2008 Dodge Nitro: battery drain or dead battery

Filed Aug 1, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 145,000 miles · WA

3 different times I have had to replace the battery in my nitro due to the stereo. The radio is not powering down properly and keeping the communication bus awake causing parasitic battery draw. I have a mygig head unit with navigation and sirius satellite dvd player. At time the the nitro will lock me in or out due to the stereo not powering off properly due to this issue you also can not get satellite service to work. Dodge needs to recall this issue as we did not ask for the issue. Also when filling up with fuel it does not stop on it is own like other cars and trucks, it spits fuel back out at you and spills everywhere on you the car and ground. The battery problem happens when it is turned off with no key in the ignition.

Filed May 9, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · PA

Doors unlock lights inside and out all lights come on when no one is touching the keys they keep doing it every couple of minutes and stay on for up to five minutes draining the battery. The vehicle is parked keys out and it still happens

Filed Jan 3, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 90,000 miles · PA

The headlights randomly turn on and off even when the car is not running. This is draining the battery frequently. Replacing the battery has not helped with this issue. The turn signals will randomly begin blinking while I'm driving. The horn has begun sporadically beeping while driving and also when the car is off and parked in my driveway. The heat has completely stopped working - it only blows ice cold air which is the last thing I need when it is below zero here in the mornings when I am leaving for work. There is clearly an electrical problem which seems to escalate over time - and it seems other years of this vehicle have been recalled for these same problems. I am not understanding why the 2008 has not been recalled. I am terrified of what this problem will escalate to - I have a young child that I must transport daily to daycare.

Filed Dec 1, 2015 · Electrical · 95,000 miles · CA

I purchased my car in 2012. In 2013 my car all of a sudden goes haywire. Windshield wipers going off, fluid going off, door locks,and horn, [xxx] near had a wreck because it happened out of nowhere and car was in motion. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the alarm. In july 2014 battery died and replaced the battery again. Then may 2015 the car goes haywire again. Wipers going off, horn blaring, door locks malfunctioning. I tried to start the car and the battery starts smoking. Replace the battery and it continued to malfunction. This time when the ignition was turned off and the key was out of the ignition, the car was still running. I had to unhook the alternator for it to turn off. Then I was parked and tried to use the key and the car wouldn't start.after several attempts to start the car I decided not to try anymore, pushed my key lock door and the car started. I took the car back to the deal and after 4yrs they concluded it was the total integrated power module. This has caused my heater, brake lights, headlights, and key fob/alarm to malfunction. This issue could have cause an serious accident and thank heavens it did not. I've done some research and notice that these parts were recalled and replace in previous and latter models of this vehicle but not 2008. Im not the only one with this problem and someone could have been hurt especially if its dealing with electrical components. Is that what it takes for them to correct it. Dodge/chrysler should be held responsible for this defect that they know about. Thank you *tr information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 26, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · NC

2008 dodge nitro. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle electrical system and mechanical repair problems. *smd the consumer stated the AC and went out, along with the low and high switch melting some of the under panel where the switch was mounted. Smoke was coming from out the dash while driving. The horn was blared out of control, draining the battery, the radio would not come on, the doors locked and unlocked uncontrollably, the wheel and hub failed on the front of the vehicle, the water pump was replaced, the brakes were replaced three times, in one year. When the consumer clicked the unlock button on the key pad, the door locks went haywire, it would lock and the consumer was unable to enter the vehicle. Also, the catalytic converter was replaced. The tipm was replaced. However, a week later, the problems returned with the headlights staying on, the horn blaring out of control and the doors locking and unlocking and not being able to enter the vehicle. The head lights and tail lights were replaced several times.

Filed Sep 11, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 97,460 miles · FL

For months, we have been having issues with unlocking the vehicle using the key fob. Problems have since worsened in the last week to include loss of low beam headlights, uncontrollable horn honking, front and rear wiper activation when not engaged, doors locking on their own, overnight battery drainage, trouble starting the vehicle, vehicle not turning off with key removed, horn honking while driving, esp/bas lights flashing, traction control light flashing, lights dimming and A/C system turning off on its own. All research points to a faulty tipm system, which has been recalled for previous years, and years following the 2008 model year of this vehicle. Some of these issues have occurred while sitting parked with no key in the ignition, other issues have occurred while the vehicle is in motion. It's very concerning, as this is our only vehicle, that these issues could cause loss of vehicle control. There have been dozens of complaints reported for this same model year vehicle to the federal safety agency of vehicles losing control of steering and braking systems at highway speeds. With a two year old, his safety is paramount, and this potentially dangerous vehicle is becoming increasingly unsafe for us to drive.

Filed Dec 15, 2014 · Electrical · TX

For the past year I have been dealing with my horn randomly honking at all times of day and night, doors locking and unlocking on their own, headlights and taillights turning on by themselves as the nitro is parked with the engine off. On top of all this, since october 2014 my engine as been stalling when I tried to start it. I tried to start it numerous of times and it would turn on for about 3-5 seconds then shut off and recently it has gotten to the point that it doesn't want to start anymore. A diagnostic test was done and nothing could be found. Due to all these issues, which have drained the battery life, I have replaced the battery twice within the past year.

Filed Dec 26, 2013 · Electrical, Visibility · 69,000 miles · VT

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. While driving 30 MPH, the contact stated that both front and rear wipers began to malfunction. The warning lamps illuminated and when the vehicle was turned off it drained the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and the module was reprogrammed. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69000.