2010 Dodge Nitro Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
No verdictComplaint Index
50/100
#2 most-complained of 3 Nitro years
The 2010 Dodge Nitro has 78 complaints and a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd worst among 3 model years with data. Electrical System issues lead at 35% of complaints, with 3 recalls covering airbags and brakes.
- Complaints
- 78
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 16 city / 21 hwy
Top 2010 Dodge Nitro problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System27 (35%)
- Engine14 (18%)
- Brakes13 (17%)
- Fuel System13 (17%)
- Airbags12 (15%)
- Other8 (10%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (6%)
- Steering4 (5%)
- Structure & Body4 (5%)
- HVAC1 (1%)
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy or deployed with a delay during rear-end and other collisions, sometimes with the driver striking the steering wheel.
- A vehicle caught fire and filled with smoke while warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel at low speed.
- Brakes failed to release from the rotors after a burning rubber odor was detected, forcing the driver to use extra accelerator force.
- The brake pedal became hard and would only depress partway during a low-speed backing maneuver, nearly causing a collision.
- The engine reportedly accelerated on its own while the brakes failed to respond at highway speed, with the throttle described as stuck open.
- The engine stalled repeatedly at low speed during turns despite multiple dealer visits to address it.
2010 Dodge Nitro recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- 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.
- NHTSA 10V315000Jul 7, 2010Brakes20,626 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 left hand drive jeep liberty, dodge nitro and ram 1500 truck; right and left hand drive jeep wrangler vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed master cylinder to hydraulic control unit (hcu) brake tube assembly end flare.
Risk: This could lead to loss of brake fluid and reduced braking performance increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake tubes free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during august 2010. Owners may contact chrysler toll-free at 1-800-853-1403.
- NHTSA 10V009000Jan 11, 2010Brakes20,045 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2010 chrysler sebring; dodge avenger and nitro; jeep liberty, commander and grand cherokee; and model year 2009-2010 dodge ram truck. These vehicles may have been built with an improperly formed or missing brake booster input rod retaining clip.
Risk: This could result in brake failure without warning which could cause a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will replace the brake booster input rod retaining clip free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during february 2010. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
2010 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.
2010 compared with other Nitro years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Dodge Nitro reliable?
- NHTSA lists 78 complaints for the 2010 Nitro and a complaint index of 50, making it the second-worst of 3 model years with data. Electrical System problems account for 35% of complaints.
- What is the top problem area for the 2010 Dodge Nitro?
- Electrical System complaints are the most common, making up 35% of all reported issues, with a median mileage at failure of 84,000 miles.
- Does the 2010 Dodge Nitro have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 Nitro, covering an airbag cover defect and two separate brake component issues involving brake tubes and a brake booster retaining clip.
- How does the 2010 Nitro compare to other model years?
- The 2010 Nitro has a complaint index of 50, better than the 2011 Nitro's index of 100 but worse than the 2012 model, which has an index of 0.
- What mileage do 2010 Nitro problems typically appear at?
- Median mileage at failure across all reported issues is 70,000 miles, with Electrical System failures reported at a median of 84,000 miles.