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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

18 reports
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111,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainVisibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING THE EXITER RING BROKE CAUSING ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/ESP LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. OPENING THE DOOR THE SPRING DETACHED, DOOR NOW FREELY SWINGS OPEN. HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. THE CAR NO LONGER HEATS UP. THE REAR WINDOW WIPER NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY. THE DOORS IN THE REAR OF THE CA…

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WHILE DRIVING THE EXITER RING BROKE CAUSING ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/ESP LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. OPENING THE DOOR THE SPRING DETACHED, DOOR NOW FREELY SWINGS OPEN. HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. THE CAR NO LONGER HEATS UP. THE REAR WINDOW WIPER NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY. THE DOORS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR NO LONGER LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN USING THE ELECTRIC LOCK CONTROL. THE HEAT SHIELD FROM UNDER THE CAR BROKE OFF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11301652

162,000 miles · Dec 11, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN I TRIED TO START THE DODGE NITRO THE DOORS LOCKED , HORN BLOWS, WIPERS AND FLUID RUN. AND NOW THE CAR WONT START AT ALL. UNHOOKED THE BATTERY TERMINAL AND HOOKED IT BACK UP, DOORS ALL LOCK WITH KEYS INSIDE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2007 NITROS FOR THE SAME REASONS. WHY WONT THEY FIX THE 2008 MODELS AS WELL. THERE REALLY …

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WHEN I TRIED TO START THE DODGE NITRO THE DOORS LOCKED , HORN BLOWS, WIPERS AND FLUID RUN. AND NOW THE CAR WONT START AT ALL. UNHOOKED THE BATTERY TERMINAL AND HOOKED IT BACK UP, DOORS ALL LOCK WITH KEYS INSIDE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2007 NITROS FOR THE SAME REASONS. WHY WONT THEY FIX THE 2008 MODELS AS WELL. THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS

NHTSA ODI #11288319

80,000 miles · Nov 9, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

2008 DODGE NITRO WITH 80,000 MILES DRIVING IN TOWN AND ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BLINKING AND THE ENGINE ALMOST STALLED. IT CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING IT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC NEXT DAY BUT LIGHTS WERE NOT ON. 3 PAGES OF "LOST COMMUNICATION" CODES PRINTED. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE MAIN COMPUTER BUT THE LIGHTS WE…

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2008 DODGE NITRO WITH 80,000 MILES DRIVING IN TOWN AND ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BLINKING AND THE ENGINE ALMOST STALLED. IT CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING IT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC NEXT DAY BUT LIGHTS WERE NOT ON. 3 PAGES OF "LOST COMMUNICATION" CODES PRINTED. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE MAIN COMPUTER BUT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON SO THEY COULDN'T FIX. THE NEXT DAY LIGHTS ALL CAME BACK ON DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR ALMOST STALLED AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT. WE DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO MECHANIC. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THANKFULLY IT WAS PARKED AT THIS TIME. MECHANIC SAID IT'S THE MAIN COMPUTER MODULE AND WILL COST $1500-$2500 TO FIX. IF IT DIED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC! IT HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ALREADY. WE DID NOT TAKE PICTURES OF ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY EVIDENCE WE HAVE. WE CAN UPLOAD A BILL ONCE WE GET IT.

NHTSA ODI #11279182

190,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THE CAR JERKS BACK AN SHIFTS OFF RANDOMLY IN THE ROAD AN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11278033

253,000 miles · Sep 3, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior LightingPower Train

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WIPERS AND LIGHTS WOULD JUMP ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TIPM AND ESP ICON LIT UP ON THE DASH SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DIFFERENT GEARS (PARK, REVERSE, AND DRIVE). DOORS WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING …

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VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WIPERS AND LIGHTS WOULD JUMP ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TIPM AND ESP ICON LIT UP ON THE DASH SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DIFFERENT GEARS (PARK, REVERSE, AND DRIVE). DOORS WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AS IT WAS PROGRAMMED TO DO. FUNCTIONS ON KEY FOB NO LONGER WORKED AS THEY SHOULD (LOCK BUTTON WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS AND UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD ACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC START). I REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE KEY FOB AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS BROKEN INTO ONCE THE FOB STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST 3.5 WEEKS AFTER ELECTRICAL ISSUES GOT WORSE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. I HAVE READ SEVERAL REVIEWS AND CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND IT SEEMS THAT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2008 DODGE NITRO ARE VERY COMMON AMONGST OTHER DODGE DRIVERS AS WELL AS CHRYSLER 300 DRIVERS. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR CHRYSLER 300S (OLDER 2007 MODELS). A RECALL NEEDS TO BE STARTED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES BECAUSE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES IN THIS STATE ARE HIGHLY UNSAFE. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK (ABOUT 530ISH ONE MORNING) AND THE ABS, ESP, TIPM, AND AIRBAG ICON ALL CAME ON AND THEN MY TRUCK STARTED STALLING OUT. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME AND IT'S BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS IF AND ONCE THESE LIGHTS COME ON.

NHTSA ODI #11253068

173,543 miles · Aug 24, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

THE TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE HAS GONE, CAR WON'T RUN, ANTI-THEFT ALARM WON'T STOP GOING OFF. THE CAR IS STATIONARY, ONLY WAY TO STOP ALARM WAS TO UNHOOK BATTERY CABLES. LIGHTS FLASHING, WINDSHIELD WIPES GOING, WINDSHIELD FLUID POURING OUT, HORN BLURRING, THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIME, NOW CAR WON'T START, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT ALAR…

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THE TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE HAS GONE, CAR WON'T RUN, ANTI-THEFT ALARM WON'T STOP GOING OFF. THE CAR IS STATIONARY, ONLY WAY TO STOP ALARM WAS TO UNHOOK BATTERY CABLES. LIGHTS FLASHING, WINDSHIELD WIPES GOING, WINDSHIELD FLUID POURING OUT, HORN BLURRING, THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIME, NOW CAR WON'T START, BUT THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM KEEPS GOING *DT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11246182

135,440 miles · Apr 3, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering

TAKATA RECALL. DRIVING ON HWY @55 MPH, HORN GOING OFF, LIGHTS OFF AND ON,DASH LIGHTS BLINKING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING OFF AND THEN VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND REBOOTS, NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. 3 TIMES. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA ODI #11193613

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

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…

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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

260,000 miles · Jan 20, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

MY NITRO IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKING UP OR SOMETIMES CHATTERING THEN LOCKING UP WHEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE ON SLIPPERY CITY AND HIGHWAY ROADS, ADDITIONALLY WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR IN THAT SITUATION IT ACTUALLY SPEEDS UP.

NHTSA ODI #11063885

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