Before you buy
This 2008 Dodge Nitro has 392 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Electrical Faults.
A model-year pattern isn't the car in front of you. Check this exact VIN for accidents, open recalls, odometer rollback, and salvage titles.
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2008 Dodge Nitro Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 6 2008 Dodge Nitro trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 6 trims analysed.
2008 Dodge Nitro Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not Rated21.9% rollover risk
Frontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
21.9% probability
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2008 Dodge Nitro has 392 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Electrical Faults. NHTSA reliability signal: Severe Issues.
- Make
- Dodge
- Model
- Nitro
- Model year
- 2008
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 392
- Crash-related complaints
- 17
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Top reported component
- Electrical Faults
- Reliability signal
- Severe Issues
- EPA MPG combined
- 18
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 16 / 21
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
- NHTSA rollover rating
- 3/5 stars
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Common problems
Most common 2008 Dodge Nitro problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Electrical Faults
Fuel System
Gasoline
Complaint patterns center on Electrical Faults, Fuel System, Gasoline. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Buyer verdict
Should you buy a used 2008 Dodge Nitro?
This DODGE NITRO year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection.
Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs.
May Suit
This year may suit buyers who prioritize complete maintenance records and pass a pre-purchase inspection.
May Want to Avoid
Buyers who want a lower-risk ownership profile may prefer comparing nearby model years before committing.
Pre-purchase
What to check before buying a used 2008 Dodge Nitro
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the most frequently reported complaint components on this model year
- Confirm recall repairs were completed and documented
- Check for accident damage, title brands, and mileage inconsistencies on the exact VIN
Before You Close the Deal
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Check the exact car
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2008 Dodge Nitro, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
AI verdict
What the complaint data suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
The DODGE NITRO has 392 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. 17 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Recall context: 3 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase.
- 392 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 3 federal recall campaigns
- 17 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Full breakdown
All 2008 Dodge Nitro complaints by category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Dodge Nitro. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 197 | — | 8 | — | |
| Fuel System | 66 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 66 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 46 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 38 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 37 | 2 | 3 | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 37 | — | 1 | — | |
| Brake System | 31 | — | 1 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 26 | 1 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 25 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 23 | 9 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 18 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 14 | 3 | 1 | — | |
| Steering Defects | 12 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 8 | 3 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | 2 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 4 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Equipment | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
In their words
Real owner complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2008 Dodge Nitro. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Car shut off while driving, prior have had issues. Have replaces TIPM module, ignition, grounding, etc
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 th…
TIPM system and/or electrical system failure. Right turn signal intermittently works when it wants to. Door locks from the inside at random or will not lock at all when using the master lock button. Now car will not start or turn over at all. Zero sound comes from he vehicle whil…
I had just entered Gene Snyder Expressway going west when my throttle light started flashing and I lost gas pressure and it started going down fast and then it shut off and right in the middle of rush-hour traffic and it’s 65 mph on the expressway and People as usual go around 80…
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 N…
TIPM connectors melted. Ground wires melted.
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 thos…
Power steering locks up, power steering fluid not helping. Looks like oil mixed in with the coolant. Car smoking and overheating
2008 Dodge nitro in a collision going between 35 and 45 miles per hour had a major rear end accident. Police paramedics and fire came on scene. The air bags never deployed. This vehicle was taken for the air bags emblem recall in 2022. The vehicle should have air bags that deploy…
Was driving tipm caught fire Now insurance telling me moisture and corrosion
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the horn and the rear and front windshield wipers were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that her neighbo…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle the horn inadvertently started blowing and windshield wipers activated independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with an unknow…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the windows, lights, and radio would independently turn off, or on. The contact stated that occasionally while driving, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to c…
I have received multiple recall notices (recall W09/NHTSA 20V-396) since the recall was issued on my vehicle 20 months ago however I have been unable to get the recall completed because Dodge will not provide the parts needed to complete the repair. The notices all say that the p…
Gas keeps overflowing every time I pump gas into no matter what pump or gas station I am using.
The TIPM in these vehicles are faulty and nothing is being done about it by Dodge. There are hundreds of complains across several forums and every time Dodge is contacted about the issue they use the no recall excuse. I have a Nitro myself and it has multiple electrical issues fo…
The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the fuel was spilling from the vehicle onto the ground. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehic…
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 AN…
ON 2/11/2021 ME AN MY MOM WAS HEAD TO DOCTOR AT 445AM AND IT WAS JUST RAINING COLD AND WE HIT A PATCH OF ICE GOING 20 MILES AND HOUR AND I LOST CONTROL AND WE WENT ROLLING 3 TIMES AND AIR. BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT RESTRIORS DIDNT RESTRICT AS WE WAS ROLLING SOME T…
TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR REPLACING THE EMBLEM ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE EMBLEM WAS REMOVED BUT THE REPLACEMENT COVER WAS NOT INSTALLED. ALSO THE RECALL FOR THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS NOT DONE.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2008 Dodge Nitro.
Safety recalls
2008 Dodge Nitro recalls
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2008 Dodge Nitro. 3 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
PARKING BRAKE
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Questions
2008 Dodge Nitro buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2008 Dodge Nitro reliable?▾
Severe Issues. NHTSA currently shows 392 owner complaints, 17 crash-related complaints, and 3 recall campaigns for this model year. This DODGE NITRO year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Nitro?▾
#1: Electrical Faults (197 complaints). #2: Fuel System (66 complaints). #3: Gasoline (66 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2008 Dodge Nitro?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2008 Dodge Nitro?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2008 Dodge Nitro, NHTSA complaints include 17 crash-related reports and 12 fire reports out of 392 total complaints. 18 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have any recalls?▾
Yes. 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2008 Dodge Nitro. A major recall area is AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. 3 recall campaigns are on record, so recall completion status should be confirmed on the exact VIN before purchase. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2008 Dodge Nitro?▾
This DODGE NITRO year shows a meaningful number of reported issues, so buyers should only proceed after a careful records review and inspection. Model-year complaint trends can reveal recurring trouble spots before you spend money on inspections, financing, or repairs. Pay extra attention to Electrical Faults during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Dodge Nitro reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
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Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Before you buy
Check the exact vehicle history before you buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.