repaired · 2022 Q4
Driver side: inflator module
Risk. Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
2008 Dodge NitroProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 393 owner complaints about the 2008 Dodge Nitro, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 3 safety recalls, and for recall 20V-396 the manufacturer reports only 15% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 14, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2008 Dodge Nitro has problems
393 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
198Electrical system9 crash/fire/injury
66Fuel system, gasoline1 crash/fire/injury
46Fuel/propulsion system
38Exterior lighting
37Visibility/wiper2 crash/fire/injury
29Engine
27Service brakes
26Power train
23Air bags
9216 other systems20 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 198 | 9 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 66 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 46 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 38 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 37 | 2 |
| Engine | 29 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 27 | 1 |
| Power train | 26 | 2 |
| Air bags | 23 | 10 |
| 16 other systems | 92 | 20 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2008 Dodge Nitro recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Air bags
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…
no report yet
Parking brake
Risk. THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.
Mileage at failure
When do electrical system problems start?
91kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 162 electrical system complaints. 62% were reported before 100,000 miles.
6under 30k miles101under 100k miles61100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Electrical system
15 owners mentioned a cost$800median
Middle half: $483 – $1,000
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2008 vs. every other Nitro year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Nitro median. How we score
'07'08'09'10'11'12
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2008 Dodge Nitro safety ratings
2008 Dodge Nitro 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 3 stars (21.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2008 Dodge Nitro, and the recalls they led to.
- Totally Integrated Power Module FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Nitro owners report
Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
An intermittent electrical failure is affecting multiple vehicle systems. The vehicle has unexpectedly stalled while driving on the interstate, leaving it without power in moving traffic. It has also experienced repeated no-start conditions, transmission entering limp mode, the engine continuing to…
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 while turning the key.…
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 mph and I just…
Own a 2008 Nitro?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.