Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2010 Dodge Nitro
NHTSA data on file today
The 2010 Dodge Nitro has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 78 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
- NHTSA #10V315000 HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT/TI AUTOMOTIVE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #10V009000 BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Electrical System 26 complaints
- Air Bags 12 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 10 complaints
- Engine 9 complaints
- Service Brakes 8 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,400–$12,600AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2010 Dodge Nitro suffers from significant airbag and brake issues, as indicated by multiple recalls and complaints. The airbag defect poses a safety risk, while brake system problems can degrade driving reliability. These factors result in a below-average rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| airbag module | 65,000–100,000 miles | $650–$1,200 | very common |
| brake master cylinder | 50,000–85,000 miles | $300–$600 | common |
| brake booster | 55,000–90,000 miles | $400–$750 | common |
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.
- Change engine oil every 5,000 miles
- Replace brake pads every 40,000 miles
- Inspect radiator and hoses yearly
- Rotate tires every 7,500 miles
- Inspect suspension components yearly
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering wheel rattles
- Brake pedal feels soft
- Airbag warning light on
- Reduced braking efficiency
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2010 Dodge Nitro at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.