The Lemon Index
200920111st generation
Better than average · most complaints: electrical
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
14 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2010 Toyota RAV4 812010 Honda CR-V 312010 Nissan Rogue 48
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V396000 (airbags), 10V315000 (brakes) and 10V009000 (brakes) done? 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?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Dodge sent dealers 68 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2)…”?
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 14 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 4K to 45K miles (7K to 72K km) on the car (10 of all 14 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.
Problems Dodge told dealers about
Dodge sent dealers 68 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2)…
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
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.
- Brakes · recall issued 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP LIBERTY, DODGE NITRO AND RAM 1500 TRUCK; RIGHT AND LEFT HAND DRIVE JEEP WRANGLER VEHICLES.
- Brakes · recall issued 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK.
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
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
- ClosedActive head rest inadvertent deployment2019–2026
- 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. 2010 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 2010 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/dodge-nitro/?y=2010" 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/2010/">Lemon Index</a> (2010 Dodge Nitro reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2010 Dodge Nitro reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 56; 100 is average, lower is better). 2010 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.9× the average car's complaints.
What are the most common 2010 Dodge Nitro problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (36%), speed control (21%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2010 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 2010 Dodge Nitro get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2010 Dodge Nitro have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2010 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 2010 Dodge Nitro have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Dodge Nitro year than the 2010?
Not nearby: the 2010 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Dodge Nitro years within 3 model years of it.
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