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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10221097Apr 7, 2021Transmission 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…
- 10220843Mar 31, 2021NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then…
- 10190590Mar 31, 2021NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2) for alignment. If the pins are missing request to add the dowel pin first and then…
- 10220471Feb 22, 2021Mechanical rocker arm, intake, 1.7 ratio.
- 10221831Aug 19, 2020(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
- 10180221Aug 19, 2020(Revision A) No Start No Crank ? Starter Will Not Engage And There Are No Related Codes Or Concerns
- 10215825Apr 4, 2013Some of the above vehicles may experience a condition where the underbody transmission tunnel shield may partially separate from the vehicle floor pan and contact the aluminum…
- 10188658Apr 4, 2013Some of the above vehicles may experience a condition where the underbody transmission tunnel shield may partially separate from the vehicle floor pan and contact the aluminum…
- 10034229Apr 20, 2010Jeep: manual transmission pops out of gear. The transmission pops out of first gear while accelerating. The condition, may occur intermittently and may be difficult to diagnose…
- 10026168Jul 12, 2008Chrysler/dodge/jeep: flash:diagnostic trouble code, dtc p0740 or p1798 and automatic transmission shift improvements 1-2 or 2-3 cold shift improvements.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Dodge Nitro
198 complaintsFuel system
112 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
40 complaintsExterior lighting
38 complaintsBrakes
33 complaintsEngine
29 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsElectronic stability control
18 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsEngine 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