Most common 2009 Dodge Nitro problems
Share of the 36 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 →
2009 Dodge Nitro recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2009 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 2009 Dodge Nitro owners say
Electrical system
I have had problems with my car starting for about a little over 3 years. It randomly will not start and will only click when you try to start. It started out turning on after a couple of attempts and has escalated to more than 20 attempts before it would start. We have replaced a lot of parts, have contacted Dodge corporate, got 2nd opinion and still having problems. Today I went to work and had to go to a mtg so drove there and when I came back and went to start my car it would not do anything. I heard a humming sound in my car but noticed the ESP and bas lights were on on the dashboard. I thought OK maybe my first problem has come to a head and now will not start. I called the dealer, called a tow truck, and after waiting about 30 minutes, it started. I decided to drive it to the dealership myself. …
Takata recall / several times my 4wd will get a service 4wd light and I will lose 4wd. This time I was sitting still in neutral and turned my selector switch from 2wd to 4wd and received the serv 4wd light. Dodge dealership as well as locally owned shops are at a loss of what's wrong. After many searches online I find I am not the only person with this problem and no answer. Also, the security light is flashing, windshield wipers going crazy, horn blaring, and washer fluid squirting our randomly for a long period of time. Help!!! Dodge says 4wd should be fine but is not... I only have 2wd and the service light is still on.
Fuel & propulsion system
The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while refueling the vehicle, the contact became aware of pressure build up which caused gasoline to not be able to be added to the fuel tank. The contact was unsure if there were any warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro. When the vehicle was refueled, the filler pipe failed to shut off when the tank was full. As a result, fuel spilled out. The dealer diagnosed that the fuel tank valve failed and the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.
Locks & latches
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro 4x2. The contact stated that both rear exterior and interior power doors locks failed to unlock or lock. In addition, on separate occasions, the front passenger and driver side exterior and interior power door locks failed to lock or unlock. The failure occurred sporadically. When the failures occurred, the contact would manually unlock the door to exit or enter the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro 4x2. When attempting to use the key fob to unlock the doors, the locks failed. The rear driver side door would not lock from inside the vehicle as well. The dealer stated that the door latch needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,054.
2009 Dodge Nitro engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 21 / 17 |
| 4.0L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 16 / 20 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Dodge Nitro a good car?
Based on 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2009 Nitro rates better than average: 87% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Nitro at the same age. It is one of the best Nitro years by this measure. 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 2009 Dodge Nitro?
The electrical system — 15 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (6) and locks & latches (6).
How many recalls does the 2009 Dodge Nitro have?
There is 1 recall for the 2009 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 2009 Dodge Nitro problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 86,000 miles; 20% 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.