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SUVs Nissan Armada Nissan Armada Brake Problems
54 messages, Last post on Oct 30, 2009 at 7:08 PM
You are in the Nissan Armada Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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Replying to: rossy1 (Nov 16, 2007 11:12 am) |
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Replying to: rossy1 (Nov 16, 2007 11:12 am) http://www.nissanhelp.com/ |
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I also have a 2004 Armada and I experienced the ABS/Brake/VDC light coming on. Took it to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong. They reset the computer and added fluid to the master cylinder. This happened after having the vehicle for 9 months. I experienced the brake judders and the steering wheel shaking out of your hand when braking. I took the vehicle back to the dealer complaining about same problems and also those lights were on again. I received a call and was told front and rear brakes need replacement to the tune of $1,100. I only had 25K miles on it. I declined, hoping to escalate it to try to get it done under warranty (I was told brake warranty is 12K and if you can prove judders, 36K). Five weeks later, while backing out of my driveway, the brake pad feel off. Obviously, I was not going back to that dealership. My neighbor who works at a local garage offered to do the brakes so I would not have to have it towed. Turns out, the rotors were so warped and the pads so low, the pad slipped right off. In addition, the caliper on the side that the brake feel off of, was leaking profusely. So I had to replace pads, 1 caliper, and the rotors. I was so angry, I contacted Nissan. They asked for copies off all receipts saying I had a good case to be reimbursed, After about a month, they called denying the claim based on the notes from the dealership. The dealership claims the brakes were just worn out. I don't believe normal wear and tear to the point of the pad falling off at 25K so I escalated the decision to a supervisor. I contacted the repair shop who did the brakes to let them know what was going on and they told me that they still had the rotors there. I contacted Nissan and they told me to take them to another dealership to be evaluated. I did that and the second dealership said that yes, indeed, the rotors were severely warped, contradicting the first dealership's notes. I was told they were taking this new information to the regional parts manager for a decision. I also had to fax them my work order from getting the new brakes done. I was informed yesterday that I was being turned down to be reimbursed because they replaced the brake pads. Their theory is that the pads were so worn due to my neglect, they warped the rotors. Where do I go now??????I will get an attorney as a last resort. I want this rectified ASAP. My lease is up in February. Any suggestions as to whom I can contact now? Thanks!
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Replying to: tzanghi (Nov 28, 2007 6:20 am) As for the leaking caliper that should be covered. The problem I see here is if you get a lawyer, how much will it cost you to get a lawyer, only to recover at most $1000? -mike
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Replying to: paisan (Nov 28, 2007 5:35 pm) They told me that the brakes were worn within normal range. I don't know, maybe I am being unreasonable but I don't think 25K is alot of miles. I had a Pathfinder before this and I never had to have the brakes replaced. Yes, I am aware that the Armada is a much heavier vehicle but I am also aware that they put Frontier brakes on the which is a 3000 pound heavier than the Frontier. There is so much on line about how the brakes put on especially the 2004 Armada, were undersized. As it was explained to me, the brakes are too light weight for these vehicles which causes the pads to wear quickly. All of the excessive heat due to stopping causes the judders, ie. the rotors to warp. In addition, they will not even reimburse me for the caliper which was $500.
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Replying to: tzanghi (Nov 29, 2007 7:40 am)
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Replying to: tzanghi (Nov 29, 2007 7:44 am) Unfortunately I think that you are SOL on this one, (if I'm getting the story straight) because the dealer told you to replace the pads, and you didn't, this then led to a failure of a component which would normally be covered under warranty had it failed but because you failed to replace the pads, the caliper broke. As for the "weight" of the vehicle. I regularly tow a 10,000lb cigarette boat trailer with my 2004 Armada. I have never had problems with my brakes, after they performed the TSB brake upgrade (larger rotors, pads and brackets) even one time when the brakes failed on my trailer, I had to tow it about 500 miles on the highway using only the Armada's brakes. 25k is a bit short, but like any first year build vehicle, there will be glitches, the 04 Armada happen to have this one. If you aren't ready for small glitches like this, I'd suggest you buy mid-life cycle vehicles in the future, cause no matter what brand you buy if it's a "new" model it'll have issues on something. Below is a pic of my boat and Armada.  
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No matter how much any one out there defends Nissan and the Armada. The plain simple truth is that they have had these front problematic undersized brakes on the Armada since 2004. And yes the few defenders of Nissan will state that the last computer TSB finally fixed the problem. I beleive this is the 3rd TSB. Why are so many owners of the earlier models being mis informed by Nissan Dealers? Well if thats the case it should not have taken 3 years to fix. Nissan knows there is a problem with the early models, this is proven fact due to Nissan making the front rotors bigger and thicker on the 2008 Armada. And before any of you defenders claim I am bitter let me rest asure you I like the other aspects of my Armada. I just want what I paid for, and for the money I paid I don not think I am asking too much for the vehicle to work safely and properly. I am in the process of Nissan settling on my Armada. Nissan has agreed to buy it back. I am advising anyone with a 2004 thru 2006 Armada to seek help under the Lemon Law. Even if you are not the original owner or your armada or it has over 36k you should still be covered under the Breach of Warranty. If your Armada has been in for the front brakes more than 3x you may have a case. Check it out with a lemon law attorney. There are strengh in numbers. This will get Nissans attention to finally properly fix what they sell. If you are having problems and you do not speak up you have no one to blame but your self. Contact the National Transportation Safety of the US Goverment, there are many avenues for one to take do your home work like I did good Luck !!!
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Replying to: wood3462 (Nov 29, 2007 6:48 pm) If you haven't had the rotor and pad and caliper bracket upgrade, you should definitely do it. -mike
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Replying to: paisan (Nov 29, 2007 7:17 pm) -mike |
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