Model year record

2008 Dodge Nitro

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 619 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V396000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer
Chrysler (FCA US LLC)
Vehicles affected
925,239
Reported to NHTSA
2020-07-07
Owners notified
2021-02-11

Defect description

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2008-2010 Chrysler Town and Country and Dodge Grand Caravan and 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro vehicles. These vehicles may have a loose or missing brand emblem in the center of the steering wheel. The loose emblem or the securing nuts for the emblem within the driver air bag module may become projectiles in the event of a driver air bag deployment.

Safety risk

Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's air bag cover with a redesigned cover, free of charge. The recall began February 11, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W09.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V121000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
Chrysler Group LLC
Vehicles affected
62,578
Reported to NHTSA
2013-04-03
Owners notified
2013-06-27

Defect description

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Dodge Nitro 4X2 vehicles manufactured March 21, 2006, through March 1, 2008; and 2008 Jeep Liberty 4X2 vehicles manufactured February 15, 2007, through March 1, 2008. The transfer case heat shield may drop down and rub on the drive shaft, weakening it and potentially causing the drive shaft to break.

Safety risk

If the drive shaft breaks, a section of it can strike the transfer case tunnel with enough force that the airbag computer will believe the vehicle is in a crash and thus deploy the airbags. Additionally, the drive shaft failure will result in a loss of motive power. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will add a bracket to support the rear of the heat shield, free of charge. An interim letter was mailed to owners on May 29, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N10.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V525000

Parking brake

Component
Parking brake
Manufacturer
CHRYSLER LLC
Vehicles affected
3,663
Reported to NHTSA
2008-10-08
Owners notified
2008-10-27

Defect description

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 3,663 MY 2007-2008 DODGE NITRO AND MY 2008 JEEP LIBERTY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE PARK BRAKE LEVER CLUTCH DRUM MAY DISTORT AND REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARK BRAKE SYSTEM.

Safety risk

THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PARK BRAKE LEVER ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system19990,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline6538,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4661,500 mi
Exterior lighting3889,000 mi
Visibility/wiper3789,000 mi
Engine30100,000 mi
Service brakes2795,000 mi
Power train26100,000 mi
Unknown or other2590,000 mi
Air bags23123,648 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)18104,148 mi
Steering10107,635 mi
Structure: body1056,200 mi
Engine and engine cooling842,000 mi
Vehicle speed control849,437 mi
Latches/locks/linkages588,000 mi
Suspension472,000 mi
Electrical system: horn3101,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic343,000 mi
Structure3203,000 mi
Wheels323,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly234,000 mi
Parking brake25,900 mi
Seat belts231,000 mi
Visibility277,002 mi
Air bags: frontal1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery128,068 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1129 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment1475 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility196,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner1
Interior lighting1475 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock170,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission11,100 mi
Service brakes, electric125,646 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1600 mi
Steering: column128,068 mi
Structure: body: door1120,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: front14,800 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing115,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls176,325 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1100,000 mi

The 2007 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2009 model has 17 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.