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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Dodge Nitro brakes problems
severe 24 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
24
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
4crashes
3injuries
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Dodge Nitro we track for brakes problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 24.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Dodge Nitro exhibits a pattern of brake system failures that span hydraulic loss, ABS module malfunction, and mechanical wear. Owners describe intermittent loss of brake engagement while coasting uphill or downhill—the pedal will not respond for several seconds, forcing some drivers to swerve into oncoming lanes. This issue prompted Chrysler to issue recall 06V493000 in late 2007 to reprogram the ABS control module, but owners report dealers were not notified of the recall, and the reprogramming has not resolved the problem for all vehicles.
A separate and more severe complaint involves the brake pedal sinking to the floor with minimal stopping power. Owners report this occurs without warning lights and resolves after the vehicle sits and cools, suggesting a thermal or pressure loss issue in the hydraulic system. Multiple owners describe using the emergency brake or pumping the pedal repeatedly to stop, and at least two accidents resulted from complete brake failure at highway speed.
One owner's brake pad detached from the caliper at 51,000 miles, caused by brake fluid leakage from a failed master cylinder. The ABS warning light, when illuminated, correlates with pulsating brakes and overly sensitive stops. The parking brake is noted by multiple owners as unable to hold the vehicle on grades—one owner reports his vehicle nearly rolled into a lake. Rear brakes show premature rust and wear at mileage under 35,000. Off-road owners struggle with the ESP system applying rear brakes aggressively during intentional wheel spin, wearing out brakes prematurely and preventing normal 4WD operation.
Same Dodge Nitro brakes reports on nearby years: 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Delayed or Absent Brake Engagement — Hill/Coasting Situations
Brake pedal does not respond immediately when applied while coasting uphill or downhill at low speeds; response is delayed by seconds, then engages suddenly. Dealership unable to reproduce. Related to ABS control module malfunction.
When: Spring 2007 onward; intermittent, 1–3 week intervals; 6,470–19,900 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No braking response when pedal initially pressed; Delayed engagement after several seconds; Occurs on hills or steep grades while coasting; Intermittent; difficult to reproduce at dealer
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 06V493000 (ABS control unit/module)
Repairs/costs cited: Chrysler issued recall for ABS module reprogramming (recall G40, October 2007); dealers reported unfamiliarity with recall. One owner reports dealer completed recall at 36,000-mile service without resolving issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 06V493000 — ABS control module software update; Chrysler announced recall by end of September 2007
Brake Pedal Travel to Floor — Loss of Stopping Power
Brake pedal sinks toward or reaches floor with little braking effect. Requires multiple hard applications or emergency brake to stop. Effect is intermittent; sometimes resolves after vehicle sits and cools. Occurs without warning lights.
When: October 2015; April 2010; ongoing since early 2007; mileage range 6,470–113,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal travels to or near floorboard; Minimal braking effect on initial application; Requires pedal pressed almost to floor to stop; Intermittent; resolves after parking/cooling time; No ABS or warning lights illuminate; May follow rough road impact (pothole)
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 06V493000
Repairs/costs cited: One owner (51,000 miles) had master cylinder replaced for brake fluid leakage; brake booster, front calipers, and rotors also replaced at manufacturer expense. Another owner used emergency brake twice and pumped brakes repeatedly.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler notified of problem; recall reprogramming announced but delayed. No documented TSB or remedy for pedal-travel issue in narratives.
Brake Pad Detachment — Hardware Failure
Front brake pad detached from caliper bracket, fell onto road, and piston struck rotor. Caused loud noise and severe loss of braking. Occurred at 51,000 miles after brake fluid leak from master cylinder contaminated brake booster.
When: 51,000 miles; date approximately May 2012
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from under vehicle at highway speed (60 mph); Brake pedal traveled to floorboard; Brake pad visible on road after incident; Severe loss of stopping power; required repeated hard pedal application
Repairs/costs cited: Master cylinder and brake booster replaced; both front rotors and calipers replaced; brake fluid leak contaminated booster and inner pad fell out of bracket. Repair completed at manufacturer expense.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and repaired vehicle at no cost.
