The Lemon IndexAll cars · Dodge Nitro · 2008
2008 Dodge Nitro. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,600 and 47,600 miles. Median 35,500, from 60 complaints with a mileage.
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline | 57% |
| Electrical | 18% |
| Transmission & drivetrain | 6% |
| Steering | 4% |
| Engine | 4% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 3
20V396000 Jul 2020 Air Bags / Frontal / Driver Side / Inflator Module
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.
Risk. 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.
13V121000 Apr 2013 Power Train / Driveline / Driveshaft
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.
Risk. 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.
08V525000 Oct 2008 Parking Brake
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.
Risk. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Totally integrated power module failure | 2014 | 2015 |
Manufacturer communications 59
Dodge filed 59 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- 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)…
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | No | No |
Engines and drivetrains 6
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | RWD | 16 / 22 / 19 | Regular | $3,300 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | Auto 4-spd | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 | Regular | $3,450 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4Wheel or AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 | Regular | $3,450 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | Auto 4-spd | 4Wheel or AWD | 15 / 21 / 17 | Regular | $3,650 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | Auto 5-spd | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 | Regular | $3,450 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | Auto 5-spd | 4Wheel or AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 | Regular | $3,650 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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