NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Door
1632.0%
Body
1020.0%
Automatic Transmission
714.0%
Pressure Monitoring AND Regulating Systems
510.0%
Engine
48.0%
Instrument Cluster/Panel
36.0%
Tank Assembly
36.0%
Switch/Wiring
24.0%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
114.2%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
4517.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
124.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
4918.6%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
4818.2%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
4416.7%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
4215.9%
150,000+ miles
134.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Feb 2007peak 17Jul 2019
NHTSA investigations into the 2007 Dodge Nitro 4X4
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP14004Opened 25 Sep 2014Closed 24 Jul 2015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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. The petitioner alleges that TIPM defects may result in engine stall, airbag non-deployment, failure of fuel pump shutoff resulting in unintended acceleration, fire, and other symptoms. On September 25, 2014, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened DP14-004 to...
PE07027Opened 29 May 2007Closed 2 Aug 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE STALLING & ELECTRIC POWER LOSS
ON JULY 3, 2007, DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION (DCC) SUBMITTED A DEFECT INFORMATION REPORT TO NHTSA DESCRIBING A DEFECT THAT COULD RESULT IN ENGINE STALL WHILE DRIVING IN APPROXIMATELY 80,894 MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 JEEP WRANGLER AND DODGE NITRO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JANUARY 30, 2006 AND JANUARY 22, 2007 (NHTSA RECALL 07V-291, DCC RECALL G25).ACCORDING TO DCC, THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) IN THESE VEHICLES WAS PROGRAMMED WITH SOFTWARE THAT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.DCC WILL REPROGRAM THE TIPM IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES WITH REVISED SOFTWARE. ODI OPEN...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 82,000 milesNorth LAS Vegas, NVFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DROVE VEHICLE THROUGH A PARKING AREA FOR ABOUT TWO BLOCKS AT ABOUT 15 MPH WHEN ALL LIGHTS, DASH LIGHTS, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, WINDSHIELD WASHERS, RADIO, ALARM, AND AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS TURNED ON OR ENGAGED. I PULLED OVER, SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE, REMOVED THE KEYS, BUT ALL OF THE LIGHTS, SYSTEMS, ALARM, ETC., CONTINUED TO OPERATE. SMOKE BEGAN RISING FROM THE HOOD, AND I ATTEMPTED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DOOR LOCKS KEPT ENGAGING AND LOCKING ME IN THE CAR EVERY TIME I TRIED TO PULL ON THE MANUAL DOOR LOCK BUTTON. I WAS ABLE TO REACH OUT THE WINDOW TO MANIPULATE THE EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE LOCK ENOUGH TIMES THAT THE DOOR POPPED OPEN. AS I EXITED THE VEHICLE, FLAMES BEGAN TO SHOOT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN FOUR MINUTES, THE VEHICLE WAS ENTIRELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED QUICKLY (LESS THAN 5 MINUTES), BUT THE FIRE SPREAD QUICKLY - LIKELY BECAUSE THE ELECTRICAL FIRE MELTED THE FUEL LINE AND GASOLINE FED THE FIRE (ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE FIREFIGHTERS). THE CAR AND THE CONTENTS ARE A TOTAL LOSS. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT THE WEATHER WAS NICE ENOUGH THAT I CHOSE TO DRIVE WITH THE WINDOW OPEN, OR I WOULD HAVE HAD TO KICK OUT THE WINDOW TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. VERY TRAUMATIC.
NHTSA complaint #10681652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,000 milesWoodward, IA1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHEN FILLING TANK WITH GAS, FUEL WILL SPEW BACK OUT SPLASHING ALL OVER PERSON, GROUND AND SURROUNDINGS. THIS HAPPENS WHEN FUELING IS COMPLETE AND YOU ARE REMOVING THE NOZZLE AFTER THE NOZZLE IS SHUT OFF.. THE BACK SPLASHIS SO VIOLENT, GAS WILL SPLASH INTO YOUR EYES.
NHTSA complaint #10669891 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 187,000 milesEL Paso, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FIRST THE DRIVERS WINDOW FELL A LITTLE THEN THE DRIVERS DOOR MASTER POWER SWITCH STARTED SMOKING AND SMOLDERED SO MUCH THAT I HAD TO DRIVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED OFF THE DODGE AND ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE SWITCH. THE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED AND WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE. RESTARTED VEHICLE TO GO TO DEALERSHIP AND THE SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE. AGAIN TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED THE SWITCH, IT WAS MELTED AND FELL APART. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE WIRES WERE BADLY MELTED FROM THE HEAT. TOOK TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP.
NHTSA complaint #10621138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesAmelia, OHFire
POWER TRAIN
I STARTED THE CAR TO MOVE IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER BACKING UP, I PUT IT IN PARK. I THEN TRIED TO PLACE IT IN DRIVE, AND THE SHIFTER LOCK WOULDN'T RELEASE. (IT NORMALLY RELEASES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.) AFTER A FEW TRIES, I ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION TO RESTART THE CAR, ALL THE ELECTRONICS ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FLASHING, THE HORN WAS CYCLING, THE WIPERS AND SPRAYERS WERE RUNNING, ETC. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND POPPED THE HOOD RELEASE. WHEN I GOT OUT AND WALKED TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED LIGHT COMING FROM THE HOOD GAP. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, FLAMES WERE SURROUNDING ALL SIDES OF THE TIPM UNIT, AND THE HOOD INSULATION LINER WAS ON FIRE. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10556461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesAmelia, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I STARTED THE CAR TO MOVE IT IN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER BACKING UP, I PUT IT IN PARK. I THEN TRIED TO PLACE IT IN DRIVE, AND THE SHIFTER LOCK WOULDN'T RELEASE. (IT NORMALLY RELEASES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.) AFTER A FEW TRIES, I ATTEMPTED TO TURN OFF AND RESTART THE CAR. WHEN I TURNED THE IGNITION TO RESTART THE CAR, ALL THE ELECTRONICS ACTIVATED, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE FLASHING, THE HORN WAS CYCLING, THE WIPERS AND SPRAYERS WERE RUNNING, ETC. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND POPPED THE HOOD RELEASE. WHEN I GOT OUT AND WALKED TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED LIGHT COMING FROM THE HOOD GAP. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD, FLAMES WERE SURROUNDING ALL SIDES OF THE TIPM UNIT, AND THE HOOD INSULATION LINER WAS ON FIRE. I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10556461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesRock City Falls, NYFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS DOOR MASTER AUTOMATIC LOCKS SWITCH CAUGHT FIRE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO PEOPLE. BURNED THE DOOR WELL, REMOVED THE SWITCH AFTERWARDS AND IT STILL ARCS WHEN PLACED INTO THE VEHICLE AGAIN. DODGE NOTIFIED AND TECH CHECKED VEHICLE AND FILED A REPORT ON OR ABOUT 4/19/2012. NOW HAVING ISSUES WITH DODGE ISSUING A CHECK TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10457921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 115,000 milesSaint Charles, IL
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL TANK OVERFLOWS EVERY TIME THAT WE FILL THE TANK. WHEN THE GAS IS FILLED, THE NOZZLE IS FULLY INSERTED IN THE TANK AND WILL NOT AUTOMATICALLY SHUT-OFF SPILLING GAS EVERYWHERE UNTIL I MANUALLY STOP THE NOZZLE.
NHTSA complaint #11233055 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Covington Township, PA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
PASSENGER SIDE WIPER DOES NOT WORK
NHTSA complaint #11229470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesRochester, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WON’T LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH REMOTE OR BY BUTTONS IN THE CAR. IT HAS TO BE DONE BY HAND.
NHTSA complaint #11220012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesRochester, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WON’T LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH REMOTE OR BY BUTTONS IN THE CAR. IT HAS TO BE DONE BY HAND.
NHTSA complaint #11220012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesPequea, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. DOOR LOCKS IN OPERABLE, NEITHER FOB NOR BUTTON WORKS, KEYFOB LOCKS BUT NOT UNLOCK VEHICLE NOT DIAGNOSED NEITHER DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER CONTACTED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE, THE KEYFOB FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYFOB WILL LOCK THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, HAS FAILED IN EVERY ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE INTERNAL LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. AH
NHTSA complaint #11209059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesGaithersburg, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
REFUELING SPILLAGE DODGE NITRO R/T WHEN FUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL OVERFLOWS UP THRU THE FILLER NECK AND ONTO THE PERSON WHO IS REFUELING THE SUV, THUS CAUSING IT TO SPILL OVER THE PAINT OF THE CAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 30 - 50OZ OF GAS. UNFORTUNATELY THIS OCCURS ABOUT 70% OF THE TIME THE NITRO IS FUELED UP. THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO A RECALL I HAD ON MY 2005 DODGE DURANGO. BELOW ARE THE ISSUES NOTED BY OTHER DODGE NITRO OWNERS ON THE NITRO FORUMS WEBSITE. HTTPS://WWW.NITROFORUMZ.COM/THREADS/GAS-OVERFLOW-FIXED.700/PAGE-6#POST-159638 HTTPS://WWW.NITROFORUMZ.COM/THREADS/X46-WARRANTY-FUEL-SPIT-BACK-DURING-REFUELING.38708/
NHTSA complaint #11195774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesWest Point, KY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WIPER FLUID SHOOTS OUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON THE ALARM GOES OFF AND CAR SHUTS OFF DOES ALL THIS AT ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #11195239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesWest Point, KY
ENGINE
WIPER FLUID SHOOTS OUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON THE ALARM GOES OFF AND CAR SHUTS OFF DOES ALL THIS AT ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #11195239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 168,000 milesWest Point, KY
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WIPER FLUID SHOOTS OUT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON THE ALARM GOES OFF AND CAR SHUTS OFF DOES ALL THIS AT ONCE.
NHTSA complaint #11195239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,330 milesRedford, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TAKATA RECALL THE RADIO CIGARETTE PORT AND WIPER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING
NHTSA complaint #11141936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,330 milesRedford, MI
VISIBILITY/WIPER
TAKATA RECALL THE RADIO CIGARETTE PORT AND WIPER MOTOR STOPPED WORKING
NHTSA complaint #11141936 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesChampaign, IL
WHEELS
HORN HONKS WHENEVER IT WANTS. ABS, ESP/BAS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. ABS ESP/BAS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WERE INTERMITTENT BUT NOW ARE CONSISTENT. ENGINE CODE COMES AND GOES AND SAYS IT CANT COMMUNICATE WITH TIPM. OCCASIONALLY WHEN PARKING AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING/ RUNS ROUGH WHILE TURNING SHARPLY BUT THERE IS NO LEAK IN POWER STEERING AND IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11139997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesChampaign, IL
STEERING
HORN HONKS WHENEVER IT WANTS. ABS, ESP/BAS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. ABS ESP/BAS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WERE INTERMITTENT BUT NOW ARE CONSISTENT. ENGINE CODE COMES AND GOES AND SAYS IT CANT COMMUNICATE WITH TIPM. OCCASIONALLY WHEN PARKING AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING/ RUNS ROUGH WHILE TURNING SHARPLY BUT THERE IS NO LEAK IN POWER STEERING AND IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11139997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesChampaign, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN HONKS WHENEVER IT WANTS. ABS, ESP/BAS, TRACTION CONTROL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. ABS ESP/BAS AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WERE INTERMITTENT BUT NOW ARE CONSISTENT. ENGINE CODE COMES AND GOES AND SAYS IT CANT COMMUNICATE WITH TIPM. OCCASIONALLY WHEN PARKING AND PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IT FEELS LIKE THERE IS NO POWER STEERING/ RUNS ROUGH WHILE TURNING SHARPLY BUT THERE IS NO LEAK IN POWER STEERING AND IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11139997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesCorning, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN GOES OFF ON IT OWN, EVEN WHILE DRIVING. STARTS WON'T START, BATTERY IS NOT DEAD. DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN. PASSENGER DOOR CONTROLS THE DRIVE SETTING FOR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING CAR, SHUTTING RADIO OFF. THE DRIVE DOOR WILL LOCK AND NOT LET YOU OUT, EVEN TRYING TO PULL IT UP MANUAL AND IT WON'T LET YOU. HAVE TO USE KEY IN DOOR TO UNLOCK AND QUICKLY OPEN BEFORE IT LOCKS AGAIN. IN AN ACCIDENT THIS COULD BE A BIG PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11132235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 190,000 milesWolcottville, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
LOCKS QUIT WORKING THE FOB WILL ONLY UNLOCK THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ALL OTHER DOORS HAVE TO BE DONE MANUALLY AND I CAN'T OPEN THE BACK HATCH BECAUSE THERE IS NO PLACE TO PUT IN A KEY AND UNLOCK IT.
NHTSA complaint #11113234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 151,000 milesBEL AIR, MD
AIR BAGS
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF AND VEHICLE WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT TO CAUSE THIS OCCURANCE! MY SON AND FIANC WERE JUST N A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT IN MY FIANC'S CHEVY AVALANCHE THAT CAUSED THE TRUCK TO ROLL AND OUR FRIEND, PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE, TO BEN KILLED. NOW MY SPECIAL NEEDS 10YEAR OLD WON'T GET IN THIS NEW CAR BECAUSE BABY HE'S AFRAID SINCE THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON IT WILL CAUSE US TO GET INTO A VEHICLE. I NEED A SOLID RESOLUTION TO THIS ASAP! I JUST FINALLY GOT HIM TO RIDE IN A VEHICLE AGAIN!
NHTSA complaint #11110834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesBronx, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HORN HONKS RANDOMLY. SOMETIMES BLARING, WHEN I PRESS IT DOESN'T WORK. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM DRIVING AND WHEN THE CAR IS SITTING. I FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM FROM CHRYSLER WITH THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULES (TIPMS).
NHTSA complaint #11103935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90 milesQueensbury, NY
AIR BAGS
SO WHY DRIVING THIS 07 NITRO IMEDITALY YOU GET A CHIME FROM THE AIRBAG LIGHT IT VERY SCARY KNOWING THAT YOU GET IN ACCIDENT AND LOOSE YOUR LIFE THINKING AIR BAGS WONT DEPLOY DUE TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT NEVER GOING AWAY AND WHEN IT DOES NOT LONG AND IT RIGHT BACK ONI FEEL THIS BE A RECALL ONLY BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH ANY VEHICLE OUT IN THE WORLD
NHTSA complaint #11083225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesCoeburn, VA
POWER TRAIN
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, CV AXEL BOOT TORE, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD
NHTSA complaint #11067089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesCoeburn, VA
AIR BAGS
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, CV AXEL BOOT TORE, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD
NHTSA complaint #11067089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 172,000 milesCoeburn, VA
VISIBILITY/WIPER
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WENT OUT UNEXPECTEDLY, CV AXEL BOOT TORE, TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD
NHTSA complaint #11067089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONER IS NOT WORKING IN THE DASH ALL THE LIGHT IS ON SAY IS NOT BUS
NHTSA complaint #11057744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONER IS NOT WORKING IN THE DASH ALL THE LIGHT IS ON SAY IS NOT BUS
NHTSA complaint #11057744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orlando, FL
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
ALL THE ELECTRICAL COMPONER IS NOT WORKING IN THE DASH ALL THE LIGHT IS ON SAY IS NOT BUS
NHTSA complaint #11057744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.