← 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

Exterior Lighting complaints

38 reports
Clear category filter
86,000 miles · Feb 19, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR ONE MORNING TO MAKE A TRIP INTO TOWN. THE INSTANT I OPENED THE DOOR THE HORN STARTED BLARING WITHOUT A PAUSE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BOTH FRONT AND REAR WERE RUNNING ON THEIR TOP SPEED. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. I CANT EVEN GET IT OUT OF PARK TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK PICK IT UP. THE GAUGE CLUSTE…

Read full complaint

I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR ONE MORNING TO MAKE A TRIP INTO TOWN. THE INSTANT I OPENED THE DOOR THE HORN STARTED BLARING WITHOUT A PAUSE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BOTH FRONT AND REAR WERE RUNNING ON THEIR TOP SPEED. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. I CANT EVEN GET IT OUT OF PARK TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK PICK IT UP. THE GAUGE CLUSTER SAYS "NO BUS" AND THE ONLY CULPRIT I CAN THINK OF WOULD BE THE FAMOUS DODGE TIPM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10689472

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS EITHER WON'T COME ON AT ALL OR WILL CONTINUALLY MOVE ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD AS YOU DRIVE. THE WIPER MALFUNCTION IS EXTREMELY WORSE IF YOU HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND USE THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS CAUSES THEM TO QUICKLY FULLY EXTEND TO THE VERY EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELDS DRIVERS SIDE. THIS CAUSES EXTREME VISIBIL…

Read full complaint

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS EITHER WON'T COME ON AT ALL OR WILL CONTINUALLY MOVE ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD AS YOU DRIVE. THE WIPER MALFUNCTION IS EXTREMELY WORSE IF YOU HAVE THE HEADLIGHTS ON AND USE THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS CAUSES THEM TO QUICKLY FULLY EXTEND TO THE VERY EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELDS DRIVERS SIDE. THIS CAUSES EXTREME VISIBILITY PROBLEMS. THE DODGE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AFTER SEVERAL VISITS AND MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS OF REPLACING PARTS INCLUDING THE TURN SIGNAL WAND AND THE ENTIRE WIPER ASSEMBLY. THE MECHANIC SAID DODGE RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE TIPM, WHICH THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART ON NITROS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH I COULD NOT BELIEVE ALL THE COMPLAINTS WITH NO ACTION BEING TAKEN BY CHRYSLER OR THE GOVERNMENT FOR MY MODEL YEAR. RECALLS WERE ISSUED FOR OLDER YEARS, SO WHY NOT THE 2008 WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS? I CAN'T SAFELY DRIVE MY CAR WITH MY VISION CONSTANTLY COMPROMISED AND I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT WITH ALL THE HORRIBLE REVIEWS. NOW IT JUST SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I AM TOO NERVOUS TO DRIVE IT WITH THESE PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676219

90,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

IT WAS MAY OF 2013, NOT SURE OF EXACT DATE. IT WAS EVENING AND RAINING OUT. I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR AND WHEN I STARTED THE IGNITION AND PUT MY HEADLIGHTS ON, THEY WENT OFF. AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS THEY CAME BACK ON, BUT STARTED TO FLICKER. AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON. OVER THE PAST YEAR …

Read full complaint

IT WAS MAY OF 2013, NOT SURE OF EXACT DATE. IT WAS EVENING AND RAINING OUT. I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR AND WHEN I STARTED THE IGNITION AND PUT MY HEADLIGHTS ON, THEY WENT OFF. AFTER ABOUT 15 SECONDS THEY CAME BACK ON, BUT STARTED TO FLICKER. AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND TURNED BACK ON THE HEADLIGHTS REMAINED ON. OVER THE PAST YEAR THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE AND MORE. EACH TIME IS WHEN THERE IS MOISTURE: RAIN, SNOW OR FROST. THIS YEAR THE OCCURRENCES ARE GETTING MORE FREQUENT. I HAVE HAD HEAD LIGHTS REPLACED. THE SWITCH. A BATTERY. I WAS FINALLY TOLD IT IS THE TIPM. THE PART WILL BE BETWEEN $600-700 (JUST FOR THE PART), ITS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER, IT COULD BE MONTHS UNTIL THEY EVEN GET IT IN. NOW THIS MEANS MY ONLY VEHICLE I CAN'T DRIVE. I LEAVE FOR WORK AT 5:00 A.M, WHICH IS DARK AND RETURN IN THE EVENING (IN WINTER) AROUND 5:30 WHICH IS DARK. THESE LIGHTS GO OUT RANDOMLY AND DODGE SAID THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY TIPM PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE TO MYSELF AND THE PUBLIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10667714

