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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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

46 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2022
Fuel/propulsion System

Gas keeps overflowing every time I pump gas into no matter what pump or gas station I am using.

NHTSA ODI #11453043

178,000 miles · Nov 23, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

TIPM MALFUNCTIONS..VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING..STARTER CRANKED CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT TURNING ENGINE OVER. CONTINUOUSLY RAN FUEL PUMP WHICH CAUSED NEED FOR REPLACING,AND A NEW BATTERY AS WELL. AFTER REPLACING FUEL PUMP,AND BATTERY,THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN..WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE,AGAIN WILL NOT START. STARTE…

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TIPM MALFUNCTIONS..VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING..STARTER CRANKED CONTINUOUSLY WITHOUT TURNING ENGINE OVER. CONTINUOUSLY RAN FUEL PUMP WHICH CAUSED NEED FOR REPLACING,AND A NEW BATTERY AS WELL. AFTER REPLACING FUEL PUMP,AND BATTERY,THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AGAIN..WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE,AGAIN WILL NOT START. STARTER KEEPS RUNNING UNLESS YOU TURN THE KEY TO THE "OFF POSITION"

NHTSA ODI #11376048

145,000 miles · Aug 1, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

3 DIFFERENT TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY IN MY NITRO DUE TO THE STEREO. THE RADIO IS NOT POWERING DOWN PROPERLY AND KEEPING THE COMMUNICATION BUS AWAKE CAUSING PARASITIC BATTERY DRAW. I HAVE A MYGIG HEAD UNIT WITH NAVIGATION AND SIRIUS SATELLITE DVD PLAYER. AT TIME THE THE NITRO WILL LOCK ME IN OR OUT DUE TO THE STERE…

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3 DIFFERENT TIMES I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY IN MY NITRO DUE TO THE STEREO. THE RADIO IS NOT POWERING DOWN PROPERLY AND KEEPING THE COMMUNICATION BUS AWAKE CAUSING PARASITIC BATTERY DRAW. I HAVE A MYGIG HEAD UNIT WITH NAVIGATION AND SIRIUS SATELLITE DVD PLAYER. AT TIME THE THE NITRO WILL LOCK ME IN OR OUT DUE TO THE STEREO NOT POWERING OFF PROPERLY DUE TO THIS ISSUE YOU ALSO CAN NOT GET SATELLITE SERVICE TO WORK. DODGE NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ISSUE AS WE DID NOT ASK FOR THE ISSUE. ALSO WHEN FILLING UP WITH FUEL IT DOES NOT STOP ON IT IS OWN LIKE OTHER CARS AND TRUCKS, IT SPITS FUEL BACK OUT AT YOU AND SPILLS EVERYWHERE ON YOU THE CAR AND GROUND. THE BATTERY PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN IT IS TURNED OFF WITH NO KEY IN THE IGNITION.

NHTSA ODI #11342675

160,000 miles · May 8, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVisibility/wiper

THE TIPM ON THIS NITRO IS CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES. ITS STALLED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT CRANKS BUT DOESN'T START. THE WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT THROWS UP STRANGE ERROR CODES THEN THEY JUST GO OFF. MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND CRUISE CONTROL WORKS WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. SOME ISSUES HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING , BUT SOME HAP…

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THE TIPM ON THIS NITRO IS CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES. ITS STALLED GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT CRANKS BUT DOESN'T START. THE WIPERS WILL NOT TURN OFF. IT THROWS UP STRANGE ERROR CODES THEN THEY JUST GO OFF. MY STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND CRUISE CONTROL WORKS WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT. SOME ISSUES HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING , BUT SOME HAPPEN WHEN STATIONARY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11323857

118,000 miles · Mar 25, 2020
Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN REFUELING, GASOLINE SPLASHES FORCEFULLY OUT OF THE FILLER NECK EVERY SINGLE TIME, NO MATTER HOW CAREFULLY OR SLOWLY THE VEHICLE IS FUELED. THE QUANTITY EJECTED IS SUFFICIENT TO CREATE A SIGNIFICANT FIRE HAZARD. I HAVE LEARNED TO STAND FAR TO THE SIDE TO AVOID BEING SOAKED WITH GASOLINE.

