vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

Dodge NITRO problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

1,114 owner complaints analyzed

11 distinct recall campaigns

72,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 to 2012 model years. Data snapshot: . 878 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 414 of 1,114 complaints (37.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues18816.9%
Fuel system concerns16414.7%
Braking behavior13512.1%
Engine operation1029.2%
Steering behavior625.6%
Transmission and shifting575.1%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
414
Fuel System, Gasoline
152
Fuel/Propulsion System
130
Air Bags
102
Engine
91
Power Train
89
Unknown Or Other
80
Visibility/Wiper
69
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System414
Fuel System, Gasoline152
Fuel/Propulsion System130
Air Bags102
Engine91
Power Train89
Unknown Or Other80
Visibility/Wiper69

Electrical System: 414; Fuel System, Gasoline: 152; Fuel/Propulsion System: 130; Air Bags: 102; Engine: 91; Power Train: 89; Unknown Or Other: 80; Visibility/Wiper: 69

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
112
25,000 to 49,999
163
50,000 to 74,999
174
75,000 to 99,999
171
100,000 to 149,999
189
150,000 and above
69
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,000112
25,000 to 49,999163
50,000 to 74,999174
75,000 to 99,999171
100,000 to 149,999189
150,000 and above69

Under 25,000: 112; 25,000 to 49,999: 163; 50,000 to 74,999: 174; 75,000 to 99,999: 171; 100,000 to 149,999: 189; 150,000 and above: 69

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (189). 236 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2007
26
2008
12
2009
17
2010
79
2011
99
2012
94
2013
111
2014
125
2015
132
2016
79
2017
60
2018
76
2019
78
2020
38
2021
37
2022
19
2023
14
2024
4
2025
10
2026
4
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
200726
200812
200917
201079
201199
201294
2013111
2014125
2015132
201679
201760
201876
201978
202038
202137
202219
202314
20244
202510
20264

2007: 26; 2008: 12; 2009: 17; 2010: 79; 2011: 99; 2012: 94; 2013: 111; 2014: 125; 2015: 132; 2016: 79; 2017: 60; 2018: 76; 2019: 78; 2020: 38; 2021: 37; 2022: 19; 2023: 14; 2024: 4; 2025: 10; 2026: 4

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 188 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 164 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 135 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10424531 · 2011-09-09 (September 9, 2011)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY AND ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, INCLUDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND HORN. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN THE KEYS WERE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY TIPM MODULE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED SINCE THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WAS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER. THE CURRENT MILE…

Owner-reported narrative. 64,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424531 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10186941 · 2007-04-03 (April 3, 2007)

INSIDE DOME LIGHT KEEPS TURNING ON WHILE DRIVING,DOOR AJAR INDICATOR KEEPS LIGHTING UP, ALARM KEEPS SOUNDING FOR NO REASON RUNNING DOWN BATTERY,INDICATOR FOR LOW TIRE PRESSURE IS LIGHTING UP WHEN TIRE PRESSURE IS GOOD.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10186941 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10272689 · 2009-06-02 (June 2, 2009)

AS YOU ARE PUTTING GAS INTO THE FUEL TANK IT WILL OVERFLOW FROM FILLER SPOUT AND SPILL OUT CAUSING A HAZARDOUS CONDITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM. THIS WILL HAPPEN NOT MATTER THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. I WAS TOLD BY DEALER THAT THE HOLE INTO THE GAS TANK IS SMALLER THAN THE FILL LINE AND CAUSES BACK UP. IF YOU TRY TO FILL VERY SLOW THE SENSOR IN THE PUMP DOES NOT DETECT AND IT OVERFLOWS. DEALER HAS REPLACED GAS TANK BUT DID NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10272689 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10286024 · 2009-10-01 (October 1, 2009)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. WHILE ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE PRESENT. WHENEVER THE FUEL BEING ADDED WAS NEAR IT'S CAPACITY IT RAPIDLY BEGAN LEAKING ON THE FLOOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 7 TO 8 TIMES. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FUEL LEAK WILL BE REPAIRED PER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40000. UPDATED 11/06/09. *LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENTIRE GAS TANK. UPDATED 11/09/09

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10286024 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10196048 · 2007-07-11 (July 11, 2007)

