FaultScore

Dodge Nitro engine problems

122 of the 1,635 complaints filed about the Dodge Nitro are about the engine — 7% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

122

Complaints

7%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

7

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

2007 Nitro 54 44.3%

Median failure at 63,950 miles

2008 Nitro 39 32.0%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2009 Nitro 1 0.8%

Median failure at 89,977 miles

2010 Nitro 11 9.0%

Median failure at 77,500 miles

2011 Nitro 17 13.9%

Median failure at 56,500 miles

What owners said

2008 Dodge Nitro Batesville, AR

ENGINE

An intermittent electrical failure is affecting multiple vehicle systems. The vehicle has unexpectedly stalled while driving on the interstate, leaving it without power in moving traffic. It has also experienced repeated no-start conditions, transmission entering limp mode, the engine continuing to run after the key was removed, and random operation of the horn, windshield wipers, washer pumps, and other electrical components while driving and while parked. These failures occur without warning and create a serious risk of a crash, injury, or death due to sudden loss of propulsion in interstate traffic and unpredictable vehicle behavior. The problem has become progressively more frequent despite previous repairs. The vehicle is available for inspection. I fear for my life.

NHTSA complaint #11750472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro Thurmont, MD

ENGINE

The vehicle throws the abs, esp,break and traction control lights and then while driving completely at random then turns off WHILE DRIVING!!!! which can cause an accident (I and my daughter are lucky to be alive) this is not ok the vehicle drives fine then at random throws those lights and shuts off after restarting it the check engine light comes on and says the transmission shift solenoid b is malfunction and the vehicle wouldn't shift properly. Luckily I had my code reader I. The car with me I cleared the code and now the car drives fine until this happens again I'm scared to drive it this is dangerous their's no warning. I drive on the highway everyday their's no warning it happens at random 2 times I've been lucky. No codes came up driving after clearing it and the car drives fine now but it's happened 2 times while driving this is extremely dangerous and I don't know what to do because with the codes gone the issues are gone but they randomly all the lights mentioned above come on and then the car shuts off with no warning then when you restart it it throws a different code for a different problem the first time was a low voltage code I cleared it and even Tho my battery tested good I replaced it and two days later the same issue and a different code

NHTSA complaint #11550908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro Albany, GA

ENGINE

I had my vehicle a week before it start misfiring it’s been months I had it worked on numerous times and still has not been fixed. When I try to crank it I have to keep my foot on the gas and if I let go it will cut back off I had so many parts replaced and the issue remain the same

NHTSA complaint #11531203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro Bozeman, MT

ENGINE

The TIPM is starting to fail. The power locks do not work, the car has problems starting has a very slow start, the horn will randomly go off and sometimes it does not want to start at all. Every article I’ve read, and every dealership I’ve talked with has said to replace the entire TIPM module. There are many other cases like this and it all comes down to the module. So with this said I am asking for either reassurance that it is that. Or receive help to be able to fix it.

NHTSA complaint #11469164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro Nashville, TN

ENGINE

Loss of power, engine completely shut off at a redlight

NHTSA complaint #11449338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Nitro at 65,000 miles Salisbury, NC

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the horn was inoperable while needed. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with rear shocks and struts, air compressor, condenser, HVAC system, and electrical system failure. The mechanic replaced the spark plugs, engine coils, air compressor, and condenser. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that they could not assist since the vehicle was purchased from a Chevrolet dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11444817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro Dallas, TX

ENGINE

Four total incidents of the vehicle engine shutting off while driving the car. Most recent today 12-17-21 was placed in extremely dangerous situation and was almost rear ended 5 times by other vehicles traveling at speeds greater than 55 mph. 1st instance occurred back in 2007 traveling West bound on I635 in Dallas (speed of 65mph) engine shut off, loss of power steering coasted to side of road. 2nd incident Fall 2007 - from complete stop to turn left and cross divided highway, the engine shut down right in the middle of the intersection and was nearly broadsided by oncoming car traveling at 45 mph. 3rd incident happened while driving in my neighborhood, engine shut down and loss of power to steering. Daimler Chrysler issued a recall to reprogram the TPIM module back in 2008 to address the problem. Nothing since then until today. I am the original Owner of this car and it has been well maintained and is still covered under the manufacturers warranty for as long as I own the vehicle. What has prompted me to report this problem is the fact that I could have been seriously injured. There was no warning whatsoever and the place where this took place had a blind spot as the car lost power during the climb and coasted at 2 mph down slope on a bend on the bridge. Cars traveling towards me had no visibility to my vehicle which was for all practical purposes at a stand still. I notified the Dodge Chrysler dealership of what took place and will also contact MOPAR to raise this serious problem. If a vehicle doesn't start is one thing, but to have a car loose power out of nowhere without warning has almost cost me serious harm on multiple occasions. Daimler Chrysler should do something before loss of life takes place.

NHTSA complaint #11444203 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro Mesquite, TX

ENGINE

The EGR valve has to replaced yearly. I have replaced every year since I’ve had it. It causes the check engine to come on and inhibits me from getting the nitro inspected and causes damage to my engine. I have had to replace it 3 times.

