IllustrationI OPEN THE DOOR AND IT STARTED HONKING AND IT WOULD NOT STOP THE WIPERS DON'T STOP EITHER HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY
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
Electrical System complaints
198 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DOOR LATCHES, HORN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC NOR WAS IT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP14004 WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE DOOR LATCHES, HORN AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY ON AND OFF MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC NOR WAS IT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP14004 WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD JUST TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN BUT THE HORN WAS GOING NON STOP AND THE WIPERS TOO. I COULDN'T PULL OVER BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO STOP WHEN MY FIANC ATTEMPTED TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT …
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THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I HAD JUST TURNED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN BUT THE HORN WAS GOING NON STOP AND THE WIPERS TOO. I COULDN'T PULL OVER BECAUSE THE STEERING WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. I EVENTUALLY WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO STOP WHEN MY FIANC ATTEMPTED TO UNHOOK THE BATTERY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES TOTALLY. THE LAST TIME I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT NIGHT, IT WAS DARK AND THE WIPERS WENT CRAZY AND MY LIGHTS WENT OUT THEN THE VEHICLE JUST SHUT DOWN, I COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING, THANK GOD NO CAR WAS PASSING BY. AT TIMES IT DOESN'T WANT TO START BUT THE WIPERS COME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND AFTER A FEW HRS THEY SAID IT WAS THE INTEGRATED POWER MODULE. VERY EXPENSIVE THAT I CAN'T FIX RIGHT NOW. VERY UNSAFE!
MY THIRTEEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE LEAVING A STORE PARKING LOT WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER STARTING I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONING, BLOWER MOTOR WOULD NOT WORK. WHILE PULLING ONTO THE ROAD HORN STARTED BLARING, WIPERS FORE AND AFT STARTED GOING WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED. WINDSHIELD WIPER FLU…
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MY THIRTEEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I WERE LEAVING A STORE PARKING LOT WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE. AFTER STARTING I ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONING, BLOWER MOTOR WOULD NOT WORK. WHILE PULLING ONTO THE ROAD HORN STARTED BLARING, WIPERS FORE AND AFT STARTED GOING WITHOUT BEING ACTIVATED. WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID SPRAYING UNCONTROLLABLE, AGAIN, WITHOUT MY ACTIVATION. PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND SHUT OF VEHICLE, ALL PROBLEMS STATED ABOVE PERSISTED. LEFT PARKING LOT IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET THE VEHICLE THE SEVEN MILES HOME. HALFWAY HOME, ALL PROBLEMS STOPPED. WIPERS STOPPED IN COMPLETE VERTICAL POSITION, HORN STOPPED BLARING, WASHER FLUID STOPPED SPRAYING. UPON REACHING HOME DISCONNECTED POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO SOMEHOW "REBOOT" THE SYSTEM. AFTER RECONNECTING CABLE, STARTED VEHICLE AND UP TO THIS POINT ALL SEEMS NORMAL, FOR NOW. IN MY OPINION UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THREE WEEKS AGO AND DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN, POTENTIALLY CAUSING INJURY TO ME, MY FAMILY OR THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL.
WHILE DRIVING HOME AT NIGHT LIGHTS RANDOMLY GO OFF ALMOST CAUSING ME TO WRECK. ALSO BEFORE THIS THE CAR WOULD RANDOMLY HONK, LIGHT FLASH, HORN BLOW REALLY FAST AND WINDSHIELD WASHER'S AND FLUID WOULD GO OFF.
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE HORN STARTED BLOWING STEADY, WIPERS CAME ON, WASHER FLUID SQUIRTED, LIGHTS WENT OFF, ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. THIS CONTINUED FOR 10 MIN AS I DROVE IT HOME TO GET TOOLS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. IT SEEMS TO HAVE FRIED THE HORN AS IT STARTED MAKING FUNNY NOISES THEN QUIT WHILE OTHERS CONTINUED. I …
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DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE HORN STARTED BLOWING STEADY, WIPERS CAME ON, WASHER FLUID SQUIRTED, LIGHTS WENT OFF, ENGINE WOULD NOT SHUT DOWN. THIS CONTINUED FOR 10 MIN AS I DROVE IT HOME TO GET TOOLS TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. IT SEEMS TO HAVE FRIED THE HORN AS IT STARTED MAKING FUNNY NOISES THEN QUIT WHILE OTHERS CONTINUED. I COULD SMELL BURNT ELECTRICAL. THE KEYS WOULD NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF. I DISCONNECTED THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND AFTER ABOUT A MINUTE EVERYTHING STOPPED THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE PCM RELAY WAS VERY HOT. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN MY DRIVEWAY WITH POSITIVE BATTERY DISCONNECTED.
THE HORN GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY FOR HOURS. ONCE IT STOPS THE VEHICLE WON'T START AND (NO BUS) SHOWS UP ON THE CLUSTER GAUGE. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE TIPM MIGHT HAVE WENT OUT. FROM WHAT THE REVIEWS ARE ON THIS VEHICLE, THE PART AND REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND I THINK CHRYSLER/DO…
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THE HORN GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY FOR HOURS. ONCE IT STOPS THE VEHICLE WON'T START AND (NO BUS) SHOWS UP ON THE CLUSTER GAUGE. THE LOCAL DODGE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT THE TIPM MIGHT HAVE WENT OUT. FROM WHAT THE REVIEWS ARE ON THIS VEHICLE, THE PART AND REPLACEMENT OF THIS PART ARE VERY EXPENSIVE AND I THINK CHRYSLER/DODGE SHOULD REPLACE AND RECALL THIS PART. GREAT VEHICLE JUST CRAPPY MANUFACTURING COMPANY. WON'T DRIVE A DODGE AGAIN EVEN IF THEY GAVE ME ONE FOR FREE.
WINDSHIELD WIPERS START /SPRAY-DOORS LOCK/UNLOCK- HORN BLARES- ENGINE DIES AND WONT RESTART-
I CLICK THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON MY KEY AND THE CAR GOES CRAZY. WIPERS GO OFF, HORN HONKS, WINDSHELD WIPER FLUID SPRAYS. THE KEY ISN'T EVEN IN THE IGNITION.
MY 2008 DODGE NITRO HAD A FAILURE OF THE TOTAL INTEGRATED BODY CONTROL MODULE AROUND 91000 MILES. IT CAUSED MY WIPERS TO TURN ON AND STAY ON CONTINOUSLY EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THIS PART FOR THE YEAR BEFORE MY CAR WAS MADE AND I'M CONCERNED IT MAY BE A CONTINUING PROBLEM. IT COST 560 DOLLA…
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MY 2008 DODGE NITRO HAD A FAILURE OF THE TOTAL INTEGRATED BODY CONTROL MODULE AROUND 91000 MILES. IT CAUSED MY WIPERS TO TURN ON AND STAY ON CONTINOUSLY EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS ON THIS PART FOR THE YEAR BEFORE MY CAR WAS MADE AND I'M CONCERNED IT MAY BE A CONTINUING PROBLEM. IT COST 560 DOLLARS TO CORRECT THE ERROR.
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