← 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

What owners actually said

393 reports
50,000 miles · Mar 22, 2020
Service Brakes

I BOUGHT MY NITRO BRAND NEW IN 2009. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE WORKING EXCEPT THE RADIO. IN 2017 I STARTED HAVING BRAKE ISSUES . I HAD MY BREAKS REPLACED AND CALIPERS 4 TIMES BECAUSE THE BACK BREAKS WOULD NOT RELEASE ALL THE WAY CAUSING MY BREAK PADS TO WEAR FAST. I HAD TO LET IT SIT FOR SOME TIME BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO TRANSPORT…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT MY NITRO BRAND NEW IN 2009. EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE WORKING EXCEPT THE RADIO. IN 2017 I STARTED HAVING BRAKE ISSUES . I HAD MY BREAKS REPLACED AND CALIPERS 4 TIMES BECAUSE THE BACK BREAKS WOULD NOT RELEASE ALL THE WAY CAUSING MY BREAK PADS TO WEAR FAST. I HAD TO LET IT SIT FOR SOME TIME BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN IN IT FOR FEAR THAT THEY WOULD LOCK UP COMPLETELY. I TOOK IT 1 DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY NITRO FROM AND THEM 3 OTHER MECHANICS TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IT IS NOT 2020 AND I JUST HAD IT IN THE SHOP BECAUSE THE WATER PUMP WENT AND FOUND OUT MY EMERGENCY BREAK SNAPPED I NEEDED NEW BREAKS AGAIN. I HATE TO GET RID OF MY NITRO BUT IT HAS BEEN NICKLE AND DIMING ME NOT KNOWING WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE BREAKS.

NHTSA ODI #11318925

35,000 miles · Mar 22, 2020
Electrical System

I BOUGHT MY NITRO BRAND NEW IN 2009 2 YEARS LATER MY RADIO WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND DOOR WAS OPEN. I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE SO MY BATTERY WOULD NOT DIE. IT ALSO WOULD SHIFT OFF AND ON WHEN EVER IT FELT LIKE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FLASHED IT BUT IT ONLY MAD IT WORSE. NOW IF THE FUSE WAS…

Read full complaint

I BOUGHT MY NITRO BRAND NEW IN 2009 2 YEARS LATER MY RADIO WOULD NOT TURN OFF AFTER CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND DOOR WAS OPEN. I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE SO MY BATTERY WOULD NOT DIE. IT ALSO WOULD SHIFT OFF AND ON WHEN EVER IT FELT LIKE WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY FLASHED IT BUT IT ONLY MAD IT WORSE. NOW IF THE FUSE WAS IN I WOULD BE DRIVING AND I'LL OF A SUDDEN MY WHOLE DASH WOULD LIGHT UP AND MY GAUGES WOULD START GOING BACK AND FORTH OUT OF CONTROL AND MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD TURN ON. I TOOK THE FUSE OUT IN 2010 AND STILL HAVE NOT HAD A RADIO IN MY NITRO SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11318924

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2020
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other

BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY, PROBLEMS WITH HEATER CORE

NHTSA ODI #11306152

111,000 miles · Jan 24, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainVisibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING THE EXITER RING BROKE CAUSING ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/ESP LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. OPENING THE DOOR THE SPRING DETACHED, DOOR NOW FREELY SWINGS OPEN. HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. THE CAR NO LONGER HEATS UP. THE REAR WINDOW WIPER NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY. THE DOORS IN THE REAR OF THE CA…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING THE EXITER RING BROKE CAUSING ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/ESP LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. OPENING THE DOOR THE SPRING DETACHED, DOOR NOW FREELY SWINGS OPEN. HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. THE CAR NO LONGER HEATS UP. THE REAR WINDOW WIPER NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY. THE DOORS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR NO LONGER LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN USING THE ELECTRIC LOCK CONTROL. THE HEAT SHIELD FROM UNDER THE CAR BROKE OFF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11301652

162,000 miles · Dec 11, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHEN I TRIED TO START THE DODGE NITRO THE DOORS LOCKED , HORN BLOWS, WIPERS AND FLUID RUN. AND NOW THE CAR WONT START AT ALL. UNHOOKED THE BATTERY TERMINAL AND HOOKED IT BACK UP, DOORS ALL LOCK WITH KEYS INSIDE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2007 NITROS FOR THE SAME REASONS. WHY WONT THEY FIX THE 2008 MODELS AS WELL. THERE REALLY …

