YearToAvoid

2009 Dodge Nitro Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

33/100

#5 most-complained of 7 Nitro years

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

The 2009 Dodge Nitro has 24 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 33 out of 100 — #5 highest of 7 Nitro model years (verdict: Good). The most reported problem area is electrical system (10 complaints, 42% of the total).

Complaints
24
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17.5
16 city / 21 hwy

Top 2009 Dodge Nitro problems

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

  1. Electrical System10 (42%)
  2. Fuel System6 (25%)
  3. Structure & Body6 (25%)
  4. Airbags4 (17%)
  5. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (13%)
  6. Other2 (8%)
  7. Steering2 (8%)
  8. Engine1 (4%)
  9. Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (4%)
2009 Dodge Nitro complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2010Dec 2013Apr 2015Jul 2016Jun 2017Sep 2018May 2019Sep 2020
36 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2010 to May 2023; peak Sep 2015 (3).

2009 Dodge Nitro recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign 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.

2009 Dodge Nitro fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
21 MPG
Combined
17.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,700
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.

2009 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
2007Avoid100494718
2008Avoid83393318
2009Good3324117.5
2010Caution5078317.5
2011Caution67122317.5

All Dodge Nitro years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2009 Dodge Nitro a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2009 Dodge Nitro ranks #5 of 7 among Nitro model years (Complaint Index 33/100, verdict: Good). It has 24 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Dodge Nitro?
The most reported problem areas are electrical system (10 complaints), fuel system (6 complaints), and structure & body (6 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 95,717 miles.
Does the 2009 Dodge Nitro have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2009 Dodge Nitro, most recently reported 2020, covering airbags.
What is the fuel economy of the 2009 Dodge Nitro?
EPA rates the 2009 Dodge Nitro at 17.5 MPG combined (16 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700. 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.