Major Problems with Dodge Nitro Derived from Complaints & Recalls
Learn about the common problems with a used Dodge Nitro to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.
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Dodge Nitro complaint overview
- 974 recorded complaints across model years
- Years covered 2007–2011
- Most recorded categories ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (352), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (149), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (112)
- Highest recorded count 433 in 2007
Complaint counts are reports, not confirmed defect rates. Older model years have had more time to accumulate reports, and sales volume and reporting coverage differ by year. A higher count does not by itself make a year the least reliable, and these figures are not a failure probability.
Compare two model years
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Best and Worst Years for Dodge Nitro
Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Dodge Nitro.
| Model Year | Complaints |
| 2011 Nitro |
100
|
| 2010 Nitro |
64
|
| 2009 Nitro |
20
|
| 2008 Nitro |
357
|
| 2007 Nitro |
433
|
Worst 3 Dodge Nitro complaints
2007 Dodge Nitro
AIR BAGS
Victims: 3
Mileage: 125000 miles
2010 Dodge Nitro
AIR BAGS
Victims: 3
Mileage: 58000 miles
2007 Dodge Nitro
SEAT BELTS
Victims: 2
Mileage: 70000 miles
Browse Dodge Nitro complaints by category
Problems with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Dodge Nitro owners.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM using my keyless entry fob i unlocked my door and tried to start my vehicle. the vehicle would not start... |
352
~ 76835 miles |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE there is an issue with the fuel tank/ valve in this model dodge vehicle. every time i go to fuel... |
149
~ 36500 miles |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM fuel overflows when filling truck with fuel. *tr... |
112
~ 61883 miles |
| POWER TRAIN transmission will not go into gear press on the gas and nothing happens then there is a loud bang and... |
77
~ 63881 miles |
| ENGINE while driving in the area about 30 mph the engine just shut off and had to fight to keep the |
74
~ 63915 miles |
| AIR BAGS tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. while traveling 45 mph the vehicle was struck from the rear causing... |
72
~ 70075 miles |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER the wind shield wipers come on and wont turn off and none of the lighting controls work high beam on |
60
~ 64957 miles |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER the car start windsheild wipers come on by themself and vehicle will not go in gear. have to remove the |
54
~ 74443 miles |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING the first sign of issues was in september one morning after my car had been locked all night like always... |
52
~ 68472 miles |
| SERVICE BRAKES tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. while driving 60 mph the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from... |
44
~ 92510 miles |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL i started a complaint before and the ref number is 10995543 but more has happened since. i have had several... |
37
~ 74406 miles |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL i drive a 2011 dodge nitro and i went on a trip and on my way over i started having... |
33
~ 58200 miles |
| BODY > STRUCTURE tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. the contact stated there was water in the ceiling of the vehicle.... |
32
~ 64835 miles |
| STEERING the car start windsheild wipers come on by themself and vehicle will not go in gear. have to remove the |
29
~ 64255 miles |
| DOOR > BODY > STRUCTURE passenger door handle broken so passenger can not get out from the inside. *tr... |
28
~ 66138 miles |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING the heater core on my car has cracked and is leaking fuel into the driver side floor. this should not... |
26
~ 33987 miles |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES inside door latch will not open door..need to open window and open door from outside after coming to a full... |
23
~ 59624 miles |
| PARKING BRAKE tl*the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. the contact stated that after the nhtsa recall campaign id number: 08v525000 (parking... |
11
~ 27607 miles |
| AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN chrysler denies responsibility and no lawyer wants to fight chrysler. i am not putting my family's life in jeopardy with... |
8
~ 7287 miles |
| SUSPENSION on 5/24/2019 jones junction t/a jones chrysler jeep dodge diagnosed my 2009 dodge nitro with a failing front drive shaft... |
7
~ 73714 miles |
| SEAT BELTS tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the front driver's side seat belt would not... |
7
~ 54786 miles |
| VISIBILITY i live in metro atlanta and i have a 2008 dodge nitro. i love my truck but 12/01/11 brought my... |
7
