RoadVitals

2007 Dodge Nitro 4X4 Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
29
Latest Jun 14, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 236 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2007 Dodge Nitro 4X4 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words

Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 14, 2019

DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR WON’T LOCK OR UNLOCK WITH REMOTE OR BY BUTTONS IN THE CAR. IT HAS TO BE DONE BY HAND.

NHTSA ID
11220012
Incident
May 22, 2019
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 21, 2019

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. DOOR LOCKS IN OPERABLE, NEITHER FOB NOR BUTTON WORKS, KEYFOB LOCKS BUT NOT UNLOCK VEHICLE NOT DIAGNOSED NEITHER DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER CONTACTED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE, THE KEYFOB FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEYFOB WILL LOCK THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, HAS FAILED IN EVERY ATTEMPT TO UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE INTERNAL LOCK/UNLOCK BUTTONS WERE ALSO INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. AH

NHTSA ID
11209059
Incident
May 21, 2019
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 5, 2015

THE INSIDE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE BROKE. THE NEW REPLACEMENT HANDLE BROKE. I HAVE TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN TO OPEN MY DOOR. IF I EVER GET IN AN ACCIDENT I WILL BE TRAPPED.

NHTSA ID
10808613
Incident
Feb 5, 2015
Mileage
70,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 14, 2014

I AM ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. IT IS GARAGED , WELL MAINTAINED, AND SERVICED BY DEALERSHIP. THERE IS NO HISTORY OF ABUSE, OR AUTO ACCIDENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF IN MY HANDS YESTERDAY, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE PARKED VEHICLE. THIS IS A CONSIDERABLE SAFETY CONCERN. ONLY EXIT IS THROUGH AN ELECTRIC WINDOW, DUE TO LARGE CONSOLE BETWEEN SEATS. I HAVE CONTACTED DODGE, AND DUE TO MILEAGE (79K) AND AGE (2007), THEY OFFER NO ASSISTANCE IN FIXING, SO I WILL HAVE TO PAY AT DEALERSHIP. I HAVE SEEN ENOUGH COMPLAINTS IN VARIOUS FORUMS OF THIS SAME ISSUE, TO WARRANT CONTACTING YOU. THIS IS NOT COSMETIC, BUT OF VITAL CONCERN TO DRIVER SAFETY. PLEASE CONSIDER FURTHER ACTION WITH A VIEW TO RECALL , SO THAT MANUFACTURER WILL PROCEED RECTIFY THIS DANGEROUS FLAW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10588324
Incident
May 13, 2014
Mileage
79,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 19, 2014

PULLED ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND IT SNAPPED OFF. HAVE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW AND OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. NOT A VERY SAFE OPTION. I HAVE READ MANY OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM, PERHAPS A RECALL SHOULD BE PUT OUT. IT IS A PRICEY FIX AT THE DEALER. MY CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT. NOT HAPPY ABOUT SPENDING UPWARDS OF $250.00 TO HAVE A PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE FIXED. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW IN 2007. *TR

NHTSA ID
10573368
Incident
Mar 17, 2014
Mileage
75,497 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical
Filed Mar 13, 2014

THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NEVER WORKED LIKE IT SHOULD, EVEN WHEN NEW, THE ELECTRIC WINDOW SWITCHES AND POWER DOOR LOCKS WORK WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT, AND THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES BREAK FOR NO REASON OTHER THAN POOR WORKMANSHIP AND POOR CHOICE OF MATERIALS (PLASTIC) RENDERING THEM USELESS. THESE ARE ALL KNOWN PROBLEMS FOR YEARS WITH DODGE NITROS . THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO RECALL THEM FOR THESE REASONS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY ARE ALL DANGEROUS. IT'S LIKE THE MONEY PIT. DODGE WANTS $150.00 PER DOOR JUST TO REPAIR THE HANDLE ASSEMBLIES. ARE THEY KIDDING ME? WHO MAKES A DOOR HANDLE OUT OF CHEAP PLASTIC? WE TAKE CARE OF THIS VEHICLE LIKE ITS A NEW CAR, AND NEVER ABUSE IT. IT HAS ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT. THE FIRST DOOR HANDLE BROKE WITH 30,000 MILES. DODGE HAD BETTER DO SOMETHING BEFORE I NO LONGER OWN THIS VEHICLE OR I WILL CROSS THEM OFF MY LIST FOR GOOD. I HAVE NO PROBLEM GOING BACK TO FORD AND STAYING THERE.(OR HYUNDAI FOR THAT MATTER). *TR

NHTSA ID
10569100
Incident
Mar 12, 2014
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 20, 2014

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED, THAT THE FRONT AND BACK DOME LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURS AND WHEN HE IS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE HAS TO DETACH THE BATTERY TO TURN OFF THE LIGHTS. THE ALARM GOES OFF WITHOUT WARNING AND THE BATTERY ALSO HAS TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AND STATED THAT HE NEEDS A NEW TAIL GATE SWITCH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55000. DYD

NHTSA ID
10565089
Incident
Feb 8, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 11, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE FRACTURED UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10547606
Incident
Oct 9, 2013
Mileage
50,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 9, 2013

WENT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE JUST POPPED. COMPLETELY BROKEN, HAD TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW OPEN THE DOOR ROLL THE WINDOW BACK UP THEN TURN OFF THE VEHICLE JUST TO GET OUT. I HAVE HAD TO DO THIS FOR THE PAST WEEK. I DID NOTHING OUT OF THE NORMAL AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY OVER $300 FOR A REPLACEMENT DOOR HANDLE PER DEALERSHIP QUOTE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10542786
Incident
Sep 2, 2013
Mileage
93,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 2, 2013

BOTH INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES BROKE WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER. CANNOT GET OUT OF CAR ON EITHER SIDE!!!!! *JS

NHTSA ID
10538382
Incident
Aug 3, 2013
Mileage
50,230 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 25, 2013

I WENT TO OPEN THE DOOR TO GET OUT OF THE CAR TO GO TO WORK. WHERE THE HANDLE CONNECTS SNAPPED IN HALF. MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO GET OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10537164
Incident
Aug 24, 2013
Mileage
65,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 21, 2013

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ARE BREAKING ON DODGE NITRO'S AND IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE. HANDLES HAVE BEEN REDESIGNED TO PREVENT THIS PROBLEM BUT THERE HAS YET TO BE A RECALL. --> ISSUE INFORMATION: HTTP://WWW.NITROFORUMZ.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=28816. *TR

NHTSA ID
10536456
Incident
Aug 17, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Jul 31, 2013

WHEN I CAME BACK FROM PICKING UP LUNCH TODAY, I PARKED MY CAR AND WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT. THE HANDLE ON MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR SIMPLY STOPPED WORKING. AFTER LOOKING UP SOME INFORMATION ONLINE, I FOUND THAT THIS CAR HAS A HISTORY OF THE DOOR HANDLES BREAKING. IT'S BAD ENOUGH THAT IF I WERE IN AN ACCIDENT TODAY I WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB OUT OF ANOTHER DOOR (AND OF COURSE IF I WAS INJURED THIS COULD BE VERY DIFFICULT), BUT IF, BY SOME COINCIDENCE, ANOTHER DOOR HANDLE BROKE, I COULD POTENTIALLY END UP TRAPPED IN MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532888
Incident
Jul 31, 2013
Mileage
67,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 27, 2013

I WENT TO EXIT MY VEHICLE AND THE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED. I WAS NOT USING EXCESSIVE FORCE, OR ANY EXTRA PRESSURE ON THE HANDLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10532100
Incident
Jul 26, 2013
Mileage
82,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 10, 2013

UPON TRYING TO EXIT MY PARKED VEHICLE, THE DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE RIGHT OFF WHEN I PULLED ON IT TO OPEN THE DOOR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE WINDOWS FAIL OR IF THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF A CRASH IN WHICH QUICK EXIT WAS IMPORTANT, I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN MY VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPLACE THE HANDLE, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NITROS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED DUE TO SAFETY. BEING TRAPPED IN A VEHICLE DUE TO HANDLE FAILURE IS A BIG PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524283
Incident
Jun 27, 2013
Mileage
74,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 10, 2013

UPON TRYING TO EXIT MY PARKED VEHICLE, THE DOOR HANDLE JUST BROKE RIGHT OFF WHEN I PULLED ON IT TO OPEN THE DOOR. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IF THE WINDOWS FAIL OR IF THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF A CRASH IN WHICH QUICK EXIT WAS IMPORTANT, I WOULD BE TRAPPED IN MY VEHICLE. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE IN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPLACE THE HANDLE, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NITROS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAS NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN RECALLED DUE TO SAFETY. BEING TRAPPED IN A VEHICLE DUE TO HANDLE FAILURE IS A BIG PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10524282
Incident
Jun 27, 2013
Mileage
74,800 mi
Body & structureFuel system
Filed May 28, 2013

I JUST BOUGHT MY NITRO BUT EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE GAS TANK IT WILL CLICK OFF AT THE NOZZLE BUT THEN I GET GAS SPEWING BACK OUT! IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE NOW AT TWO DIFFERENT PUMPS AT TWO DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS. IT SCARED ME VERY MUCH AND IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD! MY NITRO IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE WITH HAVING THIS ISSUE. THE ONLY FIX I KNOW OF IS REPLACING THE GAS TANK AT MY EXPENSE. I FEEL AS THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND PREVALENT ISSUE DODGE SHOULD ADDRESS IT ASAP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10513934
Incident
May 18, 2013
Mileage
58,648 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jan 22, 2013

I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SINCE I PURCHASED IT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO. THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR HANDLE BROKE. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IS TO PUT DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPEN THE HANDLE FROM THE OUTSIDE HANDLE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL IS LOOSE. THE ELECTRICAL PANEL WITH THE POWER WINDOW AND DOOR LOCKS OCCASIONALLY COMES RIGHT OUT OF THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE. ROOF RACK HAS STARTED TO COME OFF IN THE UPPER RIGHT HAND CORNER NEAR PASSENGER SIDE. SIDE PANELS OF THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE LOOSE AND WHEN YOU GO TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE THEY CATCH ON YOUR CLOTHING. THEY ARE UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED AS THEY ARE MADE OF PLASTIC. THE PANELING UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AS IT GOT STUCK ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I FEEL THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS MADE WITH POOR QUALITY AND IS UNSAFE WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT KEEP HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10493751
Incident
Dec 1, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 13, 2012

THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED APART, BREAKING THE PLASTIC HANDLE CLOSE TO THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR WHERE IN CONNECTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10455217
Incident
Apr 13, 2012
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+2 more
Filed Mar 1, 2012

THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD MANY ISSUES. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD TO PUSH WITH LITTLE BRAKING EFFECT THEN WILL SUDDENLY LOOSEN UP AND APPLY HARD BRAKES. THE SEAT BELTS ACT UP. THE DOOR HANDLES ON THE INSIDE BREAK WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SO YOU CANNOT GET OUT FROM INSIDE. THE ENGINE REVS AND HESITATES INTERMITTENTLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS BLIND SPOTS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT STABLE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT IS SOMETIMES SLOW TO START. THE WINDOW CONTROLS ARE IN A BAD LOCATION. THERE IS ONLY ONE KEY CYLINDER TO UNLOCK THE DOORS WITH A KEY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10450018
Incident
Aug 13, 2010
Body & structure
Filed Jan 6, 2012

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE(PLASTIC) .POOR HANDLE DESIGN. CANNOT OPEN DOOR FROM INSIDE WITHOUT UNLOCKING DOOR MANUALLY AND PUTTING DOWN WINDOW AND UNLOCKING FROM OUTSIDE HANDLE. SAFETY ISSUE IN A ACCIDENT. REPORTED TO DODGE TO CHECK IF RECALL WAS IN AFFECT. WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10442622
Incident
Dec 13, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Dec 2, 2011

I HAVE HAD MY 2007 DODGE NITRO FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS NOW. SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE DOOR HANDLES INSIDE THE VEHICLE ARE FAULTY AND CONTINUALLY FAIL. THEY BREAK AND BECOME INOPERABLE, LEAVING WHO EVER IS SITTING BY THE DOOR TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE UNLESS OPENED FROM THE OUTSIDE. MY DOOR HANDLE BROKE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN MY FAULT. SINCE THEN MY DOOR HANDLES HAS BROKEN SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE HAD TO SPEND ALOT OF MONEY TO REPLACE THEM EVERY TIME. I MAKE LESS THAN THE AVERAGE BLUE COLLAR WORKER AND DO NOT HAVE THE $175 EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE DOOR HANDLE BREAKS. THEREFORE, AT TIMES SUCH AS NOW I HAVE TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE HANDLES BROKEN BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT. I CURRENTLY HAVE TWO DOOR HANDLES BROKEN RIGHT NOW. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF A CAR ACCIDENT WERE TO HAPPEN, AND THE PERSON SITTING NEXT TO THE DOOR WITH THE BROKEN HANDLE NEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN A HURRY, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. ONCE THE HANDLE IS BROKEN, THE DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE. SO, LETS SAY THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE PERSON NEXT TO THE DOOR WITH THE BROKEN HANDLE WOULD BE STUCK UNLESS SOMEONE OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OR UNLESS THAT PERSON WERE TO QUICKLY ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN, REACH OUT AND OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. I FEEL THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN AND HAVE VOICED MY OPINION TO DODGE ABOUT THE ISSUE. I ASKED THEM TO START A RECALL OF THE ITEM AND FIND A SUITABLE REPLACEMENT FOR IT THAT WILL NOT BREAK ALL THE TIME. DODGE WOULD NOT EVEN HEAR MY CONCERNS AND POINTED ME TOWARDS THIS WEBSITE. I HOPE THIS ISSUE IS TAKEN SERIOUSLY, BECAUSE I KNOW I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO IS HAVING THIS ISSUE. MANY DODGE NITRO OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OF YOU GOOGLE IT, YOU WILL SEE. I FEEL DODGE MIGHT HAVE A MAJOR LAW SUIT COMING IF THIS ISSUE CAUSES THE DEATH OF A PERSON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10438164
Incident
Oct 6, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Nov 13, 2011

INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR BROKE LEAVING THE DRIVER UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVE WAS ABLE TO EXIT BY USE OF THE EXTERIOR HANDLE ON THE SAME DOOR BUT THAT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN THE CASE IF THE WINDOW WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10435379
Incident
Jun 15, 2011
Mileage
56,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Apr 4, 2011

2007 DODGE NITRO - 83,000 MILES - DRIVERS SIDE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE BROKE UNEXPECTEDLY DURING NORMAL USE. THIS MADE EXITING THE VEHICLE SLOW AND DIFFICULT IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. YOU HAD TO CLIMB OVER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE OR ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW UNLOCK THE DOOR AND OPERATE THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10394216
Incident
Mar 15, 2011
Mileage
83,430 mi
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Jan 13, 2011

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT MY 2007 DODGE NITRO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE HANDLE BROKE OFF IN MY HAND. I HAD TO EXIT THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR (INTO A PILE OF SNOW). *TR

NHTSA ID
10376519
Incident
Jan 13, 2011

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .