Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Dodge Nitro, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system198
- Fuel system, gasoline66
- Fuel/propulsion system46
- Exterior lighting38
- Visibility/wiper37
- Engine29
- Service brakes27
- Power train26
- Unknown or other25
- Air bags23
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 18 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 30 2008 Nitro vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 9 people died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2008 Dodge Nitro failed the safety check 2.86% of the time — 15% more often than the average 2008 passenger car (2.48%). Median odometer at inspection: 145,867 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
129 first registered in 2008 are on Dutch roads; 26% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €41,435.
Most common APK defects
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm69
- Waarschuwingsinrichting controlesysteem bandenspanning geeft54
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)53
- Band onvoldoende profiel49
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde43
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt42
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld40
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect40
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
486 cars built in 2008 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 253 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 591 of these cars first registered in 2008 took their annual MOT test. 51% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2008 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 27.6% | 11.3% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 27.1% | 19.8% |
| Suspension | 13.9% | 17.2% |
| Visibility | 9.0% | 6.7% |
| Tyres | 6.6% | 7.6% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.6% | 7.3% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
31 of these cars first registered in 2008 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 289,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
209 2008 cars are on the New Zealand register; 67% arrived as used imports, 30% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 3 variants: combined 12.6–13.1 L/100 km (about 18–19 mpg US), CO₂ 290–301 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitro · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.4 | 10.5 | 12.6 |
| Nitro · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.8 | 10.7 | 13.0 |
| Nitro · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.7 | 11.2 | 13.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2008 Dodge Nitro.
| 2020311 8 Jul 2020 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, the emblem on the steering wheel could become loose. If this happens, the emblem or its retainers could become projectiles when th… |
| 2013102 5 Apr 2013 | Powertrain On certain vehicles, the tunnel heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, which could eventually result in the drive shaft breaking and loss of moti… |
| 2008372 10 Oct 2008 | Other On certain vehicles equipped with a manual transmission, the park brake lever clutch drum may distort and reduce the effectiveness of the park brake system. Th… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Dodge told its dealers about the 2008 Dodge Nitro: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10248509 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10244348 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10229181 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10223854 | Service - Four Piece Oil Pan Gasket All Cummins Equipped Vehicles ONLY - The replacement oil pan gasket can be a four piece gasket rather than a single piece gasket. This applies to Cummins 5.9L and 6.7L engines only. Installation: 1. Clean the oil pan T-joints.~ 2. Fill the T-joint between the pan rail/gear housing and pan rail/rear seal retainer with sealant. Use Mopar Silicone Rubber Adhesive Sealant or equivalent. 3. Apply a 2-mm [0.063-in] bead of Mopar Engine Sealant RTV Silicone Rubber Adhesive, to the oil pan flange.~ 4. The four piece gasket will need to be assembled to make |
| 10223602 | Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is compatible with both EGR and Non-EGR applications. An EGR Block-Off Plate (53032739AA) must be ordered when installing this Long Block Assembly in a Non-EGR application. Unless, the EGR Block-Off Plate is being transferred from the old engine. |
| 10223599 | Part Description: Valve Body Assembly Issue Description: Valve body design was changed between 2010MY and 2011MY applications. To prevent mix matching valve bodies and solenoid packs the connectors are color coded.~ Valve bodies with a white connector can be used on 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Valve bodies with a gray connector can only be used on 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years.~ Solenoid packs with a white connector are used with 2010, 2009, 2008..., model years. Solenoid packs with a gray connector are used with 2011, 2012, 2013..., model years. |
| 10221831 | (Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns |
| 10221097 | Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1. All Promaster (VF) 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the transmission bracket to the transmission case fasteners are removed during servicing, the fasteners (Part Number 06511385A$) are one-time usage. Vehicles built prior to 10/23/2015 requires Service Kit PN 68461214AA; includes Transmission Isolator PN 68264483AA, and Adaptation Bracket 68264479AA and Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA Vehicles built after on or after 10/23/2015 will require only the Fastener Service Kit PN 68329056AA. 2. All 3.6L/62TE equipped vehicles. If the vehicle you are repair |
| 10220843 | NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then install the transmission |
| 10220576 | SAFETY RECAL W09 DRIVER AIR BAG EMBLEM Updated Dealer Instructions |
| 10220471 | Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio. |
| 10220101 | Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts. |
| 10220099 | Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts. |
| 10220097 | Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage. |
| 10218307 | Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands Free Module (HFM). The customer may describe the following conditions: A complete loss of UConnect operation. A complete loss of Voice Recognition functionality |
| 10216395 | Gasoline Engine Diagnostic Inspection Procedure This bulletin provides a procedure to determine repair versus replacement of a gasoline long block engine assembly. This procedure is to be used prior to conducting any engine related repairs or removal of engine components. |
| 10216269 | 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. |
| 10215825 | 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 it to break. |
| 10204370 | Customer Satisfaction Notification Y22 Driver Airbag Emblem |
| 10204368 | Customer Satisfaction Notification Y22 Driver Airbag Emblem |
| 10191460 | Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling. |
| 10191442 | Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio. |
| 10190590 | NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then install the transmission |
| 10188780 | SAFETY RECAL W09 DRIVER AIR BAG EMBLEM Updated Dealer Instructions |
| 10188658 | 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 it to break. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation