Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge dakota. While driving 20 MPH, the brakes were dragging and caused the vehicle to bounce. The contact stated that the calipers were sticking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the cause of the failure could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 02/05/16*lj updated 05/02/18*jb *as
2008 Dodge Dakota brakes problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 8 brakes complaints filed for the 2008 Dodge Dakota, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Dodge Dakota in our records for brakes problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 10 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Wheel cylinder for the rear brakes was faulty and leaking. This LED to the brakes being partially on constantly, and the brake shoes to wear to below safe limits within a year. *tr
I had purchase this vehicle in feb 2011, and ever since I have reported to my dealer that I been feeling vibration when I apply my brakes and all of a sudden, steering wheel starts to shake and brakes shake when applied. They had test drove it an they came back an told me it was just the road, they informed to change the breaks and rotors, and I should b fine, so I did. Now im having trouble…
Had brakes trouble with your 2008 Dodge Dakota?
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 2008 Dodge Dakota?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 74,036 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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/2008/Dodge/Dakota.
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.