Nissan Armada & Infiniti QX56 Forums banner

Bad ABS on Armada!!!!!

175K views 339 replies 120 participants last post by  KDQX56 
#1 ·
First off, Nissan service is a joke! They've sold you the vehicle, then they don't want to help you!

My ABS system engages for no reason. the first time it happened back in Feb 2005 I had 6250 miles on the truck. It just happened again on May 2, 2005 same thing for no reason. just driving along, go to break for a normal stop and the sound of grinding metal, spring popping sounds and the fact that I only have 30% - 40% of my breaking power when this happens is a nightmare. Luckly, no one has been hurt by me yet. The Nissan service tech tried to tell me that the white bumps/bubbles on the side of the road can trigger the ABS on the Armada???? Does this guy think I'm stupid???????
This is the 2nd time it's happened on a smooth surface and normal breaking. The first time they smoothed my rotors and replace the break pads and told me I was good to go. Well, less than 3 months later, it happened again. Has anyone else had a similar situation? I didn't spend $40,000. on a vehicle to go into ABS for some unexplained reason. I felt safer in my little rollerskate rental car I had gotten!! HELLLPPPP! I am a ticking time bomb on the road and I'm at my wits end!! I have hired an attorney for this now. I hope my car doesn't act up with your family on the road!! Buyers Beware!
 
#226 · (Edited)
Andy, I have no problem with the car if I knew for sure that it is fixed for good, but they have told me every time that it is fixed and somewhere 500 miles from home it fails again, and again, and again. This time and the last I was assured that the replacement booster was the "new and improved version" and the replacement Delta sensor has solved all problems on all other cars that the Nissan factory rep diagnosed?????? so why did it take the over a week to diagnose this car and I don't have it back yet. Last time it failed, Nissan Tech was involved and it was "FIXED FOR GOOD" I call " BULLSH###T " some thing is wrong. I do intend to pursue Lemon Law.


rsoto80, the service department at two different dealers have told me the codes have read bad booster , now did they replace them each time??? the paper work says so and Nissan Corp extended my already extended warranty a bit more. BTW this car has only 64K

Thanks Tad
 
#227 · (Edited)
Our 2006 SE did it again last week. This time my wife was driving. The last time this happened, about 2 years ago, the dealer sent it out to another dealer and reflashed to enter updated software. We were told it was fixed.
Well because we like the truck so much we traded our 2006/102k Mada in for a 2008/65k Mada. This one already had the fuel fix and had no history of brake problems. Plus this one came with a 2 year/ 100k warranty. We weren't upside down on the 06, so I'm not mad. But when I was told that the problem was fixed I believed them!
If this Mada has any brake problems, then we will be trading our Nissans in for Mazdas!
We have 3 children (10, 3, and 1 years old). We bought this because we needed room to be comfortable. Our 2005 Xterra had been a very good SUV and my 2006 Titan had been very good ( less the fuel pump leaving us stranded on I-95). But this better not happen again! I will NOT put my family in a vehicle I do not trust!
 
#232 ·
This is the second time this has happened to me with my 06.

In March 2011 my 4x4/brake/VDC lights we on and lost most of my braking braking power along with the massive clanging from the front end coming off a highway off ramp. Scared the crap out of me at the time as you dont expect to put your foot to the floor and keep going.
Dealer replaced the front left Hub and wheel speed sensor and it corrected the issue.... or so I thought

This Tuesday, I started up my truck and started to pull out of my driveway and the same clanging and loss of brake power happened although only my brake light was on this time.

Its been fine ever since so is a diagnostic going to pick up what the problem is?
 
#233 · (Edited)
This is the same thing that happened to me about a week ago - happened twice. When you turn the truck off it resets the computer and it doesn't happen again for awhile. It will however definitely happen again. Nissan knows about the ABS issues and has not done a recall. I was at the dealership I go to today and they told me to hold on because Nissan will more than likely be doing a recall. GOOD LUCK. I had a case pending with Nissan Consumer Affairs and it was denied, I spoke with them again today and they suggested I call the Better Business Bureau. Nissan has a FB page and I have started posting my issues on there. May sound like it won't help but if enough people start to post the issue on a social networking site (as was done to Bank of America) then maybe just maybe we will start to get Nissan moving in the direction it should - taking care of their faulty ABS systems. Good luck and I pray that no one else is in a accident due to the faulty system on these Armadas.

