NHTSA vehicle safety data

2010 Dodge Nitro Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2010 Dodge Nitro has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 78 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 2010 Dodge Nitro, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2010 Dodge Nitro owner complaints

Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Dodge Nitro, describing incidents dated March 15, 2010 to January 13, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 26 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 13 complaints
  • Air Bags 12 complaints
  • Engine 11 complaints
  • Service Brakes 9 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 8 complaints

Of the 78 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 78 complaints, owners report 4 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11710732 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11687446 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #11631567 · Filed

    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…

Read all 78 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2010 Dodge Nitro in 3 investigations. 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.

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.

HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT/TI AUTOMOTIVE

NHTSA #10V315000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported July 7, 2010 · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Potentially affected: 20,626 vehicles

Owners notified August 16, 2010 · Vehicles built April 23, 2010 – May 17, 2010 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND REDUCED BRAKING PERFORMANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CHRYSLER SAFETY RECALL NO. K15.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP

NHTSA #10V009000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported January 11, 2010 · CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

Potentially affected: 20,045 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign J37 · Owners notified February 1, 2010 · Vehicles built October 29, 2009 – November 16, 2009 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CHRYSLER'S SAFETY CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS J37.OWNERS 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 <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

Other Dodge Nitro model years

Check your 2010 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.

Check a Dodge VIN