ABS-Related Brake Pulsation and Sensitivity
When ESP/BAS and ABS lights illuminate, brakes become overly sensitive or pulsate during normal driving. Sudden stopping or lurching forward reported. Rotor cutting did not resolve warning light. Correlated with electronic module malfunctions.
When: August 2010 onward; mileage varies
Symptoms owners cite: ESP/BAS and ABS warning lights illuminate; Brakes pulsate at moderate speeds (25–30 mph); Overly sensitive brake response; sudden stopping or lurching; Rotors cut but warning lights persist
Codes mentioned: NHTSA Campaign 06V493000
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer cut rotors for pulsation but did not address warning light or root cause. One owner reports dealer reprogrammed electronic component after stalling issue; brake pulsation began afterward.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler issued recall for ABS control unit reprogramming; dealer action reported incomplete.
Brake Pedal Hard or Unresponsive
Brake pedal is abnormally hard to depress or fails to engage despite pressure. Pedal may be at or near floor by design (owner felt sold defective brakes), or becomes hard suddenly requiring excessive force.
When: From purchase (new, 2007) onward; reported at various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal hard to push with little braking effect; Pedal at less than one inch from floor during normal operation; Sudden hardening of pedal; Little to no braking response with moderate pedal pressure
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported brake pedal at near-floor position; dealership stated this is normal, comparable to 2008 Nitro. No brake system repairs documented in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership stated condition is normal; no recall or TSB applied.
Parking Brake Failure — Inadequate Holding
Parking brake does not hold vehicle on grades. Vehicle rolls or slips in gear, creating roll-away hazard. Excessive slack in brake handle; no adjustment available. Affects both manual and automatic transmissions despite recall limited to manual models.
When: Intermittent since purchase; reported across model years 2007–present in complaint window
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls when parked on any grade; Excessive slack in brake handle; Transmission slips despite parking brake engaged; Vehicle will not pass safety inspection due to non-working parking brake
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic inspected rotors and drums; no wear evident. No adjustment available to tighten handle. One owner reports emergency brake ratchet assembly broken with no replacement parts available in U.S.; 77 customers on waiting list.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for manual-transmission Nitros only; automatic models considered out of scope. No remedy documented.
Rear Brake Corrosion and Premature Wear
Rear brake drums exhibit rust and corrosion inside at low mileage (33,000 miles); brake shoes show excessive wear. Safety risk noted by owner.
When: 33,000–34,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive rear brake shoe wear at low mileage; Rust corrosion inside brake drums; Premature brake component deterioration
Repairs/costs cited: Owner replaced rear brake shoes; no dealership repair documented.
ESP Activation During Off-Road Use
Electronic Stability Program (ESP) activates and applies rear brakes aggressively when wheels spin or vehicle slides, even in intentional 4WD off-road use (pulling boat, driving in mud). Cannot be disabled below 70%; prevents normal off-road operation and causes excessive rear brake wear.
When: Ongoing, unresolved
Symptoms owners cite: ESP activates aggressively during wheel spin or slide; Applies rear brakes without driver input; Causes vehicle to nearly get stuck or fully stuck; Multiple rear brake and rotor replacements required
Codes mentioned: ESP integrated with ABS
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple rear brake and rotor replacements due to aggressive ESP activation; owner requests modification to allow 0% deactivation (from current 70% minimum).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and Dodge stated ESP is integrated into ABS system and cannot be modified; deactivation set at 70% minimum.
Synthesized from 24 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had brakes trouble with your 2007 Dodge Nitro?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2007 Dodge Nitro?
It's a meaningful issue. 24 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 21 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 14,413 and 71,970 miles, with the median around 49,226. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,413; a quarter make it past 71,970. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2007/Dodge/Nitro.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.