NHTSA ODI #11319217

131,580 miles · Oct 4, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

GAS TANK OVERFLOWS AFTER GAS PUMP SHUTS OFF

NHTSA ODI #11266441

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 · Jan 2, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

4 BIG THINGS WRONG: FIRST, THE FUEL SPILLS OUT ONTO THE GROUND WHEN FILLING IT UP AT GAS STATION BECAUSE IT DOES NOT CLICK OFF. I AM ALWAYS IN A HURRY TO LEAVE THE GAS STATION SO NO SPARKS IGNITE THE FUEL ON THE GROUND AND THEN BLOW UP MY TRUCK. SECOND, THERE ARE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NONE OF THE INNER DOME LIGHTS WORK AND THE …

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4 BIG THINGS WRONG: FIRST, THE FUEL SPILLS OUT ONTO THE GROUND WHEN FILLING IT UP AT GAS STATION BECAUSE IT DOES NOT CLICK OFF. I AM ALWAYS IN A HURRY TO LEAVE THE GAS STATION SO NO SPARKS IGNITE THE FUEL ON THE GROUND AND THEN BLOW UP MY TRUCK. SECOND, THERE ARE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. NONE OF THE INNER DOME LIGHTS WORK AND THE PASSENGER HEADLIGHT HAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING. 3RD, THE HEATER STOPPED BLOWING THROUGH THE MAIN VENTS AND ALSO IT GETS COLD THEN HOT THEN COLD AGAIN. THE TEMPERATURE ON HEATER WONT STAY WARM. 4TH:THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING AND WONT RUN RIGHT. IT WILL NOT MOVE WHEN GAS IS PUSHED THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT WILL KICK IN AND GO. THEN IT SLIPS BETWEEN GEAR SHIFTING. ITS AN AUTOMATIC

NHTSA ODI #11164694

147,200 miles · Oct 25, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

I JUST BOUGHT MY 2008 DODGE NITRO. EVERY TIME I FILL IT WITH GAS AND TOP THE TANK OFF, THE PUMP CLICKS OFF AND A SECOND LATER, ABOUT A HALF GALLON OF GAS SPEWS OUT OF THE VEHICLES GAS TANK, DOWN THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND ONTO THE GROUND. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY FOR NITRO OWNERS BUT FOR THE PUBLIC AROUND US AS IT …

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I JUST BOUGHT MY 2008 DODGE NITRO. EVERY TIME I FILL IT WITH GAS AND TOP THE TANK OFF, THE PUMP CLICKS OFF AND A SECOND LATER, ABOUT A HALF GALLON OF GAS SPEWS OUT OF THE VEHICLES GAS TANK, DOWN THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AND ONTO THE GROUND. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD NOT ONLY FOR NITRO OWNERS BUT FOR THE PUBLIC AROUND US AS IT COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO AN EXPLOSION IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM OTHER NITRO OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. A FEW HAVE TAKEN THEIR VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE'S A FACTORY DEFECT INSIDE THE TANK WHICH IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. THEY REPLACED THE TANK AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. PLEASE... WE NEED TO GET THESE VEHICLES RECALLED AND FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!!

NHTSA ODI #11142597

146,800 miles · Oct 22, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK, THE GAS PUMP WILL CLICK OFF WHEN FULL AND AS SOON AS IT SHUTS OFF, ABOUT A HALF GALLON OF GAS WILL BURP OUT OF MY GAS TANK AND COVER THE SIDE OF MY NITRO AND THE GROUND. I'VE READ A LOT OF REVIEWS OF A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THEY HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE…

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I JUST BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. EVERY TIME I FILL THE GAS TANK, THE GAS PUMP WILL CLICK OFF WHEN FULL AND AS SOON AS IT SHUTS OFF, ABOUT A HALF GALLON OF GAS WILL BURP OUT OF MY GAS TANK AND COVER THE SIDE OF MY NITRO AND THE GROUND. I'VE READ A LOT OF REVIEWS OF A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THEY HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL TANK AND THE TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD!!! WHAT IF I WERE IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT? THE FUEL WOULD POOR OUT AND ONE LITTLE SPARK, I'D BE BLOWN TO SHREDS!!! OR SOMEONE COULD HIT ME IN THE TANK AREA AND ONCE AGAIN, AN EXPLOSION!!! SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE, I HAVE READ COMPLAINTS FROM SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE RECALL THESE DODGE NITROS FOR THE OWNERS SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE AROUND US!!! PLEASE!!! IT'S A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH SHOULD BE COVERED BY DODGE FOR THE CONSUMER'S SAFETY. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY $500 OUT OF POCKET FOR A MISTAKE THAT DODGE MADE. PLEASE HELP GET THESE VEHICLES RECALLED FOR THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE IT IS DEFINITELY A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD!!!

NHTSA ODI #11141944

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