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 2008 Dodge Nitro owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The vehicle throws the abs, esp,break and traction control lights and then while driving completely at random then turns off WHILE DRIVING!!!! which can cause an accident (I and my daughter are lucky to be alive) this is not ok the vehicle drives fine then at random throws those lights and shuts off after restarting it the check engine light comes on and says the transmission shift solenoid b is malfunction and the vehicle wouldn't shift properly. Luckily I had my code reader I. The car with me I cleared the code and now the car drives fine until this happens again I'm scared to drive it this is dangerous their's no warning. I drive on the highway everyday their's no warning it happens at random 2 times I've been lucky. …
An intermittent electrical failure is affecting multiple vehicle systems. The vehicle has unexpectedly stalled while driving on the interstate, leaving it without power in moving traffic. It has also experienced repeated no-start conditions, transmission entering limp mode, the engine continuing to run after the key was removed, and random operation of the horn, windshield wipers, washer pumps, and other electrical components while driving and while parked. These failures occur without warning and create a serious risk of a crash, injury, or death due to sudden loss of propulsion in interstate traffic and unpredictable vehicle behavior. The problem has become progressively more frequent despite previous repairs. The vehicle is available for inspection. I fear for my life.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. While driving approximately 20 MPH, a very strong odor of burning motor oil was present inside the vehicle. The contact turned the heater off and lowered the windows. The vehicle was taken to the dealer six times for the odor coming from the engine. The dealer diagnosed that the odor was from the doc work residue, but never was repaired. The dealer informed the contact that the newer models had filters to prevent the issue. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and filed case number: 31564442. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was invalid. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000. Updated 06/29/17
I was driving down the highway with the cruise control set to about 70-71 miles per hour when suddenly I heard a ding and check engine light came on. The closest exit was less than a quarter of a mile away so I took that exit. As I began to exit the interstate the truck began to act really strange. The speed of the truck was acting up, slowing down/speeding up unpredictably, and even the steering got really hard to control. At this point a few more warning lights dinged on. As this happened, I quickly pulled off to the shoulder of the frontage road, put the truck into park, and engaged the parking brake. The engine had already shut itself off. At this point I turned off the truck with the keys, opened the door and noticed white smoke coming from under the hood. I pulled the hood release prepared to inspect under the hood and noticed a lot more white smoke than the few moments before. …
My truck has a tendency to stall when at idle speed. Happens on an intermittent basis. I first took it to allen samuel's Dodge on 610 freeway in houston, tx. They could not reproduce the problem, suggested throttle body service which was perform. Didn't correct the issue. Took it to gilman Chrysler on 59 sw freeway in houston, they couldn't reproduce the problem. Within the past two years have had fuel injector service, spark plug replacement and fuel pump replacement in an attempt to correct this issue, all at the above dealerships. Vehicle now has about 75,000 miles. Problem still exist on an intermittent basis. I am afraid that it May stall in traffic while at traffic light or freeway traffic jam which could lead to injury or death. It is my understanding that the 2007 Dodge nitros were recall for the same problem. …
Since I purchased the vehicle in 2010, it's had strange electrical issues. First, the door locks have been malfunctioning. After a couple of uses, they no longer respond to the remote, or door lock button. Nor will they automatically lock while the vehicle is in motion. That's very dangerous. The second issue is that the horn would randomly honk. The honking stopped for about a year. Tonight, the honking started at random and wouldn't stop. The key wasn't in the ignition and the car was parked. I had to remove the negative battery cable to avoid a visit from the police for disturbing the peace. The third issue is that the airbag light came on. Yet another strange issue. When starting the engine, there will be s long start as if the starter stays engaged for too long. Sometimes , the engine will start, not idle and just stop. …
Pulling into my driveway when engine suddenly started running at high rate of speed and car started speeding. Managed to miss house and enterer garage with engine going at top speed. At beginning of driveway when car started speeding, I hit the breaks but it seemed to have no effect. When I realized car was out of control I pushed the brakes with both feet with very little effect. Two of the four brakes finally took hold three quarters of the way in the garage and I skidded to a halt hitting several cabinets and shelves. The only clue I have as to why this happened is that the cruise control has been having a problem for the last few months. It sometimes worked and sometimes would not turn on and sometimes I could not shut is off......
The first time it happened I had just turned off the highway and the vehicle completely shut down but the horn was going non stop and the wipers too. I couldn't pull over because the steering was not working correctly. I eventually was able to get it to stop when my fianc attempted to unhook the battery. This has happened about 4 times totally. The last time I was driving home from work at night, it was dark and the wipers went crazy and my lights went out then the vehicle just shut down, I couldn't see anything, thank god no car was passing by. At times it doesn't want to start but the wipers come on. I took it to the shop and after a few hrs they said it was the integrated power module. Very expensive that I can't fix right now. Very unsafe!
Last evening my wife drove our 2008 Dodge Nitro to take my daughter to her high school (5 miles from our home). After dropping my daughter off and starting back home the vehicle began smoking under the hood while still moving through the parking lot of the high school. I quickly turned the engine off and got out. Very quickly the vehicle was fully engulfed in flames coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle is a total loss. All service for the vehicle was performed at the dealership and the vehicle was never in any kind of crash nor did it have any major mechanical work performed on it prior to it bursting into flames. I believe the high school May have video of the incident as the parking lot is monitored via cctv cameras.
Without warning while driving or stationary, the vehicles horn will honk steadily, wipers and squirters will operate, door locks will lock and unlock, head lights will flash, and engine will die (if in motion). All simultaneously.it is very hard to control a car at hiway speeds when all of these things happen and the motor shuts off. I have read forums online and have found that the totally integrated power module (TIPM) is the cause of these problems. I have filed a complaint with Chrysler and they informed me that there are no recalls for the TIPM for my year and that this is not a safety issue. I do not agree with them. No engine warning light comes on and there is no warning.... It just happens.
Engine complaints in other Nitro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 9% of the model year's 393 complaints. The component named most often is engine (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Nitro engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2008 Dodge Nitro, though it has 3 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 2008 Dodge Nitro engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 3 fires and 1 injury 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.