2008 Dodge Nitro problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (86) · Fuel System, Gasoline (61) · Fuel/Propulsion System (41)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Dodge Nitro model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
319 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module 2020-07-07 · campaign 20V396000 · 925,239 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Structure 2013-04-03 · campaign 13V121000 · 62,578 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (59)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2025-09-18 · 107418 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
switch - clutch starter interlock & master cylinder assembly - clutch
Electrical System 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Electrical System:wiring 2023-09-15 · 9100226 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
connector kit before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957a$, check it in the mopar connector repair kit website to confirm part number and applicability. there is an error with the wiring diagrams in service library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. please use
Air Bags 2021-11-23 · Y22 Combo Rev1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customer satisfaction notification y22 driver airbag emblem
Air Bags 2021-11-18 · Y22 Combo · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customer satisfaction notification y22 driver airbag emblem
Power Train 2021-04-07 · 9004009 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
transmission kit with torque converter 1. all promaster (vf) 3.6l/62te equipped vehicles. if the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (part number 06511385a$) are one-time usage. vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires service kit p
Showing the 6 most recent of 59 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-07-14 · Engine“an intermittent electrical failure is affecting multiple vehicle systems. the vehicle has unexpectedly stalled while driving on the interstate, leaving it without power in moving traffic. it has also experienced repeated no-start conditions, transmission entering limp mode, the engine continuing to run after the key was removed, and random operatio…”
2026-02-26 · Electrical System“car shut off while driving, prior have had issues. have replaces tipm module, ignition, grounding, etc…”
2025-12-29 · Structure · 203,000 mi“the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. the contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 5 mph, the front drive shaft fractured, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop, and the front driver's side and passenger's side airbags erroneously deployed. the contact stated that there was no collision during the incident. the contact's son susta…”
2025-08-31 · Electrical System“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 …”
2025-06-21 · Electrical System“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…”
2024-04-12 · Wheels“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.…”
2024-02-22 · Unknown Or Other“tipm connectors melted. ground wires melted.…”
2023-10-19 · Power Train“the vehicle throws the abs, esp,break and traction control lights and then while driving completely at random then turns off while driving!!!! which can cause an accident (i and my daughter are lucky to be alive) this is not ok the vehicle drives fine then at random throws those lights and shuts off after restarting it the check engine light com…”
2023-07-28 · Steering“power steering locks up, power steering fluid not helping. looks like oil mixed in with the coolant. car smoking and overheating …”
2023-07-03 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.