2008 Dodge Nitro Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2008 Dodge Nitro.

20072009
Complaints
609
Crashes
25
Fires
16
Injuries
30
Fatalities
Recalls
2

Worst 2008 Dodge Nitro Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1194 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:93,659 mi
Fires:8
#265 complaints

Gasoline Fuel System

Avg mileage:46,329 mi
#346 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:83,639 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2008 Dodge Nitro.

Electrical Faults
194
complaints
Crashes
Fires
8
Avg Miles
93,659
Gasoline Fuel System
65
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
46,329
Fuel System
46
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
83,639
Headlight/Taillight Failures
38
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
94,529
Wipers & Visibility
37
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
95,467
Engine Problems
28
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
99,923
Brakes
27
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
107,559
Transmission / Drivetrain
25
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
106,565
Airbags
22
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
Avg Miles
111,993
Electronic Stability Control
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
131,898
Steering Defects
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
96,246
Body Structure
10
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
1
Avg Miles
72,628
Engine & Cooling
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
64,615
Unintended Acceleration
8
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
Avg Miles
68,762
Latches / Locks
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
101,333
Suspension Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Horn
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Visibility
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Dodge Nitro. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2008 Dodge Nitro

2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~987,817 vehicles.

20V396000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar
~925,239 affected

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.

13V121000Structure · Airbags · Power Train:driveline:driveshaft
~62,578 affected

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.

Other Dodge Nitro Years

2008 Dodge Nitro — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2008 Dodge Nitro reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2008 Dodge Nitro has 609 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash-related, and 2 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 194 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (194 complaints, avg 93,659 mi); Gasoline Fuel System (65 complaints, avg 46,329 mi); Fuel System (46 complaints, avg 83,639 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 89,870 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
NHTSA complaints for the 2008 Dodge Nitro include 25 crash-related reports, 16 fire reports, 30 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 987,817 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2008 Dodge Nitro?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (electrical faults) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Dodge Nitro reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2008 Dodge Nitro

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