10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 78,511 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
It started with all dash lights coming on saying it had issues and then just stopped dead in road. I had tpim put in, then alternator, and then new battery. Was fine and then head lights stopped coming on. Next, it starting with horn, and everything under the sun coming on and not stopping. Took to shop and they thought they found it, and drove for a day and as soon as I turned on headlights it stalled. In motion on a street driving.
- Aiken, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that when the vehicle was unlocked, the alarm, windshield wipers, and horn engaged. The electronic throttle control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer Carolina Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram (1001 halstead blvd, elizabeth city, nc 27909, (252) 391-9609) where it was diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred with the check engine warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 147,668.
- Edenton, NC, USA
The door locks for the rear doors do not work. The engine heater core also stopped providing heat to the car. Even after cleaning it out.
- Schofield, WI, USA
While driving car stalls for no rhyme or reason at different times. I've almost put it in the ditch multiple times now. Thankfully all while going 25-40mph and not faster on the highway
- Culdesac, ID, USA
Since I purchased the vehicle in 2010, it's had strange electrical issues. First, the door locks have been malfunctioning. After a couple of uses, they no longer respond to the remote, or door lock button. Nor will they automatically lock while the vehicle is in motion. That's very dangerous. The second issue is that the horn would randomly honk. The honking stopped for about a year. Tonight, the honking started at random and wouldn't stop. The key wasn't in the ignition and the car was parked. I had to remove the negative battery cable to avoid a visit from the police for disturbing the peace. The third issue is that the airbag light came on. Yet another strange issue. When starting the engine, there will be S long start as if the starter stays engaged for too long. Sometimes, the engine will start, not idle and just stop. The engine has started and barely had any power and would barely move.
- Concord, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. Within months of purchasing the vehicle, it stalled several times without warning. An independent mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure, but stated that the totally integrated power module may need to be replaced. The contact planned to take the vehicle to milford Chrysler (500 us-209, milford, pa 18337, 1-(570) 296-2636) for further diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: DP14004 (electrical system). The manufacturer issued two tsbs on the electrical system, but no recalls. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
- Milford, PA, USA
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.
- Brook Park, OH, USA
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.
- Kannapolis, NC, USA
There have been variant problems such as the power locks stop working or go on and off by themselves, even when no one is by the car (we can hear it). Now the car turns off while driving, even just goes black on the dash and the engine stops.
- Lake Geneva, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. While driving approximately 20 mph, a very strong odor of burning motor oil was present inside the vehicle. The contact turned the heater off and lowered the windows. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times for the odor coming from the engine. The dealer diagnosed that the odor was from the doc work residue, but never was repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the newer models had filters to prevent the issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and filed case number: 31564442. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000. Updated 06/29/17
- Roland, OK, USA
I seen that you guys had a recall on a Dodge Nitro 2008 I was wondering if I can bring it in and you guys can inspect it my phone numbers [xxx] my first name is [xxx] was a little worried when I read this 3 recalls on it my address is [xxx] sometimes when you crack the key at it will cut off. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Chicago, IL, USA
Throttle sticking. Have to pull over and restart. Will not restart all the time. Dash door icon indicates rear door is open when it is not. Safety issues may not have a place to pull car over when throttle is sticking.from 2006-2012 Dodge was had these electrical and engine problems plus others. From day one why no recalls on these problems
- Cleburne, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving 35 mph. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 107,000.
- Roseville, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to eventually restart the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
- Belleville, MI, USA
Randomly the car shuts off while driving! almost died!!! also horn will honk continuously and wipes turn on randomly. Car seems posessed. Scary and unsafe, 50,000 miles on it. Issue has occurred several times. If I hit the tipm with my hand the car returns to normal until the next episode.
- Southampton, PA, USA
Without warning while driving or stationary, the vehicles horn will honk steadily, wipers and squirters will operate, door locks will lock and unlock, head lights will flash, and engine will die (if in motion). All simultaneously.it is very hard to control a car at hiway speeds when all of these things happen and the motor shuts off. I have read forums online and have found that the totally integrated power module (tipm) is the cause of these problems. I have filed a complaint with Chrysler and they informed me that there are no recalls for the tipm for my year and that this is not a safety issue. I do not agree with them. No engine warning light comes on and there is no warning.... it just happens.
- Liberty, MO, USA
Was driving on highway; engine died, windshield wipers and washer came on, dash lights flashing all over the place. Managed to coast on to shoulder and pulled battery cables loose to make the electrical circus stop. When it had cooled down some, I re-attached the battery and it started and ran normally. Has happened 2 times since then, and today, it won't start.
- Sapulpa, OK, USA
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 manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- Las Vegas, NV, USA
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 happened about 4 times totally. The last time I was driving home from work at night, it was dark and the wipers went crazy and my lights went out then the vehicle just shut down, I couldn't see anything, thank god no car was passing by. At times it doesn't want to start but the wipers come on. I took it to the shop and after a few hrs they said it was the integrated power module. Very expensive that I can't fix right now. Very unsafe!
- Claypool, IN, USA
- Thurmont, MD, USA