Brembo OE Brakes for the Nissan Maxima: Which Parts Fit

By Core Brake Parts Tech Team — Circleville, OH warehouse

If you drive a 2009-2014 or 2016-2019 Nissan Maxima, the Brembo OE front kit KT00964 is the direct-fit option: a pair of UV-coated, high-carbon vented front rotors plus a set of Brembo Prime ceramic pads in one box. Owners of older 1995-2003 Maximas have a different route, since Brembo OE does not cover that generation in our lineup; for those cars the fitting upgrade we carry is the DBA 4000 Series XS rear rotor. Below is what each part is, which Maxima it fits, and what to check before you order.

Which Maxima Brake Parts Fit Which Years

Maxima brakes changed across generations, so the year and trim decide the part. Here is how the two parts we stock line up:

Two points trip people up. First, the Brembo kit's fitment list names specific trims, so confirm your trim on the door-jamb label or registration before ordering. Second, the DBA rotor is sold as a single piece, so a rear axle job needs two. If your Maxima falls outside both ranges, browse our full brake rotor selection and brake pad selection by vehicle.

What the Brembo OE Kit Actually Is

Brembo's OE-equivalent aftermarket line is called Prime, and the KT00964 kit pairs two Prime products that Brembo designs to work together.

The rotors: high carbon and UV coated

Brembo casts its Prime rotors from high-carbon iron. Raising the carbon content raises the rotor's damping coefficient, which is the property that soaks up vibration instead of letting it ring through the caliper as squeal. For a daily-driven Maxima, that shows up as quieter stops and a pedal that stays smooth longer.

The rotors also carry a water-based UV-cured coating. Brembo applies it to the braking surface, the outer edge and the hub, so the whole rotor is protected from rust on the shelf and on the car. The coating on the braking face wears off in the first few stops; the coating on the hat and edge stays, which is what keeps the center of the rotor from turning orange behind open-spoke Maxima wheels. Brembo states the rotors are ready to install with no modification required.

The pads: Prime ceramic

Brembo Prime ceramic pads use a lower-metal compound aimed at drivers who want cleaner wheels and quiet braking. Brembo lists chamfered edges and notches on the friction material, multi-layer shims on the piston side, and its own patented damping weight to cut noise. You can spot a Prime ceramic pad by its grey backing plate; the low-metallic version uses a black one. The package includes a packet of Brembo's anti-noise grease for the contact points.

Symptoms That Say Your Maxima Needs Front Brakes

The Maxima is a heavy, powerful front-drive sedan, so most of the braking load lands on the front axle and the front pads and rotors wear first. Watch for these signs:

• A high-pitched squeal that comes and goes with light pedal pressure. That is usually the pad wear indicator touching the rotor. Plan the job soon.
• Grinding or a metal-on-metal scrape. The pad friction material is gone and the backing plate is cutting the rotor. Replace pads and rotors together at this point.
• A pulsing pedal or steering-wheel shake when slowing from highway speed. The rotors have uneven thickness. New rotors fix this; new pads on worn rotors do not.
• A deep lip on the rotor's outer edge or visible scoring. The rotor is wearing toward its minimum thickness, which is marked on the rotor itself.
• The car pulls to one side under braking. Check for a sticking caliper slide pin or a collapsed hose before blaming the pads.

One warning light is not a pad issue. If the ABS light on a 2016 or 2017 Maxima stays on for more than 10 seconds after you start the engine, read the recall section below before driving further.

Brake Recalls Every 2016-2017 Maxima Owner Should Check

Two NHTSA recall campaigns affect the ABS actuator on the eighth-generation Maxima. They have nothing to do with pads and rotors, but rule them out any time you are working on the brakes.

• NHTSA campaign 16V-193: Certain 2016 Maximas with ABS and Vehicle Dynamic Control, built from November 25, 2015 to February 12, 2016, may have a damaged O-ring in the ABS actuator. That can reduce brake fluid pressure and lengthen stopping distance. Dealers inspect and replace the actuator free of charge.
• NHTSA campaign 16V-636: Certain 2016-2017 Maximas with Intelligent Cruise Control, built from February 10, 2015 to August 19, 2016, have ABS actuator pumps that can leak brake fluid onto an internal circuit board, which can short and create a fire risk. The warning sign is an ABS lamp that stays lit for more than 10 seconds after startup. If you see it, park the car outdoors away from buildings and other vehicles and do not drive it. Dealers inspect and replace the actuator at no cost.

