NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Dodge Nitro Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Dodge Nitro has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 393 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Dodge dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Dodge Nitro, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Dodge Nitro owner complaints

Owners have filed 393 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Nitro, describing incidents dated November 5, 2007 to July 14, 2026.

Most-cited components

Electrical System 198 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 112 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 40 complaints
Exterior Lighting 38 complaints
Engine 37 complaints
Service Brakes 31 complaints

Of the 393 complaints on file, 17 report a crash and 12 a fire; across all 393 complaints, owners report 18 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11750472 · Filed July 14, 2026
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…
ODI #11720588 · Filed February 26, 2026
Car shut off while driving, prior have had issues. Have replaces TIPM module, ignition, grounding, etc
ODI #11707455 · Filed December 29, 2025
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…

Read all 393 complaints

Owner-reported

2008 Dodge Nitro mileage at failure

318 of the 393 complaints on file for the 2008 Dodge Nitro give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Electrical System	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 65,000–120,000 miles	Based on 161 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System	Median 50,000 miles	Middle half 30,000–80,000 miles	Based on 91 complaints
Visibility/Wiper	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–100,000 miles	Based on 31 complaints
Exterior Lighting	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–100,000 miles	Based on 31 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Dodge Nitro in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Defect Petition DP14-004: Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
Closed July 24, 2015

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Brand Emblem and Securing Nuts May be Projectiles

NHTSA #20V396000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice

Reported July 7, 2020 · Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Potentially affected: 925,239 vehicles

Repair completion: 27.66% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign W09 · Owners notified February 11, 2021

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Drive Shaft Failure may cause Airbag Deployment

NHTSA #13V121000 · Power Train — Driveline — Driveshaft · NHTSA notice

Reported April 3, 2013 · Chrysler Group LLC

Potentially affected: 62,578 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign N10 · Owners notified June 27, 2013 · Vehicles built March 21, 2006 – March 1, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTH

NHTSA #08V525000 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice

Reported October 8, 2008 · CHRYSLER LLC

Potentially affected: 3,663 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign H28 · Owners notified October 27, 2008

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

CHRYSLER RECALL NO. H28.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2008 Dodge Nitro 4-DR. w/SAB

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

22% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

1 investigation

393 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Dodge Nitro.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11750472

Incident: July 14, 2026 · Filed: July 14, 2026

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 operation of the horn, windshield wipers, washer pumps, and other electrical components while driving and while parked. These failures occur without warning and create a serious risk of a crash, injury, or death due to sudden loss of propulsion in interstate traffic and unpredictable vehicle behavior. The problem has become progressively more frequent despite previous repairs. The vehicle is available for inspection. I fear for my life.

Electrical System

ODI #11720588

Incident: September 18, 2024 · Filed: February 26, 2026

Car shut off while driving, prior have had issues. Have replaces TIPM module, ignition, grounding, etc

Power Train; Air Bags; Structure

ODI #11707455

1 injury

Incident: May 31, 2025 · Filed: December 29, 2025

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 sustained a concussion and facial injuries, causing severe swelling to the face and severe headaches. No medical treatment was received, but the son remained bed ridden for several days from the injuries sustained during the air bag deployment. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000(Power Train, Air Bags, Structure), which the contact's son related to the failure. The failure mileage was 203,000.

Electrical System

ODI #11684228

Incident: August 1, 2025 · Filed: August 31, 2025

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.

Electrical System

ODI #11668376

Incident: June 13, 2025 · Filed: June 21, 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.

Steering; Wheels; Service Brakes

ODI #11582661

Incident: April 5, 2024 · Filed: April 12, 2024

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.

Electrical System; Unknown or Other

ODI #11573484

Incident: December 16, 2023 · Filed: February 22, 2024

TIPM connectors melted. Ground wires melted.

Power Train; Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11550908

Incident: October 19, 2023 · Filed: October 19, 2023

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 comes on and says the transmission shift solenoid b is malfunction and the vehicle wouldn't shift properly. Luckily I had my code reader I. The car with me I cleared the code and now the car drives fine until this happens again I'm scared to drive it this is dangerous their's no warning. I drive on the highway everyday their's no warning it happens at random 2 times I've been lucky. No codes came up driving after clearing it and the car drives fine now but it's happened 2 times while driving this is extremely dangerous and I don't know what to do because with the codes gone the issues are gone but they randomly all the lights mentioned above come on and then the car shuts off with no warning then when you restart it it throws a different code for a different problem the first time was a low voltage code I cleared it and even Tho my battery tested good I replaced it and two days later the same issue and a different code

Steering; Power Train

ODI #11535132

Incident: July 28, 2023 · Filed: July 28, 2023

Power steering locks up, power steering fluid not helping. Looks like oil mixed in with the coolant. Car smoking and overheating

Air Bags

ODI #11530049

Crash 1 injury

Incident: July 2, 2023 · Filed: July 3, 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.

Other Dodge Nitro model years

Check your 2008 Dodge Nitro VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Dodge Nitro at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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