MY COMPLAINT IS IN REGARD TO THE NEW DODGE NITRO. ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING , TWICE AT SPEEDS OF APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND ONCE WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, I LOST POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS. NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, NO CONTROL. LUCKILY, WITHIN 2-3 SECONDS IT LITERALLY TURNED ITSELF BACK ON. WHEN I COMPLAINED OF THIS TO MY DEALER'S MAINTENANCE SHOP , ARRIGO DODGE ON OKEECHOBEE IN WEST PALM BEACH, THEY DISMISSED IT AS SOME TYPE OF GLITCH, AND DIDN'T SEE HOW THEY COULD SIMULATE A 5 HOUR ROAD-TRIP. WHICH WAS THE SITUATION WHEN…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10196048 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10199091 · 2007-08-10 (August 10, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH SHE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED HEAD ON INTO A DITCH. SHE STATED THAT HER HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND HER CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED HOWEVER, THE FRONT AIRBAGS DID NOT. THE POLICE ONSITE STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT APPLIED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES CAUSED THE CRASH. SHE SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER CHEST, FOREHEAD AND LEGS AND SUFFERED A SWOLLEN HEAD, SHOULDER AND NECK. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ANTILOCK BRAKES (NHTSA CA…

Owner-reported narrative. 19,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10199091 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10188496 · 2007-04-21 (April 21, 2007)

WITH ONLY 4,500 MILES ON MY 2007 DODGE NITRO, THE ENTIRE ENGINE STALLED, DIED, WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, GOING ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR. POWER LOSS WAS COMPLETE, NO RADIO, NO ENGINE, ALL LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CAME ON. THE OUTAGE LASTED ABOUT , I GUESS 30 SECS TO 1 MINUTE, THEN THE ENGINE CAME BACK ON AS DID THE RADIO. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ON THE INSIDE LANE AND HAD IT NOT RESTARTED, I WAS IN A WRECK FOR SURE AS A BIG TRUCK WAS BEHIND ME, ANOTHER CAR NEXT TO ME IN THE OUTSIDE LANE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER WHICH SAYS IT …

Owner-reported narrative. 4,619 miles reported. Look up ODI 10188496 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10189675 · 2007-05-03 (May 3, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO SLT. SINCE ITS PURCHASE IN FEBRUARY O 2007 THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES FOR RANDOM STALLING. AFTER THE FIRST COUPLE OF OCCURRENCES THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP. THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP FOR FAILURE AGAIN THE CONTACT TOLD THE MECHANICS TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR A DAY IN HOPES THAT THEY COULD DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC OBEYED , AND CALLED THE CONTACT THE NEXT DAY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE C…

Owner-reported narrative. 560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10189675 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10192770 · 2007-06-08 (June 8, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF TWICE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH DOWN AN EXIT RAMP, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE VIN AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY CHRYSLER TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 1,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 800.

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192770 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10191790 · 2007-05-26 (May 26, 2007)

SERIOUS TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEMS CAUSED BOG DOWN IN GEAR CHANGING, THEN SURGING . ALSO, JUST SHUT DOWN VEHICLE, LEAVING DRIVER POWERLESS TO PREVENT A REAR END COLLISION. TERRIBLE PROBLEM, THAT WAS NOT CORRECTED BY CURRENT CHRYSLER'S TSB. I HAD COMPUTER UPDATE AND NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, AND STILL SHIFTING PROBLEMS. LOUD CLANKING NOISES, BUMPS WHILE SHIFTING. STRANGE SOUNDS AND VIBRATIONS FROM UNDER FLOORBOARDS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GOT SERIOUSLY HURT. CRYSLER NEEDED TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS AND QUIT MAKING EX…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,546 miles reported. Look up ODI 10191790 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10193621 · 2007-06-18 (June 18, 2007)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHIN THE SEVEN MONTHS OF THE CONTACT OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION IS TAKING LONGER TO ENGAGE AFTER EACH FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,000.

Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10193621 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2005
0
2007
7
2008
3
2009
1
2010
3
2011
3
2012
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20050
20077
20083
20091
20103
20113
20121

2005: 0; 2007: 7; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 3; 2011: 3; 2012: 1

Year-by-year records

Dodge NITRO model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
200510Not available
20074947Not available
20083933-4
2009241-2
2010783+2
201112230
201221-2