The brake switch is connected to this vehicles ignition circuit so failure meant the car don't start. Took to Nissan dealer who quoted me $369 in like 5min. (so they knew the problem.)

I hope to reach as many unsuspecting consumers out there:

If your pushbutton Nissan won't start, PLEASE check your battery AND your brake switch. Battery replacement is like $50-$150 and brake switch is like $40- $50. Look under your steering wheel and you'll See the brake switch (black rectangular plastic cube with with a white plastic wiring harness plugged in to it. Unplug it and plug in the new $50 brake switch. SKIP THE TRIP TO ANY REPAIR SHOP!!!

This is a persistent problem with the 2008 Nissan Altima 2.5 S. Fortunately, the first issue occurred less than 18 months after the vehicle was purchased, as it result, the warranty covered it. Of course, the service team will tell you it's your battery and will offer to replace it. Shortly thereafter, the problem occurs again and they hold the car hostage and say it's fine. Then, you Google the issue and realize it happens frequently, you call the Service team and ask that they test the brake light switch. Once they replace the switch, the problem goes away....that's until it fails again a year or two later. Until you understand the root cause, you may spend hundreds of dollars paying for band-aid repairs from the dealer. Save yourself time and money. The part is available at many places on-line and in the store. Carquest by Intermotor Brake Light Switch Part No. SL2110 can be purchased from Advance Auto Parts for $46.99 or go on-line and find an alternative dealer and part. Best of all, once you have the part, go on YouTube and see how to install it. It literally takes 5 minutes. I'm a banker; not a mechanic, nor am I a Dr. on the USS Enterprise, but dammit Jim, I could repair it.

Sadly, since the first replacement part was installed under warranty by the dealer, I've replaced this part 3 more times. Why Nissan will not consider this a defect/recall is beyond me? At this point, I'm sure they see this no differently than a battery or tire replacement. Beware! Service shops will perform unnecessary tests and repairs which may cost you hundreds of dollars. If you are experiencing the same issue, fix it yourself and avoid unnecessary expenses. Symptoms include; failure to start on the first try when you push the brake pad and then hit the start button, a feeling that the brake pad has "no give" or is "hard", inability to pump the brake, etc. If you are patient, you can try to pump the brake and hit the start button and if the car likes you, it will start. Good Luck!

I HAVE HAD THIS BRAKE SWITCH REPAIRED ON A 2008 NISSAN ALTIMA ONCE SO FAR. NISSAN CHARGED ME 243.00 TO JUST REPLACE THE SWITCH. THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME OVER 500.00 TO REPLACE THE SWITCH AND HARNESS. I COULD ONLY AFFORD THE SWITCH SO THEY WOULD NOT WARRANT THE WORK WITHOUT THE HARNESS REPLACEMENT. I AM SOOOO PISSED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY MAKE THESE VEHICLE PARTS TO FAIL IN ORDER TO CHARGE CUSTOMERS OUTLANDISH CHARGES! NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES FOR THIS! I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH THIS KIND OF START SYSTEM!

My altima just wouldn't start one morning. I had a friend jump start it for me and I took it to advanced auto parts for a new battery and the told me my battery was fine. I ended up taking to my mechanic who told me what was wrong but only nissan was can fix it. I have an appointment with nissan on Monday but after much research I have found many others with the same issues and around the same pricing for fixing it , which was $500 to $600. I did call nissan warranty but of course my warranty was up due to over mileage.This is a serious problem with nissan has with these computerized cars and should be put in for recall due to an electrical problem. I should not have to pay so much on a three year old car that I am still paying a car note on.

The Altima out of nowhere had a problem starting so thinking it was the battery I took it to Walmart (even though battery was replaced 6 months prior). The battery was tested and was bad so they replaced it. Then it wouldn't start. So I had to get it towed to the Nissan Dealer and after several hours they finally figured out the Brake Switch & Sub Harness had shorted out. (Batter I assume was giving "extra" juice for each start and switch ended up completely going out). If your wondering what the Brake Switch & Sub Harness does it basically tells your car you are pushing the brake which then allows the car to start. So when it shorted the car didn't think I was pushing the brake and wouldn't start. Of course my warranty went out a few months ago. Parts were $313.11 & Labor $148.99 and with taxes and everything total was $499.57.