Sudden Total Brake Failure

43107 Views 96 Replies 62 Participants Last post by PanAm Ken, Jun 22, 2019

Fr3ed

Discussion Starter · Jul 3, 2007

I've had a failure I haven't heard of before: In a parking lot (lucky!) the brake pedal went to the floor and a "grinding" noise was noted when the pedal depressed. We got down the road to the dealer with the e-brake and tranny, who said it was a computer failure. They did some sort of reprogramming and the brakes returned to normal. (This dealer has been very good for us since new purchase in '04). While they didn't seem surprised, they wouldn't enlighten me on the cause, either. Needless to say, this could have been catastrophic at speed/in traffic. I would have expected that in the case of a computer failure the brakes would have gone to a manual mode, but no... Anyone else experienced this???

1 - 20 of 97 Posts

Blackbeauty

· #2 · Jul 3, 2007

Gee, sorry to hear about your problems. That is an odd one. Just be glad you weren't hauling azz through a school zone!

Is it just me or are we seeming to be getting an awful lot of first posters voicing problems again?

Reactions: 1

thclimer

· #3 · Jul 3, 2007

Not accusing, but seems strange to have had the Titan since 04 and no other posts until this one in 07???

I can’t imagine what would have to be re-programmed to make the brakes work?

smoke_armada

· #4 · Jul 3, 2007

I've been waiting a long time for someone else to report this. I also have had this issue several times, which occurs after start-up. I think 3 times so far. A restart (which clearly reboots some computer) resolves this.

Was your dealer specific about exactly which computer or did they provide you with any specific info?

Fr3ed

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jul 3, 2007

thclimer:
Allow me to clarify. I bought the truck new in '04.
I've been reading this forum for about 2 years but just joined to see if anyone else had heard of this problem, since there are no published service bulletins yet.
History: Did the whole brake recall thing in '05 after waiting months for parts (no re-occurance of the judder), arcing at the cylinder head/coils ("spark knock noise") until I installed an extra ground, a few other minor issues. Overall our dealership has been great (I've known the service manager for 8 or 9 years) and I'm totally pleased with the truck.
I'm just having issues with a braking/ABS system that didn't fail to a manual (hydraulic non assist) mode and wondering if anyone else had heard of this. The possibility of a re-occurrance, particularly when pulling my boat, has prompted me to do a little research...

VShortt

· #6 · Jul 3, 2007

I've been around this board since 2004. I own a 2004. I HAVE experienced this on two different occasions. I have plenty of posts. I'm definitely NOT calling "troll" on this because the issue he described is exactly what has happened to me.

Blackbeauty

· #7 · Jul 3, 2007

That seems to be quite a "design flaw" if it indeed fails to anything other than manual mode. WTF?!?!?!?!?

P's Titan

· #8 · Jul 3, 2007

Nice first post

Just a heads up, when joing a board I suggest introducing yourself first and searching before you start off with a first post of a major failure like you said.

Fortunately others have had this issue so your safe. You have to understand when people with there first post complain about something most have not heard of the "Troll" is thrown out.

DeadRiver

· #9 · Jul 3, 2007

this surely is a new one... that's not a very safe way to have your brake fail...

my 79 regal did that once, but that's because the brake line going to my rear drum came loose and all my fluid went out with it... i had my buddy's girlfriend in the car at the time, boy was she nervous...

i told her we better have sex because i wasn't sure if we'd make it out alive, but she didn't go for it... ah well

Fr3ed

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 3, 2007

Sorry about not knowing all the protocol. Now at least I understand the troll comment. I've been a service manager in the motorcycle and the marine biz's for a total of over 10 years and never would have considered anything other than a mechanical failure with these symptoms. No one would deny it's weird. Thanks.

thclimer

· #11 · Jul 3, 2007

Fr3ed said:
thclimer:
Allow me to clarify. I bought the truck new in '04.
I've been reading this forum for about 2 years but just joined to see if anyone else had heard of this problem, since there are no published service bulletins yet.
History: Did the whole brake recall thing in '05 after waiting months for parts (no re-occurance of the judder), arcing at the cylinder head/coils ("spark knock noise") until I installed an extra ground, a few other minor issues. Overall our dealership has been great (I've known the service manager for 8 or 9 years) and I'm totally pleased with the truck.
I'm just having issues with a braking/ABS system that didn't fail to a manual (hydraulic non assist) mode and wondering if anyone else had heard of this. The possibility of a re-occurrance, particularly when pulling my boat, has prompted me to do a little research...

Fr3ed:

Sorry for questioning the legitimacy of your post.

This does sound like a serious problem especially since other are reporting a similar experience. I hope someone can explain the issue as to what is going on.

Helinut1970

· #12 · Jul 4, 2007

Are you talking about when you hit the brakes hard they go to the floor? But after you let up it goes back to normal. You can do this anytime. Are you sure its not that, that you are experiencing. If its not I would deffinatly be concerned and look into it more for sure.

