The Lemon Index
200720091st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: fuel system, gasoline
Better years to buy
68 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota RAV4 1042008 Honda CR-V 462008 Nissan Rogue 76
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2008 Dodge Nitro
- Engine stalling33 complaintsmostly at 58,000–108,000 miles (94,000–175,000 km)
- Headlights33 complaintsmostly at 76,000–100,000 miles (123,000–161,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 393 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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 26,000 and 48,000 miles (41,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 60 complaints, of all 68 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 08V525000 (parking brake) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Dodge sent dealers 59 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Manual transmission pops out of gear”?
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 68 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 25K to 47K miles (41K to 77K km) on the car (60 of all 68 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
Driving down the road I and my car started freaking out. Headlights flickering, horn blazing windshield wipers and fluid spraying.
2008 Dodge Nitro owner · NHTSA complaint 10433833
More owner reports
Gas overflow when fueling vehicle, after gas nozzle clicks off, gas pours out of fill tube. 2008 Dodge Nitro, this has happened last 4 fill ups.
NHTSA complaint 10308963
Every time fuel tank is filled and the gas pump shuts off, a fair amount of gasoline shoots backwards out of the gas tank. The car was purchased in january, and this has happened each time the tank has been filled.
NHTSA complaint 10393613
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 59 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Manual transmission pops out of gear
- Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands…
- 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 3
- 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.
- 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.
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
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. 2008 is highlighted. Lower is better.
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/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Dodge Nitro reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Dodge Nitro reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 188; 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 2008 Dodge Nitro problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (57%), electrical (18%) and transmission & drivetrain (6%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have?
3 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 2008 Dodge Nitro get?
17 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Nitro problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 26,000 and 48,000 miles (41,000–77,000 km) (the middle half of the 60 complaints, of all 68 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 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 2008 Dodge Nitro have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 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 2008 Dodge Nitro have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Nitro year is better than the 2008?
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