~ 28456 miles |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC was backing out of driveway and was not able to brake. brake pedal got hard would not let me press... |
7
~ 35875 miles |
| LATCH > DOORS > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the drivers side interior door handle fractured which... |
6
~ 100800 miles |
| WHEELS traveling on 3 lane highway at 65 mph with 2 young granddaughters in car right front valve stem blew out... |
5
~ 92800 miles |
| TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2008 dodge nitro fuel tank overflow problem. pump would click and fueling would stop as normal but gas would shoot... |
5
~ 30800 miles |
| STRUCTURE the chrome accent piece on the rear hatch of the dodge nitro (just under the rear windshield wiper) is a... |
5
~ 15600 miles |
| SEATS fuel tank overflows when filling up at the pump. i've had gasoline spew out all over me several times now.... |
4
~ 24775 miles |
| WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. while the vehicle was parked the horn independently engaged. also the windshield... |
4
~ 67000 miles |
| AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. the contact stated that while driving at approximately 7 mph and making... |
4
~ 33375 miles |
| POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the front driver's side power window switch failed.... |
4
~ 80081 miles |
| MOTOR > WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER > VISIBILITY wipers stopped working 12/20/16. dealership said it was the wiper motor and it was $300.00 to repair. when the wiper... |
3
~ 54867 miles |
| LOCK > HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the power locks failed to activate with the... |
3
~ 75000 miles |
| TIRES tl*the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro with goodyear wrangler hp tires line size: 245 50/r20. the contact stated that... |
3
~ 29000 miles |
| EQUIPMENT sunroof of 2008 dodge nitro sxt leaks after it rains. the problem started one month after the vehicle was purchased... |
3
~ 11942 miles |
| FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS > WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. while the vehicle was stationary the front driver's side door would not... |
2
~ 168500 miles |
| TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. while driving 60 mph the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from... |
2
~ 20000 miles |
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY on august 20th 2014 i noticed that my power door locks and front windshield washer pump had both stopped working.... |
2
~ 76750 miles |
| HORN > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 10/07/2012 at 3:00pm on sunday afternoon the horn on the vehicle started blowing for no reason. it sounded like someone... |
2
~ 70000 miles |
| FRONTAL > AIR BAGS driving a 2008 dodge nitro. went of the road into a ravine. went through a barbwire fence over boulders sideswipped... |
2
~ 9950 miles |
| FILLER PIPE AND CAP > TANK ASSEMBLY > STORAGE tl*the contact owns a 2009 dodge nitro. the contact stated that when he opened the fuel tank cap the bolts... |
2
~ 16950 miles |
| OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL > OTHER > EQUIPMENT i am writing to you to express my concerns and also complaints regarding daytona dodge. my husband and i purchased... |
2
~ 2748 miles |
| ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING whistling noise coming from vehicle. doors have been adjusted and windshield resealed neither of these fixed problem. listened under hood |
2
~ 31565 miles |
| STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR > STEERING steering wheel is squeaking needs power steering fluid or adjustment. *tr... |
2
~ 35300 miles |
| COOLING SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the engine sporadically failed without warning. it usually takes... |
2
~ 3500 miles |
| CONTROL UNIT/MODULE > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge nitro. while driving 55 mph she lost control of the vehicle and crashed head... |
2
~ 13185 miles |
| DRIVESHAFT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN tl* the contact owned a 2007 dodge nitro. while driving 10 mph there was an abnormal popping noise and the... |
1
~ 70000 miles |
| WIRING > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the headlights remained bright while the vehicle was... |
1
~ 61500 miles |
| HEADLIGHTS > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the headlights remained bright while the vehicle was... |
1
~ 61500 miles |
| FAN/MOTOR > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro. the contact stated that while in park the air conditioner and heater... |
1
~ 12000 miles |
| CATALYTIC CONVERTOR > EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM 2008 dodge nitro. consumer writes in regards to vehicle electrical system and mechanical repair problems. *smd the consumer stated the... |
1
|
| SWITCH > IGNITION > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. the contact stated that while in park with the keys removed from... |
1
~ 130000 miles |
| CHILD SEAT tl* the contact owns a graco child restraint seat model number: 1770254 manufactured december 20 2011. the child restraint was... |
