Dodge Nitro 4X4 body problems

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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.

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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.

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THE INSIDE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE BROKE. THE NEW REPLACEMENT HANDLE BROKE. I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN MY DOOR. IF I EVER GET IN AN ACCIDENT I WILL BE TRAPPED.

NHTSA complaint #10808613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IT IS GARAGED , WELL MAINTAINED, AND SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NO HISTORY OF ABUSE, OR AUTO ACCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF IN MY HANDS YESTERDAY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE PARKED VEHICLE. THIS IS A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY CONCERN. ONLY EXIT IS THROUGH AN ELECTRIC WINDOW, DUE TO LARGE CONSOLE BETWEEN SEATS. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE, AND DUE TO MILEAGE (79K) AND AGE (2007), THEY OFFER NO ASSISTANCE IN FIXING, SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY AT DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS IN VARIOUS FORUMS OF THIS SAME ISSUE, TO WARRANT CONTACTING YOU. THIS IS NOT COSMETIC, BUT OF VITAL CONCERN TO DRIVER SAFETY. PLEASE CONSIDER FURTHER ACTION WITH A VIEW TO RECALL , SO THAT MANUFACTURER WILL PROCEED RECTIFY THIS DANGEROUS FLAW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

NHTSA complaint #10588324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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PULLED ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND IT SNAPPED OFF. HAVE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW AND OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. NOT A VERY SAFE OPTION. I HAVE READ MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, PERHAPS A RECALL SHOULD BE PUT OUT. IT IS A PRICEY FIX AT THE DEALER. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. NOT HAPPY ABOUT SPENDING UPWARDS OF $250.00 TO HAVE A PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE FIXED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2007.

NHTSA complaint #10573368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEVER WORKED LIKE IT SHOULD, EVEN WHEN NEW, THE ELECTRIC WINDOW SWITCHES AND POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT, AND THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BREAK FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN POOR WORKMANSHIP AND POOR CHOICE OF MATERIALS (PLASTIC) RENDERING THEM USELESS. THESE ARE ALL KNOWN PROBLEMS FOR YEARS WITH DODGE NITROS . THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THEM FOR THESE REASONS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL DANGEROUS. IT'S LIKE THE MONEY PIT. DODGE WANTS $150.00 PER DOOR JUST TO REPAIR THE HANDLE ASSEMBLIES. ARE THEY KIDDING ME? WHO MAKES A DOOR HANDLE OUT OF CHEAP PLASTIC? WE TAKE CARE OF THIS VEHICLE LIKE ITS A NEW CAR, AND NEVER ABUSE IT. IT HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST DOOR HANDLE BROKE WITH 30,000 MILES. DODGE HAD BETTER DO SOMETHING BEFORE I NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE OR I WILL CROSS THEM OFF MY LIST FOR GOOD. I HAVE NO PROBLEM GOING BACK TO FORD AND STAYING THERE.(OR HYUNDAI FOR THAT MATTER).

NHTSA complaint #10569100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED, THAT THE FRONT AND BACK DOME LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURS AND WHEN HE IS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE HAS TO DETACH THE BATTERY TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. THE ALARM GOES OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND THE BATTERY ALSO HAS TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT HE NEEDS A NEW TAIL GATE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55000. DYD

NHTSA complaint #10565089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10547606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WENT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST POPPED. COMPLETELY BROKEN, HAD TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW OPEN THE DOOR ROLL THE WINDOW BACK UP THEN TURN OFF THE VEHICLE JUST TO GET OUT. I HAVE HAD TO DO THIS FOR THE PAST WEEK. I DID NOTHING OUT OF THE NORMAL AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OVER $300 FOR A REPLACEMENT DOOR HANDLE PER DEALERSHIP QUOTE.

NHTSA complaint #10542786 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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BOTH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER. CANNOT GET OUT OF CAR ON EITHER SIDE!!!!!

NHTSA complaint #10538382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. WHERE THE HANDLE CONNECTS SNAPPED IN HALF. MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT.

