2008 Dodge Nitro Problems

An intermittent electrical failure is affecting multiple vehicle systems. The vehicle has unexpectedly stalled while driving on the interstate, leaving it without power in moving traffic. It has also experienced repeated no-start conditions, transmission entering limp mode, the engine continuing to run after the key was removed, and random operation of the horn, windshield wipers, washer pumps, and other electrical components while driving and while parked. These failures occur without warning and create a serious risk of a crash, injury, or death due to sudden loss of propulsion in interstate traffic and unpredictable vehicle behavior. The problem has become progressively more frequent despite previous repairs. The vehicle is available for inspection. I fear for my life.

Car shut off while driving, prior have had issues. Have replaces TIPM module, ignition, grounding, etc

Gas keeps overflowing every time I pump gas into no matter what pump or gas station I am using.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated while attempting to refuel the vehicle, the fuel was spilling from the vehicle onto the ground. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that the horn and the rear and front windshield wipers were inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that her neighbor disconnected and reconnected the battery and the failure was corrected. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was contacted. The failure mileage was 168,000.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle the horn inadvertently started blowing and windshield wipers activated independently. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with an unknown electrical wiring failure. The dealer replaced the battery cables; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 57,000.

IT STARTED WITH ALL DASH LIGHTS COMING ON SAYING IT HAD ISSUES AND THEN JUST STOPPED DEAD IN ROAD. I HAD TPIM PUT IN, THEN ALTERNATOR , AND THEN NEW BATTERY. WAS FINE AND THEN HEAD LIGHTS STOPPED COMING ON . NEXT, IT STARTING WITH HORN, AND EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN COMING ON AND NOT STOPPING. TOOK TO SHOP AND THEY THOUGHT THEY FOUND IT, AND DROVE FOR A DAY AND AS SOON AS I TURNED ON HEADLIGHTS IT STALLED. IN MOTION ON A STREET DRIVING.

VEHICLE STARTED HAVING ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WIPERS AND LIGHTS WOULD JUMP ON BY THEMSELVES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. TIPM AND ESP ICON LIT UP ON THE DASH SHORTLY AFTER. VEHICLE WOULD MAKE GRINDING NOISES WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE INTO DIFFERENT GEARS (PARK, REVERSE, AND DRIVE). DOORS WOULD NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AS IT WAS PROGRAMMED TO DO. FUNCTIONS ON KEY FOB NO LONGER WORKED AS THEY SHOULD (LOCK BUTTON WOULD UNLOCK THE DOORS AND UNLOCK BUTTON WOULD ACTIVATE THE AUTOMATIC START). I REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE KEY FOB AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS BROKEN INTO ONCE THE FOB STARTED MALFUNCTIONING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR THE LAST 3.5 WEEKS AFTER ELECTRICAL ISSUES GOT WORSE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED COMING ON. I HAVE READ SEVERAL REVIEWS AND CHECKED FOR RECALLS AND IT SEEMS THAT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2008 DODGE NITRO ARE VERY COMMON AMONGST OTHER DODGE DRIVERS AS WELL AS CHRYSLER 300 DRIVERS. I KNOW OF 2 OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WITH THEIR CHRYSLER 300S (OLDER 2007 MODELS). A RECALL NEEDS TO BE STARTED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES BECAUSE OPERATING THESE VEHICLES IN THIS STATE ARE HIGHLY UNSAFE. I WAS DRIVING TO WORK (ABOUT 530ISH ONE MORNING) AND THE ABS, ESP, TIPM, AND AIRBAG ICON ALL CAME ON AND THEN MY TRUCK STARTED STALLING OUT. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME AND IT'S BEEN PARKED EVER SINCE. OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS IF AND ONCE THESE LIGHTS COME ON.

An intermittent electrical failure is affecting multiple vehicle systems. The vehicle has unexpectedly stalled while driving on the interstate, leaving it without power in moving traffic. It has also experienced repeated no-start conditions, transmission entering limp mode, the engine continuing to run after the key was removed, and random operation of the horn, windshield wipers, washer pumps, and other electrical components while driving and while parked. These failures occur without warning and create a serious risk of a crash, injury, or death due to sudden loss of propulsion in interstate traffic and unpredictable vehicle behavior. The problem has become progressively more frequent despite previous repairs. The vehicle is available for inspection. I fear for my life.

