IllustrationTHERE 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.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Nitro years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
230–25K
6325–50K
6450–75K
6875–100K
76100–150K
25150K+
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A VERY STRONG ODOR OF BURNING MOTOR OIL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEATER OFF AND LOWERED THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOR WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, A VERY STRONG ODOR OF BURNING MOTOR OIL WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE HEATER OFF AND LOWERED THE WINDOWS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOR WAS FROM THE DOC WORK RESIDUE, BUT NEVER WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE NEWER MODELS HAD FILTERS TO PREVENT THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND FILED CASE NUMBER: 31564442. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 06/29/17*LJ *AS
I SEEN THAT YOU GUYS HAD A RECALL ON A DODGE NITRO 2008 I WAS WONDERING IF I CAN BRING IT IN AND YOU GUYS CAN INSPECT IT MY PHONE NUMBERS [XXX] MY FIRST NAME IS [XXX] WAS A LITTLE WORRIED WHEN I READ THIS 3 RECALLS ON IT MY ADDRESS IS [XXX] SOMETIMES WHEN YOU CRACK THE KEY AT IT WILL CUT OFF. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO …
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I SEEN THAT YOU GUYS HAD A RECALL ON A DODGE NITRO 2008 I WAS WONDERING IF I CAN BRING IT IN AND YOU GUYS CAN INSPECT IT MY PHONE NUMBERS [XXX] MY FIRST NAME IS [XXX] WAS A LITTLE WORRIED WHEN I READ THIS 3 RECALLS ON IT MY ADDRESS IS [XXX] SOMETIMES WHEN YOU CRACK THE KEY AT IT WILL CUT OFF. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THROTTLE STICKING. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART. WILL NOT RESTART ALL THE TIME. DASH DOOR ICON INDICATES REAR DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT. SAFETY ISSUES MAY NOT HAVE A PLACE TO PULL CAR OVER WHEN THROTTLE IS STICKING.FROM 2006-2012 DODGE WAS HAD THESE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS PLUS OTHERS. FROM DAY ONE WHY NO RECALLS ON TH…
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THROTTLE STICKING. HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART. WILL NOT RESTART ALL THE TIME. DASH DOOR ICON INDICATES REAR DOOR IS OPEN WHEN IT IS NOT. SAFETY ISSUES MAY NOT HAVE A PLACE TO PULL CAR OVER WHEN THROTTLE IS STICKING.FROM 2006-2012 DODGE WAS HAD THESE ELECTRICAL AND ENGINE PROBLEMS PLUS OTHERS. FROM DAY ONE WHY NO RECALLS ON THESE PROBLEMS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EVENTUALLY RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
RANDOMLY THE CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING! ALMOST DIED!!! ALSO HORN WILL HONK CONTINUOUSLY AND WIPES TURN ON RANDOMLY. CAR SEEMS POSESSED. SCARY AND UNSAFE, 50,000 MILES ON IT. ISSUE HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. IF I HIT THE TIPM WITH MY HAND THE CAR RETURNS TO NORMAL UNTIL THE NEXT EPISODE.
WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY, THE VEHICLES HORN WILL HONK STEADILY, WIPERS AND SQUIRTERS WILL OPERATE, DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, HEAD LIGHTS WILL FLASH, AND ENGINE WILL DIE (IF IN MOTION). ALL SIMULTANEOUSLY.IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL A CAR AT HIWAY SPEEDS WHEN ALL OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN AND THE MOTOR SHUTS…
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WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING OR STATIONARY, THE VEHICLES HORN WILL HONK STEADILY, WIPERS AND SQUIRTERS WILL OPERATE, DOOR LOCKS WILL LOCK AND UNLOCK, HEAD LIGHTS WILL FLASH, AND ENGINE WILL DIE (IF IN MOTION). ALL SIMULTANEOUSLY.IT IS VERY HARD TO CONTROL A CAR AT HIWAY SPEEDS WHEN ALL OF THESE THINGS HAPPEN AND THE MOTOR SHUTS OFF. I HAVE READ FORUMS ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) IS THE CAUSE OF THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH CHRYSLER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THE TIPM FOR MY YEAR AND THAT THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THEM. NO ENGINE WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND THERE IS NO WARNING.... IT JUST HAPPENS.
WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY; ENGINE DIED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHER CAME ON, DASH LIGHTS FLASHING ALL OVER THE PLACE. MANAGED TO COAST ON TO SHOULDER AND PULLED BATTERY CABLES LOOSE TO MAKE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUS STOP. WHEN IT HAD COOLED DOWN SOME, I RE-ATTACHED THE BATTERY AND IT STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES…
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WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY; ENGINE DIED, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WASHER CAME ON, DASH LIGHTS FLASHING ALL OVER THE PLACE. MANAGED TO COAST ON TO SHOULDER AND PULLED BATTERY CABLES LOOSE TO MAKE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUS STOP. WHEN IT HAD COOLED DOWN SOME, I RE-ATTACHED THE BATTERY AND IT STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES SINCE THEN, AND TODAY, IT WON'T START.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Official recalls
320V396000 · 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
1DP14004 · 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