IllustrationTOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR REPLACING THE EMBLEM ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE EMBLEM WAS REMOVED BUT THE REPLACEMENT COVER WAS NOT INSTALLED. ALSO THE RECALL FOR THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS NOT DONE.
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 reportsTL* 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…
Read full complaint
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD OVERFLOW WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REFUEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE IN 2009. THE CONTACT RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CARSON DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (3059 S CARSON ST, CARSON CITY, N…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WOULD OVERFLOW WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REFUEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE IN 2009. THE CONTACT RECENTLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CARSON DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM (3059 S CARSON ST, CARSON CITY, NV 89701) WHERE SHE WAS INFORMED THAT SHE HAD TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE DECLINED TO PAY THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27,000.
DRIVING TO WORK AND NOTICED SMOKE. OPENED HOOD AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF FUSE BOX. CLOSED HOOD AND GRABBED PURSE AND PHONE. LADY WHO PULLED OVER BEHIND ME AND PEOPLE INSIDE OFFICE CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE ENGINE COMPLETELY INVOLVED. TOOK A BIT FOR FIRE DEPT. TO GAIN CONTROL AND EXTINGUISH. I DID RESEARCH AND SAW SEVERA…
Read full complaint
DRIVING TO WORK AND NOTICED SMOKE. OPENED HOOD AND FLAMES WERE COMING OUT OF FUSE BOX. CLOSED HOOD AND GRABBED PURSE AND PHONE. LADY WHO PULLED OVER BEHIND ME AND PEOPLE INSIDE OFFICE CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE ENGINE COMPLETELY INVOLVED. TOOK A BIT FOR FIRE DEPT. TO GAIN CONTROL AND EXTINGUISH. I DID RESEARCH AND SAW SEVERAL SIMILAR COMPLAINTS RE FUSE BOX. INSURANCE ADJUSTER TO EXAMINE 12/7/2020*DT THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR
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…
Read full complaint
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"
WAS DRIVING IT AN THE WHOLE DASH LIGHTS UP RANDOM CODES NOW WON'T START
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…
Read full complaint
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.
TWO ISSUES. IT STALLS GOING AT SPEED ON HIGHWAY AND IT ALSO HAD THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP LIKE AN XMAS TREE WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON AND THEN THE CAR WILL NOT START. EVERYTHING HAS POWER WHEN THIS HAPPENS BUT THE TRUCK WILL NOT START AT ALL. WHEN YOU EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE TRUCK STILL ACTS LIKE THE LIGHTS ARE ON AND THE KEY IS IGNIT…
Read full complaint
TWO ISSUES. IT STALLS GOING AT SPEED ON HIGHWAY AND IT ALSO HAD THE DASHBOARD LIGHT UP LIKE AN XMAS TREE WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON AND THEN THE CAR WILL NOT START. EVERYTHING HAS POWER WHEN THIS HAPPENS BUT THE TRUCK WILL NOT START AT ALL. WHEN YOU EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE TRUCK STILL ACTS LIKE THE LIGHTS ARE ON AND THE KEY IS IGNITION AS IT DINGS AS A WARNING. I HAVE HAD THE POWER MODULE REPLACED TWICE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENS. *TR
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…
Read full complaint
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
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.
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