The vehicle throws the abs, esp,break and traction control lights and then while driving completely at random then turns off WHILE DRIVING!!!! which can cause an accident (I and my daughter are lucky to be alive) this is not ok the vehicle drives fine then at random throws those lights and shuts off after restarting it the check engine light comes on and says the transmission shift solenoid b is malfunction and the vehicle wouldn't shift properly. Luckily I had my code reader I. The car with me I cleared the code and now the car drives fine until this happens again I'm scared to drive it this is dangerous their's no warning. I drive on the highway everyday their's no warning it happens at random 2 times I've been lucky. No codes came up driving after clearing it and the car drives fine now but it's happened 2 times while driving this is extremely dangerous and I don't know what to do because with the codes gone the issues are gone but they randomly all the lights mentioned above come on and then the car shuts off with no warning then when you restart it it throws a different code for a different problem the first time was a low voltage code I cleared it and even Tho my battery tested good I replaced it and two days later the same issue and a different code

ESP BAS LIGHTS (APPEARED AFTER). AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR FELT LIKE IT HIT A BRICK WALL EVEN THOUGH IT DIDNT, IT SLAMMED ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN CONTINUED DRIVING. AT THAT POINT, THE ESP BAS LIGHT CAME ON. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT DODGE OR CHRYSLER BY PHONE WITH NO CHANCE AT REACHING A PERSON CAUSE OF ROBOTIC ANSWERING SERVICES.

TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL. THE RECALL WAS FOR REPLACING THE EMBLEM ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE EMBLEM WAS REMOVED BUT THE REPLACEMENT COVER WAS NOT INSTALLED. ALSO THE RECALL FOR THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS NOT DONE.

WHILE DRIVING THE EXITER RING BROKE CAUSING ABS/TRACTION CONTROL/ESP LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. OPENING THE DOOR THE SPRING DETACHED, DOOR NOW FREELY SWINGS OPEN. HEATER CORE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. THE CAR NO LONGER HEATS UP. THE REAR WINDOW WIPER NO LONGER WORKS PROPERLY. THE DOORS IN THE REAR OF THE CAR NO LONGER LOCK OR UNLOCK WHEN USING THE ELECTRIC LOCK CONTROL. THE HEAT SHIELD FROM UNDER THE CAR BROKE OFF THE VEHICLE.

WHEN I TRIED TO START THE DODGE NITRO THE DOORS LOCKED , HORN BLOWS, WIPERS AND FLUID RUN. AND NOW THE CAR WONT START AT ALL. UNHOOKED THE BATTERY TERMINAL AND HOOKED IT BACK UP, DOORS ALL LOCK WITH KEYS INSIDE. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2007 NITROS FOR THE SAME REASONS. WHY WONT THEY FIX THE 2008 MODELS AS WELL. THERE REALLY NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 5 MPH, the front drive shaft fractured, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop, and the front driver's side and passenger's side airbags erroneously deployed. The contact stated that there was no collision during the incident. The contact's son sustained a concussion and facial injuries, causing severe swelling to the face and severe headaches. No medical treatment was received, but the son remained bed ridden for several days from the injuries sustained during the air bag deployment. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000(Power Train, Air Bags, Structure), which the contact's son related to the failure. The failure mileage was 203,000.

The vehicle throws the abs, esp,break and traction control lights and then while driving completely at random then turns off WHILE DRIVING!!!! which can cause an accident (I and my daughter are lucky to be alive) this is not ok the vehicle drives fine then at random throws those lights and shuts off after restarting it the check engine light comes on and says the transmission shift solenoid b is malfunction and the vehicle wouldn't shift properly. Luckily I had my code reader I. The car with me I cleared the code and now the car drives fine until this happens again I'm scared to drive it this is dangerous their's no warning. I drive on the highway everyday their's no warning it happens at random 2 times I've been lucky. No codes came up driving after clearing it and the car drives fine now but it's happened 2 times while driving this is extremely dangerous and I don't know what to do because with the codes gone the issues are gone but they randomly all the lights mentioned above come on and then the car shuts off with no warning then when you restart it it throws a different code for a different problem the first time was a low voltage code I cleared it and even Tho my battery tested good I replaced it and two days later the same issue and a different code

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 5 MPH, the front drive shaft fractured, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop, and the front driver's side and passenger's side airbags erroneously deployed. The contact stated that there was no collision during the incident. The contact's son sustained a concussion and facial injuries, causing severe swelling to the face and severe headaches. No medical treatment was received, but the son remained bed ridden for several days from the injuries sustained during the air bag deployment. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000(Power Train, Air Bags, Structure), which the contact's son related to the failure. The failure mileage was 203,000.

