FaultScore

Dodge Nitro steering problems

43 of the 1,635 complaints filed about the Dodge Nitro are about the steering — 3% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

43

Complaints

3%

Share of all complaints

3

Crashes

1

Fires

Steering complaints by model year

2007 Nitro 19 44.2%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2008 Nitro 12 27.9%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2009 Nitro 2 4.7%

Median failure at 54,988 miles

2010 Nitro 4 9.3%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2011 Nitro 6 14.0%

Median failure at 50,127 miles

What owners said

2007 Dodge Nitro Ormond Beach, FL

STEERING

Ever since I bought this vehicle, I have been having issues with it registering the key, which keeps causing an automatic security alert system to shut down my vehicle the moment I start it. I've already replaced the battery to my car. I've already had locksmiths examined the issue and nobody can seem to find the problem. The issue with the car is definitely a security issue. The car shuts down automatically and goes into theft mode which prevents me from driving my vehicle. That could be a result to a software malfunction or something but it doesn't register the keys which originally sets off the security warning. Whenever the car does register the key it drives and operates just fine. It's the computer that prevents me from driving it or whatever automatic system that is related to theft mode.

NHTSA complaint #11658931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro El Paso, TX

STEERING

ESP BAS LIGHTS (APPEARED AFTER). AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR FELT LIKE IT HIT A BRICK WALL EVEN THOUGH IT DIDNT, IT SLAMMED ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN CONTINUED DRIVING. AT THAT POINT, THE ESP BAS LIGHT CAME ON. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT DODGE OR CHRYSLER BY PHONE WITH NO CHANCE AT REACHING A PERSON CAUSE OF ROBOTIC ANSWERING SERVICES.

NHTSA complaint #11582661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Nitro at 145,000 miles Washington, DC

STEERING

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact received a recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bags, Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was intermittently illuminated. An undisclosed dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part may not be available, and the contact was informed that she would receive a call back to schedule an appointment but had not yet received a callback. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11549536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro Grand Rapids, MI

STEERING

Power steering locks up, power steering fluid not helping. Looks like oil mixed in with the coolant. Car smoking and overheating

NHTSA complaint #11535132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge Nitro at 20,000 miles Lincoln, NE

STEERING

The contact owns a 2009 Dodge Nitro. The contact received recall notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V396000 (Air Bag, Steering) however, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair where the emblem was removed however, the emblem was then replaced due to parts were unavailable to complete the recall . The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11522128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro at 118,000 miles Newton Falls, OH

STEERING

The contact's daughter owns a 2011 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while his daughter was starting the vehicle, the steering wheel inadvertently lost power steering functionality. Additionally, the windshield wipers remained operational after the windshield wiper button was disengaged. The contact's daughter was also unable to move the gear shifter from PARK to DRIVE. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000.

NHTSA complaint #11447890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro Conroe, TX

STEERING

My car is always acting as if it is going to flip or gets locked up, even in slow speeds below the speed limit. I am a single mom, not a speed racer.

NHTSA complaint #11447313 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro Orlando, FL

STEERING

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V396000 (Air bags, Steering) The contact stated the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact then took the vehicle back to the dealer weeks later where they partially serviced the recall but did not have all of the parts to complete the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11421681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 171,000 miles Carmel, IN

STEERING

BRAKES NOT BRAKING UPHILL DASH LIGHTS NOT LIGHTING WHEN HAVE ISSUES LIKE LOW FLUIDS OR OIL DRIVE TRAIN LIGHT COMES ON POWER STEERING MAKES KIND BUMP NOISES WHEN TURNING TRANSMISSION STUDDERS IN REVERSE OR SWITCHING GEARS

NHTSA complaint #11400076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Nitro at 35,500 miles ST Peters, MO

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V396000 (AIR BAGS, STEERING) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING A ROUTINE CHECK AT NAPLETON'S MID RIVERS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (44951 VETERANS MEMORIAL PKWY, SAINT PETERS, MO 63376, (636) 242-1471) WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED, THE DAB (DIGITAL AUDIO BROADCASTING) WAS NO LONGER PRESENT ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,500. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.*DT

NHTSA complaint #11397884 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Nitro Redford, MI

STEERING

I GOT MY DODGE NITRO 4 MONTHS AGO FIRST MONTH I NOTICED MY ENGINE WAS STARLING AND I KNOW IS I HAD ELECTRIC ISSUES I TOLD MY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IF THE CAR STILL RUNNING IT'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT SOME DAYS MY WINDSHIELD WIPER WILL CUT ON BY ITSELF SOME DAYS MY BLINKER DON'T WORK I HAVE 6 MONTH WARRANTY . SO I WAS ON MY WAY GOING HOME COMING OFF THE FREEWAY STOP AT THE RED LIGHT THE LIGHT HIT GREEN I PRESS THE GAS MY WHEELS LOCK UP MY BRAKE LOCK UP AND THE CAR KEEP GOING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC MY CAR IS GOING INTO THE WRONG LANE I HAVE PICTURES OF THAT MAKING. HARD FOR ME TO TURN MY WHEEL NOW MY CAR BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR A MONTH STILL PAYING PAYMENTS

NHTSA complaint #11344272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 165,000 miles Wewahitchka, FL

STEERING

I HAVE ALREADY PUT IN PROBLEM TO THIS WEB SITE BUT NO ANSWERS SO FAR, I HAVE A 2007 DODGE NITRO SLT THAT THE AIR BAG STRIPS ARE HANGING OUT BEHIND MY STEERING WHEEL AND NOW MY HORN DOES NOT BLOW, MY SPEED CONTROL IS NOT WORKING, AND THE WHITE STRIP IS INTERFERING WITH MY STEERING COULD YOU PLEASE HAVE MY CAR RECALLED FOR TAKATA AIR BAG IT WAS ON A CITY STREET WHILE MAKING A TURN.

