERIOUS ACCIDENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED ON 10-14-2011, IRONICALLY ON RETURN FROM DEALER, WHEN CAR AHEAD STOPPED IN LANE TO TURN LEFT; HARD BRAKING AND SWERVE INTO RIGHT LANE AVOIDED COLLISION BUT TRUCK STOPPED WITH FRONT GRILL AT SAME POINT AS FRONT SEAT IN THE STOPPED CAR. *TR