Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Dodge Nitro, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system1
- Equipment adaptive/mobility1
- Air bags1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
In New Zealand
111 2012 cars are on the New Zealand register; 14% arrived as used imports, 82% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2012 Dodge Nitro.
| 2013231 4 Jul 2013 | Airbag On certain vehicles, the airbag warning lamp may illuminate due to an electrical fault within the Occupant Restraint Control (ORC) module. As a result, the Act… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
13V282000 · Air bags2 Jul 2013 · 442,320 vehicles
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
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 2012 Dodge Nitro: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10248517 | LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect. |
| 10248509 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved. |
| 10244356 | LIFTER, Hydraulic Roller Deactivating Please do not replace MDS lifters because the disconnecting pin is not lined up, this is normal and not a defect. |
| 10244348 | Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, 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. |
| 10242717 | Lubrication and Maintenance Fluids If MOPAR fluids and chemicals are not readily available, please review Service Library for specifications so a suitable alternative can be used |
| 10236933 | wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK |
| 10230180 | Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle. |
| 10229871 | Dielectric Grease This product is no longer approved for use on ignition coil and spark plug boots. Current plug boot material(silicone) is not compatible with this grease and can cause deterioration over time. |
| 10229572 | Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes when welding steel body panels and structural components. |
| 10227983 | If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils. |
| 10225424 | Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes when welding steel body panels and structural components. |
| 10225287 | Approved Use of Weld Through Primers This bulletin documents the FCA US LLC position regarding the use of weld through primer when using Squeeze Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) processes when welding steel body panels and structural components. |
| 10224083 | Active Head Restraint (AHR) Inadvertent Deployment - X85 Warranty Extension This bulletin involves inspecting the sled bracket striker pin and possibly replacing a front seat AHR that has inadvertently deployed. Customers may comment on the following:The AHR is deployed on one or both front seats and will not reset. |
| 10224064 | Warranty Bulletin D-20-17 (X85) Active Head Restraint - Select 2012-2013 Jeep Liberty (KK) and 2012 Dodge Nitro (KA) (Rev. A) |
| 10224058 | Warranty Bulletin D-20-17 (X85) Active Head Restraint - Select 2010-2013 Jeep Liberty (KK) and 2010-2012 Dodge Nitro (KA) |
| 10223855 | Washer Fluid Level Sensor Prior to replacing this part due to "Low Washer Fluid" tell tale light on the dash and the washer fluid bottle is full, please perform the this inspection. Inspect the sensor for a fluid coating on the sensor pins. Orange colored rain repellant can cause this fluid build-up. Clean the pins, drain the reservoir, and fill with Mopar approved washer fluid. Check to determine if the issue has been resolved. Continue with repair if necessary. Also, please inform the customer not to use Rain-X in the system to avoid this issue. Please contact Chuck Hood at cell (248 |
| 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. |
| 10221594 | Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle. |
| 10221150 | Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders |
| 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 |
| 10220993 | RHR Radio Issue Description: Issue 1: While performing RHR radio reflash (software update), on rare occasions, the flash can fail to properly update the radio resulting in the radio running in Emergency IFS mode. This error condition can occur due to interrupting the software update, background radio operations interfering with the reflash process, etc. The radio will reboot, but with limited functionality ( may include but are not limited to: NAV, Voice Recognition, Bluetooth, or AUX jack are inop, no available space shown on HDD, etc.). The radio can still be properly updated by si |
| 10220576 | SAFETY RECAL W09 DRIVER AIR BAG EMBLEM Updated Dealer Instructions |
| 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. |
| 10220098 | Authentic Mopar Glass Replacement This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the recommended usage of Authentic Mopar Glass. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)