2008 Dodge Nitro: doors won't lock, open or latch

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 Nov 29, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · WI

The door locks for the rear doors do not work. The engine heater core also stopped providing heat to the car. Even after cleaning it out.

Filed Aug 29, 2019 · Electrical · 97,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. The contact stated that the vehicle's horn sounds independently and remained activated, the radio turned off on its own, the windshield wipers operate faster than normal, and the speed decreased from 60 to 40 MPH, which caused the vehicle to decelerate and jerk. In addition, the liftgate indicator displayed that it was open when it really was not and the esp, check engine, air bag, and no fuse warning indicators illuminated. Furthermore, the door locks were locking and unlocking independently. The contact called sherman dodge chrysler jeep ram (7601 skokie blvd, skokie, il 60077, (847) 262-3598) and was informed it could be the tipm and was to schedule an appointment. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and referred the contact to the federal safety agency. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed May 16, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 177,000 miles · CA

Since I purchased the vehicle in 2010, it's had strange electrical issues. First, the door locks have been malfunctioning. After a couple of uses, they no longer respond to the remote, or door lock button. Nor will they automatically lock while the vehicle is in motion. That's very dangerous. The second issue is that the horn would randomly honk. The honking stopped for about a year. Tonight, the honking started at random and wouldn't stop. The key wasn't in the ignition and the car was parked. I had to remove the negative battery cable to avoid a visit from the police for disturbing the peace. The third issue is that the airbag light came on. Yet another strange issue. When starting the engine, there will be s long start as if the starter stays engaged for too long. Sometimes , the engine will start, not idle and just stop. The engine has started and barely had any power and would barely move.

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. The contact stated that the remote start key was not working, the vehicle alarm kept sounding, and the doors would not lock or unlock occasionally even with the key. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000. *tt

Filed May 4, 2017 · Body, Electrical · 120,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. While the vehicle was parked or being driven the power door locks failed to lock or open the doors without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the totally integrated power module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 06/23/17

Filed Jan 29, 2016 · Electrical, Visibility · 102,000 miles · KS

The doors will not unlock without using the keys manually. But more frightening is that the wipers stay on all the time and many electrical issues began showing up at 70,000 miles. Dash warning lights will come & go! No hi- beams at times. What is it going to take, a death & law suit?

Filed Jan 21, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 98,000 miles · MS

I clicked the unlock button on my key and the horn started blowing constantly, doors were locking and unlocking, wipers were going really fast with washer fluid going everywhere. I crank it up thinking it would stop. It all kept going. I cut the key off and took the key out. The engine kept running, the horn was still blowing, wipers still going with washer fluid spraying and door locking and unlocking. I took the battery cable loose and this all kept going on! It ran for about 5 more minutes and then stopped. I left the battery unhooked over night thinking it may reset. The next day I hooked the battery up and it ran fine for 1 day. All of the same problems started again one morning while heading to work. Then it started doing it on me while going down the road one night on a major hwy!! I have had it in 2 dealerships and they both are not sure whats wrong. But I had to pay them to look at it and give me no answer!! The last one told me to just drive it and when it done it again bring it to them and they will look at it again. I have been without a vehicle for 2 weeks now and still no answers. All while still having to pay someone to tell me nothing, I just went and got it yesterday from the dodge dealership. It acted fine last night but on the way to work this am it started acting up again while driving it on a major hwy while raining, the wipers were spraying fluid everywhere, then they just stopped while its pouring down. The doors started unlocking and locking by themselves. The horn did not start blowing this time because the dealership unhooked it yesterday. I have googled problems with this and it all shows a faulty tipm. They have recalled the tipm in the newer models of the dodge nitros but not in the 2008s. It will cost $900 to replace the part!!! I can not afford this!! I shouldn't have to pay this when it is the company's fault this is very dangerous!

Filed Dec 15, 2015 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 dodge nitro. The contact stated that the automatic door locks malfunctioned preventing the doors from unlocking. In addition, the contact mentioned that the doors would unlock independently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000.

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 Nov 14, 2015 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · PA

My door locks were not locking via car door lock buttons and key remote.only could unlock via key remote and door button. And had to manually lock doors. Replaced m38 fuse that was blown. Still didn't work researched online and removed neg. Cable from battery for 10-15 mins. Also remove iod fuse, nothing now my car will not do anything!!! Only thing working is the mirror buttons and dome lights button. Nothing!!!! Wth!!! Researched online and alot of people with same problem. Seems it may be the tipm !! Chrysler needs to own up to this problem and fix/recall the 2008 dodge nitro too!! Now have to havevehicle towedto dealership to get it fixed. Andthe $1400 extended warrenty I purchased just expired in jan.!!!! Also the fan/blower fortheheat wasnot working at all. Thismay be the resistor but can't look into thisbecause car sont start or do anything!!!!!

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.