2008 DODGE NITRO — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
608
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
7
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2008 DODGE NITRO
The 2008 DODGE NITRO has received a total of 608 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR, STRUCTURE. 7 technical service bulletins have been issued by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (193 complaints), Fuel System Gasoline (65 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (46 complaints).
Recalls for the 2008 DODGE NITRO
NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2008 DODGE NITRO, potentially affecting up to 2,041,875 vehicles.
Recall 20V396000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 925,239 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 20V396000 — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
| 925,239 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 13V121000 — STRUCTURE
| 62,578 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 13V121000 — AIR BAGS
| 62,578 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 13V121000 — POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
| 62,578 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 08V525000 — PARKING BRAKE
| 3,663 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2008 DODGE NITRO
608 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 DODGE NITRO. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000(Power Train, Air Bags, Structure), which the contact's son related to the failure. The failure mileage was 203,000.
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000(Power Train, Air Bags, Structure), which the contact's son related to the failure. The failure mileage was 203,000.
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 NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000(Power Train, Air Bags, Structure), which the contact's son related to the failure. The failure mileage was 203,000.
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2008 DODGE NITRO
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2008 DODGE NITRO in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2008 DODGE NITRO
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) has issued 7 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2008 DODGE NITRO. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
DOR-X2F3G-02 — VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
This SKU is a Power Window Regulator and Motor Assembly. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the geometry of the part. There is a feature on the assembly that is intended to provide clearance to the door handle, it may not provide enough clearance which could...
DOR-U3S6H-02 — STRUCTURE
This SKU is a Power Window Regulator and Motor Assembly. The customer communication requested return of unsold inventory to inspect the geometry of the part. There is a feature on the assembly that is intended to provide clearance to the door handle, it may not provide enough clearance which could...
N10040413 — POWER TRAIN
Some of the above vehicles may experience a condition where the underbody transmission tunnel shield may partially separate from the vehicle floor pan and contact the aluminum driveshaft. Operating the vehicle with the transmission tunnel shield rubbing against the driveshaft could weaken the driveshaft at the rub point and cause...
N10040413 — EQUIPMENT
Some of the above vehicles may experience a condition where the underbody transmission tunnel shield may partially separate from the vehicle floor pan and contact the aluminum driveshaft. Operating the vehicle with the transmission tunnel shield rubbing against the driveshaft could weaken the driveshaft at the rub point and cause...
N10040413 — STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
Some of the above vehicles may experience a condition where the underbody transmission tunnel shield may partially separate from the vehicle floor pan and contact the aluminum driveshaft. Operating the vehicle with the transmission tunnel shield rubbing against the driveshaft could weaken the driveshaft at the rub point and cause...
14-003-13 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Fuel Spit Back During Refueling Due To Inlet Check Valve (X46 Lifetime Warranty Extension) This bulletin involves replacing the fuel tank with a revised part. Some customers may experience a fuel spit back condition during a refueling event.
SB-21-001-10 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
JEEP: MANUAL TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION POPS OUT OF FIRST GEAR WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CONDITION, MAY OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND MAY BE DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE. VERIFY THAT THE SHIFT BOOT IS NOT CAUSING THE ISSUE BY ENSURING THE BOOT IS NOT BINDING WHEN IN FIRST GEAR. *PE
NHTSA Investigations for the 2008 DODGE NITRO
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the DODGE NITRO
- 2005 DODGE NITRO — 1 complaint
- 2007 DODGE NITRO — 676 complaints
- 2008 DODGE NITRO (current)
- 2009 DODGE NITRO — 36 complaints
- 2010 DODGE NITRO — 111 complaints
- 2011 DODGE NITRO — 197 complaints
- 2012 DODGE NITRO — 3 complaints
Other DODGE Models
- DODGE DURANGO — 19,139 total complaints
- DODGE GRAND CARAVAN — 18,729 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 1500 — 15,420 total complaints
- DODGE CARAVAN — 14,266 total complaints
- DODGE DAKOTA — 9,227 total complaints
- DODGE CHARGER — 8,114 total complaints
- DODGE RAM 2500 — 8,092 total complaints
- DODGE INTREPID — 8,078 total complaints