NHTSA Complaint #10452468 — 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA

STEPPING ON BRAKE PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO ACTIVATE BRAKE-LIGHTS,WHICH ALSO INHIBITS STARTER.IF BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T WORK ONCE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY THAT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE BEEN REPAIRING THING FOR 50 YEARS AND AM 99.9% SURE THE PINS OF THE BRAKE PEDAL SWITCHES ARE HANGING UP INSIDE THE BORES,SINCE WEDGING SNOW SCRAPER AGAINST BRAKE PEDAL AND PUSHING PLUNGERS UNTIL THEY POPPED ALL THE WAY OUT ALLOWS STARTING. PHONING A NISSAN DEALER'S PARTS DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED AVAILABILITY THEN GAVE ME A PRICE OF $39.17 FOR SWITCH(ES). NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO HUNCHING UNDER THE DASH,I TALKED TO SERVICE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH TO INSTALL.AN "IMPROVED BRAKE WIRING HARNESS"IS NEEDED FOR "RARE" OCCURRENCES AT COST OF $238 AND LABOR OF $149.WHEN I ASKED IF THIS MIGHT BE A RECALL OR UNDER WARRANTY HE SAID"COULD NOT MAKE ANY MONEY" THAT WAY. IF IT IS A DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION PROBLEM NISSAN SHOULD EAT THE COST.INTERNET SEARCH HAS SOME DEALER RECOMMENDING PUSHING HARDER ON PEDAL OR POUNDING-PULSING.SOME REPLACED SWITCHES SHOWED PITTING OF CONTACTS{TOO MUCH CURRENT TOO OFTEN?} DO DOZENS OF CARS HAVE TO GET REAR-ENDED BEFORE ACTION TAKES PLACE??????????????????????? OR DOES MY WIFE HAVE TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK BECAUSE THE CAR WON'T START AND SHE WILL LOSE HER JOB? *JS *KB