2008 Dodge Nitro: key fob or push-button start problems

Filed Sep 3, 2019 · Driver assistance, Lights · 253,000 miles · SC

Vehicle started having electrical issues. Wipers and lights would jump on by themselves while I was driving. Tipm and esp icon lit up on the dash shortly after. Vehicle would make grinding noises when putting vehicle into different gears (park, reverse, and drive). Doors would not automatically lock once the vehicle was moving as it was programmed to do. Functions on key fob no longer worked as they should (lock button would unlock the doors and unlock button would activate the automatic start). I removed the battery from the key fob after my vehicle was broken into once the fob started malfunctioning. Vehicle has been parked for the last 3.5 weeks after electrical issues got worse and the air bag light started coming on. I have read several reviews and checked for recalls and it seems that some of the issues that I have experienced with my 2008 dodge nitro are very common amongst other dodge drivers as well as chrysler 300 drivers. I know of 2 other people that are having the same issues with their chrysler 300s (older 2007 models). A recall needs to be started for safety purposes because operating these vehicles in this state are highly unsafe. I was driving to work (about 530ish one morning) and the ABS, esp, tipm, and airbag icon all came on and then my truck started stalling out. I had to get it towed home and it's been parked ever since. Owners of these vehicles need to be extremely cautious if and once these lights come on.

Filed Jun 16, 2016 · Electrical, Fuel system · 108,000 miles · IN

When filling the gas tank up as the pump kicks off at least half a gallon of gas spills out of the tank splashing onto my legs and spilling on to the ground. I bought this vehicle used and was told to contact a dodge dealer about a possible recall but the dealership has told me there isn't a recall but they've had several complaints about this issue. Also, recently I have been unable to lock my vehicle because a few seconds after activating the locks either manually or using the key fob the car unlocks and the headlights come on. I had to take the battery out of my key fob as it would continuously unlock and activate the headlights during the day and night. When manually locking the vehicle it still unlocks itself a few seconds later but does not continually unlock like when the key fob is in use.

Filed Apr 27, 2016 · Electrical, Locks · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. While attempting to lock the doors with the key fob and on the vehicle's door panel, the vehicle would not lock. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 7, 2016 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. The contact stated that the key fob failed to unlock the doors. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jan 21, 2016 · Electrical · 92,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. While using the key fobik to unlock and lock the vehicle, it failed to function. In addition, the doors were not able to lock and unlock manually. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.

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 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 May 23, 2015 · Electrical · 151,800 miles · IL

I purchased my pre-owned 2008 dodge nitro 2 months ago. A week ago it all went haywire like my car was possessed. It also happened the following week. -- while using the key fob to lock/unlock the car the horn starts blaring, the wipers (front and rear) start going, washer fluid shooting out, doors locking and unlocking, and the lights blinking. -- doors will not lock/unlock with the remote. I have to physically lock/unlock each door with the key. -- rear passenger doors and the rear hatch wont unlock. -- when turning on the engine the horn starts blaring, the wipers (front and rear) start going, washer fluid shooting out, doors locking and unlocking, and the lights blinking for about 5 minutes. When I turned the car off it was still doing the same thing. -- if I turn on/off the windshield wipers the horn starts blaring and lights start flashing -- when pressing the actual door lock the horn starts blaring based on the research I did and other 2008 dodge nitro owners the diagnosis is apparently a faulty tipm. There seems to be a national backorder on this part. I am afraid to drive my car for fear of something major happening while driving. My doors wont unlock and I am terrified to have anyone in my car. What would happen if we are in an accident the car catches on fire? I wont be able to get any one out. Dodge has recalled the 2010-2012 but has failed to recall the 2008 despite the national backorder for the part needed to fix these vehicles. I am really surprised that dodge/chrysler has not stood by their products and is putting the owners of these vehicles at risk. What is it going to take to issue a recall on the faulty tipm on all dodge/chrysler vehicles? Why has dodge/chrysler not rectified this situation before it becomes a bigger issue like the ford tire recall, gm ignition recall and the recent airbag recalls?

Filed Mar 24, 2015 · Body · 94,471 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. The contact stated that the rear liftgate failed to lock with the key fob while closed. In addition, the contact stated that when the key fob door lock was engaged and the lift gate was open, the lock latched and failed to unlatch to close. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 94,471.

Filed Mar 17, 2015 · Brakes, Electrical · 95,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. The contact stated that the key fob failed to activate whenever attempting to access the front passenger side door and both rear doors. Also, the liftgate failed to open with the key fob. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed that the timp and the control module needed to be replaced. In addition, whenever the brakes were engaged a loud screeching noise emitted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

Filed Oct 27, 2014 · Electrical, Locks · 70,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. The contact stated that the power locks failed to activate with the key fob, causing the doors to have to be manually unlocked. In addition, the liftgate was manually opened and closed from inside the vehicle intermittently. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who diagnosed that the tipm needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Electrical · 51,458 miles · IN

I was unloading groceries from my 2008 nitro with the engine off and the key out of the ignition when the windshield wipers came on at full speed with washer fluid squirting out like a fountain and the horn blaring continuously at the same time. I tried the key fob to turn it off. Didn't work. My husband finally tried turning the ignition on and it stopped. He tried turning on the ignition several more times with no problems. Two days later I went on a short errand and when I got back home it did the same thing. It sat there until we took it to the dealership where we bought it. The service person said he never heard of this happening before. Too many reports on this site for me to believe that. Nitro will be going elsewhere to be looked at. I was lucky not to be out on the road when this happened. Very scary thought. Chrysler should have recalled this vehicle years ago.