1
|
| SHIELD ASSEMBLY > CHILD SEAT tl* the contact owns a graco child restraint seat model number: 1770254 manufactured december 20 2011. the child restraint was... |
1
|
| DELIVERY > FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2007 dodge nitro. consumer states problem with vehicle gas tank *tgw the dealer informed the consumer the gas tank was... |
1
|
| VALVE > TIRES tire valve stems are weak and break off easily. this could cause rapid loss of tire air pressure while driving. |
1
~ 27000 miles |
| SIDE/WINDOW > AIR BAGS tl*the contact owns a 2011 dodge nitro heat. while driving approximately 5 mph the vehicle was involved in a crash... |
1
~ 894 miles |
| DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY the heater and air conditioner flap does not open and close properly. this results in cold air in the winter... |
1
~ 14000 miles |
| FRONT > SEAT BELTS tl* the contact owns a 2007 dodge nitro. the contact was traveling 25 mph when a vehicle crashed into the... |
1
~ 39000 miles |
| PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES tire sensor stem cracks causing tire to lose air. i will have had 4 replaced in last 12 months. these... |
1
~ 35352 miles |
| SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC dodge nitro 2008 back braking system - little to no notice back brakes have grinded down to the rotor on... |
1
~ 25646 miles |
| WHEEL BEARING > FRONT > SUSPENSION tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. while driving at various speeds a loud whining sound was present near... |
1
~ 15000 miles |
| SHOES/LININGS > DRUM > FOUNDATION COMPONENTS tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge nitro. the contact performed routine maintenance on the vehicle and detected that the rear... |
1
~ 33000 miles |
| DIFFERENTIAL UNIT > DRIVELINE > POWER TRAIN tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge nitro. the contact had the vehicle towed to a dealer and the dealer stated... |
1
~ 48000 miles |
| 12V/24V/48V BATTERY > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. he stated that intermittently while driving over 60 mph the vehicle would... |
1
~ 28068 miles |
| COLUMN > STEERING tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. he stated that intermittently while driving over 60 mph the vehicle would... |
1
~ 28068 miles |
| AXLE ASSEMBLY > POWER TRAIN a dodge nitro 2007 has a defective rear axle. this was supposedly repaired around may 2009 at maroone dodge in... |
1
|
| MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT sunroof of 2008 dodge nitro sxt leaks after it rains. the problem started one month after the vehicle was purchased... |
1
~ 475 miles |
| ELECTRICAL > EQUIPMENT sunroof of 2008 dodge nitro sxt leaks after it rains. the problem started one month after the vehicle was purchased... |
1
~ 475 miles |
| INTERIOR LIGHTING sunroof of 2008 dodge nitro sxt leaks after it rains. the problem started one month after the vehicle was purchased... |
1
~ 475 miles |
| FRAME AND MEMBERS > STRUCTURE components under car has a lot of rust on them. *tr... |
1
|
| MANUAL TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN i am writing to you to express my concerns and also complaints regarding daytona dodge. my husband and i purchased... |
1
~ 5495 miles |
| RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER > EQUIPMENT i am writing to you to express my concerns and also complaints regarding daytona dodge. my husband and i purchased... |
1
~ 5495 miles |
| FRONT > SUSPENSION driving through the neighborhood on the way home from work and next thing i know my vehicle's front passenger side... |
1
~ 4800 miles |
| ACCELERATOR PEDAL > VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge nitro. the vehicle has a manual transmission and was sold with a non-functioning parking... |
1
~ 267 miles |
| ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the engine sporadically failed without warning. it usually takes... |
1
~ 7000 miles |
| CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) > AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN tl*the contact owns a 2007 dodge nitro. while driving 70 mph the transmission failed. the failure has occurred on three... |
1
~ 7000 miles |
| SOFTWARE > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM my complaint is in regard to the new dodge nitro. on three separate occasions while driving twice at speeds of... |
1
|
FAQ
What year Dodge Nitro is the most reliable?
Speaking of the models produced in the last 5 years, Dodge Nitro models of 2009, 2010, 2011 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.
What year was a bad year for Dodge Nitro?
Dodge Nitro models of 2007 and 2008 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.
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Dodge Nitro specs
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Performance
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Exterior
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Interior
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Maintenance
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