2008 Dodge nitro in a collision going between 35 and 45 miles per hour had a major rear end accident. Police paramedics and fire came on scene. The air bags never deployed. This vehicle was taken for the air bags emblem recall in 2022. The vehicle should have air bags that deploy.

The contact owns a 2008 Dodge Nitro. The contact stated that while the son was driving approximately 5 MPH, the front drive shaft fractured, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop, and the front driver's side and passenger's side airbags erroneously deployed. The contact stated that there was no collision during the incident. The contact's son sustained a concussion and facial injuries, causing severe swelling to the face and severe headaches. No medical treatment was received, but the son remained bed ridden for several days from the injuries sustained during the air bag deployment. The cause of the failures were not determined. The manufacturer and the local dealer were notified of the failures. The contact was informed of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V121000(Power Train, Air Bags, Structure), which the contact's son related to the failure. The failure mileage was 203,000.

ON 2/11/2021 ME AN MY MOM WAS HEAD TO DOCTOR AT 445AM AND IT WAS JUST RAINING COLD AND WE HIT A PATCH OF ICE GOING 20 MILES AND HOUR AND I LOST CONTROL AND WE WENT ROLLING 3 TIMES AND AIR. BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT RESTRIORS DIDNT RESTRICT AS WE WAS ROLLING SOME TIME IN PROCESS MY HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD AND GOT KNOCKED OUT IT WAS ON A HWY MOVING THEIR WAS NO ONE ON THE ROAD BUT US.. IT WOUNT LET ME UP LOAD MY PICTURES I HAVE BUT WILL BE GLADE TO MAIL THEM TO U WAITING ON POLICE REPORT HE PUT WRONG INFORMATION ABOUT ME ON FOR SO IT NEEDTO BE FIXED.*DT

ESP BAS LIGHTS (APPEARED AFTER). AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR FELT LIKE IT HIT A BRICK WALL EVEN THOUGH IT DIDNT, IT SLAMMED ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN CONTINUED DRIVING. AT THAT POINT, THE ESP BAS LIGHT CAME ON. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT DODGE OR CHRYSLER BY PHONE WITH NO CHANCE AT REACHING A PERSON CAUSE OF ROBOTIC ANSWERING SERVICES.

Power steering locks up, power steering fluid not helping. Looks like oil mixed in with the coolant. Car smoking and overheating

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. THE CONTACT STATED THEN WHEN THE DOORS WERE LOCKED, THE LOCKS SPONTANEOUSLY UNLOCK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE DOORS LOCKS WERE UNABLE TO LOCK MANUALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LOCK THE DOORS WITH THE KEY FOB AND ON THE VEHICLE'S DOOR PANEL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WHEN I START MY TRUCK IT DO NOT START RIGHT AWAY. I HAVE TO TRY AT LEAST 3 TIMES. WHEN I PUT MY TRUCK IN REVERSE THE CAR STALLS AN THEN I HAVE TO APPL THE GAS HARD AN IT JERKS AN DOESN'T MOVE. I HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE THE TRY TO REVERSE AGAIN. THERE'S ALSO A LOUD RUBBING NOISE WHILE IN REVERSE. THERE'S ALSO A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THE RADIO GOES IN AN OUT. THERE IS BLACK PADDING AROUND MY CAR BATTERY TO KEEP THE WIRES FROM TOUCHING. I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE HEAT WAS NOT WORKING. THEY TOOK THE TRUCK AND MADE THE REPAIRS. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS FIXED WAS THE HEAT. I AM STILL DEALING WITH THE OTHER ISSUES. I HAVE THREE CHILDREN. TWO OF THEM HAVE DISABILITIES. AUTISM AND ADHD. THIS SITUATION IS VERY STRESSFUL. WHEN I PURCHASED THIS LEASED SUV I HAD ALL THESE PROBLEMS AN I STILL HAVE THEM.

