IllustrationEVERY 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.
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
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
46 reportsMY 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.
EVERY TIME THAT I FILL UP, THE GAS COMES OUT OF THE TANK. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOW ISSUES AND IT IS A PART INSIDE THE GAS TANK AND THE ENTIRE TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IT LOOK THE PIECE IN QUESTION OF THE MALFUNCTION STOPS THE GAS FROM IGNITING IN A ROLL OVER. HOW IS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLE…
Read full complaint
EVERY TIME THAT I FILL UP, THE GAS COMES OUT OF THE TANK. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A KNOW ISSUES AND IT IS A PART INSIDE THE GAS TANK AND THE ENTIRE TANK WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND IT LOOK THE PIECE IN QUESTION OF THE MALFUNCTION STOPS THE GAS FROM IGNITING IN A ROLL OVER. HOW IS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REFUELED, FUEL LEAKED BACK OUT THE FILLER PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.
FUEL SPILLS OUT WHEN FILLED UP .
HORN BLOWS WILL UNOCCUPIED.DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK BY ITSELF IN OR OUT IF VEHICLE, VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES,BREAK LIGHT ON AND BREAKS FAILED ,HEATED SEAT EITHER BURN YOU OR WON'T WORK, A/C COMES ON BY ITSELF,GAS IS DISAPPEARING REALLY QUICK,OIL LIGHT COMES ON, STARTER STICKING, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TI…
Read full complaint
HORN BLOWS WILL UNOCCUPIED.DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK BY ITSELF IN OR OUT IF VEHICLE, VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES,BREAK LIGHT ON AND BREAKS FAILED ,HEATED SEAT EITHER BURN YOU OR WON'T WORK, A/C COMES ON BY ITSELF,GAS IS DISAPPEARING REALLY QUICK,OIL LIGHT COMES ON, STARTER STICKING, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS DIAGNOSED WITH TIPM FAILING.S SEVERAL TIMES ITS TRIED TO STALL ON ME TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND FRIDAY RAN UPON A SLOW VEHICLE IN A CURVE AND BREAK LIGHT CAME ONE AS I APPLIED BREAKS AND HAD LITTLE TO NO BREAKS.I ALMOST HIT THE OTHER VEHICLE DUE TO THIS .THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE HANDLED .AND ITS EVEN AFFECT THE REMOTE START AS WELL .IT WON'T RUN 30SECONDS AND IT SHUTS OFF .CAN'T LOCK DOORS KNOWING THEY'LL STAY LOCKED EITHER .BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY ABOVE ALL IS THE STALLING OUT ITS ALL TRIED TO DO AND MASSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL ITS DUMPING INTO ENGINE GETTING INTO MY OIL RUINING MY VEHICLE AND THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS GONNA CAUSE SOMETHING CATASTROPHIC AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP.
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK UP AS THE PUMP KICKS OFF AT LEAST HALF A GALLON OF GAS SPILLS OUT OF THE TANK SPLASHING ONTO MY LEGS AND SPILLING ON TO THE GROUND. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A DODGE DEALER ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THERE ISN'T A RECALL BUT THEY'VE HAD SEVERAL COMPLA…
Read full complaint
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK UP AS THE PUMP KICKS OFF AT LEAST HALF A GALLON OF GAS SPILLS OUT OF THE TANK SPLASHING ONTO MY LEGS AND SPILLING ON TO THE GROUND. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A DODGE DEALER ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECALL BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THERE ISN'T A RECALL BUT THEY'VE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. ALSO, RECENTLY I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO LOCK MY VEHICLE BECAUSE A FEW SECONDS AFTER ACTIVATING THE LOCKS EITHER MANUALLY OR USING THE KEY FOB THE CAR UNLOCKS AND THE HEADLIGHTS COME ON. I HAD TO TAKE THE BATTERY OUT OF MY KEY FOB AS IT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY UNLOCK AND ACTIVATE THE HEADLIGHTS DURING THE DAY AND NIGHT. WHEN MANUALLY LOCKING THE VEHICLE IT STILL UNLOCKS ITSELF A FEW SECONDS LATER BUT DOES NOT CONTINUALLY UNLOCK LIKE WHEN THE KEY FOB IS IN USE.
I FUELED MY VEHICLE AT A LOCAL GAS STATION AND AT THE END OF THE FILLING THE NITRO SPEWED (BURPED) APPROXIMATELY 1/2 GALLON OF FUEL ONTO THE GROUND. I AM VERY CONCERNED A FIRE MAY START AT THE GAS STATION WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO THE GASOLINE SPEWED ONTO MY LEGS. THE LISTED ITEM POSES A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL CAP WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL EVAPORATOR LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FUEL CAP WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL EVAPORATOR LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CHARCOAL AND FUEL CAP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THE FUEL REACHED EMPTY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCEPT FUEL AND IT HAD TO BE FORCED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANT CENTER WHICH STATED THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE IN CARS LIKE MINE WERE DEFECTIVE AND THEY WOULD REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO ME. I SEDUCED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DODGE/CHRYSLER SHOP. THEY FOUND THAT MY CAR WAS ORIGINALLY OWNED AND REGISTERED IN CANADA. I CONTACTED THE CO…
Read full complaint
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANT CENTER WHICH STATED THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE IN CARS LIKE MINE WERE DEFECTIVE AND THEY WOULD REPAIR IT AT NO COST TO ME. I SEDUCED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DODGE/CHRYSLER SHOP. THEY FOUND THAT MY CAR WAS ORIGINALLY OWNED AND REGISTERED IN CANADA. I CONTACTED THE COMPANY WHO SENT ME THE LETTER. THE PERSON I TALKED TO SAID THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF THE LETTER THAT WAS SENT TO ME. HE ASKED IF I COULD FAX HIM THE LETTER, WHICH I DID. HE SAID THERE SHOULD BE NO PROBLEM AFTER THAT. HE LATER LEFT A MESSAGE ON MY PHONE AFTER HE RECEIVED THE LETTER AND SAID THEIR COMPANY WAS NOT GOING TO PAY FOR MY REPAIRS BECAUSE MY CAR WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED IN CANADA. I CALLED CANADA AND UPDATED THE INFORMATION THEY HAD ON MY CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO AT MY LOCAL DODGE DEALER AND I'M FINANCING THE CAR. IF I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THEY WERE GOING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE CHECK VALVE THEY NEED TO HONOR THAT.
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