2009 Dodge Nitro 4X4 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2009 Dodge Nitro 4X4, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Tires & wheels214.3%
- Electrical214.3%
- Engine214.3%
- Other / unspecified214.3%
- Powertrain (other)214.3%
- Brakes17.1%
- Driver assistance17.1%
- Suspension17.1%
- Airbags17.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
2009 DODGE NITRO - TPM VALVE STEMS CORROSION AT VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT: WHEN RETAINING NUT FAILS, FALLS OFF, IT THEN CHEWS UP THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, AND THE VALVE STEM BLOWS OUT TIRE WHILE DRIVING - TIRE GOES FLAT SO FAST OPERATOR MUST STOP BEFORE WHEEL IS DAMAGED AND NOW WE FIND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT ALL 4 TIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON 4X4 VEHICLES OR IT WILL LEAD TO TRANSFER CASE (TRANSMISSION) ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD. YOU CANNOT JUST REPLACE THE DAMAGED TIRE. DODGE NEEDS TO SEND OUT A RECALL TO INSPECT THE VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT ON VEHICLE WITH TPM SYSTEMS AND REPLACE WITH A STAINLESS STEEL NUT. IF THE TPM IS REMOVED YOU WILL HAVE AN ANNOYING LIGHT ON IN THE DASH COMPLAINING ABOUT A TIRE SENSOR ISSUE. ANYONE ELSE THAT HAS THIS SAME ISSUE SHOULD FILE IT WITH NTSB IMMEDIATELY. *TR
2009 DODGE NITRO - TPM VALVE STEMS CORROSION AT VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT -- NUT FAILS AND VALVE STEM BLOWS OUT WHILE DRIVING - TIRE GOES FLAT SO FAST OPERATOR CAN NOT STOP BEFORE TIRE IS DAMAGED AND HAS TO BE REPLACED - DEALER WILL REPLACE VALVE STEM BUT WILL NOT COVER THE TIRE LOSS - THIS COULD BE VERY UN SAFE AT HIGH SPEEDS - WE HAVE HAD 4 TO 5 OF THESE - ALSO INCLUDES JEEP LIBERTY - I FEEL DODGE NEEDS TO SEND OUT A RECALL TO INSPECT THE VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT ON VEHICLE WITH TPM SYSTEMS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING FOR ABOUT A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS. IT RANDOMLY WILL NOT START AND WILL ONLY CLICK WHEN YOU TRY TO START. IT STARTED OUT TURNING ON AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AND HAS ESCALATED TO MORE THAN 20 ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WOULD START. WE HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PARTS, HAVE CONTACTED DODGE CORPORATE, GOT 2ND OPINION AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. TODAY I WENT TO WORK AND HAD TO GO TO A MTG SO DROVE THERE AND WHEN I CAME BACK AND WENT TO START MY CAR IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I HEARD A HUMMING SOUND IN MY CAR BUT NOTICED THE ESP AND BAS LIGHTS WERE ON ON THE DASHBOARD. I THOUGHT OK MAYBE MY FIRST PROBLEM HAS COME TO A HEAD AND NOW WILL NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER, CALLED A TOW TRUCK, AND AFTER WAITING ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT STARTED. I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MYSELF. UPON READING INFO ON INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, I THINK. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM DEALER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX MY CAR FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM AND NOW I WILL WAIT ON SECOND PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAS 85,534 MILES AND WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED I BELIEVE I HAD ABOUT 58,000 TO 60,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR UP UNTIL THESE PROBLEMS. ONLINE I SEE PEOPLE HAVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT NO ANSWERS. HELP US PLEASE TO FIX MY CAR. CAR IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WITH THESE PROBLEMS.
