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Dodge NitroModel year report

2009 Dodge Nitro Problems

Complaints
24filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
95,716miles, 20 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.7L 6-cyl RWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Dodge Nitro (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2009 Dodge Nitro. The part named most often is electrical system, with 10 complaints (42% of the total), followed by fuel system (6) and air bags (4). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 95,716 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 50 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 15 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “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 miles

Fuel system: “Fuel tank overflows when filling up at the pump. I've had gasoline spew out all over me several times now. I can see by investigating this online that this is a dangerous and known issue on many Dodge makes, models and years.”

NHTSA complaint #11170611, filed 2019-01, 69,000 miles

Air bags: “I was driving the vehicle. I came to a complete stop at a stop sign. For no apparent reason, the air bag light came on and stayed on. I consulted with the manufacturer dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The dealer claimed there was no recall for the Nitro air bag when in fact chrysler mini-vans were under recall for a clock spring which is probably the same part used in the Nitro. Took it to the dealer and was told is could be several things beginning with a switch in one seat. Replaced the switch and the light is still on. …”

NHTSA complaint #10556825, filed 2013-12, 45,000 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “After locking the vehicle you come back and unlock it and put in the key and it will not allow you to start the vehicle. This has happened to my husbands car on 3 separate incidents the first time they removed the after market alarm and said that caused the second time they removed another part the 3rd time 2 years later they stated it was a different part when I found the following online Dodge Nitro problem 26 reports me too model years affected: 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 average mileage: 67,977 mi (41,000 mi - 107,232 mi) verified the anti-theft system may cause a no start condition…”

NHTSA complaint #10606725, filed 2014-06, 54,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,009 and 112,008 miles.

5%0–105%10–2510%25–5020%50–7510%75–10040%100–15010%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 95,716 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

2010201320152017420192023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Dodge Nitro. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Nitro · sedan RWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——3 · 21.9% risk

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Dodge Nitro version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Nitro 2WD3.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic162218$3,700
Nitro 2WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162118$3,700
Nitro 4WD3.7L 6-cyl4-speed automatic152117$3,950
Nitro 4WD4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic162017$3,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 Dodge Nitro → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 50 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 50 bulletins →

Other model years of the Dodge Nitro

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201112261,5003—1850 · TypicalFalling
20107870,0003—1829 · FewerFalling
20092495,7161—18—Stable
200839379,0003—1881 · MoreFalling
200749470,0007—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Dodge Nitro model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Dodge Nitro have?

NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2009 Dodge Nitro as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Dodge Nitro is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 10 complaints (42% of the total), followed by fuel system with 6.

Has the 2009 Dodge Nitro been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Dodge Nitro get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Dodge Nitro (Nitro 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Dodge Nitro reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 95,716 miles and the middle half falls between 54,009 and 112,008 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.