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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2005–2012

Dodge Nitro recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 1,114 owner complaints for the Dodge Nitro, covering model years 2005 to 2012. The 2007 model year drew the most complaints (494), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Dodge Nitro VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 11 recall campaigns on file
  • 1,114 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 7 model years with data (2005–2012)
  • most complaints: 2007 (494 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (423 complaints)
  • latest recall 20V396000 (reported Jul 7, 2020)
  • 41 complaints reporting a crash (3.7%)
  • 26 complaints reporting a fire (2.3%)
  • 35 complaints reporting an injury (3.1%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Dodge Nitro complaints by model year

7 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2007 model year has the most complaints: 494 of 1,114, or 44.3%. Next come 2008 (393) and 2011 (122). The fewest are for 2005, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Dodge Nitro owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2005–2012Column chart of 1,114 complaints across 8 model years. The highest is 2007 with 494. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2005: 1 complaint120052006: 0 complaints20062007: 494 complaints49420072008: 393 complaints39320082009: 24 complaints2420092010: 78 complaints7820102011: 122 complaints12220112012: 2 complaints22012
Dodge Nitro complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Dodge Nitro complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200510000
20074941611140
20083931712150
2009240000
2010783220
20111225140
201220000
All model years1,1144126350

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Dodge Nitro components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 423 complaints (38.0% of all 1,114), followed by Fuel System, Gasoline (157) and Fuel/Propulsion System (130).

Components named most often in Dodge Nitro complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Dodge Nitro complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System42338.0%
Fuel System, Gasoline15714.1%
Fuel/Propulsion System13011.7%
Air Bags1059.4%
Power Train1029.2%
Engine918.2%
Unknown or Other807.2%
Structure726.5%
Visibility/Wiper696.2%
Exterior Lighting615.5%
Service Brakes544.8%
Steering433.9%
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)403.6%
Vehicle Speed Control363.2%
Latches/Locks/Linkages333.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Dodge Nitro recalls

11 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Nitro, newest first. The 11 campaigns cover model years 2007 to 2012. The 2007 model year appears in the most campaigns (7).

  • 11 recall campaigns
Dodge Nitro recall campaigns covering each model year
2007: 7 campaigns2008: 3 campaigns2009: 1 campaign2010: 3 campaigns2011: 3 campaigns2012: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 20V396000

    Reported

    Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module; Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar

    Model years 2007–2011

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  2. NHTSA campaign 13V282000

    Reported

    Air Bags; Electrical System

    Model years 2011–2012

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.

    Consequence:
    In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints, their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  3. NHTSA campaign 13V121000

    Reported

    Structure; Air Bags; Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft

    Model years 2007–2008

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  4. NHTSA campaign 11V315000

    Reported

    Steering › Column

    Model year 2011

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011DODGE journey, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 200, Chrysler 200 Convertible, Dodge Avenger, Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty, Dodge Caliber, Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler town & country vehicles. Some of these vehicles may have been built with a missing or incorrectly installed steering column pivot rivet.

    Consequence:
    A missing or incorrectly installed rivet could compromise the ability of the steering column to support the occupant loads in the event of a frontal crash, decreasing the effectiveness of the frontal impact safety system. As a result, the condition may increase the potential for injury in a frontal crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect for rivet presence and alignment and repair the steering column pivot as required, free of charge. The safety recall began on July 4, 2011. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  5. NHTSA campaign 10V315000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder

    Model year 2010

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  6. NHTSA campaign 10V009000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic

    Model year 2010

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  7. NHTSA campaign 09V438000

    Reported

    Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer

    Model year 2007

    Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2007 Dodge Nitro passenger vehicles. The windshield wiper system may experience a condition over time where high usage of the variable pause wiper function ("delay" mode) may eventually affect primary wiper function, rendering the wiper system inoperable.

    Consequence:
    Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause impaired visibility increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will inspect and add external relays and update the totally integrated power module software to control the wiper functions. The safety recall is expected to begin during February 2010. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-835-1403.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  8. NHTSA campaign 08V525000

    Reported

    Parking Brake

    Model years 2007–2008

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  9. NHTSA campaign 07V434000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module

    Model year 2007

    On certain sport utility vehicles, the software programmed into the ABS electronic control module may allow a momentary delay in braking when coasting up a hill during certain conditions.

    Consequence:
    This could cause a crash without warning.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control module with new software that prevents this condition free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2007. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

  10. NHTSA campaign 07V291000

    Reported

    Electrical System

    Model year 2007

    On certain vehicles, the totally integrated power module (TIPM) was programmed with software that may allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions.

    Consequence:
    This could cause a crash without warning.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will reprogram the TIPM. The recall began on July 5, 2007. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Show 1 more recall

  1. NHTSA campaign 06V493000

    Reported

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module

    Model year 2007

    On certain vehicles, the antilock brake system (ABS) control module software may cause the rear brakes to lock up during certain braking conditions.

    Consequence:
    This could result in a loss of vehicle control and cause a crash without warning.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control unit. The recall began on February 19, 2007. Owners may contact DaimlerChrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

    Filed by Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Dodge Nitro questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Dodge Nitro have?

NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recall campaigns for the Dodge Nitro, covering model years 2005 to 2012. The most recent, 20V396000, was reported on July 7, 2020 and is filed under “Air bags”. The 2007 model year is covered by the most campaigns (7).

Which Dodge Nitro model year has the most complaints?

The 2007 model year, with 494 of the 1,114 complaints in NHTSA’s file (44.3%). The next are 2008 (393) and 2011 (122). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Dodge Nitro complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 423 complaints, or 38.0% of all 1,114. Fuel System, Gasoline (157) and Fuel/Propulsion System (130) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Dodge Nitro?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Dodge dealer.

How many Dodge Nitro complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 1,114 complaints, 41 report a crash, 26 a fire, 35 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

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Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.