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Dodge Nitro won't start problems

40 of the 1,114 owner complaints about the Dodge Nitro describe won't start, most of them for the 2008 model year.

owner complaints
40
worst model year
2008
typical mileage
95,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

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 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 Aug 23, 2022 · IN

Throttle body light came on car died. Thought it was throttle body replaced it didn’t start. It has crank but no start. Have had 11 people look at it now have replaced spark plugs, coils, battery terminals, crankshaft sensor, camshaft sensor, fuel pump but the car still will not start. I was told the tipm could cause this issue I need to know what else I can do. I have no vehicle now can’t work due to this and I am struggling to get by. No codes show up, no blinking red light for the key, checked the fuses, checked fuel pressure. Been down a month now.

Filed Dec 17, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Four total incidents of the vehicle engine shutting off while driving the car. Most recent today 12-17-21 was placed in extremely dangerous situation and was almost rear ended 5 times by other vehicles traveling at speeds greater than 55 mph. 1st instance occurred back in 2007 traveling West bound on I635 in Dallas (speed of 65mph) engine shut off, loss of power steering coasted to side of road. 2nd incident Fall 2007 - from complete stop to turn left and cross divided highway, the engine shut down right in the middle of the intersection and was nearly broadsided by oncoming car traveling at 45 mph. 3rd incident happened while driving in my neighborhood, engine shut down and loss of power to steering. Daimler Chrysler issued a recall to reprogram the TPIM module back in 2008 to address the problem. Nothing since then until today. I am the original Owner of this car and it has been well maintained and is still covered under the manufacturers warranty for as long as I own the vehicle. What has prompted me to report this problem is the fact that I could have been seriously injured. There was no warning whatsoever and the place where this took place had a blind spot as the car lost power during the climb and coasted at 2 mph down slope on a bend on the bridge. Cars traveling towards me had no visibility to my vehicle which was for all practical purposes at a stand still. I notified the Dodge Chrysler dealership of what took place and will also contact MOPAR to raise this serious problem. If a vehicle doesn't start is one thing, but to have a car loose power out of nowhere without warning has almost cost me serious harm on multiple occasions. Daimler Chrysler should do something before loss of life takes place.

Filed Nov 23, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 178,000 miles · NC

Tipm malfunctions..vehicle vibrated and shut off while driving..starter cranked continuously without turning engine over. Continuously ran fuel pump which caused need for replacing,and a new battery as well. After replacing fuel pump,and battery,the vehicle shut off again..while driving. The vehicle,again will not start. Starter keeps running unless you turn the key to the "off position"

Filed Aug 2, 2020 · Electrical · 63,000 miles · VA

Was driving it an the whole dash lights up random codes now won't start

Filed May 11, 2020 · Electrical · 168,000 miles · NY

Two issues. It stalls going at speed on highway and it also had the dashboard light up like an xmas tree with everything going on and then the car will not start. Everything has power when this happens but the truck will not start at all. When you exit the vehicle, the truck still acts like the lights are on and the key is ignition as it dings as a warning. I have had the power module replaced twice and the same thing happens.

Filed May 8, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · GA

The tipm on this nitro is causing safety issues. Its stalled going down the highway. It cranks but doesn't start. The wipers will not turn off. It throws up strange error codes then they just go off. My steering wheel controls and cruise control works when they feel like it. Some issues happen while driving , but some happen when stationary.

Filed Dec 11, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 162,000 miles · PA

When I tried to start the dodge nitro the doors locked , horn blows, wipers and fluid run. And now the car wont start at all. Unhooked the battery terminal and hooked it back up, doors all lock with keys inside. There was a recall on 2007 nitros for the same reasons. Why wont they fix the 2008 models as well. There really needs to be a recall on this

Filed Aug 24, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 173,543 miles · SC

The total integrated power module has gone, car won't run, anti-theft alarm won't stop going off. The car is stationary, only way to stop alarm was to unhook battery cables. Lights flashing, windshield wipes going, windshield fluid pouring out, horn blurring, this has happened 6 time, now car won't start, but the anti-theft alarm keeps going *dt

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Dodge Nitro won't start

Which Dodge Nitro years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2008 (18 complaints), 2007 (13 complaints) and 2011 (5 complaints).

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