By the way my actuator was replaced in June of 2011 and a few months prior to that I was told that their computer could not read my sensors. At that time the truck was under warranty. It no longer is under warranty at this time. However, this is not a wear and tear issue - this is a Nissan malfunction that should be handled.
 
#236 ·
bought my armada new in 2007. Had this problem first in 2009 or so...but it was intermittant (I know now because the sensor resets when the car is turned off).

West Palm Beach Nissan said they could not replicate it and had never heard of it...

It's occured two to three times since...so after it happened last weekend, I did a search.

Low and behold, lots of posts about the armada booster/delta s sensor...even you tube videos documenting the problem.

Took it into Pompano Nissan...at first said they never heard of the problem...I suggested do a simple search...they asked me about the sound...I suggested they go to you tube...

sure enough, they did their diagnostics...guess what - the booster and delta S - quoted $671. Said there is little they can do - out of warranty, 100k miles...I asked to speak with the service manager....and they also suggested I call Nissan North America...I did call the latter and have a case number...they said they'd call back tomorrow...Just doesn;t seem right that some dealerships acknowledge the problem up from and repair for free or at a significant discount...and other act like they have never heard of the issue...

We will see...

These companies/dealers are fools if they think that people can't do a quick search to determine if there is a widespread problem. Be so much better if they would just be up front about it....
 
#238 ·
Well Nissan North America is not a very responsive organization. I called them first on Tuesday 11/4. I spoke with a woman named Ella, very cordial, who assigned me a case number and said I'd have to speak with a regional specialist. She said I'd get a call back no later than the next morning.

No call back, so I phoned ella again. She said she'd send an email and leave the specialist another message...still no call back by the next day...called ella again.

she said she'd elevate to a supervisor...

I did get the name and extension finally of the regional specialist I was assigned to....I've left her many messages...she did finally call me back last Friday...I explained the situation, that it seems others have had this...the dealer initially said they've never heard of it....then after the diagnosis they acknowldeged yes, some years had this problem but not my 2007....

She asked if I could prove that I've had this problem in the past...if its documented with a dealer...I said no, I can't prove it...I can only say that I've had the problem occur at various times over the past 3 years...and its pretty clear that others on the internet have the same issue...

she said nissan does not rely on the internet because people can post anything, only on their dealers diagnostics...I said fine, I just need a resolution one way or the other....I did point out she is free to go to youtube, or any number of sites and she will see the same problem repreatedly...she again said they don't rely on the internet...

she said I'd hear back monday....she left me a message at 10:45am to call her back...I've called back 3x no response...

I told her I simply need an answer so I can get my car worked on....
 
#240 ·
well, finally heard back from megan at nissan consumer affairs a few minutes ago. 800-343-6913 ext. 457218.

I should note I called yesterday and tried another person. He said he could see a decision has been reached in my case, but I would have to speak with megan to receive it. I explained this coming tuesday will be two weeks, with no answer, and a rental car I'm paying for...He said he can see on his computer that a decision was reached monday (today is thursday)...I asked why they couldn't just leave me a message or email me....again, he said I'd have to speak with her live....(which we already know is a problem)....

I also spoke with the service person (Jose) at pompano nissan yesterday, to let him know I'm not abandoning my vehicle, that I can't seem to get megan to return a call. He said he knows her by name, as she is the regional specialist, and sometimes they must make 30 calls before they can get her. Ridiculous.

So, the net is...they are not going to do anything for me...because I can't document that I had this problem before now....I politely said thanks. I'll be signing onto this class action suit on this issue I've been reading about.

Also note, when I did speak with her last Friday, I offered that if they pay half - roughly 350, that I'd cover the other half and move on...I just want my car back.

Heck of a company....funny thing was, I don't have a small car and was seriously considering buying a 350z in a couple months....not now....

for some reason companies cannot understand the long term value of a customer....and just how the internet and word of mouth affects future sales...
 
