Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2009 Dodge Nitro
NHTSA data on file today
The 2009 Dodge Nitro has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 24 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #20V396000 Brand Emblem and Securing Nuts May be Projectiles NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 10 complaints
- Air Bags 4 complaints
- Latches/Locks/Linkages 4 complaints
- Fuel System, Gasoline 3 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 3 complaints
- Steering 2 complaints
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$8,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2009 Dodge Nitro has a below-average rating due to frequent electrical system complaints and significant airbag recall. The recall presents safety risks, and electrical issues suggest additional repair costs.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 70,000–100,000 miles | $300–$800 | very common |
| airbags | 50,000–90,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | common |
| fuel system | 80,000–110,000 miles | $200–$600 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Replace brake pads every 30,000 miles
- Inspect suspension annually
- Coolant flush every 60,000 miles
- Transmission fluid change every 50,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Check engine light
- Airbag warning lights
- Electrical malfunctions
- Fuel odor
- Steering issues
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2009 Dodge Nitro at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.