← New search

2008 Dodge Nitro

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Nitro years

Owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Nitro are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

319 reports with mileage · 74 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 198 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 66 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 46 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports12 fire reports15 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

198 reports
Clear category filter
230,000 miles · Oct 14, 2018
Electrical SystemFire

CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN REGULARLY DUE TO IT THROWING CODES PREVENTING IT FROM BEING SAFETY INSPECTED. DRIVEN BRIEFLY AROUND 12:00 NOON ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11TH, 2018 TO SEE WHAT CODES IT WOULD THROW. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, 2018 CAR WAS MOVED OUT OF GARAGE & PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHERE IT SAT UNTIL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2018 WHEN…

Read full complaint

CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN REGULARLY DUE TO IT THROWING CODES PREVENTING IT FROM BEING SAFETY INSPECTED. DRIVEN BRIEFLY AROUND 12:00 NOON ON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11TH, 2018 TO SEE WHAT CODES IT WOULD THROW. ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12TH, 2018 CAR WAS MOVED OUT OF GARAGE & PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHERE IT SAT UNTIL SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14TH, 2018 WHEN IT SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED AND LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO BE CALLED TO EXTINGUISH FIRE. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ODI #11140256

80,000 miles · Sep 4, 2018
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING OR CAR SITTING IT RANDOMLY STARTS HONKING HORN, WIPERS GOING, WIPER SPRAY, LIGHTS FLASHING. DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD DUE TO LACK OF VISIBILITY. SUSPECT TIPM (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) IS THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11124266

Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

ELECTRICAL FOR DOOR PANEL WENT OUT. CAN'T ROLL WINDOWS UP OR DOWN, AND CAN'T LOCK DOOR FROM DRIVER SIDE. BUT THE LIGHT IS STILL ON IN THE PANEL.

NHTSA ODI #11111637

72,000 miles · Jun 14, 2018
Electrical SystemSuspensionUnknown Or Other

WHEN I START MY TRUCK IT DO NOT START RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE TO TRY AT LEAST 3 TIMES. WHEN I PUT MY TRUCK IN REVERSE THE CAR STALLS AN THEN I HAVE TO APPL THE GAS HARD AN IT JERKS AN DOESN'T MOVE. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE TRY TO REVERSE AGAIN. THERE'S ALSO A LOUD RUBBING NOISE WHILE IN REVERSE. THERE'S ALSO A ELECTRICAL PR…

Read full complaint

WHEN I START MY TRUCK IT DO NOT START RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE TO TRY AT LEAST 3 TIMES. WHEN I PUT MY TRUCK IN REVERSE THE CAR STALLS AN THEN I HAVE TO APPL THE GAS HARD AN IT JERKS AN DOESN'T MOVE. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE TRY TO REVERSE AGAIN. THERE'S ALSO A LOUD RUBBING NOISE WHILE IN REVERSE. THERE'S ALSO A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THE RADIO GOES IN AN OUT. THERE IS BLACK PADDING AROUND MY CAR BATTERY TO KEEP THE WIRES FROM TOUCHING. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE HEAT WAS NOT WORKING. THEY TOOK THE TRUCK AND MADE THE REPAIRS. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS FIXED WAS THE HEAT. I AM STILL DEALING WITH THE OTHER ISSUES. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN. TWO OF THEM HAVE DISABILITIES. AUTISM AND ADHD. THIS SITUATION IS VERY STRESSFUL. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS LEASED SUV I HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS AN I STILL HAVE THEM.

NHTSA ODI #11101774

70,000 miles · May 14, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

WE WERE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH A PARKING LOT ON FRIDAY, MAY 11 AND SUDDENLY THE WIPERS IN THE FRONT AND BACK STARTED GOING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE AND THE WIPER FLUID WAS CONTINUOUSLY PUMPING OUT AND THE HORN WAS CONTINUOUSLY HONKING. I GOT INTO A PARKING SPOT, TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULDN'T. I WAS EVEN ABLE TO TU…