#241 ·
Same here! I can't trust the company who doesn't want to listen to their customer.

Look at this report yourself for this issue:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/complaints/

2004
SERVICE BRAKES: 20
Service Brakes, Electric: 9 reports
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: 67 reports
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK: 22 reports
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT: 4 reports
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE: 3 reports

2005
SERVICE BRAKES: 15
Service Brakes, Electric: 11 reports
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: 74 reports
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK: 3 reports


2006
SERVICE BRAKES: 10 reports
Service Brakes, Electric: 1 reports
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: 43 reports
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK: 4 reports

2007

SERVICE BRAKES: 10 reports
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: 3 reports

*I only looked at # of issues reported related to brakes and not all may be for this issue.
 
#242 ·
ABS failure

Appears this has been an issue for NISSAN since day one...

Purchased an Armarda 05 SE a yr ago this month...

recently the ABS has been activating whenever it wants..

causing the nose of the truck to dive downward an an xtreme brake chatter an fading...

had both the ABS sensors, located in the front axles bearings replaced an the problem hasn't re- developed YET...

nothing worse then wondering if your brakes are gonna work when needed
 
#244 ·
This thread has been ongoing for a very long time. I also am having the very same issue's that everyone else is complaining about. I have noticed that when it gets hot in the summer (I live in Savannah, GA) it happen much more frequently. Is there a definite fix, and also can someone send me part number for the brake boosters if this is indeed the issue?
 
#245 · (Edited)
Probably need to have the ABS controller reprogrammed. That solves the problem most of the time. I think a lot of boosters and other parts are being replaced when not needed.
Use a ABS code reader to see if you have code 1179. If so, all you need is the reprogram.
 
#246 ·
Troll?

I'm for keeping things positive, but the ABS problem is extremely wide-spread and there is even the possibility of a class-action suit against Nissan. While my Wife and I bought our Armada new in '04 (extremely early production), we have experienced this problem many times over the 100k miles we have driven. Service has been lame at best when the truck was under warranty, and they did finally re-program the anti-lock unit once, but the problem still randomly occurs. As both a former mechanic and buyer for a large automotive salvage company, I have seen Nissan attempt to correct this with upgraded power-boosters, master cylinders, anti-lock computers, calipers and rotors as the model years progressed, most remarkable as the '06 model years were introduced. The issue is that the abs pump runs even when there is no wheel slip at even the slowest of speeds. As I have experienced it first hand several times, it is not the end of the world, as the brakes still actually work, but for someone (like my wife, initially) that does not completely understand the mechanics of how the ABS works, it is a real heart-stopper. And oddly enough, the quick fix is to turn the truck off, and restart it, problem fixed for several months. Not a really good solution, but there is obviously a "ghost in the machine" that Nissan cannot seem to find.
 
#251 ·
.. and there is even the possibility of a class-action suit against Nissan.
I wish someone WOULD get this going. Within the last 12 months I have had this happen to me 5 or 6 times with my '07.

Pmonty said:
The issue is that the abs pump runs even when there is no wheel slip at even the slowest of speeds. As I have experienced it first hand several times...

I am noticing this more frequently as well. This happened to me again yesterday. The feeling of the ABS pulse in the pedal, even at slow speeds like drifting up to a stop sign. It also seems to be more prevalent when the brake pedal is pressed about one third of the way into the braking process.


Pmonty said:
it is not the end of the world, as the brakes still actually work, but for someone (like my wife, initially) that does not completely understand the mechanics of how the ABS works...
I can't say I agree there. When this happens on mine, there is at least 90% loss of braking power and and the chatter/grinding is loud.

With all the stink that was made over the Toyota Prius brakes failing, you would think that all companies would take action on something like this, without someone being injured or killed as the motivator to do the right thing.

Maybe it is time to bring it to the attention of some of the news outlets that do pieces on companies that blatantly disregard such issues.
 
#247 ·
ABS defect

I bought a 05 Aramada a year ago, an have the brakes fail at least three times during this time frame...

It gets your attention really quick when with no warning you have no brakes at all...

