Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 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.
The intermitten windshield wipers go on and off whenever. Even if the engine is off it still happens. Also the horn with suddenly blow with no warning. I have had it go off at 7:15 a.m. And wake the whole neighborhood. Unplugging the fuse from the electrical box makes it not quite so loud but still blowing. I have taken it to the dealership but unable to leave overnight. Their suggestion was to disconnect the battery and horn would stop blowing. I am 77 years old of sound mind and that is not an option for me. Told me to bring back when it did it again, which it did this morning 9/26/17. They are charging me almost $150.00 for a diagnostic when I told them what the problem probably is. The TIPM circuit board. The service agent said it was a costly repair. I do not think I should be paying anything since this seems to be a problem with this particular vehicle. …
My thirteen year old daughter and I were leaving a store parking lot when I started the vehicle. After starting I attempted to turn on the air conditioning, blower motor would not work. While pulling onto the road horn started blaring, wipers fore and aft started going without being activated. Windshield wiper fluid spraying uncontrollable, again, without my activation. Pulled into a parking lot and shut of vehicle, all problems stated above persisted. Left parking lot in an attempt to get the vehicle the seven miles home. Halfway home, all problems stopped. Wipers stopped in complete vertical position, horn stopped blaring, washer fluid stopped spraying. Upon reaching home disconnected positive battery cable in an attempt to somehow "reboot" the system. After reconnecting cable, started vehicle and up to this point all seems normal, for now. …
The headlights stopped working. At first they would flash on and off. After 4 or 5 times of turning on the lights, they wouldn't even flash. We tried changing the fuses, but nothing worked. The lights remained inoperative until it rained. Once it rained, all of a sudden the lights started operating normally. This pattern has continued for over a year. Sometimes the lights work and sometimes they don't. The dealer says it is a TIPM problem. Apparently, this is a common problem with Dodge nitros. We did have a mechanic replace the lights/turn signal lever in the car. The lights worked without issue for about 3 months. Now, they are not working again. And now we are having other issues such as the horn going off and the windshield wipers and washer fluid going off randomly and nothing I do will stop it. After about 5 minutes, everything stopped on its own. …
We were driving straight through a parking lot on Friday, May 11 and suddenly the wipers in the front and back started going at an accelerated rate and the wiper fluid was continuously pumping out and the horn was continuously honking. I got into a parking spot, tried to turn the car off and it wouldn't. I was even able to turn the key in the ignition to the off but it was still running and I could pull the key out while it was running.. I was so startled I am not sure if the lights or any signals were going off. I did research on the web and apparently many, many people have had that and it is the TIPM. It is not an isolated incident with these nitros. I brought it to the dealer today and they said it would be okay but gave me their card in case it happens again. Honestly, I am afraid to drive this thing especially reading about the many incidents they have had. …
My 2008 Dodge Nitro would not unlock with the remote. I had to unlock it manually. Then the car would not start with the key. All the lights and everything we're working but the car would not start. Then all the sudden the horn went off the wipers were going off and the washer squirters were squirting and would not quit until I unhook the battery.I read a forum online that it could possibly be the TIPM module which is located by the battery.I open the cover and pushed on all the fuses. I hook the battery back up and tried to start the car and it started.I'm glad this didn't happen while I was driving because god only knows what could have happened. I am afraid to drive the car until I know it is fixed. I've also read that there is recalls on these modules on several years in the Dodge Nitro. …
I ran a quick errand. When I returned to my vehicle, my windshield wipers and headlights came on as soon as I started it. The wipers wouldn't turn off unless the car was turned. The lights will not come on unless the car is on, the dash lights don't wok, and the signals don't work. I had to drive home that way in plenty of traffic. I felt unsafe driving the vehicle, as I had my grand baby with me, after reading several other complaints identical to mine, happening after 8 years of owning the vehicles, makes it seem that it was done intentionally by the manufacturer to get it back for repair.
While driving the exiter ring broke causing ABS/traction control/ESP lights to illuminate. Opening the door the spring detached, door now freely swings open. Heater core needs to be replaced due to poor craftsmanship. The car no longer heats up. The rear window wiper no longer works properly. The doors in the rear of the car no longer lock or unlock when using the electric lock control. The heat shield from under the car broke off the vehicle.
I walked out to my car one morning to make a trip into town. The instant I opened the door the horn started blaring without a pause, the windshield wipers both front and rear were running on their top speed. I have absolutely no control over the car. I cant even get it out of park to have a tow truck pick it up. The gauge cluster says "no bus" and the only culprit I can think of would be the famous Dodge TIPM.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Nitro years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
NHTSA has 40 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 10% of the model year's 393 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer › motor (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Dodge Nitro window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.