Clint

· #13 · Jul 4, 2007

DeadRiver said:
i told her we better have sex because i wasn't sure if we'd make it out alive, but she didn't go for it... ah well

Who could argue with this logic? :jester:

Clint

FireWalker42

· #14 · Jul 4, 2007

Here is what I think you are looking for. See page 2 for the TSB.
http://www.titantalk.com/forums/titan-problems-dealer-service/39084-brake-issues-not-judder.html

Titan Power

· #15 · Jul 4, 2007

It sounds like an ABS problem. It happens to many different makes, but I thought it went away with newer, better systems. It occured more frequently in older 2 channel systems. Basicly, the ABS system thinks that a wheel is locked and activates, releasing the brakes. It has happened to me in my Galant VR4 at an autocross, I had to pull the ABS fuse to "solve" the problem. It was also common on Subaru WRX's, to the point that owners were familiar with it and called it "ice mode" because it felt like you were suddenly braking on ice. I thought that the ABS wasn't supposed to be active at parking lot speeds on many cars, but I guess not.

SMURFY

· #16 · Jul 13, 2007

It thrills me to see that I am not alone but also scares me that no one seems to know what to do definitively.
I think I bought the first Titan sold at my dealership in december of 2003. I had the normal brake problems everyone else had in the first few thousand miles. Nissan dealer was great though and fixed and then repalced the rotors, etc under 25K miles. However, in 2005 while breaking from about a 30mph speed pressing my pedal created a grinding noize (from the engine/front end area) and the pedal would have gone to the floor but i pulled my foot off as I felt the change. Then as I was coasting to the stop sign ahead I pressed it lightly again and it went right to the floor and the turk lurched to a very abrupt stop from 20 to 0 in just a few feet throwing all my stuff all over the truck. I continued to try the break and the problem remained. The brake light was red. So I shut off the engine, pumped the break and then restarted it. The light was gone and everything seemed normal. I decided to take back roads and not go over 35mph the rest of the 3 miles I had to go.

I was going to take it in but as we all know its hard to find the time and the problem did not come back on the trip home or the next morning so I stupidly figured it was a bublle in my line that worked itself out (im no mechanic)...but then about five or six months later it happened again in a very similar situation. I found that if i was very very soft in applying the pedal i could slow the truck but if I tried to stop it would go mushy to the floor and make a grinding noise. Since it first happened it has happend about 5 times. I finally took it in June 28 and they said I needed the brakes "re-programmed". My sales slips shows that "I" requested the ECM be re-programmed for $89.95

Well it has only been a couple of weeks since then and last week my wife and child were in the car and we were going about 30mph again and it happened again. Now my wife refuses to ride in my truck with our daughter, and I agree.

I called in to service and a new service mamanger says he knows nothing about this type of problem which is suprising since I am not a nissan service manager and in about 45 seconds on google I found this and several other postings describing the exact same problem to a "T".

You can imagine what would happen if this happend at 60mph on the highway.

Does anyone here know any thing more on this issue or had any assistance from Nissan. I feel the run-a-round starting here...

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SupraTitan

· #17 · Jul 13, 2007

I had the samething happen, well kinda. Was moving my truck in my driveway down a somewhat steep slope, didn't bother to start the engine, just put it N and was rolling into place. Was prepared for additional brake force being required at the pedal, but the pedal sank straight to the floor, got the abs "grinding noise" and almost crashed into my car. With the engine running the brakes were fine, makes me wonder what happens if the engine quits and braking is required.

Bhudda454

· #18 · Jul 13, 2007

I had this happen more than a couple of times. I thought it was a hydraulic issue. I went into the stealership and they changed out the booster, to the tune of my $50 deductible. It freaked me right the Faq out the first time, as my boss was screaming her head off. We were in rush hour traffic and it got a BIT sporty missing several cars. the other times have been on side roads no faster than 45mph or so. Once coming out of a parking lot at about 2mph. Missed that trailer by a pubic hair. Love the truck, hate the brakes. Will sue the crap out of Nissan as I have it documented should it ever end up being a wreck. i just hope it doesn't cause any injuries.

And for the record, Nope no troll here.

titanmike

· #19 · Jul 13, 2007

I think the same thing happened on my 04. I wasn't driving it though. Just after leaving my house my buddy was pulling up to a stop sign and it from what he said it sounded like what you guys are describing cause he said it make a grinding noise. I didn't think much of it because it didn't do it when he turned around and came back. This was about 20,000 miles ago and it hasn't done it again.

TitanosaurusRex

· #20 · Jul 13, 2007

Hi Group,
I had this happen last summer. I took it to the dealer, who had it for a day or two; they said that they had to "reset the computer".
It has not recurred in about 18,000 miles.
While it was manifesting the problem, the brakes remained ineffective, but could be made to work by "mad pumping" of the pedal. It went away by itself after the truck was turned off and restarted. Obviously I was not going to let it slide.
T Rex

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