FaultScore

Dodge Nitro transmission problems

103 of the 1,635 complaints filed about the Dodge Nitro are about the transmission — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

103

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

1

Crashes

3

Fires

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year

2007 Nitro 55 53.4%

Median failure at 71,000 miles

2008 Nitro 26 25.2%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2009 Nitro 1 1.0%

Median failure at 101,456 miles

2010 Nitro 5 4.9%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2011 Nitro 16 15.5%

Median failure at 47,792 miles

What owners said

2008 Dodge Nitro at 203,000 miles Houston, TX 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 5 MPH, the front drive shaft fractured, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop, and the front driver's side and passenger's side airbags erroneously deployed. The contact stated that there was no collision during the incident. The contact's son sustained a concussion and facial injuries, causing severe swelling to the face and severe headaches. No medical treatment was received, but the son remained bed ridden for several days from the injuries sustained during the air bag deployment. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000(Power Train, Air Bags, Structure), which the contact's son related to the failure. The failure mileage was 203,000.

NHTSA complaint #11707455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 78,000 miles Rincon, PR 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

The contact owned a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE). The contact stated that while stopped, the sound of an explosion was heard, and the side air bags deployed. The contact believed the vehicle had been struck by another vehicle. The contact suffered injuries to the neck and had issues with his hearing. The contact stated that medical attention was not required. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the residence, and then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the underbody shield was striking the drive shaft while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer advised the contact that a field inspector would be sent to inspect the vehicle. The field inspector inspected the vehicle and the contact was awaiting the results. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000.

NHTSA complaint #11661958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro Mount Pleasant, SC

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000 (Power Train, Air Bags, Structure); however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint #11647052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Dodge Nitro at 160,000 miles Baltimore, MD

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT

The contact owns a 2010 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while attempting to accelerate from being stationary, the rear driveshaft suddenly detached from the rear of the vehicle and dragged on the ground. The vehicle was later towed to the residence. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 160,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11631567 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro Thurmont, MD

POWER TRAIN

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.

2008 Dodge Nitro Grand Rapids, MI

POWER TRAIN

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.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 201,500 miles Cape Coral, FL

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2007 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the underbody shield was striking the drive shaft while driving. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA Campaign Number 13V121000 (Power Train, Air Bags, Structure) however, the fix failed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 201,500.

NHTSA complaint #11526789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro Amarillo, TX

POWER TRAIN

While my husband was driving home from work, the drive shaft of our vehicle completely snapped at 50mph causing him to come to a complete stop. There is a recall specially specially this on the 2008 models and after this incident we believe it should for the 2011s also.

NHTSA complaint #11451358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

POWER TRAIN

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.

2007 Dodge Nitro Bristol, VA

POWER TRAIN

I noticed a few months ago my dash lights and radio lights at night when I turn my headlights on would flicker on and off several times then stop and do it again repeated process. I never got it looked at so just the other day I was driving and my windshield wipers, my emergency flashers and my driverside window and the back passenger window was all going crazy my widows was rolling up and down my flashers was going off and my wipers wouldn't turn off so I immediately pull over fearing of causing an accident with someone due to not being able to focus on driving once I pulled over my horn started blowing like crazy it was weird so I cut the vehicle off and everything kept doing what it was doing so I popped the hood and killed the battery. I waited maybe 10 minutes and hooked the battery back up and seconds later my horn only started going crazy again so I had no option out of the safety of me and other vehicles on the road to just have it towed back to my house I have been researching it and I've come to find out that there's several others with dodge nitros that have had the same issue as me. The tipm module (fuse box) was bad. I have yet to be able to drive my vehicle as it would be very unsafe and I've not yet got it towed to the dealership to look at it for reasons of what I've seen other complaints had to say about there experience at the dealership.. there needs to be a recall on the electrical malfunction as it is a huge!!! Safety concern for everybody. Please do something about this.

NHTSA complaint #11434312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Dodge Nitro at 101,456 miles Berwyn, IL

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO HIS DESTINATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM LOCATED AT 7911 W. ROOSEVELT RD, FOREST PARK, IL 60130, (708) 366-1001, TO NOTIFY THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,456.

NHTSA complaint #11341646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro at 111,000 miles Schofield, WI

POWER TRAIN

WHILE DRIVING THE EXITER RING BROKE CAUSING ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/ESP LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. OPENING THE DOOR THE SPRING DETACHED, DOOR NOW FREELY SWINGS OPEN. HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. THE CAR NO LONGER HEATS UP. THE REAR WINDOW WIPER NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY. THE DOORS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR NO LONGER LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN USING THE ELECTRIC LOCK CONTROL. THE HEAT SHIELD FROM UNDER THE CAR BROKE OFF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11301652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 139,000 miles Sarasota, FL

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE MADE A STUTTERING NOISE, SHOOK, AND HESITATED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CALLED ROCHESTER HILLS CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM (LOCATED AT 1301 S ROCHESTER RD, ROCHESTER HILLS, MI 48307, 248-652-9650) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL; HOWEVER, THERE WAS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER: 10034229 (POWER TRAIN) THAT REQUIRED A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

NHTSA complaint #11291556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro at 142,022 miles Indianapolis, IN 2 injured

