Dodge Nitro problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 126 owner complaints and 6 recalls on file for the Dodge Nitro (2007–2012). The 2008 Nitro has the most serious complaints, most often about electrical system.

Complaints
126
Recalls
6
Model years
6
Worst year
2008

Complaints by model year

5320073420084200913201021201112012
NHTSA complaints per Dodge Nitro model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Dodge Nitro years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2008 Dodge Nitro — 34 complaints, 2 crashes, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System
  2. 2007 Dodge Nitro — 53 complaints, 2 fires; top problem: Electrical System

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2012 (1 complaints).

Every Dodge Nitro model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2012 Nitro10001Electrical System
2011 Nitro211003Electrical System
2010 Nitro130003Airbags
2009 Nitro40001Airbags
2008 Nitro342242Electrical System
2007 Nitro530222Electrical System

Most common Dodge Nitro problem areas (all years)

  • Electrical System
    58 complaints
  • Airbags
    28 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    19 complaints
  • Engine
    14 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    14 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    12 complaints
  • Steering
    11 complaints
  • Brakes
    9 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    6 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    6 complaints

Complaint trend

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Complaints about the Dodge Nitro received by NHTSA each month.

Dodge Nitro recalls

  • Recall 20V396000Jul 7, 2020925,239 vehiclesModel years 2007–2011

    Risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 13V282000Jul 2, 2013442,320 vehiclesModel years 2011–2012

    Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.

  • Recall 13V121000Apr 3, 201362,578 vehiclesModel years 2007–2008

    Risk: 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.

  • Recall 11V315000Jun 8, 201111,096 vehiclesModel years 2011

    Risk: A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.

  • Recall 10V315000Jul 7, 201020,626 vehiclesModel years 2010

    Risk: This could lead to loss of brake fluid and reduced braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 10V009000Jan 11, 201020,045 vehiclesModel years 2010

    Risk: This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.

Other Dodge models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology