2008 Dodge Nitro: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 393 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (37% of complaints); the 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Jul 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 393 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“TIPM system and/or electrical system failure. Right turn signal intermittently works when it wants to. Door locks from the inside at random or will not lock at all when using the master lock button. Now car will not start or turn over at all. Zero sound comes from he vehicle while turning the key. Commonly known problem with other Dodge Nitros and nothing being done about it. A recall needs to happen or at the very least acknowledgement from Dodge.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2025
“I had just entered Gene Snyder Expressway going west when my throttle light started flashing and I lost gas pressure and it started going down fast and then it shut off and right in the middle of rush-hour traffic and it's 65 mph on the expressway and People as usual go around 80 mph and I just entered and almost got slammed in the rear but luckily I got off the highway in time. I still have not been able to turn my truck over at all. It is in the throttle electrical system, which is currently being checked out as we speak but it's spit out two codes. One was PO633 and one was P2 112.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2025
“Esp bas lights (appeared after). As I was driving, the car felt like it hit a brick wall even though it didnt, it slammed me into the steering wheel and then continued driving. At that point, the esp bas light came on. Have attempted to contact dodge or chrysler by phone with no chance at reaching a person cause of robotic answering services.”Owner report · Wheels · Apr 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“Power steering locks up, power steering fluid not helping. Looks like oil mixed in with the coolant. Car smoking and overheating”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2023
“2008 Dodge nitro in a collision going between 35 and 45 miles per hour had a major rear end accident. Police paramedics and fire came on scene. The air bags never deployed. This vehicle was taken for the air bags emblem recall in 2022. The vehicle should have air bags that deploy.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2023
“The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the horn and the rear and front windshield wipers were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that her neighbor disconnected and reconnected the battery and the failure was corrected. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 168,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2022
“The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle the horn inadvertently started blowing and windshield wipers activated independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with an unknown electrical wiring failure. The dealer replaced the battery cables; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Oct 2021
“It started with all dash lights coming on saying it had issues and then just stopped dead in road. I had tpim put in, then alternator , and then new battery. Was fine and then head lights stopped coming on . Next, it starting with horn, and everything under the sun coming on and not stopping. Took to shop and they thought they found it, and drove for a day and as soon as I turned on headlights it stalled. In motion on a street driving.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2021
“On 2/11/2021 me an my mom was head to doctor at 445am and it was just raining cold and we hit a patch of ice going 20 miles and hour and I lost control and we went rolling 3 times and air. Bags did not deploy and the seat belt restriors didnt restrict as we was rolling some time in process my head hit windshield and got knocked out it was on a hwy moving their was no one on the road but us.. It wount let me up load my pictures I have but will be glade to mail them to u waiting on police report he put wrong information about me on for so it needto be fixed.*dt”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2021
“Took my vehicle in for a recall. The recall was for replacing the emblem on the steering wheel. The emblem was removed but the replacement cover was not installed. Also the recall for the drive shaft was not done.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 18 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Nitro by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Nitro reliable?
NHTSA has 393 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Dodge Nitro. The most complained-about area is electrical system (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Nitro problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning parking brake. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.