IllustrationWHAT DRIVING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS NOT WENT OFF EVER SINCE. I HAVE DID THE RESET WITH TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION BUT IT WILL NOT RESET OR TURN OFF.
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. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD WHINING SOUND WAS PRESENT NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END BECAME EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD WHINING SOUND WAS PRESENT NEAR THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END BECAME EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS LATER. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED ACCELERATING WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. NO FURTHER INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE REFUELING THE FUEL TANK, IT FAILED TO REGISTER AS FULL AND FUEL SPEWED BACK OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
THE HORN WILL START HONKING, WIPERS START GOING, WASHER FLUID SPRAYS OUT. WONT TURN ON HAS ERROR NO BUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE FAILED TO LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB WHILE CLOSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY FOB DOOR LOCK WAS ENGAGED AND THE LIFT GATE WAS OPEN, THE LOCK LATCHED AND FAILED TO UNLATCH TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFTGATE FAILED TO LOCK WITH THE KEY FOB WHILE CLOSED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY FOB DOOR LOCK WAS ENGAGED AND THE LIFT GATE WAS OPEN, THE LOCK LATCHED AND FAILED TO UNLATCH TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,471.
MY TRUCK HAS A TENDENCY TO STALL WHEN AT IDLE SPEED. HAPPENS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. I FIRST TOOK IT TO ALLEN SAMUEL'S DODGE ON 610 FREEWAY IN HOUSTON, TX. THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, SUGGESTED THROTTLE BODY SERVICE WHICH WAS PERFORM. DIDN'T CORRECT THE ISSUE. TOOK IT TO GILMAN CHRYSLER ON 59 SW FREEWAY IN HOUST…
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MY TRUCK HAS A TENDENCY TO STALL WHEN AT IDLE SPEED. HAPPENS ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. I FIRST TOOK IT TO ALLEN SAMUEL'S DODGE ON 610 FREEWAY IN HOUSTON, TX. THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, SUGGESTED THROTTLE BODY SERVICE WHICH WAS PERFORM. DIDN'T CORRECT THE ISSUE. TOOK IT TO GILMAN CHRYSLER ON 59 SW FREEWAY IN HOUSTON, THEY COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. WITHIN THE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE HAD FUEL INJECTOR SERVICE, SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT AND FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE, ALL AT THE ABOVE DEALERSHIPS. VEHICLE NOW HAS ABOUT 75,000 MILES. PROBLEM STILL EXIST ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. I AM AFRAID THAT IT MAY STALL IN TRAFFIC WHILE AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR FREEWAY TRAFFIC JAM WHICH COULD LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE 2007 DODGE NITROS WERE RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I SHOWED THE DEALERS THE RECALL FORM SAFECAR BUT THEIR COMMENT WAS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT RECALL AND SINCE THEY WERE NOT GETTING ANY CODES MY PROBLEM WAS DIFFERENT. I DISAGREE, IT HAS TO BE COMPUTER SOFTWARE AS WITH THE DODGE NITRO 2007. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2008 AND AM THE ONLY OWNER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHENEVER ATTEMPTING TO ACCESS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE TIMP AND THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHENEVER ATTEMPTING TO ACCESS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND BOTH REAR DOORS. ALSO, THE LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPEN WITH THE KEY FOB. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE TIMP AND THE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED A LOUD SCREECHING NOISE EMITTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN OCTOBER 2014 FROM A FRIEND AND EVERY TIME I FILL IT UP AT THE GAS STATION , THE GAS OVER FLOWS WITH FORCE AND GETS ALL OVER MY HAND AND FEET, SOMETIMES IT GETS ON MY BODY TOO. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT DOESN'T STOP WHEN IT GETS FULL.? *TR
I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR ONE MORNING TO MAKE A TRIP INTO TOWN. THE INSTANT I OPENED THE DOOR THE HORN STARTED BLARING WITHOUT A PAUSE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BOTH FRONT AND REAR WERE RUNNING ON THEIR TOP SPEED. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. I CANT EVEN GET IT OUT OF PARK TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK PICK IT UP. THE GAUGE CLUSTE…
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I WALKED OUT TO MY CAR ONE MORNING TO MAKE A TRIP INTO TOWN. THE INSTANT I OPENED THE DOOR THE HORN STARTED BLARING WITHOUT A PAUSE, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BOTH FRONT AND REAR WERE RUNNING ON THEIR TOP SPEED. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. I CANT EVEN GET IT OUT OF PARK TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK PICK IT UP. THE GAUGE CLUSTER SAYS "NO BUS" AND THE ONLY CULPRIT I CAN THINK OF WOULD BE THE FAMOUS DODGE TIPM. *TR
I HAVE A 2008 DODGE NITRO 4X4 3.7L . MY REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE WORN ABOUT 1/8" INTO THE ROTOR. I HAD GOTTEN NEW TIRES FOR MY VEHICLE NOT TOO LONG AGO & EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HEARING WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A CLANKING SOUND THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM EITHER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OR FRONT TIRE AREA. IT ONLY MAKES THIS SOUND BETWEEN …
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I HAVE A 2008 DODGE NITRO 4X4 3.7L . MY REAR BRAKE PADS HAVE WORN ABOUT 1/8" INTO THE ROTOR. I HAD GOTTEN NEW TIRES FOR MY VEHICLE NOT TOO LONG AGO & EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN HEARING WHAT SOUNDS LIKE A CLANKING SOUND THAT SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM EITHER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OR FRONT TIRE AREA. IT ONLY MAKES THIS SOUND BETWEEN SPEEDS OF 5MPH TO 30MPH, THEN IT SEEMS TO GO AWAY AFTER DOING 40+MPH. MY BRAKES DON'T SQUEAL OR MAKE SOUNDS WHEN I PUSH THEM. ONLY WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP DOES THIS CLANKING SOUND OCCUR. I HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE ROTOR YET,BUT LOOKS FINE FROM WHAT I CAN SEE. I KNOW I'M GONNA NEED NEW BRAKE PADS SOON BUT I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT OR WHERE THIS SOUND IS COMING FROM. *TR
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