The Lemon Index
200820101st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,443 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
Better years to buy
4 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota RAV4 1272009 Honda CR-V 332009 Nissan Rogue 61
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 20V396000 (airbags) 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?
- Dodge sent dealers 51 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Dodge's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 4 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 51 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Airbags · recall issued 2020
These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel.
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 $3,350–$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. 2009 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-nitro/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Dodge Nitro reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Dodge Nitro reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,443 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Dodge Nitro problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (50%), electrical (25%) and equipment & accessories (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Nitro have?
1 safety recall (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Dodge Nitro get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Dodge Nitro have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Dodge Nitro cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Dodge Nitro have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
What Dodge Nitro year is better than the 2009?
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