2008 Dodge Nitro
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 198 of 393 complaints (50%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (11) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 825 in 2007 to 393 in 2008.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | vs. 2008 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300–3,650 | 3,300–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–19 | 17–19 | 17–18 | 17–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468–523 | 468–523 | 494–523 | 494–523 | |
| Complaints filed | 825 | 393 | 36 | 78 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 3 | 1 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 24 | 17 | 0 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 17 | 12 | 1 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 30 | 18 | 1 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
Electrical: 198 of 393 NHTSA complaints (50%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Dodge Nitro get?
EPA rates it 17–19 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 Dodge Nitro?
EPA estimates $3,300–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.7L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 37 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 26 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 112 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 198 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 49 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 23 | 9 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 20 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 64 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 20V396000 · Jul 7, 2020
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.
Consequence: Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT; AIR BAGS; STRUCTURE · Campaign 13V121000 · Apr 9, 2013
Defect: Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
Consequence: If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.
PARKING BRAKE · Campaign 08V525000 · Oct 8, 2008
Defect: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTCH DRUM MAY DISTORT AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM.
Consequence: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.