NHTSA complaint #11205543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 165,000 miles Wewahitchka, FL

STEERING

WHITE PLASTIC STRIP TO AIRBAG COMING OUT FROM BEHIND STEERING, TAKATA RECALL WHITE STRIP COMING OUT BEHIND STEERING, SPEED CONTROL NOT WORKING, HORN WILL NOT BLOW, STRIP IS GETTING LONGER AND IS HARD TO TURN STEERING WHEEL, ON CITY STREET AND HIGHWAY

NHTSA complaint #11203409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro at 135,440 miles Cherokee VLG, AR

STEERING

TAKATA RECALL. DRIVING ON HWY @55 MPH, HORN GOING OFF, LIGHTS OFF AND ON,DASH LIGHTS BLINKING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS GOING OFF AND THEN VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN AND REBOOTS, NO CONTROL OF VEHICLE. 3 TIMES. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #11193613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro at 120,000 miles Loveland, CO

STEERING

VEHICLE LOST POWER, BRAKES & STEERING, ALL WARNING LIGHTS LIT UP, WIPERS AND PUMP RUNNING CONTINUALLY, HORN BLARING CONTINUALLY, AND FAN MOTOR RUNNING EVEN WITH KEYS OUT OF IGNITION. THIS HAPPENED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC ON THE WAY TO WORK AND I BARELY GOT IT OFF THE ROAD AND OUT OF TRAFFIC BEFORE COMING A STOP AGAINST A CURB! REPLACED THE TIPM & BATTERY WITHIN THE LAST 4 MONTHS AND IT'S ONLY GOTTEN WORSE!

NHTSA complaint #11193236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro Ruskin, FL

STEERING

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND POWER GOES OUT. NO AIR, NO RADIO, ENGINE WILL NOT START.

NHTSA complaint #11112837 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro at 110,000 miles Roeland Park, KS Fire

STEERING

...SO, I LEFT MY HOUSE, GOT ABOUT A BLOCK DOWN THE STREET AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY HORN STARTS BLARING, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STARTED MOVING, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID SPRAYED, ALL OF MY INTERIOR AND WARNING LIGHTS STARTING BLINKING IN AND OUT AND MY NITRO STARTED SPUTTERING. AT THIS POINT I HAD LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES BUT I MANAGED TO PULL IT OVER TO THE CURB AND THE CAR DIES. I'M SITTING THERE THINKING TO MYSELF, "WHAT IN THE HELL?!" I WAS ALREADY STARTLED FROM THE HORN RANDOMLY BLARING, SO I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF SWALLOWING MY HEART WHEN HEAVY, THICK SMOKE STARTS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. ...AND IT STINKS LIKE SMOLDERING WIRING. I SNATCHED MY KEYS, POPPED THE HOOD (WHICH PROBABLY WASN'T TOO BRIGHT IN HINDSIGHT) AND RIPPED THE WIRING OFF OF THE BATTERY TERMINALS. IT WAS HOT UNDER THAT HOOD AND I'M GLAD I HAD THE WHEREWITHAL TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY. I REALIZED THEN THAT THE CAR WAS NEVER GOING TO START AGAIN, NOR WOULD I WANT TO. I HAD A FRIEND TOW IT TO HIS SHOP AND HE HAD A LOOK. THE TIPM, WIRING HARNESS/WIRING AND SURROUNDING PLASTIC WAS ALL DESTROYED. HE SAID THE WIRES GOT SO HOT THAT IT WOULD ALL HAVE TO BE RE-RUN THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE, A $3500 TO 4000 ESTIMATE. FORGET THAT NOISE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THAT THE CAR WAS MOVING WHEN ALL OF THIS HAPPENED AND HAD I NOT BEEN IN A QUIET NEIGHBORHOOD THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH, MUCH WORSE, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #11079764 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro West Carrollton, OH

STEERING

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND HEARD A SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISE WHILE TURNING I FELT MY CAR JERK IN THE REAR SO I TOOK MY CAR TO AAMCO TOTAL CAR CARE THIS EVENING THE COMPANY TOLD ME MY DRIVE TRAIN NEEDS TO BE REPLACE AND MY DIFFERENTIAL SEAL HAS LEAK THE FLUID WAS VERY LOW FROM LEAKING OUT WHICH I HAD THEM ADD FLUID SO MY REAR END DOES NOT LOCK UP AND CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT I ALSO DID MY RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET HAPPEN TO GOOGLE MY CAR YEAR MAKE AND MODEL FOR RECALLS IT SHOW A MAJOR RECALLS FOR DODGE NITRO SAFETY HAZARD FROM DRIVE TRAINS WREAKING FROM BAD DRIVE TRAIN ALSO MY FRONT WINDOW WASHER FLUID WILL NOT WORK ON MY DRIVER SIDE AND MY STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE AS WHILE AND I HAVE A ENGINE LIGHT ON AND MY WHEEL WARNING LIGHT IS FLASHING

NHTSA complaint #11024937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro Mayaguez, PR

STEERING

FOR SEVERAL DAYS IT TURNS ON THE DASH LIGHT AIRBAG AND INTERMITTENTLY THE ALERT SOUNDS INDICATING THE PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG, WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION, ACROSS THE STREET OR IN THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #10906034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 179,000 miles MT Pleasant, TN

STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO, AND HEATER FAILED. WHILE DRIVING, THE DOORS UNLOCKED AND LOCKED PERIODICALLY ON THEIR OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 179,000.

NHTSA complaint #10861654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge Nitro problems