Brake Master Cylinder problems of the 2011 Nissan Altima

2011 Nissan Altima. Consumer writes in regards to braking system service bulletin. The consumer stated when he received the service campaign and service bulletin, in the mail he was not experiencing any problems. However, in November 2013, the vehicle began to display some of the identifying problems associated with the service campaign. The brake warning light and traction control warning light illuminated. Also, the brakes were squeaking and occasionally made a grinding noise. The dealer inspected the vehicle and validated his complaint and they replaced the master cylinder in accordance with the service bulletin. However, when the consumer left the dealer, the brakes continued to squeak. The consumer took the vehicle to another dealer, for its 45,000 recommended service. He asked the dealer to check the brakes, as they were still grinding and squeaking. An inspection revealed the front brakes were worn to a level of 2mm, which explained the squeaking and grinding. The consumer did not believe, the previous dealer inspected the brakes or falsified the multi-point inspection record. Updated 07/29/14 updated 07/30/14.

Brake pedal squeak upon decompression. Found ring of brake fluid on master cylinder resivoir cap. Dealership stated overfilled and wiped brake fluid inspected mc for recall -- no leak. Ring came back after two days. Dealership stated master cylinder kicking fluid back up -- no leak -- mc replaced not due to recall. Master cylinder replaced due to fluid being kicked back up. Brake pedal squeak went away.

When driving speeds as low as 25 miles per hour, the brakes started to grab. I first noticed that when I depressed the brake, when released, the pedal seemed to stick, as if there were gum on the bottom of my shoe, perhaps sticking to the pedal. I checked the pedal and it was clear. Then I noticed that when driving at slower rates of speed, as I eased on the brake, it seemed to depress again, then the brakes would grab harder. Took it to the dealer, they said it was the brake booster--$700 estimate to fix. I did not have an extended warranty, so I took it to a private mechanic, who evaluated the issue, and came to the same conclusion--brake booster. He showed me that it was busted. He was considerably cheaper, so I had him to fix the brake booster. It fixed the issue that I was feeling in the pedal when stopping, however, the brakes continued to grab, even at slower rates of speed (<25mph). At slower speeds, the brakes grabbed hard enough to throw passengers forward in the vehicle. He contacted Nissan and found that there was a recall for my master cylinder, but only if it was leaking. My master cylinder did not appear to be leaking, but it is quite obvious that it has to be a faulty cylinder. I read several reports of Nissan's master cylinders leaking causing the brake booster to fail. The Nissan dealership in jonesboro said that they would replace the master cylinder, but the recall is for leaking master cylinders only. My mc is not leaking, and therefore, as it stands right now, it is not covered by the recall.