The Lemon Index
20081st generation
Avoid · most complaints: electrical
Better years to buy
216 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2007 Toyota RAV4 1522007 Honda CR-V 472007 Ford Escape 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2007 Dodge Nitro
- Engine stalling92 complaintsmostly at 6,000–95,000 miles (9,600–153,000 km)
- Headlights25 complaintsmostly at 88,000–132,000 miles (142,000–213,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 825 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2007 Dodge Nitro (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 35,000 miles (8,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 185 complaints, of all 216 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V396000 (airbags), 13V121000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 09V438000 (visibility) done? It has 7 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Dodge sent dealers 64 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Torque converter shudder / shift quality improvements / dtc p0732”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 216 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 35K miles (8K to 56K km) on the car (185 of all 216 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Gas comes shooting out of fuel filler neck when filling up at numerous gas stations.
2007 Dodge Nitro owner · NHTSA complaint 10370297
More owner reports
Inside dome light keeps turning on while driving,door ajar indicator keeps lighting up, alarm keeps sounding for no reason running down battery,indicator for low tire pressure is lighting up when tire pressure is good.
NHTSA complaint 10186941
I have a 2007 Dodge Nitro and after filling up my gas tank the nozzle clicked and there comes fuel gushing out all over the place. It happens every single time I fill my tank with gas.
NHTSA complaint 10300344
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 64 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Torque converter shudder / shift quality improvements / dtc p0732
- Manual transmission pops out of gear
- NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2)…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 7
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2013
The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.
- Visibility · recall issued 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 DODGE NITRO PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 7 recalls
- Parking brake · recall issued 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MAY ALLOW A MOMENTARY DELAY IN BRAKING WHEN COASTING UP A HILL DURING CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
- Electrical · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) WAS PROGRAMMED WITH SOFTWARE THAT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
- Brakes · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedTotally integrated power module failure2014–2015
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedEngine stalling & electric power loss2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
Every Dodge Nitro year. 2007 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2007 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-nitro/?y=2007" 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/2007/">Lemon Index</a> (2007 Dodge Nitro reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2007 Dodge Nitro reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 266; 100 is average, lower is better). The Dodge Nitro year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2007 Dodge Nitro problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (32%), fuel system, gasoline (21%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2007 Dodge Nitro have?
7 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2007 Dodge Nitro get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2007 Dodge Nitro problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 35,000 miles (8,000–56,000 km) (the middle half of the 185 complaints, of all 216 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2007 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2007 Dodge Nitro have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2007 Dodge Nitro cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2007 Dodge Nitro have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Nitro year is better than the 2007?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car).
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. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works