56,000 miles · Nov 6, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS CAME ON BY THEMSELVES AND STAYED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS EACH TIME; THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. THE KEYS WERE LYING ON A TABLE UNDISTURBED. THE DOORS HAVE ALSO LOCKED BY THEMSELVES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653212

89,000 miles · Sep 10, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS RAN AS FAST AS THEY COULD WITHOUT US BEING ABLE TO SHUT THEM OFF. WE HAD NO TURN SIGNALS OR HEADLIGHTS. THIS WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY TIPM. WE PAID $1100 TO HAVE IT REPLACED AND REPROGRAMMED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10632152

118,000 miles · Sep 4, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH THREE TIMES BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTUR…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD FLASH THREE TIMES BEFORE SHUTTING OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIPM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10630642

91,000 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS, THEY FLASH 2 OR 3 TIMES AND GO OFF. THEY WILL NOT STAY ON. IT'S LIKE THE COMPUTER OR A RELAY IS ATTEMPTING SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN GIVES UP. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR 30 MINUTES AND THE PROBLEM CLEARED FOR A FEW HOURS. IT CAME BACK EXACTLY LIKE BEFORE. ANOTHER DISCONNECT WOULD NOT …

Read full complaint

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN ON HEADLIGHTS, THEY FLASH 2 OR 3 TIMES AND GO OFF. THEY WILL NOT STAY ON. IT'S LIKE THE COMPUTER OR A RELAY IS ATTEMPTING SEVERAL TIMES AND THEN GIVES UP. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY FOR 30 MINUTES AND THE PROBLEM CLEARED FOR A FEW HOURS. IT CAME BACK EXACTLY LIKE BEFORE. ANOTHER DISCONNECT WOULD NOT CLEAR THE PROBLEM AGAIN. ALSO, THE HORN WILL NOW SOUND WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOORS. THIS HAS BEEN AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS. PRESS THE REMOTE UNLOCK AND THE ALARM HORN SOUNDS. PREVIOUSLY IT WAS ABOUT ONCE EVERY COUPLE OF MONTHS BUT NOW IS SEVERAL TIMES PER DAY. SOMETIMES IT DOES IT EVEN WHEN UNLOCKING THE DOOR MANUALLY RATHER THAN WITH THE REMOTE. THE FOG LIGHTS ARE FINE BUT HIGH AND LOW BEAMS ARE UNUSABLE, NOW. BASED ON INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AMONG VARIOUS DODGE VEHICLES AND OFTEN REQUIRES REPLACING THE TIPM FOR AROUND $1000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10619225

90,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

I HAVE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR OVER 21 PLUS YEARS OF MY LIFE WORSE DODGE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2008 DODGE NITRO.I AM PRAYING THAT THIS WILL HELP BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE ROAD NOISE IN THIS VEHICLE IS SO LOUD U CANT HEAR YOURSELF TALK. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHOOTING WIPER FLUID DRIVI…

