The Lemon IndexDodge Nitro reliability.
Is it reliable? Not really. 1.9× the average car's complaints.
Worse than average · 2007–2011
What owners say on YouTube: we haven't studied Dodge Nitro videos yet. When that study runs, the most-watched owner reviews and buyer guides for each generation, and what owners praise and complain about, show up here.
Fewest complaints
2010.
Only 4 Dodge Nitro years have enough complaints and sales to score, too few for best and worst lists. 2010 drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-nitro/" title="Dodge Nitro reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/dodge-nitro/">Lemon Index</a> (Dodge Nitro reliability by year)</p>Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Compare the Dodge Nitro.
Opens the compare tool with both cars, every year side by side. Compare with any car →
Quick answers.
Is the Dodge Nitro reliable?
Not really. It draws 1.9× the average car's complaints. Fewest complaints: 2010.
Is the Dodge Nitro a good car?
Not overall: it draws more complaints than the average car, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2007-2011: Lemon Index 193; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: 2010 drew the fewest complaints since 2010 and 2011 the most.
What are the best Dodge Nitro years to buy?
Only 4 Dodge Nitro years have enough data to score, so we don't list best years. 2010 drew the fewest complaints (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
What Dodge Nitro years should you stay away from?
Only 4 Dodge Nitro years have enough data to score, too few to single out years to avoid.
How many recalls does the Dodge Nitro have?
17 safety recalls across the 5 model years we track. Most: 2007 (7), 2008 (3), 2010 (3). Each year's page lists them, and every Dodge Nitro recall is in one list here.
What are the most common Dodge Nitro problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name electrical, fuel system, gasoline and transmission & drivetrain most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 266 | about 3 times the average car's complaints | 216 | electrical (32%) | 7 | — | 17–19 |
| 2008 | 188 | about twice the average car's complaints | 68 | fuel system, gasoline (57%) | 3 | — | 17–19 |
| 2009 | – | complaints only, too few sold to score | 4 | fuel system, gasoline (50%) | 1 | — | 17–18 |
| 2010 | 56 | a bit over half as many complaints as the average car | 14 | electrical (36%) | 3 | — | 17–18 |
| 2011 | 114 | a bit more than the average car's complaints | 33 | electrical (33%) | 3 | — | 17–18 |
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. U.S. sales source: goodcarbadcar.net. How it works
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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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