Read full complaint

WHEN I TRIED TO START THE DODGE NITRO THE DOORS LOCKED , HORN BLOWS, WIPERS AND FLUID RUN. AND NOW THE CAR WONT START AT ALL. UNHOOKED THE BATTERY TERMINAL AND HOOKED IT BACK UP, DOORS ALL LOCK WITH KEYS INSIDE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2007 NITROS FOR THE SAME REASONS. WHY WONT THEY FIX THE 2008 MODELS AS WELL. THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS

NHTSA ODI #11288319

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

THE DOOR LOCKS FOR THE REAR DOORS DO NOT WORK. THE ENGINE HEATER CORE ALSO STOPPED PROVIDING HEAT TO THE CAR. EVEN AFTER CLEANING IT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11282844

130,000 miles · Nov 29, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING CAR STALLS FOR NO RHYME OR REASON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I'VE ALMOST PUT IT IN THE DITCH MULTIPLE TIMES NOW. THANKFULLY ALL WHILE GOING 25-40MPH AND NOT FASTER ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI #11282820

80,000 miles · Nov 9, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

2008 DODGE NITRO WITH 80,000 MILES DRIVING IN TOWN AND ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BLINKING AND THE ENGINE ALMOST STALLED. IT CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING IT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC NEXT DAY BUT LIGHTS WERE NOT ON. 3 PAGES OF "LOST COMMUNICATION" CODES PRINTED. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE MAIN COMPUTER BUT THE LIGHTS WE…

Read full complaint

2008 DODGE NITRO WITH 80,000 MILES DRIVING IN TOWN AND ALL THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON BLINKING AND THE ENGINE ALMOST STALLED. IT CONTINUED WHILE DRIVING IT. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC NEXT DAY BUT LIGHTS WERE NOT ON. 3 PAGES OF "LOST COMMUNICATION" CODES PRINTED. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE MAIN COMPUTER BUT THE LIGHTS WERE NOT ON SO THEY COULDN'T FIX. THE NEXT DAY LIGHTS ALL CAME BACK ON DRIVING ON HIGHWAY CAR ALMOST STALLED AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT. WE DROVE IT STRAIGHT TO MECHANIC. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THANKFULLY IT WAS PARKED AT THIS TIME. MECHANIC SAID IT'S THE MAIN COMPUTER MODULE AND WILL COST $1500-$2500 TO FIX. IF IT DIED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING IT WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC! IT HAS UNDER 100,000 MILES THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED ALREADY. WE DID NOT TAKE PICTURES OF ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY EVIDENCE WE HAVE. WE CAN UPLOAD A BILL ONCE WE GET IT.

NHTSA ODI #11279182

190,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes

THE CAR JERKS BACK AN SHIFTS OFF RANDOMLY IN THE ROAD AN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESN'T WORK IT ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT

NHTSA ODI #11278033

195,700 miles · Oct 9, 2019
Service Brakes

THE ABS, TRACTION, BAS ESP LIGHTS CAME ON JUST A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AFTER I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE A RECALL COMPLETED. YESTERDAY THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED RED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A BRIEF STOP ABRUPT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND I CONTINUED DRIVING. THE A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHI…

Read full complaint

THE ABS, TRACTION, BAS ESP LIGHTS CAME ON JUST A WEEK AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AFTER I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE A RECALL COMPLETED. YESTERDAY THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED RED AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A BRIEF STOP ABRUPT WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE LIGHT WENT OFF AND I CONTINUED DRIVING. THE A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOCKED UP CAUSING THE GAS METER, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM TO ALL FALL TO ZERO AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. I MADE IT OFF OF THE ROAD BY COASTING THE CAR AND PUT IT IN PARK. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING SO IT WASN'T THE BATTERY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND PROCEEDED TO MY DESTINATION AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME BACK ON BRIEFLY AND ALONG WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN WENT AWAY. IMAGINE MY DISMAY AS I HAD JUST HAD A RECALL COMPLETED AND WAS NOT INFORMED AS TO WHAT THE OTHER ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN. I HONESTLY AND TRUTHFULLY BELIEVE THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE A RECALLED PLACED ON IT FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM. I COULD HAVE DIED BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTIONING OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11267232

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