WHILE DRIVING MY HORN SUDDENLY WENT OFF AND THEN ALL THE LIGHT ON THE DISH LIT UP AND THE CAR CUT OFF. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES TO NO AVAIL....I THEN TURNED ON MY EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND THEY BLINKED A COUPLE OF TIMES THEN A BEEPING SOUND WAS MADE, THE EVERYTHING WENT OUT AND SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I LIFTED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE TIPM. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS PART ON THESE VEHICLES AND NOTHING SEEM DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY FOR 75 MINUTES. PULLED OVER TO REST AREA- GOT OUT OF VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BUMPER ON THE BACK RIGHT SIDE WAS MELTED AND VERY HOT TO TOUCH. THEN NOTICED MY TAIL PIPE WAS GONE. MY GUESS IS THE EXHAUST FROM THE MUFFLER WAS HOT AND MELTED THE BUMPER.
1. WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65 TO 70MPH MY TRUCK MADE THIS THUMPING SOUND AND A BIG JERK. I STOPPED AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE TRUCK ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. I DROVE OFF AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO JERK REALLY BAD. WHAT COULD THIS BE????? *TR 2. THE LOCK ON THE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT LOCK WHEN YOU PRESSED THE LOCK SWITCH ON THE DOOR AND ON THE KEY, YOU HAD TO PUSH THE KNOB DOWN BY HAND. I HAD TO SPEND MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED. 3. THE PLASTIC THAT'S ON THE SIDE OF THE SEATS HAVE BROKEN WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. LOVE THE BODY OF THIS VEHICLE BUT TOO MANY THINGS WENT WRONG TOO SOON. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY AND LOW TIRE LIGHT CAME ON, LOST ALL AIR IN FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. WHEN I LOOKED THE AIR VALVE WAS MISSING, CHECKED OTHER WHEELS AND FOUND ALLOY LUG NUTS( TIRE PRESSURE MONITERS) WERE ALL CRACKED AND FALLING OFF. HAD TOWED TO CLIO RANDY WISE CHRYSLER. REPLACED ALL 4 SENSORS AND A TIRE $700 REPAIR ! ALTHOUGH IT IS A 2009 I ONLY HAVE 25,000 MILES ON IT. I'M VERY UPSET ABOUT PAYING FOR THIS REPAIR ! I MADE CALLS ONLY TO BE TOLD SORRY ! I SEE THERE ARE RECALLS ON THESE JUST NOT FOR MY VEHICLE.
2009 DODGE NITRO - TPM VALVE STEMS CORROSION AT VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT: WHEN RETAINING NUT FAILS, FALLS OFF, IT THEN CHEWS UP THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, AND THE VALVE STEM BLOWS OUT TIRE WHILE DRIVING - TIRE GOES FLAT SO FAST OPERATOR MUST STOP BEFORE WHEEL IS DAMAGED AND NOW WE FIND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT ALL 4 TIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON 4X4 VEHICLES OR IT WILL LEAD TO TRANSFER CASE (TRANSMISSION) ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD. YOU CANNOT JUST REPLACE THE DAMAGED TIRE. DODGE NEEDS TO SEND OUT A RECALL TO INSPECT THE VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT ON VEHICLE WITH TPM SYSTEMS AND REPLACE WITH A STAINLESS STEEL NUT. IF THE TPM IS REMOVED YOU WILL HAVE AN ANNOYING LIGHT ON IN THE DASH COMPLAINING ABOUT A TIRE SENSOR ISSUE. ANYONE ELSE THAT HAS THIS SAME ISSUE SHOULD FILE IT WITH NTSB IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
2009 DODGE NITRO - TPM VALVE STEMS CORROSION AT VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT: WHEN RETAINING NUT FAILS, FALLS OFF, IT THEN CHEWS UP THE INSIDE OF THE TIRE, AND THE VALVE STEM BLOWS OUT TIRE WHILE DRIVING - TIRE GOES FLAT SO FAST OPERATOR MUST STOP BEFORE WHEEL IS DAMAGED AND NOW WE FIND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT ALL 4 TIRES HAVE TO BE REPLACED ON 4X4 VEHICLES OR IT WILL LEAD TO TRANSFER CASE (TRANSMISSION) ISSUES DOWN THE ROAD. YOU CANNOT JUST REPLACE THE DAMAGED TIRE. DODGE NEEDS TO SEND OUT A RECALL TO INSPECT THE VALVE STEM