Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Jeep Liberty owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Purchased vehicle used in 2013 11/17/2015 1. Engine continues to run when key is removed from ignition switch. While parked. First noticed last week 11/08/2015 (only as long as the preset time on the radio shut off or the door is opened) 2. With cruise control set and going up hill, transmission down shifts to maintain speed. While trying to keep speed up and then break applied, excessive force is required to dis-engage cruise control. While driving at normal speeds. For as long as I can remember. (break switch has been changed twice) 3. While filling fuel tank at gas station, paying close attention to the pump, fuel will pour out from the filler neck after the pump has shut off. For as long as I can remember. (many occasions) 4. Check engine light continuously on. Possible damage to hoses on emissions canister in left rear wheel well due to gas spillage? (as long as I can remember) 5. …
The parking brake failed to engage on my 2008 Jeep Liberty automatic transmission. While the parking brake was fully engaged with the Jeep in neutral the Jeep rolled backward and struck the wall causing minor right front fender damage. Fortunately the Jeep hit the wall stopping it from rolling down the driveway into traffic or running over pedestrians. Note; there is a recall on the 2008 Jeep Liberty, Chrysler recall #h28 with manual transmission but not on the automatic which uses the exact same parking brake system. Why isn't there a recall for this vehicle? Emergency/parking brake system should be there when you need it and if the hydraulic braking system should fail. This is a vehicle safety alert that must be addressed.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Liberty. While driving at an unknown speed, smoke was present coming from the rear passenger side. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the smoke was coming from the rear passenger wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake caliper seized. The caliper was replaced and the failure was remedied. The contact indicated that the vehicle later experienced the same failure involving the brake calipers on both the front driver and passenger sides. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 80,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Liberty. While the vehicle was parked, a burning odor emitted from the rear driver side wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the rear axle drain plug and both front and rear brakes were replaced. In addition, the vehicle was taken to the dealer on two separate occasions. The rear driver side axle drain plug was replaced twice, including the rear driver side brakes. The failure persisted after the repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,100.
The rear brake lines are mounted in such a way that they rub against the fuel lines as well as the transmission cooler line. This caused the break line to leak and the brakes to become non functional. Fortunately I was able to notice this before a crash. My wife would not have been so lucky as she May have not noticed this. I had this happen as I was driving in traffic, and consider myself fortunate that I was able to get off the road.
When I am driving my Jeep the parking break will randomly come on when I am driving down the highway or street. The heat shaft under my Jeep completely fell off while I was driving 30 miles per hour on a city street. The electric windows, locks and auto start frequently glitch out where they just do not work at all. The cruise control works only about half of the time and will not turn on at all the other half of the time.
Severe rusting of all suspension components. Rf and lf cv joints rusted beyond repair. Front brake rotors beyond repair. Jeep dealers said vehicle has severe rusting and unsafe to drive. Was told May not be worth repairing. Most Jeep liberties are covered under a recall except 2008. Dealer said repairs would be in the thousands.
I'm speeding up as I'm passing a truck on 395, signaling with left blinker. Start speed as beginning to pass is approx. 55 MPH. I signal right as I pull back in the south bound lane, take my foot off the gas pedal as I notice I'm driving 80 MPH. The gas pedal is stuck and the car is going 80 MPH on its own. I step on the brake carefully but its rock hard and doesn't move at all. At this point the car is stuck at 80 MPH. I try to brake again but the same - brake pedal is stuck, doesn't move at all and is rock hard. Road conditions are good so I'm in a "controlled panic", and try the brake one more time. This time the brakes engage and I get the car down to 65 MPH. I don't want to burn the brakes so I release the brake and immediately the car speeds up on its own to 80 MPH. I repeat. Slow to 65 MPH, step off the brake and again the car immediately speeds up to 80 MPH. …
The seatbelts have a trick I have to play with the drivers seatbelt to get it to click. The breaks have always squeaked and not stopped correctly the suspension feels off. The wheel turns to the left. I don't know about the airbags because I have yet to get into a wreck. The wheel turned to the left staring up my car after getting gas causing me to smash in my passenger drivers side door. Problems upon problems since I got the vehicle from four seasons auto in st.george utah. Busy now has damage the engine gets hot and smelly. Snow will literally blow through my defrost vents and hit me in the face with mists of snow.
Jeep started to shake. When taking your foot off the gas pedal, auto almost came to a stop. Went straight to repair shop. Caliper assembly was replaced on rear passenger side. Second caliper malfunctioned on June 30, 2014. Parts have been back ordered since July 1, 2014. Chrysler is producing bad parts and although no accidents are reported yet, they will be. This should not be happening on a vehicle with less than 50,000 miles. Webb site has 100's of people with same problem that re-occurs within a short time. Please check into this for all Jeep owners.
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 Liberty years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2008 Jeep Liberty?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Jeep Liberty, 4% of the model year's 541 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › caliper (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Liberty brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-525 (parking brake, Oct 8, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Liberty brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 3 injuries 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.