Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Dodge Nitro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
...so, I left my house, got about a block down the street and all of a sudden my horn starts blaring, windshield wipers started moving, the windshield wiper fluid sprayed, all of my interior and warning lights starting blinking in and out and my Nitro started sputtering. At this point I had lost power steering and power brakes but I managed to pull it over to the curb and the car dies. I'm sitting there thinking to myself, "what in the hell?!" I was already startled from the horn randomly blaring, so I'm in the middle of swallowing my heart when heavy, thick smoke starts coming from under the hood. ...and it stinks like smoldering wiring. I snatched my keys, popped the hood (which probably wasn't too bright in hindsight) and ripped the wiring off of the battery terminals. It was hot under that hood and I'm glad I had the wherewithal to disconnect the battery. …
I purchased a 2008 Dodge Nitro about 2 years ago. Everything was great until about a month ago. First the heater went out. Next the dash lights and radio started to flicker and dim. Now the only time the lights turn on in the dash area and radio area, is when I turn my right blinker on. I was pulled over last week and was told my 2 brake/tail lights were out, and only the brake light bar on the lift gate was working. I replaced the bulbs and still no lights. I have all the fuses check and also had the brake switch changed... And nothing! I took my car to 1 mechanic who could not find the issue. Now, my check engine light went on so I was able to take my car back to the mechanic. He found an ABS brake sensor issue... But that was not causing 2 of my 3 brake lights to malfunction. …
The ABS, traction, bas ESP lights came on just a week after I purchased the vehicle after I took it in to have a recall completed. Yesterday the vehicle's brake light illuminated red and the vehicle came to a brief stop abrupt while I was driving. The light went off and I continued driving. The a few miles down the road the vehicle suddenly locked up causing the gas meter, speedometer and RPM to all fall to zero and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. I made it off of the road by coasting the car and put it in park. The engine was still running so it wasn't the battery. I turned the vehicle off and proceeded to my destination and the brake light came back on briefly and along with the check engine light then went away. Imagine my dismay as I had just had a recall completed and was not informed as to what the other issues with the vehicle May have been. …
Tl contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that after the NHTSA recall campaign id number: 08V525000 (parking brake) repairs were made the vehicle was taken back to the dealer three times as a result of the parking brake failure. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled away twice. The first time the vehicle crashed into a vehicle and the second time, the vehicle rolled over him and crashed into a door. A police report was not filed and the contact suffered minor injuries as a result. The dealer diagnosed that the brake lever was not functioning and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and decided to send an investigator to inspect the vehicle but did not offered any additional assistance since the warranty had expired. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 5,900 and the current mileage was 28,882.
I bought my Nitro brand new in 2009. Everything seemed to be working except the radio. In 2017 I started having brake issues . I had my breaks replaced and calipers 4 times because the back breaks would not release all the way causing my break pads to wear fast. I had to let it sit for some time because I was afraid to transport my children in it for fear that they would lock up completely. I took it 1 dealership where I bought my Nitro from and them 3 other mechanics to see if they could figure out the problem. It is not 2020 and I just had it in the shop because the water pump went and found out my emergency break snapped I needed new breaks again. I hate to get rid of my Nitro but it has been nickle and diming me not knowing what is wrong with these breaks.
The park brake does not hold, causing unintentional movement. This vehicle has a manual transmission. Even when left in reverse, the vehicle creeps on steeper inclines. When talking to Chrysler, I am told my VIN is not included in any recalls. There was a recall (h28) that addressed this situation on this model and year of vehicle. The problem exists in the hand brake slack adjuster. The emergency brake shoes were inspected and properly adjusted. The hand brake lever runs out of travel before the brake cable tightens enough to securely set the brakes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the key fob failed to activate whenever attempting to access the front passenger side door and both rear doors. Also, the liftgate failed to open with the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed that the timp and the control module needed to be replaced. In addition, whenever the brakes were engaged a loud screeching noise emitted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
I love this vehicle except for the brakes. We've had to get the brakes worked on more than 10 times. We've replaced just about everything to do with brakes. Just when you think they are fixed, something else happens. This is a 2008 and has less than 38000 miles on it. We take very good care of it. I can't take it anywhere because I'm not sure if it will make it. I was going to trade my Nitro in for a for something new. I think I will be looking into a Ford SUV. Very , very dissatisfied!!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. While parked, the vehicle rolled away on its own. The contact's daughter was able to stop the vehicle. There were no warning indicators. The contact stated that the parking brake failed several tmes. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 99,883.
Vehicle lost power, brakes & steering, all warning lights lit up, wipers and pump running continually, horn blaring continually, and fan motor running even with keys out of ignition. This happened in rush hour traffic on the way to work and I barely got it off the road and out of traffic before coming a stop against a curb! Replaced the TIPM & battery within the last 4 months and it's only gotten worse!
Related recalls
Parking brake
Chrysler is recalling 3,663 my 2007-2008 Dodge nitro and my 2008 Jeep liberty vehicles equipped with manual transmissions. The park brake lever clutch drum May distort and reduce the effectiveness of the park brake system.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the park brake lever assembly free of charge. The recall began on October 27, 2008. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Brake complaints in other Nitro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 8% of the model year's 393 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Nitro brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-525 (parking brake, Oct 8, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Nitro brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.