Dodge Nitro Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 1,111 consumer complaints across the 5 model years of the Dodge Nitro (2007–2011) that have at least 5 complaints. 2007 has the most, with 494. Across all years, the part named most often is electrical system (421 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Nitro model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 122 | 61,500 | 3 | 86 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2010 | 78 | 70,000 | 3 | 68 | 29 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 24 | 95,716 | 1 | 50 | — | Stable |
| 2008 | 393 | 79,000 | 3 | 59 | 81 · More | Falling |
| 2007 | 494 | 70,000 | 7 | 62 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Electrical system421 34%
- Fuel system286 23%
- Air bags104 8.3%
- Transmission and drivetrain102 8.1%
- Engine91 7.3%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)87 6.9%
- Other or unknown83 6.6%
- Brakes78 6.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2007: “I recently had a random deployment of my side airbags. I was not in a collision and had just drove over a pothole in the road. Although no serious injuries, my family and I have neck soreness and are shaken. If this would have happened spontaneously on a freeway or busy road, I am not sure I would be able to say 'no serious injuries'.”
NHTSA complaint #11364805, filed 2020-10, 158,000 miles2009: “While driving over ice on the winter I was approaching a stop sign. I pressed on my brakes lightly to avoid sliding over the ice, the vehicle still slided and, the ABS, bas, brake and slippery lights turned on immediately after it came to a complete stop and the push back on the brakes stopped working. The lights turn off for a week or so and then they turn back on.”
NHTSA complaint #11104650, filed 2018-06, 181,000 miles2008: “Driving on a long stretch of dark highway, lights started flickering on and off, finally lights went totally out leaving me in the dark not able to see forward I then crashed into the side of the off road scary, next day took to shop they said it was the tipm, goes out every 4 to 6 months going on my 3rd one lights are out, lighter, and window”
NHTSA complaint #10994356, filed 2017-06, 210,000 milesOther Dodge models
13,779 complaintsDodge Grand Caravan
13,511 complaintsDodge RAM 1500
12,422 complaintsDodge Caravan
10,523 complaintsDodge Dakota
6,626 complaintsDodge RAM 2500
6,443 complaintsDodge Intrepid
6,223 complaintsDodge Charger
5,732 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology