The 2008 Dodge Nitro has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 991,480 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 609 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS20V3960002020-07-07925,239 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
Projectiles as a result of driver air bag deployment in the event of a crash can increase the risk of injury.
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.
AIR BAGS13V1210002013-04-0362,578 affected
Defect
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,…
Consequence
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.
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.
PARKING BRAKE08V5250002008-10-083,663 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
194
8fires1injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
65
1injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
46
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
38
VISIBILITY/WIPER
37
1fires1injuries
ENGINE
28
2crashes1fires1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
27
1fires
POWER TRAIN
25
1injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
25
AIR BAGS
22
8crashes10injuries
Total complaints609
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Car shut off while driving, prior have had issues. Have replaces tipm module, ignition, grounding, etc”
“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 no chance at reaching…”
“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 no chance at reaching…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP14004 Opened 2014-09-25 · closed 2015-07-24
Totally Integrated Power Module Failure
In a letter dated August 21, 2014, the Center for Auto Safety (CAS) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged failures associated with the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) installed in Chrysler SUV?s, trucks, and vans beginning in the…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Dodge Nitro as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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