Run your VIN through Nissan's or NHTSA's recall lookup before you spend money on hydraulic parts. A new master cylinder or caliper will not cure a leaking ABS actuator.

What to Replace at the Same Time

The Brembo kit covers pads and rotors. On a Maxima with some miles on it, these are the parts worth inspecting while the wheels are off:

• Caliper slide pins and boots. Clean and re-lube them with brake-specific grease. A dry slide pin causes uneven pad wear and can undo a new brake job in months.
• Pad abutment clips. Replace them if they are rusted or bent. A fresh brake hardware kit keeps new pads from sticking and rattling.
• Calipers. If a piston is seized or a boot is torn, swap the caliper now; see our brake caliper collection.
• Brake hoses. Look for cracks or bulges on the rubber front hoses, especially on older cars. Replacement brake hoses are inexpensive insurance.
• Brake fluid. Fluid absorbs moisture over time. Use the DOT specification printed on your master cylinder cap and follow the flush interval in your owner's manual.

How Hard Is the Job

A front pad and rotor swap on a 2009-2019 Maxima is a solid driveway job for someone who has done brakes before. The steps: loosen the lugs, lift and support the car on stands, remove the caliper and hang it with wire (never by the hose), remove the caliper bracket, pull the old rotor, clean rust off the hub face so the new rotor sits flat, then reassemble with the new pads and Brembo's grease on the contact points. Torque the caliper bracket bolts and lug nuts to the values in the factory service manual; uneven or excessive lug torque is a common cause of rotor runout.

After installation, bed the pads in: several moderate stops from medium speed, then a few firmer ones, without holding the pedal down at a full stop on hot rotors. That lays down an even film of pad material and is the biggest single factor in avoiding a pulsing pedal later.

The DBA rear rotor job on a 1995-2003 Maxima follows the same pattern at the rear axle. Check the parking brake operation afterward and adjust it if the lever travel has changed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Brembo OE the same as the brakes that came on my Maxima?

Brembo Prime is an OE-equivalent line, meaning it is built to match factory fit and performance for daily driving. It is not a big-brake upgrade, and it bolts on with no modification.

Does the KT00964 kit fit a 2015 Maxima?

The kit's fitment list covers 2009-2014 and 2016-2019 Maximas. Check your VIN and trim against the product page before ordering.

Do I need to remove the coating from Brembo UV-coated rotors?

No. Brembo states the rotors are ready to install. The coating on the braking surface wears off in the first few stops, while the coating on the hub and edge stays to resist rust.

Will ceramic pads make less dust on my Maxima wheels?

Brembo designs its Prime ceramic compound with less metal for low dust and cleaner rims. You will still see some dust, but less of it than with a metallic-heavy pad.

Are drilled and slotted rotors good for a daily driver?

For street use they help clear gases, water and debris from the pad face. DBA's XS rotor also uses thermal stability treatment for heat tolerance and carries heat-indicator paint that changes color at set temperatures.

My ABS light stays on after new brakes. Did I do something wrong?

It could be a disturbed wheel-speed sensor wire, but on a 2016-2017 Maxima it can also be the ABS actuator covered by recall 16V-636. Check the recall by VIN first.

Sources

1. Brembo Parts - Prime brake rotors - high-carbon damping, UV coating coverage, ready-to-install rotors
2. Brembo Parts - Prime ceramic brake pads - low-metal compound, shims, damping weight, grease packet
3. Brembo OE KT00964 kit fitment listing - 2009-2014 S/SV and 2016-2019 S/SV/SL/SR/Platinum fitment
4. NHTSA campaign 16V-193 summary - 2016 Maxima ABS actuator O-ring recall, build dates, remedy
5. NHTSA campaign 16V-636 summary - 2016-2017 Maxima ABS actuator fluid leak and fire risk, warning lamp sign
6. DBA 4000 Series XS rear rotor listing - 1995-2003 Maxima rear fitment, drilled and slotted, sold individually, thermal paint