POWER TRAIN

I WAS STOPPED AT A INTERSECTION WAITING FOR TRAFFIC TO PASS ON A CITY STREET, AS I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HAD A LOUD EXPLOSION NOISE AND FELT AS IF I WAS REAR ENDED, IMMEDIATELY THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON ME AND MY TWO SONS AND OBJECTS FLEW EVERYWHERE, THE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AS I COULDN'T CONTROL OR STOP IT. I PULLED THE EMERGENCY BREAKS AND JUMPED OUT TO SEE MY DRIVE SHAFT HAD EXPLODED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK, THE AMBULANCE CAME TO TAKE MY SON TO THE ER BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF CAUSING HIM TO HAVE SEVERE COLLAR BONE PAIN. I CONTACTED INSURANCE COMPANY THIS MORNING AND WAITING TO HEAR WHO'S COVERING WHAT. I/MY SON IS IN SEVERE PAIN AND SHOCKED AS TO WHY THIS WASN'T RECALLED WITH THE OTHER NITRO YEARS. THIS COULD'VE BEEN FATAL, I NEED ANSWERS A.S.A.P.*DT

NHTSA complaint #11281903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro at 253,000 miles North Charleston, SC

POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WIPERS AND LIGHTS WOULD JUMP ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TIPM AND ESP ICON LIT UP ON THE DASH SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DIFFERENT GEARS (PARK, REVERSE, AND DRIVE). DOORS WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AS IT WAS PROGRAMMED TO DO. FUNCTIONS ON KEY FOB NO LONGER WORKED AS THEY SHOULD (LOCK BUTTON WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS AND UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD ACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC START). I REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE KEY FOB AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS BROKEN INTO ONCE THE FOB STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST 3.5 WEEKS AFTER ELECTRICAL ISSUES GOT WORSE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. I HAVE READ SEVERAL REVIEWS AND CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND IT SEEMS THAT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2008 DODGE NITRO ARE VERY COMMON AMONGST OTHER DODGE DRIVERS AS WELL AS CHRYSLER 300 DRIVERS. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR CHRYSLER 300S (OLDER 2007 MODELS). A RECALL NEEDS TO BE STARTED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES BECAUSE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES IN THIS STATE ARE HIGHLY UNSAFE. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK (ABOUT 530ISH ONE MORNING) AND THE ABS, ESP, TIPM, AND AIRBAG ICON ALL CAME ON AND THEN MY TRUCK STARTED STALLING OUT. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME AND IT'S BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS IF AND ONCE THESE LIGHTS COME ON.

NHTSA complaint #11253068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro at 20,747 miles Washington, DC

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2011 DODGE NITRO. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE SEAL LEAKED. THE CONSUMER HAD THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE SEAL REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND FITZGERALD AUTO MALL LEXINGTON PARK (2231 THREE NOTCH ROAD, LEXINGTON PARK, MD 20653, 301-737-0088) TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE SEALS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,747. *BF

NHTSA complaint #11233309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro at 154,569 miles Tuscola, TX

POWER TRAIN

THE HEAT SHIELDING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE DISLODGED IN A FEW PLACES CAUSING IT TO RUB AGAINST THE DRIVE SHAFT. IT WASN'T LOUD SO I DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT AND MY DRIVE SHAFT BROKE IN 2 PIECES. I BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING PLACE AND WHEN I SHIFTED FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, IT SNAPPED. THIS WAS RECALLED ON CERTAIN 2007-2008 DODGE NITROS, BUT NOT ON THE 2011. HAD I BEEN IN MOTION AND NOT AT A STAND STILL, IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY BAD.

NHTSA complaint #11208781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Dodge Nitro at 180,000 miles SAN Antonio, TX

POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED EXTREMELY HARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE SPACE BY BYSTANDERS. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO SAN ANTONIO DODGE CHRYSLER (11910 I-35 FRONTAGE RD, SAN ANTONIO, TX 78233, (210) 239-1808), BUT THEY DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V121000 (POWER TRAIN, AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA complaint #11208086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Dodge Nitro at 177,000 miles Concord, CA

POWER TRAIN

SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2010, IT'S HAD STRANGE ELECTRICAL ISSUES. FIRST, THE DOOR LOCKS HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING. AFTER A COUPLE OF USES, THEY NO LONGER RESPOND TO THE REMOTE, OR DOOR LOCK BUTTON. NOR WILL THEY AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THAT'S VERY DANGEROUS. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THAT THE HORN WOULD RANDOMLY HONK. THE HONKING STOPPED FOR ABOUT A YEAR. TONIGHT, THE HONKING STARTED AT RANDOM AND WOULDN'T STOP. THE KEY WASN'T IN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WAS PARKED. I HAD TO REMOVE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE TO AVOID A VISIT FROM THE POLICE FOR DISTURBING THE PEACE. THE THIRD ISSUE IS THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. YET ANOTHER STRANGE ISSUE. WHEN STARTING THE ENGINE, THERE WILL BE S LONG START AS IF THE STARTER STAYS ENGAGED FOR TOO LONG. SOMETIMES , THE ENGINE WILL START, NOT IDLE AND JUST STOP. THE ENGINE HAS STARTED AND BARELY HAD ANY POWER AND WOULD BARELY MOVE.

NHTSA complaint #11207943 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Dodge Nitro at 93,600 miles Pasadena, MD

POWER TRAIN

PURCHASED 2011 NITRO. HIGH SPEED CAN COMMUNICATION BUS, CODE U0002. DASH CLUSTER FAULTS ALL LIGHT UPWITH WARNING BELL ENGAGING WHEN PULLING OFF OR TURNING. TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON, ENGINE LIGHT ON, PULL OFF FROM STOP LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE IS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. HEARING ELECTRIC GEAR SOUND WHEN VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11170023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Dodge Nitro problems