I had to shut the truck off, after coming to a full stop, then restarting...

The problem appeared to correct its self at the time, only to repeat again at some point.

The problem was with the front wheel bearing hubs. There is an internal sensor within the hub for the ABS system that was defective...

Nissan has to be aware of this issue an should have issued an immedate recall to resolve this serious problem within their braking sysyem for this model vehicle...

Each bearing hub cost around $250 plus labor to replace

If you haven't had this checked, you might want to take your truck to your repair center an have the problem checked...:confused::confused:
 
#249 ·
my total charge was 906.71. They said it was a bad brake booster. Before I took it to Nissan, I called a mechanic in the area who is well respected. As soon as I started to explain what the symptoms were...I had only said it was a Nissan...he said let me guess, armada brake booster....said he sees it all the time.

I think the frustrating thing is when you call Nissan n.a, their knee jerk reaction - almost too fast....is we have never heard of that problem...when I referenced going on line to see how many are reporting the same issue....the gal quipped back we don't take our information or data from the internet....as if people are going on line for the heck of it to complain about this issue - or post youtube videos showing exactly what it sounds like...

anyway, I paid the 906.71. Tough to know if it is solved, as the problem was always intermittent in the past anyway.
 
#250 · (Edited)
Abs

Usually if the booster begins to go, you will hear a hissing noise when the brakes are first applied followed with the pedal being extremely hard to push down with little result in stopping power.

It's like there is little or no response from the application of the brake when applied

#2 the other problem that may occur is the pedal goes straight to the floor with no braking power at all..

Would hate to think you spent nearly a grand for a braking problem that may no correct the issue..

An speaking to the dealer is a waste of time, for they are told to disregard any info you might have in regards to this issue...
After all, they aren't driving a car that at any given time the brakes can/will fail..
plus they wiill not admit there is a problem until Nissan Cooperate tells them to.. "PERIOD"
Would love to make them drive a car with this issue an see how long they would remain behind the wheel knowing the brake might fail...:ugogirl:
 
#253 ·
I believe the Titans have the same issue.

I researched this further and there actually is a pending class action lawsuit that is being pursed. The lawfirm doing the work is Carter Wolden & Curtis out of Sacramento.

I called and spoke with Kirk Wolden last week. He is quite knowledgeable about the issue and said they are vigorously pursuing this case.

He described in detail what the issue was, some of which I was familiar with. When I said I had an '07, which was apparently outside of the model range of the initial case, he said they will be covered as well.

The reason being is this - By the time the '07's were being produced, Nissan was aware that they had a faulty delta stroke sensor in the brake booster. In the early '07 models, they tried a band-aid approach in fixing it by expanding the range of values that the delta stroke sensor accepted.

Obviously, this was not the proper fix, neither for you or me, it would appear.
 
#254 · (Edited)
If it's dangerous, have any of y'all considered unplugging one of the wheel speed sensors to disable the ABS system as a temporary work-around? A couple weeks ago I accidentally broke one of those speed sensor wires on my wife's car and other than Traction Control, ABS, and dash lights everything else worked fine until I had time to install a replacement wire.
 
#257 ·
If it's dangerous, have any of y'all considered unplugging one of the wheel speed sensors to disable the ABS system as a temporary work-around?
It is actually very dangerous. I should re-post the pic of the guy from the Titan forum on an ambulance gurney, all bloodied up in the face from the accident that occurred when this happened with his brakes.

And I am glad you brought up a way to temporarily deal with the issue. While I don't advocate bypassing such safety features as ABS... in this case, I think it is certainly warranted.

Now if I just knew how to do that... I would do it ASAP :)
 
#255 ·
My dodge charger experienced something similar when braking...it turned out to be a loose axel nut. It was so loose it was causing the axel to move in and out the tone rings which caused the abs pump to activate.

I wonder if there is some play in the hub of these trucks.
 
#259 ·
Yeah, it disables the ABS, VDC and Slip... but then it also puts the Armada into 4WD. And no doubt that it was in 4x4...wheels were chirping doing a tight reverse and the steering wheel was heavier than normal. Selector was on 2WD, but the 4WD light was lit up on the console.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top