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2008 Dodge Nitro problems

The most common problem on the 2008 Dodge Nitro is electrical system, typically around 91,000 miles. It has 5.0 times the complaints of a typical Nitro model year.

Year to avoid5.0x the typical complaints
Year score
15/100
Owner complaints
393
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
59
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
17-19mpg
Typical repair
$1,000

The worst 2008 Dodge Nitro problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Dodge Nitro

Wipers 115Stalling 41Headlights 37Door locks 31Won't start 18Fire or smoke 16Key fob 15Check engine light 14Warning lights 10Airbag light 9ABS 8Battery drain 8Loss of power 8No deployment 7Won't shift 7Grinding brakes 5Fuel pump 5

Recalls 3

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported July 7, 2020 · 925,239 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 20V396000 · Recall details

Power train: driveline: driveshaftReported April 3, 2013 · 62,578 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.
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.

Recall number 13V121000 · Recall details

Parking brakeReported October 8, 2008 · 3,663 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
This could allow the vehicle to move inadvertently and cause a crash without warning.
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.

Recall number 08V525000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2008 Dodge Nitro

Defect investigations

Totally Integrated Power Module FailureOpened September 25, 2014, closed July 24, 2015

In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the federal safety agency to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. ODI analyzed complaint data provided by CAS as well as complaints submitted to ODI from consumers. In total, there were 296 complaints submitted by the petitioner in the original petition and five supplements, including 271 complaints related to the subject vehicles equipped with TIPM-7. Approximately 3 percent of CAS complaints are related to vehicles equipped with TIPM-6 and ODI?s review of these complaints did not identify any safety defect trends. ODI conducted a detailed review of complaints narratives submitted by CAS and consumers including careful analysis of vehicle repair histories, warranty claims obtained from the manufacturer and any available Customer Assistance Inquiry reports (CAIR). Analysis of the field data indicated that MY2011-2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango vehicles exhibited significantly higher complaint rates related to fuel pump relay (FPR) failures than other subject vehicles. In a September 3, 2014 letter to the federal safety agency, Chrysler submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) identifying a defect in the FPR within the TIPM-7 which can result in a no start or stall condition in approximately 188,723 model year (MY) 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee (WK) and Dodge Durango (WD) vehicles manufactured from January 5, 2010 through July 20, 2011 (14V‑530).In a February 24, 2015 letter, Chrysler submitted a second DIR expanding the scope of the FPR defect condition to include an additional 338,216 MY 2012 through 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured from September 17, 2010 through August 19, 2013 and MY 2012 through 2013 Dodge Durango vehicles manufactured from January 18, 2011 through August 19, 2013 (15V‑115).ODI analysis of the CAS allegations of TIPM defects resulting in stall while driving, airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration, fire and other faults identified a single defect condition related to 1 of over 60 different circuits in the TIPM assembly. The most common effect of this defect condition, related to the fuel pump relay, was a no-start concern, but it could also result in stall while driving (76 complaints). No valid evidence was presented in support of claims related to airbag non-deployment, unintended acceleration or fire resulting from TIPM faults and these claims were found to be wholly without merit based on review of the field data and design of the relevant systems and components.Except insofar as the petitioner's contentions relate to the defect condition addressed by the Chrysler recalls, the factual bases of the petitioner's contentions that any further investigation is necessary are unsupported. In our view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists or a the federal safety agency order for the notification and remedy of a safety-related defect as alleged by the petitioner at the conclusion of the requested investigation. Therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is den

DP14004

Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Dodge Nitro 59

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 59 bulletins for the 2008 Dodge Nitro

2008 Dodge Nitro fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.7L 6‑cylRWD162218-19
4.0L 6‑cylRWD162118
3.7L 6‑cyl4WD15-1621-2217-18
4.0L 6‑cyl4WD152017

What 2008 Dodge Nitro owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 14, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AR

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.

Filed Feb 26, 2026 · Electrical · AR

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

Filed Dec 29, 2025 · Airbags, Body · 203,000 miles · TX · 1 injury

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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V121000(Power Train, Air Bags, Structure), which the contact's son related to the failure. The failure mileage was 203,000.

Filed Aug 31, 2025 · Electrical · PA

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.

Filed Jun 21, 2025 · Electrical · KY

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.

Filed Apr 12, 2024 · Brakes, Steering · TX

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.

Filed Feb 22, 2024 · Electrical · KS

TIPM connectors melted. Ground wires melted.

Filed Oct 19, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MD

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

Filed Jul 28, 2023 · Steering, Transmission · MI

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

Filed Jul 3, 2023 · Airbags · VA · crash · 1 injury

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.

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Questions about the 2008 Dodge Nitro

Is the 2008 Dodge Nitro reliable?

Owners have filed 393 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 5.0 times a typical Nitro model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2008 Dodge Nitro year score?

The 2008 Dodge Nitro scores 15 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Dodge Nitro: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2008 Dodge Nitro?

Electrical system, with 198 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles. Next is fuel system (112).

How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have?

3 recalls, covering air bags, power train and parking brake.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Dodge Nitro get?

Official estimates for the 2008 Dodge Nitro range from 17 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.7L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 16 city and 22 highway.

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