YearToAvoid

2008 Dodge Nitro Engine Problems

NHTSA has 44 owner complaints about engine problems in the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 11% of all 393 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest engine complaint count among 7 Nitro model years. These complaints report 4 crashes, 3 fires, and 5 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 90,000 miles.

Engine complaints
44
11% of 393
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
90,000 mi
Related recalls
0

When 2008 Dodge Nitro engine complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 18, 2008, latest Jul 14, 2026.

2008 Dodge Nitro engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Nov 2008Mar 2012Sep 2013May 2015Dec 2015Apr 2018May 2019Jul 2026
44 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2008 to Jul 2026; peak Oct 2015 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2008 Dodge Nitro

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Nitro model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20050 (0%)
  2. 200769 (14%)
  3. 200844 (11%)
  4. 20091 (4%)
  5. 201014 (18%)
  6. 201123 (19%)
  7. 20120 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have engine problems?
NHTSA has 44 owner complaints about the engine in the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 11% of all complaints for this model year, including 4 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 90,000 miles.
Which Dodge Nitro year has the most engine complaints?
The 2007 Dodge Nitro has the most engine complaints (69), compared with 44 for the 2008.
Is there a engine recall for the 2008 Dodge Nitro?
No NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Dodge Nitro is classified under engine. Complaints alone do not trigger a recall; check the full recall list and your VIN.

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.