RETAINING NUT ON VEHICLE WITH TPM SYSTEMS AND REPLACE WITH A STAINLESS STEEL NUT. IF THE TPM IS REMOVED YOU WILL HAVE AN ANNOYING LIGHT ON IN THE DASH COMPLAINING ABOUT A TIRE SENSOR ISSUE. ANYONE ELSE THAT HAS THIS SAME ISSUE SHOULD FILE IT WITH NTSB IMMEDIATELY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING FOR ABOUT A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS. IT RANDOMLY WILL NOT START AND WILL ONLY CLICK WHEN YOU TRY TO START. IT STARTED OUT TURNING ON AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AND HAS ESCALATED TO MORE THAN 20 ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WOULD START. WE HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PARTS, HAVE CONTACTED DODGE CORPORATE, GOT 2ND OPINION AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. TODAY I WENT TO WORK AND HAD TO GO TO A MTG SO DROVE THERE AND WHEN I CAME BACK AND WENT TO START MY CAR IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I HEARD A HUMMING SOUND IN MY CAR BUT NOTICED THE ESP AND BAS LIGHTS WERE ON ON THE DASHBOARD. I THOUGHT OK MAYBE MY FIRST PROBLEM HAS COME TO A HEAD AND NOW WILL NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER, CALLED A TOW TRUCK, AND AFTER WAITING ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT STARTED. I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MYSELF. UPON READING INFO ON INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, I THINK. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM DEALER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX MY CAR FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM AND NOW I WILL WAIT ON SECOND PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAS 85,534 MILES AND WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED I BELIEVE I HAD ABOUT 58,000 TO 60,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR UP UNTIL THESE PROBLEMS. ONLINE I SEE PEOPLE HAVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT NO ANSWERS. HELP US PLEASE TO FIX MY CAR. CAR IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WITH THESE PROBLEMS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR STARTING FOR ABOUT A LITTLE OVER 3 YEARS. IT RANDOMLY WILL NOT START AND WILL ONLY CLICK WHEN YOU TRY TO START. IT STARTED OUT TURNING ON AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS AND HAS ESCALATED TO MORE THAN 20 ATTEMPTS BEFORE IT WOULD START. WE HAVE REPLACED A LOT OF PARTS, HAVE CONTACTED DODGE CORPORATE, GOT 2ND OPINION AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS. TODAY I WENT TO WORK AND HAD TO GO TO A MTG SO DROVE THERE AND WHEN I CAME BACK AND WENT TO START MY CAR IT WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING. I HEARD A HUMMING SOUND IN MY CAR BUT NOTICED THE ESP AND BAS LIGHTS WERE ON ON THE DASHBOARD. I THOUGHT OK MAYBE MY FIRST PROBLEM HAS COME TO A HEAD AND NOW WILL NOT START. I CALLED THE DEALER, CALLED A TOW TRUCK, AND AFTER WAITING ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT STARTED. I DECIDED TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MYSELF. UPON READING INFO ON INTERNET I SEE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM, I THINK. I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM DEALER. THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON MY CAR BUT THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX MY CAR FOR THE FIRST PROBLEM AND NOW I WILL WAIT ON SECOND PROBLEM. MY CAR ONLY HAS 85,534 MILES AND WHEN PROBLEMS STARTED I BELIEVE I HAD ABOUT 58,000 TO 60,000 MILES. IT HAS BEEN A GOOD CAR UP UNTIL THESE PROBLEMS. ONLINE I SEE PEOPLE HAVE SOME OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT NO ANSWERS. HELP US PLEASE TO FIX MY CAR. CAR IS ALWAYS STATIONARY WITH THESE PROBLEMS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 DODGE NITRO 4X4. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .