What years of the Dodge Nitro should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2007 and 2008 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83, the two highest in the Nitro lineup.

What is the best year for the Dodge Nitro?

The 2009 Dodge Nitro is the only model year rated Good, with a complaint index of 33 and just 24 complaints and 1 recall, far below the 2007 and 2008 figures.

Does the Dodge Nitro have recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns across all Nitro model years, with the 2007 model year alone carrying 7 recalls covering airbags, structure, and wipers.

Is the 2010 or 2011 Dodge Nitro reliable?

Both are rated Caution. The 2010 has a complaint index of 50 with 3 recalls, and the 2011 has a complaint index of 67 with 3 recalls, both better than 2007-2008 but worse than 2009.

What is the most common problem area on the Dodge Nitro?

Across all model years, Electrical System complaints are the most common, accounting for 440 complaints or 39% of the total, ahead of Fuel System issues at 26%.

Dodge Nitro Best and Worst Years (2005–2012)

Avoid the 2007 and 2008 Dodge Nitro, which post complaint index scores of 100 and 83 and carry 7 and 3 recall campaigns respectively. The 2009 model year rates Good with a complaint index of just 33, making it the strongest choice in the lineup.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2007 Avoid 2008

Model years: 7; 2005–2012
NHTSA complaints: 1,114
Recall campaigns: 11
Crashes reported: 41
Fires reported: 26
Top problem area: Electrical System

Nitro Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Dodge Nitro problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Electrical System	—	—
2007	Avoid	100	494	16	11	7	Electrical System	18	—
2008	Avoid	83	393	17	12	3	Electrical System	18	—
2009	Good	33	24	0	0	1	Electrical System	17.5	—
2010	Caution	50	78	3	2	3	Electrical System	17.5	—
2011	Caution	67	122	5	1	3	Electrical System	17.5	—
2012	No verdict	17	2	0	0	1	Airbags	—	—

Nitro years to avoid: what went wrong

2007 Dodge Nitro Index 100 · 494 complaints · 7 recalls

The 2007 Nitro has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 494 complaints, 16 crashes, 11 fires, and 22 injuries reported. Electrical System issues lead at 28% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 99,378, closely followed by Fuel System problems at 28% failing around 50,000 miles. NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for this year, including an airbag cover issue, a heat shield bracket fix, and a windshield wiper relay/software update. Owners reported crashes tied to loss of control, brake shimmying, and airbags failing to deploy in front impacts.

2007 electrical system problems →2007 fuel system problems →2007 structure & body problems →

2008 Dodge Nitro Index 83 · 393 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2008 Nitro carries a complaint index of 83, the second-highest in the model's history, with 393 complaints, 17 crashes, 12 fires, and 18 injuries. Electrical System complaints dominate at 52% of the total, with failures reported around 90,000 miles, while Fuel System issues make up 28% and failed closer to 49,500 miles. NHTSA recorded 3 recalls for this year covering an airbag cover, a heat shield bracket, and a park brake lever defect on manual-transmission models. Owners described suspension knuckles breaking, engine compartment fires, and stalling paired with check-engine warnings.

2008 electrical system problems →2008 fuel system problems →2008 brakes problems →

Most common Dodge Nitro problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System440 (39%)
Fuel System286 (26%)
Engine151 (14%)
Brakes112 (10%)
Airbags105 (9%)
Structure & Body105 (9%)
Transmission & Powertrain102 (9%)
Other91 (8%)
Visibility & Wipers85 (8%)
Steering43 (4%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Dodge Nitro should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2007 and 2008 model years are rated Avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 83, the two highest in the Nitro lineup.
What is the best year for the Dodge Nitro?: The 2009 Dodge Nitro is the only model year rated Good, with a complaint index of 33 and just 24 complaints and 1 recall, far below the 2007 and 2008 figures.
Does the Dodge Nitro have recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns across all Nitro model years, with the 2007 model year alone carrying 7 recalls covering airbags, structure, and wipers.
Is the 2010 or 2011 Dodge Nitro reliable?: Both are rated Caution. The 2010 has a complaint index of 50 with 3 recalls, and the 2011 has a complaint index of 67 with 3 recalls, both better than 2007-2008 but worse than 2009.
What is the most common problem area on the Dodge Nitro?: Across all model years, Electrical System complaints are the most common, accounting for 440 complaints or 39% of the total, ahead of Fuel System issues at 26%.