IllustrationWHILE DRIVING OR CAR SITTING IT RANDOMLY STARTS HONKING HORN, WIPERS GOING, WIPER SPRAY, LIGHTS FLASHING. DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD DUE TO LACK OF VISIBILITY. SUSPECT TIPM (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE) IS THE PROBLEM.
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 THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
ELECTRICAL FOR DOOR PANEL WENT OUT. CAN'T ROLL WINDOWS UP OR DOWN, AND CAN'T LOCK DOOR FROM DRIVER SIDE. BUT THE LIGHT IS STILL ON IN THE PANEL.
2008 DODGE NITRO RT LOVED THE CAR UNTIL THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL. I ATTEMPTED TO BREAK WHICH BREAK WENT TO THE FLOORS CAUSING ME TO SWERVE OUT OF A PEDESTRIANS WAY AND WRECK MY VEHICLE INFO A WALL. I STILL HAVE VEHICLE AND NEVER MADE A CLAIM ON MY I STANCE BECAUSE DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE THE CAR BACK I HAVE DASH…
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2008 DODGE NITRO RT LOVED THE CAR UNTIL THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL. I ATTEMPTED TO BREAK WHICH BREAK WENT TO THE FLOORS CAUSING ME TO SWERVE OUT OF A PEDESTRIANS WAY AND WRECK MY VEHICLE INFO A WALL. I STILL HAVE VEHICLE AND NEVER MADE A CLAIM ON MY I STANCE BECAUSE DODGE NEEDS TO TAKE THE CAR BACK I HAVE DASH CAM FOOTAGE OF THE WHOLE SITUATION WHICH I WILL NOT TURN OVER UNLESS THIS GOES TO COURT. SO DODGE YOU GOT A LAWSUIT COMING YOUR WAY.
WHEN I START MY TRUCK IT DO NOT START RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE TO TRY AT LEAST 3 TIMES. WHEN I PUT MY TRUCK IN REVERSE THE CAR STALLS AN THEN I HAVE TO APPL THE GAS HARD AN IT JERKS AN DOESN'T MOVE. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE TRY TO REVERSE AGAIN. THERE'S ALSO A LOUD RUBBING NOISE WHILE IN REVERSE. THERE'S ALSO A ELECTRICAL PR…
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WHEN I START MY TRUCK IT DO NOT START RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE TO TRY AT LEAST 3 TIMES. WHEN I PUT MY TRUCK IN REVERSE THE CAR STALLS AN THEN I HAVE TO APPL THE GAS HARD AN IT JERKS AN DOESN'T MOVE. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE TRY TO REVERSE AGAIN. THERE'S ALSO A LOUD RUBBING NOISE WHILE IN REVERSE. THERE'S ALSO A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THE RADIO GOES IN AN OUT. THERE IS BLACK PADDING AROUND MY CAR BATTERY TO KEEP THE WIRES FROM TOUCHING. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE HEAT WAS NOT WORKING. THEY TOOK THE TRUCK AND MADE THE REPAIRS. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS FIXED WAS THE HEAT. I AM STILL DEALING WITH THE OTHER ISSUES. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN. TWO OF THEM HAVE DISABILITIES. AUTISM AND ADHD. THIS SITUATION IS VERY STRESSFUL. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS LEASED SUV I HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS AN I STILL HAVE THEM.
EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE GAS TANK, IT OVERFLOWS AND SHOOTS OUT ALL OVER THE VEHICLE, THE GROUND, AND ANY THING OR ANY PERSON THAT IS CLOSE BY. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE AND IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAS RECENTLY DEVELOPED.
WE WERE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH A PARKING LOT ON FRIDAY, MAY 11 AND SUDDENLY THE WIPERS IN THE FRONT AND BACK STARTED GOING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE AND THE WIPER FLUID WAS CONTINUOUSLY PUMPING OUT AND THE HORN WAS CONTINUOUSLY HONKING. I GOT INTO A PARKING SPOT, TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULDN'T. I WAS EVEN ABLE TO TU…
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WE WERE DRIVING STRAIGHT THROUGH A PARKING LOT ON FRIDAY, MAY 11 AND SUDDENLY THE WIPERS IN THE FRONT AND BACK STARTED GOING AT AN ACCELERATED RATE AND THE WIPER FLUID WAS CONTINUOUSLY PUMPING OUT AND THE HORN WAS CONTINUOUSLY HONKING. I GOT INTO A PARKING SPOT, TRIED TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULDN'T. I WAS EVEN ABLE TO TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO THE OFF BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING AND I COULD PULL THE KEY OUT WHILE IT WAS RUNNING.. I WAS SO STARTLED I AM NOT SURE IF THE LIGHTS OR ANY SIGNALS WERE GOING OFF. I DID RESEARCH ON THE WEB AND APPARENTLY MANY, MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THAT AND IT IS THE TIPM. IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH THESE NITROS. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE OKAY BUT GAVE ME THEIR CARD IN CASE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. HONESTLY, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS THING ESPECIALLY READING ABOUT THE MANY INCIDENTS THEY HAVE HAD. I REPORTED THIS TO CHRYSLER AS WELL.
IT CONSTANTLY HONKS HORN, FLASHES LIGHTS AND LOCKS AND UNLOCKS UNATTENDED WITH OR WITHOUT KEYS IN IGNITION.ITS SO BAD RUNS BATTERY DOWN. NOTICED IT'S TRIED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING GOING AROUND CURVES OR TURNS. IT'S BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE TIPM AND WARRANTY WON'T COVER IT. I'VE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY DUE TO ANNOYING OTHERS AS WELL…
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IT CONSTANTLY HONKS HORN, FLASHES LIGHTS AND LOCKS AND UNLOCKS UNATTENDED WITH OR WITHOUT KEYS IN IGNITION.ITS SO BAD RUNS BATTERY DOWN. NOTICED IT'S TRIED TO STALL WHILE DRIVING GOING AROUND CURVES OR TURNS. IT'S BEEN DIAGNOSED AS THE TIPM AND WARRANTY WON'T COVER IT. I'VE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY DUE TO ANNOYING OTHERS AS WELL PLUS RUNNING BATTERY DOWN.THIS IS GETTING TO BE A BIGGER PROBLEM.MORE AND MORE ISSUES .IT'S DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED BY CHRYSLER!
DOORS UNLOCK LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT ALL LIGHTS COME ON WHEN NO ONE IS TOUCHING THE KEYS THEY KEEP DOING IT EVERY COUPLE OF MINUTES AND STAY ON FOR UP TO FIVE MINUTES DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED KEYS OUT AND IT STILL HAPPENS
THE CAR HAS TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE CITY STREET. ALSO, THE CAR'S HORN, WINDOW WIPERS AND LIGHTS IN SIDE HAVE JUST STARTED GOING ON FOR NO REASON WHILE LEAVING FOR SCHOOL. EVEN AFTER STOPPING CAR AND TURNING IT OFF, EVERYTHING WAS STILL GOING ON. I'VE HEARD IT'S A TIPM ISSUE WITH DODGE'S VEHICLES.
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