Read full complaint

WE WERE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH A PARKING LOT ON FRIDAY, MAY 11 AND SUDDENLY THE WIPERS IN THE FRONT AND BACK STARTED GOING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE AND THE WIPER FLUID WAS CONTINUOUSLY PUMPING OUT AND THE HORN WAS CONTINUOUSLY HONKING. I GOT INTO A PARKING SPOT, TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULDN'T. I WAS EVEN ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO THE OFF BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING AND I COULD PULL THE KEY OUT WHILE IT WAS RUNNING.. I WAS SO STARTLED I AM NOT SURE IF THE LIGHTS OR ANY SIGNALS WERE GOING OFF. I DID RESEARCH ON THE WEB AND APPARENTLY MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THAT AND IT IS THE TIPM. IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH THESE NITROS. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE OKAY BUT GAVE ME THEIR CARD IN CASE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. HONESTLY, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS THING ESPECIALLY READING ABOUT THE MANY INCIDENTS THEY HAVE HAD. I REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11093670

55,000 miles · May 11, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

IT CONSTANTLY HONKS HORN, FLASHES LIGHTS AND LOCKS AND UNLOCKS UNATTENDED WITH OR WITHOUT KEYS IN IGNITION.ITS SO BAD RUNS BATTERY DOWN. NOTICED IT'S TRIED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING GOING AROUND CURVES OR TURNS. IT'S BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE TIPM AND WARRANTY WON'T COVER IT. I'VE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY DUE TO ANNOYING OTHERS AS WELL…

Read full complaint

IT CONSTANTLY HONKS HORN, FLASHES LIGHTS AND LOCKS AND UNLOCKS UNATTENDED WITH OR WITHOUT KEYS IN IGNITION.ITS SO BAD RUNS BATTERY DOWN. NOTICED IT'S TRIED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING GOING AROUND CURVES OR TURNS. IT'S BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE TIPM AND WARRANTY WON'T COVER IT. I'VE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY DUE TO ANNOYING OTHERS AS WELL PLUS RUNNING BATTERY DOWN.THIS IS GETTING TO BE A BIGGER PROBLEM.MORE AND MORE ISSUES .IT'S DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY CHRYSLER!

NHTSA ODI #11093342

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DOORS UNLOCK LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT ALL LIGHTS COME ON WHEN NO ONE IS TOUCHING THE KEYS THEY KEEP DOING IT EVERY COUPLE OF MINUTES AND STAY ON FOR UP TO FIVE MINUTES DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED KEYS OUT AND IT STILL HAPPENS

NHTSA ODI #11092794

140,000 miles · Apr 24, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

THERE HAVE BEEN VARIANT PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE POWER LOCKS STOP WORKING OR GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES, EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS BY THE CAR (WE CAN HEAR IT). NOW THE CAR TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING, EVEN JUST GOES BLACK ON THE DASH AND THE ENGINE STOPS.

NHTSA ODI #11089926

110,000 miles · Mar 16, 2018
Electrical SystemService BrakesSteeringFire

...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 B…

Read full complaint

...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 REALIZED THEN THAT THE CAR WAS NEVER GOING TO START AGAIN, NOR WOULD I WANT TO. I HAD A FRIEND TOW IT TO HIS SHOP AND HE HAD A LOOK. THE TIPM, WIRING HARNESS/WIRING AND SURROUNDING PLASTIC WAS ALL DESTROYED. HE SAID THE WIRES GOT SO HOT THAT IT WOULD ALL HAVE TO BE RE-RUN THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE, A $3500 TO 4000 ESTIMATE. FORGET THAT NOISE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE CAR WAS MOVING WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED AND HAD I NOT BEEN IN A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH, MUCH WORSE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #11079764

96,000 miles · Mar 15, 2018
Electrical System

MY NITRO WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK USING THE KEY OR SWITCHES. DRIVER SIDE IS THE I MY SIDE THAT WILL UNLOCK.

NHTSA ODI #11079695

Official recalls

3

20V396000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module; Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Jul 7, 2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

13V121000 · Air Bags; Power Train:driveline:driveshaft; Structure

Apr 3, 2013

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Structure

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.

Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

Air Bags

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.

Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

Power Train:driveline:driveshaft

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.

Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

08V525000 · Parking Brake

Oct 8, 2008

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP14004 · Totally Integrated Power Module Failure

Opened Sep 25, 2014 · Closed Jul 24, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to NHTSA, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V-530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V-115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a NHTSA order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den