2009 Dodge Nitro
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 15 of 36 complaints (42%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 393 in 2008 to 36 in 2009.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | vs. 2009 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300–3,650 | 3,300–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–19 | 17–19 | 17–18 | 17–18 | 17–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 20–22 | 15–16 / 21–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468–523 | 468–523 | 494–523 | 494–523 | 494–523 | |
| Complaints filed | 825 | 393 | 36 | 78 | 122 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 24 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 17 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 30 | 18 | 1 | 4 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 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 2009 Dodge Nitro have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign 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 2009 Dodge Nitro?
Electrical: 15 of 36 NHTSA complaints (42%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Dodge Nitro get?
EPA rates it 17–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2009 Dodge Nitro?
EPA estimates $3,450–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| 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 (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | 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 4 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (high) | 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 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 1 | 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 (1)
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.