Read full complaint

I HAVE BEEN A POLICE OFFICER FOR OVER 21 PLUS YEARS OF MY LIFE WORSE DODGE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2008 DODGE NITRO.I AM PRAYING THAT THIS WILL HELP BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED IN THIS VEHICLE. THE ROAD NOISE IN THIS VEHICLE IS SO LOUD U CANT HEAR YOURSELF TALK. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHOOTING WIPER FLUID DRIVING DOWN THE ROADWAY, TURNED WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON AND THEY DON'T WORK. STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WRECKING BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC THEY COME ON AND WONT TURN OFF. HORN GOES OFF ALL THE TIME GOING DOWN THE ROADWAY. THE HEADLIGHTS WILL TURN OFF WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. THE TRANSMISSION WILL STOP SHIFTING, STOPS U IN THE ROADWAY. THE BACK RUNNING LIGHTS GO OFF AND ON. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAS NOW STOPPED WORKING. THE WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN AT ANY GIVEN TIME. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN RAIN STORMS WHERE NOTHING WORKS VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF. I KNOW THE 2007 HAD A RECALL ON THE TIPM BUT NOTHING YET ON THE 2008. I HAD THIS VEHICLE IN THE SHOP SENSE MAY I HAD NO OTHER MEANS OF GETTING TO WORK SO I'M DRIVING THIS VEHICLE NOW AND LETTING MY WIFE DRIVE MY TRUCK. THE MECHANIC SAID I SHOULD SELL THIS DEATH TRAP. I CANT DO THAT I WILL TRUST THAT SOMEONE ON THIS SITE WILL HELP. DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD WANT THEM TO DO UNTO YOU. PLEASE HELP WITH GETTING THESE PROBLEM PLACED ON AN ACTIVE RECALL. BEEN MAKING PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE I CANT EVEN DRIVE. I WOULD EVEN BE GLAD TO LET YALL RUN TEST ON THIS VEHICLE. THEY CALL ME MOPARLAWMAN. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG I CAN STAY FATEFUL TO A COMPANY PUTTING VEHICLES OUT FOR SALE LIKE THIS. THANKS *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608826

100,009 miles · Jan 18, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVisibility/wiper

INTERMITENT PROBLEM ONLY CORRECTED BY REMOVING THE BATTERY CABLE AND RECONNECTING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL START WORKING AT START UP OF ENGINE, NO LIGHTS WILL RESPOND, SIGNAL LIGHTS, HORN, HEADLIGTHS AND WIPERS CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. CAR IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN DURING THIS MALFUNCTIONS MAKING IT UNSAFE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. ALSO…

Read full complaint

INTERMITENT PROBLEM ONLY CORRECTED BY REMOVING THE BATTERY CABLE AND RECONNECTING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL START WORKING AT START UP OF ENGINE, NO LIGHTS WILL RESPOND, SIGNAL LIGHTS, HORN, HEADLIGTHS AND WIPERS CANNOT BE TURNED OFF. CAR IS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN DURING THIS MALFUNCTIONS MAKING IT UNSAFE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY. ALSO DURING NORMAL DRIVING DOOR LOCKS UNLOCK AND LOCK ON INTERVALS OF ONE SECOND OR TWO, RADIO CHANGES STATIONS ON ITS OWN CONTINUOUSLY. PROBLEM HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE OFTEN NOW, ALMOST DAILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560456

95,000 miles · Jan 13, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior LightingService Brakes

ALL THINGS ELECTRICAL GO CRAZY, LOCKS ARE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ON THERE OWN, EVEN WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY DON'T WORK AT ALL. LIGHTS DON'T WORK ON DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR. I PUSH THE BRAKE AND THE DOME LIGHT IN THE HATCH AREA ON PASSENGER FLOOR LIGHT UP. ALL SENSOR LIGHTS ARE ON, IN THE DASH AREA, SEAT BELT, …

Read full complaint

ALL THINGS ELECTRICAL GO CRAZY, LOCKS ARE LOCKING AND UNLOCKING ON THERE OWN, EVEN WHEN I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND EVENTUALLY DON'T WORK AT ALL. LIGHTS DON'T WORK ON DRIVERS SIDE OF CAR. I PUSH THE BRAKE AND THE DOME LIGHT IN THE HATCH AREA ON PASSENGER FLOOR LIGHT UP. ALL SENSOR LIGHTS ARE ON, IN THE DASH AREA, SEAT BELT, BRAKE, AIR BAGS, ETC. BRAKE LIGHT IS FLASHING ON AND OFF AND DINGING WHEN IT FEELS LIKE IT. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF THE 2008 DODGE NITRO AND I SEE 152 COMPLAINTS ALONE ON THIS WEBSITE AND A LOT MORE ON THE CARCOMPLAINTS.COM. SINCE THEY ARE NO LONGER MAKING THIS VEHICLE, BUT A MAJORITY OF PEOPLE THAT BOUGHT THIS 2008 NITRO ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I BEG YOU TO PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND HAVE A RECALL ON THIS! THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559590

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