NHTSA complaint #10537164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE BREAKING ON DODGE NITRO'S AND IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. HANDLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM BUT THERE HAS YET TO BE A RECALL. --> ISSUE INFORMATION: HTTP://WWW.NITROFORUMZ.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=28816.

NHTSA complaint #10536456 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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WHEN I CAME BACK FROM PICKING UP LUNCH TODAY, I PARKED MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT. THE HANDLE ON MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. AFTER LOOKING UP SOME INFORMATION ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAS A HISTORY OF THE DOOR HANDLES BREAKING. IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT TODAY I WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF ANOTHER DOOR (AND OF COURSE IF I WAS INJURED THIS COULD BE VERY DIFFICULT), BUT IF, BY SOME COINCIDENCE, ANOTHER DOOR HANDLE BROKE, I COULD POTENTIALLY END UP TRAPPED IN MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10532888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I WENT TO EXIT MY VEHICLE AND THE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED. I WAS NOT USING EXCESSIVE FORCE, OR ANY EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE HANDLE.

NHTSA complaint #10532100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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UPON TRYING TO EXIT MY PARKED VEHICLE, THE DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE RIGHT OFF WHEN I PULLED ON IT TO OPEN THE DOOR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE WINDOWS FAIL OR IF THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF A CRASH IN WHICH QUICK EXIT WAS IMPORTANT, I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN MY VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPLACE THE HANDLE, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NITROS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED DUE TO SAFETY. BEING TRAPPED IN A VEHICLE DUE TO HANDLE FAILURE IS A BIG PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10524282 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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UPON TRYING TO EXIT MY PARKED VEHICLE, THE DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE RIGHT OFF WHEN I PULLED ON IT TO OPEN THE DOOR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE WINDOWS FAIL OR IF THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF A CRASH IN WHICH QUICK EXIT WAS IMPORTANT, I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN MY VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPLACE THE HANDLE, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NITROS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED DUE TO SAFETY. BEING TRAPPED IN A VEHICLE DUE TO HANDLE FAILURE IS A BIG PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10524283 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I JUST BOUGHT MY NITRO BUT EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE GAS TANK IT WILL CLICK OFF AT THE NOZZLE BUT THEN I GET GAS SPEWING BACK OUT! IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE NOW AT TWO DIFFERENT PUMPS AT TWO DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS. IT SCARED ME VERY MUCH AND IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD! MY NITRO IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE WITH HAVING THIS ISSUE. THE ONLY FIX I KNOW OF IS REPLACING THE GAS TANK AT MY EXPENSE. I FEEL AS THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND PREVALENT ISSUE DODGE SHOULD ADDRESS IT ASAP!

NHTSA complaint #10513934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IS TO PUT DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL IS LOOSE. THE ELECTRICAL PANEL WITH THE POWER WINDOW AND DOOR LOCKS OCCASIONALLY COMES RIGHT OUT OF THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. ROOF RACK HAS STARTED TO COME OFF IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER NEAR PASSENGER SIDE. SIDE PANELS OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE LOOSE AND WHEN YOU GO TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE THEY CATCH ON YOUR CLOTHING. THEY ARE UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED AS THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. THE PANELING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS IT GOT STUCK ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS MADE WITH POOR QUALITY AND IS UNSAFE WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT KEEP HAPPENING.

NHTSA complaint #10493751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED APART, BREAKING THE PLASTIC HANDLE CLOSE TO THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR WHERE IN CONNECTS.

NHTSA complaint #10455217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY ISSUES. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD TO PUSH WITH LITTLE BRAKING EFFECT THEN WILL SUDDENLY LOOSEN UP AND APPLY HARD BRAKES. THE SEAT BELTS ACT UP. THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE BREAK WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SO YOU CANNOT GET OUT FROM INSIDE. THE ENGINE REVS AND HESITATES INTERMITTENTLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS BLIND SPOTS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT STABLE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT IS SOMETIMES SLOW TO START. THE WINDOW CONTROLS ARE IN A BAD LOCATION. THERE IS ONLY ONE KEY CYLINDER TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH A KEY.

NHTSA complaint #10450018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.