2008 Dodge Nitro problems
Owners have filed 611 complaints about the 2008 Dodge Nitro with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 32.7% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 11%.
Complaints611
Crashes25
Fires16
Injuries30
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 32.7% · 200
Fuel system, gasoline 11.0% · 67
Fuel/propulsion system 7.5% · 46
Exterior lighting 6.2% · 38
Visibility/wiper 6.1% · 37
Engine 4.7% · 29
Service brakes 4.4% · 27
Power train 4.3% · 26
Severity
Of those complaints, 25 describe a crash, 16 describe a fire and 30 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 4 model years of the Dodge Nitro in this data, 2008 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2007 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 13 in the last three years against 27 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 85,000 miles.
In owners' own words
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the windshield wipers and door locks independently activated. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the totally integrated power module needed to be replaced. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 50,000. Electrical system · reported at 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. While driving 30 mph, the contact stated that both front and rear wipers began to malfunction. The warning lamps illuminated and when the vehicle was turned off it drained the battery. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and the module was reprogrammed. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 69000. Electrical system · reported at 69,000 miles
I walked out to my car one morning to make a trip into town. The instant I opened the door the horn started blaring without a pause, the windshield wipers both front and rear were running on their top speed. I have absolutely no control over the car. I cant even get it out of park to have a tow truck pick it up. The gauge cluster says "no bus" and the only culprit I can think of would be the famous Dodge tipm. Electrical system · reported at 86,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…