IllustrationIT HAS BEEN MORE THEN A MONTH AWAITING PARTS FOR A N10 RECALL FOR A DRIVE SHAFT IN MY 2008 DODGE NITRO RT. NOT ONLY IS IT A LIABILITY FOR ME BUT IT IS A LIABILITY FOR MY FAMILY. *TR
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
What owners actually said
393 reportsI 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…
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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
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SOUND HORN, WINDSHIELD WASHERS/WIPERS ACTIVATE. SOMETIMES WON'T SHIFT BEYOND 2ND GEAR WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY. HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, FLASHERS COME ON WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE IT. A/C STOPS WORKING, THEN WORKS AGAIN. ALL INTERIOR ELECTRONICS OCCASIONALLY FAIL. ENGINE SHUTS ITSELF OFF. DEALE…
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WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE BEGINS TO SOUND HORN, WINDSHIELD WASHERS/WIPERS ACTIVATE. SOMETIMES WON'T SHIFT BEYOND 2ND GEAR WHILE ENTERING FREEWAY. HEADLIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS, FLASHERS COME ON WHENEVER THEY FEEL LIKE IT. A/C STOPS WORKING, THEN WORKS AGAIN. ALL INTERIOR ELECTRONICS OCCASIONALLY FAIL. ENGINE SHUTS ITSELF OFF. DEALER STATES IT IS THE TIPM. COST TO REPAIR WITH EXTENDED WARRANTY - $410... NEW TIPM INSTALLED, OCCASIONALLY STILL HAVE MINOR ISSUES. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY HORN AND LIGHTS START FLASHING AND AT THE SAME TIME MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WATER STARTED GOING OFF. AS I SLOWED DOWN AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY I NOTICE MY AIR CONDITIONING HAD GONE OFF AS WELL. I WAS LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO REMAIN CALM THIS WAS VERY SCARY ESPECIALLY WITH MY 15 MONTH OLD BABY IN…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND MY HORN AND LIGHTS START FLASHING AND AT THE SAME TIME MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WATER STARTED GOING OFF. AS I SLOWED DOWN AND EXITED THE HIGHWAY I NOTICE MY AIR CONDITIONING HAD GONE OFF AS WELL. I WAS LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO REMAIN CALM THIS WAS VERY SCARY ESPECIALLY WITH MY 15 MONTH OLD BABY IN THE BACK SEAT. AFTER I EXITED AND TURNED OFF THE CAR NOTHING STOPPED. I PULLED OUT THE KEY AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED STARTED WITH THE HORN, LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WATER REMAINED ON. I ENDED UP POPPING THE HOOD AND UNDOING THE BATTERY TO MAKE IT STOP. AFTER 5 MINUTES IT TRIED TO RECONNECT AND IT WAS STILL HAPPENING. I CAME BACK TO THE CAR AFTER 30 MINUTES RECONNECTED THE BATTERY AND THE CAR ACTED AS NORMAL. *TR
I THINK THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. I AM HAVING AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 DODGE NITRO. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HAMILTON AUTO GROUP ON RT 33 IN HAMILTON NJ, DAYS LATER THEY CLOSED THEIR DOORS. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2009, SO IT WAS 1 YR OLD. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I NEVER USED. NOW I HAVE AN AIR …
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I THINK THAT SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. I AM HAVING AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS WITH MY 2008 DODGE NITRO. I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HAMILTON AUTO GROUP ON RT 33 IN HAMILTON NJ, DAYS LATER THEY CLOSED THEIR DOORS. I BOUGHT THE CAR IN 2009, SO IT WAS 1 YR OLD. I PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH I NEVER USED. NOW I HAVE AN AIR CONDITIONER BLOWING WARM TO HOT AIR. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON LINE AND IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT ALSO SEEMS AS THOUGH ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS I READ ON LINE ALSO STATE THAT DODGE / CHRYSLER IS NOT COVERING THE REPAIR. SO I AM LOOKING AT ABOUT $600.00 JUST FOR THE PART PLUS LABOR. IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. ISN'T THIS A DEFECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER?? SHOULDN'T THEY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THE ISSUE IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME PART?? *TR
SUV STARTS HONKING THE HORN AND WIPERS AND WIPER FLUID START GOING OFF, ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE ONLINE, MOST SAY IS FAULTY TIPM. *TR
THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHEN THEY TURNED INTO MY PATH. I HIT THE CAR SQUARELY IN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. BOTH VEHICLES CAME TO REST 90+ DEGREES CLOCKWISE FROM THE DIRECTION WE WERE TRAVELING. THE PLASTIC FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, FENDERS, AND INNER FE…
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THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. I T-BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, WHEN THEY TURNED INTO MY PATH. I HIT THE CAR SQUARELY IN THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. BOTH VEHICLES CAME TO REST 90+ DEGREES CLOCKWISE FROM THE DIRECTION WE WERE TRAVELING. THE PLASTIC FRONT BUMPER, GRILL, FENDERS, AND INNER FENDERS WERE DESTROYED. THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT TIRE OF MY NITRO WAS PUSHED BACK ABOUT 3" FROM ITS NORMAL POSITION. THE CENTER SUPPORT OF THE BUMPER WAS BROKEN AND PUSHED ABOUT 12" INTO THE RADIATOR. I AM SURE THERE IS A DEFECT THAT PREVENTED THE AIR BAGS FROM WORKING. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DOOR LOCKS INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND DOOR LOCKS INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
WHEN FILLING UP GAS TANK, THE BASS NOZZLE SAFETY CLICKS OFF AND THE FUEL BEGINS TO SPILL OUT OF THE TANK APPROX 1/4 TO A 1/2 A GAL EVERY TIME I FILL MY TANK. *TR
WHEN FILLING UP GAS TANK, THE BASS NOZZLE SAFETY CLICKS OFF AND THE FUEL BEGINS TO SPILL OUT OF THE TANK APPROX 1/4 TO A 1/2 A GAL EVERY TIME I FILL MY TANK. *TR
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