Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Dodge Nitro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The TIPM is starting to fail. The power locks do not work, the car has problems starting has a very slow start, the horn will randomly go off and sometimes it does not want to start at all. Every article I've read, and every dealership I've talked with has said to replace the entire TIPM module. There are many other cases like this and it all comes down to the module. So with this said I am asking for either reassurance that it is that. Or receive help to be able to fix it.
I had my vehicle a week before it start misfiring it's been months I had it worked on numerous times and still has not been fixed. When I try to crank it I have to keep my foot on the gas and if I let go it will cut back off I had so many parts replaced and the issue remain the same
The EGR valve has to replaced yearly. I have replaced every year since I've had it. It causes the check engine to come on and inhibits me from getting the nitro inspected and causes damage to my engine. I have had to replace it 3 times.
Four total incidents of the vehicle engine shutting off while driving the car. Most recent today 12-17-21 was placed in extremely dangerous situation and was almost rear ended 5 times by other vehicles traveling at speeds greater than 55 mph. 1st instance occurred back in 2007 traveling West bound on I635 in Dallas (speed of 65mph) engine shut off, loss of power steering coasted to side of road. 2nd incident Fall 2007 - from complete stop to turn left and cross divided highway, the engine shut down right in the middle of the intersection and was nearly broadsided by oncoming car traveling at 45 mph. 3rd incident happened while driving in my neighborhood, engine shut down and loss of power to steering. Daimler Chrysler issued a recall to reprogram the TPIM module back in 2008 to address the problem. Nothing since then until today. …
While driving at night, with my headlights on, my dash began to flicker and so did my interior lights. My engine also started to studded as I was accelerating. Finally I went to roll my rear passenger window down for my son and the door started smoking and caught fire! I pulled over on a city street to let the fire die down.
I have a 2007 Nitro rt and it has been in the shop for uncontrolled acceleration. This was the first time this has occurred. It has been looked at by the dealership, Chrysler and an independent engineer and they cannot diagnose the problem. The incident occurred one morning when trying to park my vehicle, I was almost to a stop and ready to put it in park when the engine revved and the wheels spun like I had stomped the gas but my foot was on the brake. At this point I had both feet on the brake and it would not stop until I hit a full size pickup and pushed it into another vehicle. These two vehicles held my vehicle and I was able to put it in park. My Nitro was still revved up and wheels spinning when I put in park. Chrysler checked the computers (BCM, ECM), braking, tps and probably a few other things but have yet to identify the problem. …
I own a 2007 model Dodge Nitro, which I bought in March 2008, from al mulla & behbehani motor co. W.l.l., the official dealer of Chrysler, Dodge & Jeep in kuwait. The vehicle information number is [redacted] . Till date my vehicle has covered 45,000 kms. On May 12, 2010, I took my vehicle to the dealer for its periodic oil change. When I returned to pick up my vehicle, I found smoke arising from the engine, even though the engine was switched off. Since then I have contacted the dealer several times to inquire about my vehicle and when I could have it back. Their answer has always been, 'we need more time.' they said they needed to change the whole wiring. The branch manager never takes the telephone. But, after all these local repair work, how can I be sure that a similar incident will not happen again? …
On February 26, 2015. While driving on the 605 north in the #2 lane. I noticed my car temperature gauge went straight to hot. I slowed down and put my hazards on and proceeded to get to the shoulder by safely passing into the next lanes while other cars were traveling at freeway speed limits. Once on shoulder shut off car and kept hazards on. And sat in my car approx 45 minutes to an hour and then restarted the car. I noticed it did not immediately go to hot, still driving in the shoulder with hazards on for safety precautions at a slow speed proceeded to nearest off ramp and exited. While driving down the street at a lower rate than the posted speed limit, the temperature gauge started to go to hot again I reached the car repair shop I had been to before which was 2 miles from the off ramp. I pulled into the car repair shop around 5:00 pm. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2007 Dodge Nitro. While driving 10 MPH, there was an abnormal popping noise and the driveshaft emerged through the floor and struck the air bags. The frontal and driver side air bags deployed. The driver sustained injuries to the face. The passenger also sustained injuries to the face and had loss of vision. Medical attention was provided. The vehicle was towed to clear lake Chrysler Jeep Dodge (15711 gulf freeway, webster, tx 77598), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and a Chrysler engineer deemed the vehicle a total loss. The vehicle was then towed to ron carter Chrysler Jeep Dodge (3005 fm 528 rd, alvin, tx 77511) where it was diagnosed that the seat belts, air bags, drive shaft, air bag module, and a hole in the floor needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. …
Engine started smoking while my daughter was sitting in parking lot area for about 30 min. Engine was off. She got out of vehicle grabbing her dog from the back. She ran inside the building to get me (mother) less than 2 min the smoke gradually got heavier and darker then fire was dripping out from under engine. I tried to pop the hood thinking it could get air to maybe help the fire but it wouldnt pop up. I took fire extinguisher to engine along with someone else. Shortly after the police and fire trucks arrived. There were several cars surrounding but they moved before any damage occured. There was damage to the building that she was parked at, soffit and cracked window from the heat. There was about 20 people that witnessed the entire thing. No problems with car prior to. The weather was clear sunshine 75 degree's.
Engine complaints in other Nitro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Dodge Nitro?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Dodge Nitro, 11% of the model year's 825 complaints. The component named most often is engine (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Dodge Nitro engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Dodge Nitro, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2007 Dodge Nitro engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.