Brakes Failed problems of the 2002 Nissan Altima

Nissan Altima '02-05 2. 5/3. 5 models have a known issue with a valve check assembly in a brake vacuum tube. When the car is exposed to extreme cold temperatures for prolonged periods of time, like those experienced this past winter in IL, the valve freezes up and prevents proper operation of the vacuum and thus complete brake failure. It fixes itself after pumping of the brakes several times. I experienced this problem 3 times within a 2 week period. Imagine rolling up to a stop sign only to pump your brakes to the feeling of a brick stuck under them, no stopping action, helplessly coasting right into the intersection. I researched the problem and stumbled on to a Nissan enthusiast forum where it was apparently a known issue to them. They said that Nissan won't even acknowledge this to be an issue and to just order the redesigned part and replace it yourself as it was a dye job. The factory part replacement number is #47430-8j100 (3. 5 model) or #47430-8j000 (2. 5 model). Why did Nissan redesign the part in '06 if they didn't know there was an issue with it? when I called the Nissan dealership where I bought the car, sure enough they wouldn't acknowledge any problem with that part and even went as far as to claim that they have never even ordered that part. They have either never diagnosed the issue correctly or they outright lied to me. I called a different Nissan dealership, ordered the part and installed it myself and have not had the problem despite the subzero temperatures that have occurred since. I'll conclude with the fact that I have zero automotive/mechanical experience. I am a computer systems engineer so I'm used to replacing parts in small spaces on a different type of machinery. But yet I was able to research, diagnose, and fix my own car problem, caused by a known defect in a factory part, with the help of the guys in that forum. How many other people are out there driving ticking-timebomb Altimas that don't have the knowledge to do that??.

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Altima. While driving 75 mph, the contact heard a bumping sound from outside the vehicle and noticed that the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle lost power and the brakes failed. The contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. Once the vehicle was stopped, she was unable to place the vehicle into park. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the front end caught fire. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The current and failure mileages were 143,000.

Rear brakes have failed again - after being replaced at 37,000 miles and 2 years of ownership in 2004. Now at 57,000 miles I need to replace the rear brakes completely again. Obviously the Nissan 'genuine' parts are defective if after only 20,000 the brakes are shot totally again. Why does Nissan keep ripping off the consumers this way and why isn't something done to remedy this situation?.