NHTSA complaint #11427272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro Ripley, WV Fire

ENGINE

ENGINE STARTED SMOKING WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN PARKING LOT AREA FOR ABOUT 30 MIN. ENGINE WAS OFF. SHE GOT OUT OF VEHICLE GRABBING HER DOG FROM THE BACK. SHE RAN INSIDE THE BUILDING TO GET ME (MOTHER) LESS THAN 2 MIN THE SMOKE GRADUALLY GOT HEAVIER AND DARKER THEN FIRE WAS DRIPPING OUT FROM UNDER ENGINE. I TRIED TO POP THE HOOD THINKING IT COULD GET AIR TO MAYBE HELP THE FIRE BUT IT WOULDNT POP UP. I TOOK FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO ENGINE ALONG WITH SOMEONE ELSE. SHORTLY AFTER THE POLICE AND FIRE TRUCKS ARRIVED. THERE WERE SEVERAL CARS SURROUNDING BUT THEY MOVED BEFORE ANY DAMAGE OCCURED. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING THAT SHE WAS PARKED AT, SOFFIT AND CRACKED WINDOW FROM THE HEAT. THERE WAS ABOUT 20 PEOPLE THAT WITNESSED THE ENTIRE THING. NO PROBLEMS WITH CAR PRIOR TO. THE WEATHER WAS CLEAR SUNSHINE 75 DEGREE'S.

NHTSA complaint #11422228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 64,900 miles Compton, CA

ENGINE

I WAS SITTING WAITING ADD A RED LIGHT GOING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN IN MY CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD NOW I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAIDIT WAS THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE ON MY 2007 DODGE NITRO AND I SEE WHERE THERE'S BEEN A RECALL UNDER TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE WAYBACK IN 2007 AND NOW MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP GETTINGMY TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE REPAIR AND IT'S DOING ALL THE THINGS THAT OTHER CARS HAVE EXPERIENCE SUCH AS ENGINE STALLINGMY HORN GOES OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHENEVER IT WANTS THERE'S A FAN IT COMES ON AND TURNS ALL MY DASH LIGHTS ON AND RUNS MY BATTERY DOWNNOW MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP BEING HAVING A TOTAL INTEGRATED POWER MODULE REPAIR AND IWANT TO KNOW WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR A RECALL THAT THEY ALREADY KNEW ABOUT

NHTSA complaint #11407918 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro at 152,458 miles Aiken, SC

ENGINE

IT STARTED WITH ALL DASH LIGHTS COMING ON SAYING IT HAD ISSUES AND THEN JUST STOPPED DEAD IN ROAD. I HAD TPIM PUT IN, THEN ALTERNATOR , AND THEN NEW BATTERY. WAS FINE AND THEN HEAD LIGHTS STOPPED COMING ON . NEXT, IT STARTING WITH HORN, AND EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN COMING ON AND NOT STOPPING. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY THOUGHT THEY FOUND IT, AND DROVE FOR A DAY AND AS SOON AS I TURNED ON HEADLIGHTS IT STALLED. IN MOTION ON A STREET DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11406178 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro at 147,668 miles Edenton, NC

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS UNLOCKED, THE ALARM, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND HORN ENGAGED. THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER CAROLINA CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (1001 HALSTEAD BLVD, ELIZABETH CITY, NC 27909, (252) 391-9609) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 147,668.

NHTSA complaint #11387858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 177,000 miles Myrtle Beach, SC

ENGINE

MY VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY STALL WHEN DRIVING. I HAD CONTACTED DEALER A FEW YEARS AGO ABOUT THIS AND THEY STATED THE RECALL FOR ELECTRICAL WAS FIXED BEFORE I PURCHASED VEHICLE BUT I AM STILL HAVING THIS ISSUE. SOME TIMES IT WILL STALL WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OTHER TIMES WHILE DRIVING WHICH IS VERY SCARY .

NHTSA complaint #11350472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro at 147,000 miles Olathe, KS

ENGINE

THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF ON ITS OWN AS I WAS DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT ABOUT 15 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #11338461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro at 130,000 miles Culdesac, ID

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING CAR STALLS FOR NO RHYME OR REASON AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I'VE ALMOST PUT IT IN THE DITCH MULTIPLE TIMES NOW. THANKFULLY ALL WHILE GOING 25-40MPH AND NOT FASTER ON THE HIGHWAY

NHTSA complaint #11282820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro Schofield, WI

ENGINE

THE DOOR LOCKS FOR THE REAR DOORS DO NOT WORK. THE ENGINE HEATER CORE ALSO STOPPED PROVIDING HEAT TO THE CAR. EVEN AFTER CLEANING IT OUT.

NHTSA complaint #11282844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 183,990 miles Mt.juliet, TN

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE, CHECK ENGINE, OIL PRESSURE, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR WAS DUE TO A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. BOB FRENSLEY CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM FIAT (2210 GALLATIN PIKE N, MADISON, TN 37115, (615) 859-0000) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 183,990.

NHTSA complaint #11281816 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro at 88,000 miles Tamarac, FL

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE NITRO. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE AND PARKED, IT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.

NHTSA complaint #11277332 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Nitro at 147,500 miles Newburgh, ME

ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 20-30 MPH. MY CAR STARTED MAKING A WHINING SOUND THEN MY DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH MULTIPLE LIGHTS STARTING WITH THE BATTERY AND THEN ALL OF THEM. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE IT COMPLETELY DIED. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. THEY TRIED CHANGING THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. IT STILL WON'T TURN ON. IT IS NOW AT A DEALERSHIP AND CURRENTLY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT.

NHTSA complaint #11257156 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 132,461 miles Rochester, NY Fire

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, WITH MY HEADLIGHTS ON, MY DASH BEGAN TO FLICKER AND SO DID MY INTERIOR LIGHTS. MY ENGINE ALSO STARTED TO STUDDED AS I WAS ACCELERATING. FINALLY I WENT TO ROLL MY REAR PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN FOR MY SON AND THE DOOR STARTED SMOKING AND CAUGHT FIRE! I PULLED OVER ON A CITY STREET TO LET THE FIRE DIE DOWN.

NHTSA complaint #11253315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge Nitro problems