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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2008 Dodge Nitro Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
26about this part
Share
7%of 393 total for the year
Median mileage
95,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 7% of the 393 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“1. Every time I fill up gas spilld out all over! 2. The gear shift pops out of first gear on a regular basis when taking of from a stop. 3. The emergency brake has stopped working at all! I contacted my local dealership with a recall I received on the under body transmission tunnel shield and they have yet to fix the problem say im on the list its been months!”

NHTSA complaint #10561238, filed 2014-01, 50,000 miles

“This situation has happened quite a few time and has escalated over the time period. The first time I walked out to my car. I pressed the key to unlock it and the horn started honking, the windshield wipers and spray was going and the lights flashed. This lasted approx. 5 seconds. And stopped. The next incident occurred while driving down the fwy. Same symptoms occurred, but this time lasted approx. 30 seconds then stopped. The third incidence: same symptoms but would not stop. …”

NHTSA complaint #10617846, filed 2014-07, 123,000 miles

“Driving down road when all of a sudden heard herendous squealing noise so loud couldn't stay inside vehicle while moving. Upon examination I discovered a heat shield had fallen against and wrapped itself around the drive shaft. I now know the aluminum piece to be the heat shield from the transfer case. This shield is one involved for recalls of same year make and model two wheel drive. My Dodge Nitro 2008 is a 4x4 model not included in said recall. My question to the government as well as chrysler is one of why not??? Fix my vehicle safety hazard too...”

NHTSA complaint #10723060, filed 2015-06, 48,000 miles

“I have been a police officer for over 21 plus years of my life worse Dodge vehicle I have ever owned. This vehicle is a 2008 Dodge Nitro.I am praying that this will help before somebody gets killed in this vehicle. The road noise in this vehicle is so loud u cant hear yourself talk. The vehicle started shooting wiper fluid driving down the roadway, turned windshield wipers on and they don't work. Stopped the vehicle without wrecking because of traffic they come on and wont turn off. Horn goes off all the time going down the roadway. The headlights will turn off without any notice. …”

NHTSA complaint #10608826, filed 2014-07, 90,000 miles

“Chrysler denies responsibility and no lawyer wants to fight chrysler. I am not putting my family's life in jeopardy with that car. On 2/18/08 I leased a 2008 Dodge Nitro at crestwood Dodge. On 3/31/08 my wife routinely started the Nitro, put her foot on the brake (and not the gas) and engaged the gear from park to reverse. Within a split second, the car made an unusually loud noise and the car bursted backward taking out the right side of our gate and a portion of the fence adjacent to the gate. This took her by surprise. …”

NHTSA complaint #10226343, filed 2008-04, 1,100 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
20111613%
201056%
200914%
2008267%
20075411%

Other parts of the 2008 Dodge Nitro

Electrical system
198 complaints
Fuel system
112 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
40 complaints
Exterior lighting
38 complaints
Brakes
33 complaints
Engine
29 complaints
Other or unknown
25 complaints
Air bags
23 complaints
Electronic stability control
18 complaints
Body and structure
14 complaints
Steering
12 complaints
Engine cooling
9 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2008 Dodge Nitro

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology