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FaultScore report

2009 Dodge Nitro 4X4 problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2009 Dodge Nitro 4X4 with NHTSA between 2011 and 2019. The largest single group is the engine & cooling.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Dodge Nitro 4X4 All 2009 cars
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Not graded

Too few complaints, or too short a model run, to compare fairly.

How this is worked out

The numbers

14

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries reported

68,400 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

18%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What breaks on a 2009 Dodge Nitro 4X4

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Wheels 2 14.3%

Median failure at 55,250 miles

Tires 2 14.3%

Median failure at 59,234 miles

Electrical System 2 14.3%

Median failure at 69,576 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 2 14.3%

Median failure at 85,500 miles

Engine & Cooling 2 14.3%

Median failure at 84,343 miles

Stability & Traction Control 1 7.1%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Suspension 1 7.1%
Brakes 1 7.1%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

Airbags 1 7.1%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

25,000 – 49,999 miles 2 18.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 4 36.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 4 36.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 1 9.1%

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.

May 2011 peak 3 Jan 2019

NHTSA investigations into the 2009 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.

DP14004 Opened 25 Sep 2014 Closed 24 Jul 2015 ELECTRICAL 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...

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Yukon, OK 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10746545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yukon, OK 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10746545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yukon, OK 1 injured

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10746545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 60,000 miles Brighton, CO

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. UPON READING INFO ON INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, I THINK. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM DEALER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX MY CAR FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM AND NOW I WILL WAIT ON SECOND PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAS 85,534 MILES AND WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED I BELIEVE I HAD ABOUT 58,000 TO 60,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR UP UNTIL THESE PROBLEMS. ONLINE I SEE PEOPLE HAVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT NO ANSWERS. HELP US PLEASE TO FIX MY CAR. CAR IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WITH THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #11166143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Brighton, CO

SERVICE BRAKES

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. UPON READING INFO ON INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, I THINK. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM DEALER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX MY CAR FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM AND NOW I WILL WAIT ON SECOND PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAS 85,534 MILES AND WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED I BELIEVE I HAD ABOUT 58,000 TO 60,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR UP UNTIL THESE PROBLEMS. ONLINE I SEE PEOPLE HAVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT NO ANSWERS. HELP US PLEASE TO FIX MY CAR. CAR IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WITH THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #11166143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Brighton, CO

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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. UPON READING INFO ON INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, I THINK. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM DEALER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX MY CAR FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM AND NOW I WILL WAIT ON SECOND PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAS 85,534 MILES AND WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED I BELIEVE I HAD ABOUT 58,000 TO 60,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR UP UNTIL THESE PROBLEMS. ONLINE I SEE PEOPLE HAVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT NO ANSWERS. HELP US PLEASE TO FIX MY CAR. CAR IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WITH THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #11166143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,400 miles Sterling Heights, MI

ENGINE

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FOR 75 MINUTES. PULLED OVER TO REST AREA- GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BUMPER ON THE BACK RIGHT SIDE WAS MELTED AND VERY HOT TO TOUCH. THEN NOTICED MY TAIL PIPE WAS GONE. MY GUESS IS THE EXHAUST FROM THE MUFFLER WAS HOT AND MELTED THE BUMPER.

NHTSA complaint #11142795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yukon, OK 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10746545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yukon, OK 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10746545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yukon, OK 1 injured

SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10746545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Clio, MI

WHEELS

DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AND LOW TIRE LIGHT CAME ON, LOST ALL AIR IN FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. WHEN I LOOKED THE AIR VALVE WAS MISSING, CHECKED OTHER WHEELS AND FOUND ALLOY LUG NUTS( TIRE PRESSURE MONITERS) WERE ALL CRACKED AND FALLING OFF. HAD TOWED TO CLIO RANDY WISE CHRYSLER. REPLACED ALL 4 SENSORS AND A TIRE $700 REPAIR ! ALTHOUGH IT IS A 2009 I ONLY HAVE 25,000 MILES ON IT. I'M VERY UPSET ABOUT PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR ! I MADE CALLS ONLY TO BE TOLD SORRY ! I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS ON THESE JUST NOT FOR MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10721781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,500 miles Lawrenceburg, IN

POWER TRAIN

2009 DODGE NITRO - TPM VALVE STEMS CORROSION AT VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT: WHEN RETAINING NUT FAILS, FALLS OFF, IT THEN CHEWS UP THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, AND THE VALVE STEM BLOWS OUT TIRE WHILE DRIVING - TIRE GOES FLAT SO FAST OPERATOR MUST STOP BEFORE WHEEL IS DAMAGED AND NOW WE FIND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT ALL 4 TIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON 4X4 VEHICLES OR IT WILL LEAD TO TRANSFER CASE (TRANSMISSION) ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD. YOU CANNOT JUST REPLACE THE DAMAGED TIRE. DODGE NEEDS TO SEND OUT A RECALL TO INSPECT THE VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT ON VEHICLE WITH TPM SYSTEMS AND REPLACE WITH A STAINLESS STEEL NUT. IF THE TPM IS REMOVED YOU WILL HAVE AN ANNOYING LIGHT ON IN THE DASH COMPLAINING ABOUT A TIRE SENSOR ISSUE. ANYONE ELSE THAT HAS THIS SAME ISSUE SHOULD FILE IT WITH NTSB IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #10564202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,500 miles Lawrenceburg, IN

