KnownCarProblems2008 Dodge Nitro Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 393 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Nitro, most often about the electrical (50% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Nitro model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2008 Dodge Nitro problems
Electrical
198 complaints · 50%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: horn, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
I pushed the unlock button on my key and opened the drivers side door to get in and that's when the problems began. The horn started blaring non stop, the front and rear windshield wipers were going at various speeds and my lights were flashing and the blinkers were going off. I tried to put my key in the ignition and…
This vehicle caught on fire in may, we got it put out, and I turned it into my insurance company, they had US take it to a garage and I did. I took it to waterfront jeep garage, they said they didn't see anything that had been on fire and we told them how the wires are and everything. We paid $94 to get it back. I was…
Fuel system
112 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage.
With every fuel fill up I attempt, upon completion when the fuel pump shuts off and stops pumping the vehicle 'spits up' fuel spewing it on the car and ground. I have found no way to avoid this, even pumping slower or attempting to pull the nozzle out at the end quickly or leaving it in to block spewage. It is…
When putting gas in my 2008 Dodge Nitro at the end of the fill gasoline will erupt from the fill spout and spill over the car and the ground.
Visibility and wipers
40 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 86,500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, power window devices and controls.
Wife was driving home from a dinner date with a friend, we were on the phone with each other when the horn started going crazy, wipers rear and front started running on their own spitting out washer fluid, door locks going crazy, both horns going off constantly, and accelerator not working properly. She pulled over…
I walked out to my car one morning to make a trip into town. The instant I opened the door the horn started blaring without a pause, the windshield wipers both front and rear were running on their top speed. I have absolutely no control over the car. I cant even get it out of park to have a tow truck pick it up. The…
Lights
39 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 89,500 miles.
I have been a police officer for over 21 plus years of my life worse Dodge vehicle I have ever owned. This vehicle is a 2008 Dodge Nitro.I am praying that this will help before somebody gets killed in this vehicle. The road noise in this vehicle is so loud u cant hear yourself talk. The vehicle started shooting wiper…
The windshield wipers ran as fast as they could without US being able to shut them off. We had no turn signals or headlights. This was diagnosed as a faulty tipm. We paid $1100 to have it replaced and reprogrammed.
Engine
37 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The first time it happened I had just turned off the highway and the vehicle completely shut down but the horn was going non stop and the wipers too. I couldn't pull over because the steering was not working correctly. I eventually was able to get it to stop when my fianc attempted to unhook the battery. This has…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. While driving 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer and was in the process of being diagnosed. The…
Brakes
32 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles.
All things electrical go crazy, locks are locking and unlocking on there own, even when I am driving down the road and eventually don't work at all. Lights don't work on drivers side of car. I push the brake and the dome light in the hatch area on passenger floor light up. All sensor lights are on, in the dash area…
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…
Transmission
26 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I have been a police officer for over 21 plus years of my life worse Dodge vehicle I have ever owned. This vehicle is a 2008 Dodge Nitro.I am praying that this will help before somebody gets killed in this vehicle. The road noise in this vehicle is so loud u cant hear yourself talk. The vehicle started shooting wiper…
Premature rust through of oil pan and trans. Pan. Due to defective materials. Will leak and cause a possible fire and or loss of control of the vehicle.
Other or unspecified
25 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles.
The headlights randomly turn on and off even when the car is not running. This is draining the battery frequently. Replacing the battery has not helped with this issue. The turn signals will randomly begin blinking while I'm driving. The horn has begun sporadically beeping while driving and also when the car is off…
The car has turned off while driving on the city street. Also, the car's horn, window wipers and lights in side have just started going on for no reason while leaving for school. Even after stopping car and turning it off, everything was still going on. I've heard it's a tipm issue with Dodge's vehicles.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Dodge Nitro recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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 recall is w09.
Full defect summary
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 of a driver air bag deployment.
Body and structure: structure
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.
Fix: 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 campaign number is n10.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: This could allow the vehicle to move inadvertently and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Totally integrated power module failure
Summary
In a letter dated august 21, 2014, the center for auto safety (cas) petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the totally integrated power module (tipm) installed in chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year. The petitioner alleges that tipm defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On september 25, 2014, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened dp14-004 to evaluate the petition for a grant or deny decision. Odi analyzed complaint data provided by cas as
Questions about the 2008 Dodge Nitro
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (198 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); fuel system (112 complaints, typically around 49,500 miles); visibility and wipers (40 complaints, typically around 86,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from July 7, 2020 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Dodge Nitro?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Nitro model year since 2000, with 393 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.