YearToAvoid

2008 Dodge Nitro Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

83/100

#2 most-complained of 7 Nitro years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2008 Dodge Nitro has 393 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 83 out of 100 — #2 highest of 7 Nitro model years (verdict: Avoid). The most reported problem area is electrical system (206 complaints, 52% of the total). Complaints report 17 crashes, 12 fires, and 18 injuries.

Complaints
393
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
17 / 12
Injuries / deaths
18 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
18
16 city / 21.5 hwy

Top 2008 Dodge Nitro problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System206 (52%)
  2. Fuel System112 (28%)
  3. Brakes49 (12%)
  4. Engine44 (11%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers40 (10%)
  6. Other27 (7%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain26 (7%)
  8. Airbags23 (6%)
  9. Structure & Body20 (5%)
  10. Steering12 (3%)
2008 Dodge Nitro complaints: complaints filed per quarter302007 Q42010 Q22012 Q32014 Q42017 Q12019 Q22021 Q32025 Q2
570 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q3 (30).

2008 Dodge Nitro recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V396000Jul 7, 2020Airbags925,239 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 13V121000Apr 3, 2013Structure & Body62,578 vehicles

    Structure

    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.

    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.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 08V525000Oct 8, 2008Brakes3,663 vehicles

    Parking brake

    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.

    Risk: 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.

2008 Dodge Nitro fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
21.5 MPG
Combined
18 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,600
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2008 compared with other Nitro years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002005200720082009201020112012
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005No verdict010—
2007Avoid100494718
2008Avoid83393318
2009Good3324117.5
2010Caution5078317.5

All Dodge Nitro years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Dodge Nitro a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2008 Dodge Nitro ranks #2 of 7 among Nitro model years (Complaint Index 83/100, verdict: Avoid). It has 393 complaints and 3 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (206 complaints), fuel system (112 complaints), and brakes (49 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 79,000 miles.
Does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2008 Dodge Nitro, most recently reported 2020, covering airbags, structure & body, and brakes.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
EPA rates the 2008 Dodge Nitro at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 21.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,600. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.