WHEELS

2009 DODGE NITRO - TPM VALVE STEMS CORROSION AT VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT: WHEN RETAINING NUT FAILS, FALLS OFF, IT THEN CHEWS UP THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, AND THE VALVE STEM BLOWS OUT TIRE WHILE DRIVING - TIRE GOES FLAT SO FAST OPERATOR MUST STOP BEFORE WHEEL IS DAMAGED AND NOW WE FIND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT ALL 4 TIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON 4X4 VEHICLES OR IT WILL LEAD TO TRANSFER CASE (TRANSMISSION) ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD. YOU CANNOT JUST REPLACE THE DAMAGED TIRE. DODGE NEEDS TO SEND OUT A RECALL TO INSPECT THE VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT ON VEHICLE WITH TPM SYSTEMS AND REPLACE WITH A STAINLESS STEEL NUT. IF THE TPM IS REMOVED YOU WILL HAVE AN ANNOYING LIGHT ON IN THE DASH COMPLAINING ABOUT A TIRE SENSOR ISSUE. ANYONE ELSE THAT HAS THIS SAME ISSUE SHOULD FILE IT WITH NTSB IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #10564202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 85,500 miles Lawrenceburg, IN

TIRES

2009 DODGE NITRO - TPM VALVE STEMS CORROSION AT VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT: WHEN RETAINING NUT FAILS, FALLS OFF, IT THEN CHEWS UP THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, AND THE VALVE STEM BLOWS OUT TIRE WHILE DRIVING - TIRE GOES FLAT SO FAST OPERATOR MUST STOP BEFORE WHEEL IS DAMAGED AND NOW WE FIND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT ALL 4 TIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON 4X4 VEHICLES OR IT WILL LEAD TO TRANSFER CASE (TRANSMISSION) ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD. YOU CANNOT JUST REPLACE THE DAMAGED TIRE. DODGE NEEDS TO SEND OUT A RECALL TO INSPECT THE VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT ON VEHICLE WITH TPM SYSTEMS AND REPLACE WITH A STAINLESS STEEL NUT. IF THE TPM IS REMOVED YOU WILL HAVE AN ANNOYING LIGHT ON IN THE DASH COMPLAINING ABOUT A TIRE SENSOR ISSUE. ANYONE ELSE THAT HAS THIS SAME ISSUE SHOULD FILE IT WITH NTSB IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA complaint #10564202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 79,153 miles Roanoke, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING MY HORN SUDDENLY WENT OFF AND THEN ALL THE LIGHT ON THE DISH LIT UP AND THE CAR CUT OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES TO NO AVAIL....I THEN TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND THEY BLINKED A COUPLE OF TIMES THEN A BEEPING SOUND WAS MADE, THE EVERYTHING WENT OUT AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LIFTED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TIPM. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS PART ON THESE VEHICLES AND NOTHING SEEM DONE ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10561525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,286 miles Marietta, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65 TO 70MPH MY TRUCK MADE THIS THUMPING SOUND AND A BIG JERK. I STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE TRUCK ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. I DROVE OFF AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO JERK REALLY BAD. WHAT COULD THIS BE????? *TR 2. THE LOCK ON THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK WHEN YOU PRESSED THE LOCK SWITCH ON THE DOOR AND ON THE KEY, YOU HAD TO PUSH THE KNOB DOWN BY HAND. I HAD TO SPEND MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED. 3. THE PLASTIC THAT'S ON THE SIDE OF THE SEATS HAVE BROKEN WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. LOVE THE BODY OF THIS VEHICLE BUT TOO MANY THINGS WENT WRONG TOO SOON.

NHTSA complaint #10504214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,968 miles Westminster, MD

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

2009 DODGE NITRO - TPM VALVE STEMS CORROSION AT VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT -- NUT FAILS AND VALVE STEM BLOWS OUT WHILE DRIVING - TIRE GOES FLAT SO FAST OPERATOR CAN NOT STOP BEFORE TIRE IS DAMAGED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED - DEALER WILL REPLACE VALVE STEM BUT WILL NOT COVER THE TIRE LOSS - THIS COULD BE VERY UN SAFE AT HIGH SPEEDS - WE HAVE HAD 4 TO 5 OF THESE - ALSO INCLUDES JEEP LIBERTY - I FEEL DODGE NEEDS TO SEND OUT A RECALL TO INSPECT THE VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT ON VEHICLE WITH TPM SYSTEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10399872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.