What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2008 Dodge Nitro

Typical pattern

1% of complaints about the 2008 Dodge Nitro came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 7.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (200 complaints), typically at 7.7 yr or about 91,000 miles.

Complaints
611
Median age at failure
7.1 yr
Median mileage
85,000 n=485
Crash / fire / tow
8.5% of reports
Safety recalls
3

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
200 reports · 91,000 mi
7.7 yr
6%
Fuel system
67 reports · 38,000 mi
3.3 yr
1.5%
Fuel / propulsion
46 reports · 61,500 mi
6.3 yr
0%
Exterior lighting
38 reports · 90,000 mi
7.3 yr
0%
Visibility / wipers
37 reports · 89,000 mi
7.3 yr
5.4%
Engine
29 reports · 100,000 mi
8.3 yr
13.8%
Service brakes
27 reports · 95,000 mi
8.7 yr
3.7%
Power train
26 reports · 100,000 mi
6.0 yr
7.7%
Other
25 reports · 90,000 mi
10.0 yr
0%
Air bags
23 reports · 123,648 mi
7.9 yr
43.5%
Electronic stability control (esc)
18 reports · 111,000 mi
9.3 yr
5.6%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

20V396000 2020-07-07
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.

Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

13V121000 2013-04-03
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.

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.

08V525000 2008-10-08
Parking brake

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.

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

In owners’ own words

Power train 48,000 mi 3.3 yr in service
WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT OR OTHERWISE IN IDLE DODGE NITRO 2008 SLT STALLS AND FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO DIE. *TR
Power train 50,000 mi 3.3 yr in service
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN OR SLUSHY SNOW A ELECTRICAL COMPONENT ON THE TRANSFER CASE THAT SWITCHES THE VEHICLE FROM TWO WHEEL DRIVE TO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SHORTS OUT AND RENDERS THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE USELESS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MY VEHICLE 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 YEARS. *TR
Power train 53,600 mi 4.7 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE GEAR SHIFT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE GEAR SHIFT CABLES WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,600 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,700. UPDATED 07/19/12*LJ
Exterior lighting 76,325 mi 5.8 yr in service
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILED. IN ADDITION, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LIGHT ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO REFUSED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,325. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,359.

Other Nitro model years

2011201020082007

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