Most common 2008 Dodge Nitro problems
Share of the 393 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Dodge Nitro complaints by model year
Best Nitro years: 2009, 2010, 2011. Years to avoid: 2007, 2008. Compare all years →
2008 Dodge Nitro recalls (3)
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
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.
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.
Structure
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.
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.
Parking brake
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.
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 defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2008 Dodge Nitro:
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the 2007 model year.
What 2008 Dodge Nitro owners say
Electrical system all 198 →
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the windows, lights, and radio would independently turn off, or on. The contact stated that occasionally while driving, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast off the road safely. The contact stated that she then got out the vehicle to look under the hood to tap the TIPM box, which allowed her to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that she had contacted the dealer to schedule an appointment. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the there was no recall on the VIN for the failure. The failure mileage was 85,648.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle the horn inadvertently started blowing and windshield wipers activated independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with an unknown electrical wiring failure. The dealer replaced the battery cables; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
Fuel & propulsion system all 112 →
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the fuel was spilling from the vehicle onto the ground. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Replaces a new agr valve in January 2015 at local garage, philips garage in dewart, pa. In October the light comes back on and once again diagnosed by bz.motors in lewisburg, pa the test are confirmed that the agr valve is not good. I cannot go back to other mechanic , because he had a stroke and cannot work again. I am scheduled again for replacement on Saturday the 6th of February 2016. I would like to know if there are recalls on the part or if the company can help m pay for the part to be replaced again cost $324.00. Gas cap replace and rubber housing replaced on gas filler cap, cost was $ 61.22 housing replaced in with new secure bracket after falling down into the vehicle. The line was secured again .costing me $81.62. Cape replaced for $21.00. I would like to be reimbursed for these defaults as they too are recalls. …
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 40 →
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle the horn inadvertently started blowing and windshield wipers activated independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with an unknown electrical wiring failure. The dealer replaced the battery cables; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the horn and the rear and front windshield wipers were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that her neighbor disconnected and reconnected the battery and the failure was corrected. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 168,000.
2008 Dodge Nitro engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 22 / 18 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Dodge Nitro a good car?
Based on 393 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Nitro rates avoid: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Nitro at the same age. It is one of the Nitro years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
The electrical system — 198 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year, most often about horn. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (112) and windows, wipers & sunroof (40).
How many recalls does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2008 Dodge Nitro, the most recent from July 7, 2020 (inflator module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Dodge Nitro?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2009, 2010 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2007 and 2008. See the full Dodge Nitro years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Dodge Nitro problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 79,000 miles; 27% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.