2010 Dodge Nitro problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (11) · Fuel/Propulsion System (8) · Air Bags (8)
🧭 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
63 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder 2010-07-07 · campaign 10V315000 · 20,626 vehicles
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE NITRO AND RAM 1500 TRUCK; RIGHT AND LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED MASTER CYLINDER TO HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) BRAKE TUBE ASSEMBLY END FLARE.
Risk: THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE TUBES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-853-1403.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic 2010-01-11 · campaign 10V009000 · 20,045 vehicles
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Fix: CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Service bulletins (68)
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
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2023-07-27 · 9100196 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
lubrication and maintenance fluids if mopar fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review service library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used
Unknown Or Other 2022-04-02 · V51 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customer satisfaction notification v51 reprogram powertrain control module
Equipment 2022-04-02 · S2209000004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
if a mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds uscar36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
Showing the 6 most recent of 68 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-01-13 · Electrical System · 163,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. the contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the engine cranked, but the vehicle failed to start, and it became inoperable. there was no warning light illuminated. the dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the contact believed that the failure might be relate…”
2025-09-15 · Air Bags“passengers front seat head rest deployed on its own. the air back feature of my head rest deployed and it broke in the process. it is available for inspection. it happened when i was cleaning my car. so thank goodness not when i am driving. i was actually cleaning my car to trade it in for a dodge durango but after reading some articles that this i…”
2024-12-19 · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft · 160,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. the contact stated while attempting to accelerate from being stationary, the rear driveshaft suddenly detached from the rear of the vehicle and dragged on the ground. the vehicle was later towed to the residence. the cause of the failure was not yet determined. the manufacturer was notified of the failure, but n…”
2023-10-12 · Steering · 145,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. the contact received a recall notification of the nhtsa campaign number: 20v396000 (air bags, steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. an undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the par…”
2022-07-03 · Unknown Or Other“one day the airbag light started cutting on and off and then the horn started blowing randomly without being touched or even without even being in the vehicle with the car turned off. took it to a mechanic and they have no clue what’s wrong.…”
2021-12-23 · Engine · 65,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn was inoperable while needed. the check engine warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with rear shocks and struts, air compressor, condenser, hvac system, and electrical system failure. the m…”
2021-12-14 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch · 47,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the rear driver's side door would not unlock to open. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was approximately 47,000.…”
2021-11-10 · Parking Brake · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. the contact stated that the spring inside the parking brake had become defective causing the parking brake to not operate as needed. the dealer had been notified of the failure and the contact was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle regarding the failure. the manufacturer was not notified of the f…”
2021-08-06 · Air Bags“2010 dodge nitro. consumer writes in regards to front seat active head restraint safety recall. the consumer stated the steering wheel had 3 small holes where the emblem should be. the dealer was contacted and did not know when a fix would be available.…”
2021-02-25 · Steering · 35,500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2010 dodge nitro. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 20v396000 (air bags, steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the contact stated that after having a routine c…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.