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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

Engine complaints

29 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2026
Electrical SystemEngine

An intermittent electrical failure is affecting multiple vehicle systems. The vehicle has unexpectedly stalled while driving on the interstate, leaving it without power in moving traffic. It has also experienced repeated no-start conditions, transmission entering limp mode, the engine continuing to run after the key was removed,…

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An intermittent electrical failure is affecting multiple vehicle systems. The vehicle has unexpectedly stalled while driving on the interstate, leaving it without power in moving traffic. It has also experienced repeated no-start conditions, transmission entering limp mode, the engine continuing to run after the key was removed, and random operation of the horn, windshield wipers, washer pumps, and other electrical components while driving and while parked. These failures occur without warning and create a serious risk of a crash, injury, or death due to sudden loss of propulsion in interstate traffic and unpredictable vehicle behavior. The problem has become progressively more frequent despite previous repairs. The vehicle is available for inspection. I fear for my life.

NHTSA ODI #11750472

Mileage unknown · Oct 19, 2023
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

The vehicle throws the abs, esp,break and traction control lights and then while driving completely at random then turns off WHILE DRIVING!!!! which can cause an accident (I and my daughter are lucky to be alive) this is not ok the vehicle drives fine then at random throws those lights and shuts off after restarting it the che…

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The vehicle throws the abs, esp,break and traction control lights and then while driving completely at random then turns off WHILE DRIVING!!!! which can cause an accident (I and my daughter are lucky to be alive) this is not ok the vehicle drives fine then at random throws those lights and shuts off after restarting it the check engine light comes on and says the transmission shift solenoid b is malfunction and the vehicle wouldn't shift properly. Luckily I had my code reader I. The car with me I cleared the code and now the car drives fine until this happens again I'm scared to drive it this is dangerous their's no warning. I drive on the highway everyday their's no warning it happens at random 2 times I've been lucky. No codes came up driving after clearing it and the car drives fine now but it's happened 2 times while driving this is extremely dangerous and I don't know what to do because with the codes gone the issues are gone but they randomly all the lights mentioned above come on and then the car shuts off with no warning then when you restart it it throws a different code for a different problem the first time was a low voltage code I cleared it and even Tho my battery tested good I replaced it and two days later the same issue and a different code

NHTSA ODI #11550908

152,458 miles · Apr 3, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

IT STARTED WITH ALL DASH LIGHTS COMING ON SAYING IT HAD ISSUES AND THEN JUST STOPPED DEAD IN ROAD. I HAD TPIM PUT IN, THEN ALTERNATOR , AND THEN NEW BATTERY. WAS FINE AND THEN HEAD LIGHTS STOPPED COMING ON . NEXT, IT STARTING WITH HORN, AND EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN COMING ON AND NOT STOPPING. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY THOUGHT THEY…

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IT STARTED WITH ALL DASH LIGHTS COMING ON SAYING IT HAD ISSUES AND THEN JUST STOPPED DEAD IN ROAD. I HAD TPIM PUT IN, THEN ALTERNATOR , AND THEN NEW BATTERY. WAS FINE AND THEN HEAD LIGHTS STOPPED COMING ON . NEXT, IT STARTING WITH HORN, AND EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN COMING ON AND NOT STOPPING. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY THOUGHT THEY FOUND IT, AND DROVE FOR A DAY AND AS SOON AS I TURNED ON HEADLIGHTS IT STALLED. IN MOTION ON A STREET DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11406178

147,668 miles · Jan 13, 2021
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNLOCKED, THE ALARM, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND HORN ENGAGED. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER CAROLINA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (1001 HALSTEAD BLVD, ELIZABETH CITY…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNLOCKED, THE ALARM, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND HORN ENGAGED. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER CAROLINA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (1001 HALSTEAD BLVD, ELIZABETH CITY, NC 27909, (252) 391-9609) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,668.

NHTSA ODI #11387858

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

THE DOOR LOCKS FOR THE REAR DOORS DO NOT WORK. THE ENGINE HEATER CORE ALSO STOPPED PROVIDING HEAT TO THE CAR. EVEN AFTER CLEANING IT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11282844

130,000 miles · Nov 29, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING CAR STALLS FOR NO RHYME OR REASON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I'VE ALMOST PUT IT IN THE DITCH MULTIPLE TIMES NOW. THANKFULLY ALL WHILE GOING 25-40MPH AND NOT FASTER ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI #11282820

177,000 miles · May 16, 2019
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2010, IT'S HAD STRANGE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. FIRST, THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER A COUPLE OF USES, THEY NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE REMOTE, OR DOOR LOCK BUTTON. NOR WILL THEY AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THAT THE HORN …

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SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2010, IT'S HAD STRANGE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. FIRST, THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER A COUPLE OF USES, THEY NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE REMOTE, OR DOOR LOCK BUTTON. NOR WILL THEY AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THAT THE HORN WOULD RANDOMLY HONK. THE HONKING STOPPED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. TONIGHT, THE HONKING STARTED AT RANDOM AND WOULDN'T STOP. THE KEY WASN'T IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WAS PARKED. I HAD TO REMOVE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE TO AVOID A VISIT FROM THE POLICE FOR DISTURBING THE PEACE. THE THIRD ISSUE IS THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. YET ANOTHER STRANGE ISSUE. WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE, THERE WILL BE S LONG START AS IF THE STARTER STAYS ENGAGED FOR TOO LONG. SOMETIMES , THE ENGINE WILL START, NOT IDLE AND JUST STOP. THE ENGINE HAS STARTED AND BARELY HAD ANY POWER AND WOULD BARELY MOVE.

NHTSA ODI #11207943

Mileage unknown · Nov 21, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WITHIN MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO MILFORD CHRYSLER (500 US-…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WITHIN MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE MAY NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO MILFORD CHRYSLER (500 US-209, MILFORD, PA 18337, 1-(570) 296-2636) FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP14004 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED TWO TSBS ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11153041

100,000 miles · Sep 25, 2018
EnginePower Train

PREMATURE RUST THROUGH OF OIL PAN AND TRANS. PAN. DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIALS. WILL LEAK AND CAUSE A POSSIBLE FIRE AND OR LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11131156

90,000 miles · Apr 30, 2018
EngineUnknown Or OtherVisibility/wiper

THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET. ALSO, THE CAR'S HORN, WINDOW WIPERS AND LIGHTS IN SIDE HAVE JUST STARTED GOING ON FOR NO REASON WHILE LEAVING FOR SCHOOL. EVEN AFTER STOPPING CAR AND TURNING IT OFF, EVERYTHING WAS STILL GOING ON. I'VE HEARD IT'S A TIPM ISSUE WITH DODGE'S VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #11090934

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