IllustrationTHERE HAVE BEEN VARIANT PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE POWER LOCKS STOP WORKING OR GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES, EVEN WHEN NO ONE IS BY THE CAR (WE CAN HEAR IT). NOW THE CAR TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING, EVEN JUST GOES BLACK ON THE DASH AND THE ENGINE STOPS.
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 reports...SO, I LEFT MY HOUSE, GOT ABOUT A BLOCK DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HORN STARTS BLARING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED MOVING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID SPRAYED, ALL OF MY INTERIOR AND WARNING LIGHTS STARTING BLINKING IN AND OUT AND MY NITRO STARTED SPUTTERING. AT THIS POINT I HAD LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES B…
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...SO, I LEFT MY HOUSE, GOT ABOUT A BLOCK DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HORN STARTS BLARING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED MOVING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID SPRAYED, ALL OF MY INTERIOR AND WARNING LIGHTS STARTING BLINKING IN AND OUT AND MY NITRO STARTED SPUTTERING. AT THIS POINT I HAD LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES BUT I MANAGED TO PULL IT OVER TO THE CURB AND THE CAR DIES. I'M SITTING THERE THINKING TO MYSELF, "WHAT IN THE HELL?!" I WAS ALREADY STARTLED FROM THE HORN RANDOMLY BLARING, SO I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF SWALLOWING MY HEART WHEN HEAVY, THICK SMOKE STARTS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ...AND IT STINKS LIKE SMOLDERING WIRING. I SNATCHED MY KEYS, POPPED THE HOOD (WHICH PROBABLY WASN'T TOO BRIGHT IN HINDSIGHT) AND RIPPED THE WIRING OFF OF THE BATTERY TERMINALS. IT WAS HOT UNDER THAT HOOD AND I'M GLAD I HAD THE WHEREWITHAL TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. I REALIZED THEN THAT THE CAR WAS NEVER GOING TO START AGAIN, NOR WOULD I WANT TO. I HAD A FRIEND TOW IT TO HIS SHOP AND HE HAD A LOOK. THE TIPM, WIRING HARNESS/WIRING AND SURROUNDING PLASTIC WAS ALL DESTROYED. HE SAID THE WIRES GOT SO HOT THAT IT WOULD ALL HAVE TO BE RE-RUN THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE, A $3500 TO 4000 ESTIMATE. FORGET THAT NOISE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE CAR WAS MOVING WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED AND HAD I NOT BEEN IN A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH, MUCH WORSE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED.
MY NITRO WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK USING THE KEY OR SWITCHES. DRIVER SIDE IS THE I MY SIDE THAT WILL UNLOCK.
TIPM FAILED CAUSING ALL POWER TO BE LOST WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 NITRO AND THE 2009 NITRO FOR THE TIPM AND AN INVESTIGATION FOR THE 2008 BUT NO RECALL. THIS POWER MODULE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING. HOW DOES ONE KNOW IF MY 2008 NITRO DOESN'T HAVE THE 2007 POWE…
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TIPM FAILED CAUSING ALL POWER TO BE LOST WHILE DRIVING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2007 NITRO AND THE 2009 NITRO FOR THE TIPM AND AN INVESTIGATION FOR THE 2008 BUT NO RECALL. THIS POWER MODULE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THIS HAPPENING. HOW DOES ONE KNOW IF MY 2008 NITRO DOESN'T HAVE THE 2007 POWER MODULE THAT WAS RECALLED INSTALLED
DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOP MOVING, THE HAZARD LIGHTS, WIPERS, WINDSHIELD WASHER WASHER, HORN CONSTANTLY BLOWING, ENGINE RUNNING BUT NOT MOVING, JUST STOPPED MOVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I NOTICED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2008 DODGE NITROES…
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DRIVING THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOP MOVING, THE HAZARD LIGHTS, WIPERS, WINDSHIELD WASHER WASHER, HORN CONSTANTLY BLOWING, ENGINE RUNNING BUT NOT MOVING, JUST STOPPED MOVING IN CITY TRAFFIC, EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AND LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I NOTICED ON SOCIAL MEDIA THIS APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2008 DODGE NITROES, WHY HAVE THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THIS WEBSITE HAVE A NUMBER OF OTHER DRIVERS TESTIMONIES OF THIS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM. WHAT CAN BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/DODGE/NITRO/HORN-ASSEMBLY-PROBLEMS.PHP THE NTHSA REALLY NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM, SOMEONE WILL LOSS THEIR LIFE, ESPECIALLY ON AN INTERSTATE HWY, WHICH I WAS JUST ABOUT READY TO ENTER, CARS TRAVELING AT 60 PLUS MPH.
MY NITRO IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM LOCKING UP OR SOMETIMES CHATTERING THEN LOCKING UP WHEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE ON SLIPPERY CITY AND HIGHWAY ROADS, ADDITIONALLY WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR IN THAT SITUATION IT ACTUALLY SPEEDS UP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 35 MPH. BAY DODGE IN PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA 32401 WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE SERVICE CENTER WAS CLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,359.
THE HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING. THIS IS DRAINING THE BATTERY FREQUENTLY. REPLACING THE BATTERY HAS NOT HELPED WITH THIS ISSUE. THE TURN SIGNALS WILL RANDOMLY BEGIN BLINKING WHILE I'M DRIVING. THE HORN HAS BEGUN SPORADICALLY BEEPING WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND PARKED IN…
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THE HEADLIGHTS RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS NOT RUNNING. THIS IS DRAINING THE BATTERY FREQUENTLY. REPLACING THE BATTERY HAS NOT HELPED WITH THIS ISSUE. THE TURN SIGNALS WILL RANDOMLY BEGIN BLINKING WHILE I'M DRIVING. THE HORN HAS BEGUN SPORADICALLY BEEPING WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE HEAT HAS COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING - IT ONLY BLOWS ICE COLD AIR WHICH IS THE LAST THING I NEED WHEN IT IS BELOW ZERO HERE IN THE MORNINGS WHEN I AM LEAVING FOR WORK. THERE IS CLEARLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH SEEMS TO ESCALATE OVER TIME - AND IT SEEMS OTHER YEARS OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THESE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM NOT UNDERSTANDING WHY THE 2008 HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I AM TERRIFIED OF WHAT THIS PROBLEM WILL ESCALATE TO - I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD THAT I MUST TRANSPORT DAILY TO DAYCARE.
MY A/C AND HEAT RANDOMLY STOPPED WORKING OUT OF NO WHERE. NO MATTER HOW LONG I WAIT OR HOW HIGH I TURN IT, THE AIR NEVER COMES ON. IT'S WINTER TIME AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO BE WITHOUT HEAT IN A CAR. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND MECHANICS NEVER SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SO IT JUST KEEPS HAPPENING. I…
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MY A/C AND HEAT RANDOMLY STOPPED WORKING OUT OF NO WHERE. NO MATTER HOW LONG I WAIT OR HOW HIGH I TURN IT, THE AIR NEVER COMES ON. IT'S WINTER TIME AND IT'S DANGEROUS TO BE WITHOUT HEAT IN A CAR. I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND MECHANICS NEVER SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. SO IT JUST KEEPS HAPPENING. IT DOESN'T WORK WHEN IT'S STATIONARY OR MOTION.
WHILE DRIVING HORN, WIPERS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON AND REMAIN ON EVEN WHEN I TURN OFF CAR. DISCONNECTING BATTERY IS ONLY WAY TO GET IT TO STOP.
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