Does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have body and structure problems?

NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about the body and structure in the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 5% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 86,000 miles.

Which Dodge Nitro year has the most body and structure complaints?

The 2007 Dodge Nitro has the most body and structure complaints (72), compared with 20 for the 2008.

Is there a body and structure recall for the 2008 Dodge Nitro?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Dodge Nitro concerns the body and structure: 13V121000.

2008 Dodge Nitro Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about body and structure problems in the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 5% of all 393 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest body and structure complaint count among 7 Nitro model years. These complaints report 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 5 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 86,000 miles.

Structure & Body complaints: 20; 5% of 393
Crashes reported: 3
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 5
Median mileage: 86,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

When 2008 Dodge Nitro body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Mar 27, 2009, latest Dec 29, 2025.

20 complaints filed with NHTSA from Mar 2009 to Dec 2025; peak Jun 2013 (2).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2008 Dodge Nitro

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.

Structure & Body complaints by Nitro model year

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

20050 (0%)
200772 (15%)
200820 (5%)
20096 (25%)
20104 (5%)
20113 (2%)
20120 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2008 Dodge Nitro have body and structure problems?: NHTSA has 20 owner complaints about the body and structure in the 2008 Dodge Nitro, 5% of all complaints for this model year, including 3 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 86,000 miles.
Which Dodge Nitro year has the most body and structure complaints?: The 2007 Dodge Nitro has the most body and structure complaints (72), compared with 20 for the 2008.
Is there a body and structure recall for the 2008 Dodge Nitro?: Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for the 2008 Dodge Nitro concerns the body and structure: 13V121000.