DRIVING ON A BUMPY RODE, I COME ACROSS A PIT HOLE, I HIT THE BRAKES TO AVOID ANY LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND WHILE DOUG SO I FEEL MY BRAKE SHAKE AND THE SUSPENSION GIVE OUT CAUSE THE BRAKES TO GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AS IF I HAVE NO BRAKE POWER, TOOK TO SHOP THEY DID A TOTAL BREAK REPAIR OF $400, COME ANOTHER RAINY DAY BRAKES GO OUT THE SAME WAY, SHOP SAID ITS MUST BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT

ESP BAS LIGHTS (APPEARED AFTER). AS I WAS DRIVING, THE CAR FELT LIKE IT HIT A BRICK WALL EVEN THOUGH IT DIDNT, IT SLAMMED ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEN CONTINUED DRIVING. AT THAT POINT, THE ESP BAS LIGHT CAME ON. HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CONTACT DODGE OR CHRYSLER BY PHONE WITH NO CHANCE AT REACHING A PERSON CAUSE OF ROBOTIC ANSWERING SERVICES.

THE BREAKS ON MY 2008 DODGE NITRO KEEP LOCKING UP COMPLETELY WHILE I'M DRIVING DOWN THE HWY. WHICH CAUSES MY TRUCK TO COME TO A ABRUPTLY FORCEFULE STOP. ESPECIALLY WHEN I'M TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 65 OR MORE. I CAN GET THE BRAKES TO RELEASE BY UNHOOKING MY BATTERY FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. LONG ENOUGH FOR THE SYSTEM TO RESET. MY BRAKE PADS ARE SLIGHTLY WORN . MY ABS LIGHT IS ALSO ON / ON MY DASH.

ON 2/11/2021 ME AN MY MOM WAS HEAD TO DOCTOR AT 445AM AND IT WAS JUST RAINING COLD AND WE HIT A PATCH OF ICE GOING 20 MILES AND HOUR AND I LOST CONTROL AND WE WENT ROLLING 3 TIMES AND AIR. BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT RESTRIORS DIDNT RESTRICT AS WE WAS ROLLING SOME TIME IN PROCESS MY HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD AND GOT KNOCKED OUT IT WAS ON A HWY MOVING THEIR WAS NO ONE ON THE ROAD BUT US.. IT WOUNT LET ME UP LOAD MY PICTURES I HAVE BUT WILL BE GLADE TO MAIL THEM TO U WAITING ON POLICE REPORT HE PUT WRONG INFORMATION ABOUT ME ON FOR SO IT NEEDTO BE FIXED.*DT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 DODGE NITRO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT SECURE THE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ONE OF THE OCCUPANTS SPINE WAS KNOCKED OUT OF THE ALIGNMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEFECTIVE. TWO ENGINEERS WERE SENT TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THEY CONCLUDED THAT ALL COMPONENTS WERE FUNCTIONING NORMALLY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31000.

2008 DODGE NITRO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND MECHANICAL REPAIR PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AC AND WENT OUT, ALONG WITH THE LOW AND HIGH SWITCH MELTING SOME OF THE UNDER PANEL WHERE THE SWITCH WAS MOUNTED. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM OUT THE DASH WHILE DRIVING. THE HORN WAS BLARED OUT OF CONTROL, DRAINING THE BATTERY, THE RADIO WOULD NOT COME ON, THE DOORS LOCKED AND UNLOCKED UNCONTROLLABLY, THE WHEEL AND HUB FAILED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES, IN ONE YEAR. WHEN THE CONSUMER CLICKED THE UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEY PAD, THE DOOR LOCKS WENT HAYWIRE, IT WOULD LOCK AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. THE TIPM WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, A WEEK LATER, THE PROBLEMS RETURNED WITH THE HEADLIGHTS STAYING ON, THE HORN BLARING OUT OF CONTROL AND THE DOORS LOCKING AND UNLOCKING AND NOT BEING ABLE TO ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE HEAD LIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS WERE REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. *JB

CHRYSLER DENIES RESPONSIBILITY AND NO LAWYER WANTS TO FIGHT CHRYSLER. I AM NOT PUTTING MY FAMILY'S LIFE IN JEOPARDY WITH THAT CAR. ON 2/18/08 I LEASED A 2008 DODGE NITRO AT CRESTWOOD DODGE. ON 3/31/08 MY WIFE ROUTINELY STARTED THE NITRO, PUT HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE (AND NOT THE GAS) AND ENGAGED THE GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE. WITHIN A SPLIT SECOND, THE CAR MADE AN UNUSUALLY LOUD NOISE AND THE CAR BURSTED BACKWARD TAKING OUT THE RIGHT SIDE OF OUR GATE AND A PORTION OF THE FENCE ADJACENT TO THE GATE. THIS TOOK HER BY SURPRISE. SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE BUT THE BRAKE WAS NOT ABLE TO ENGAGE AS THE TRANSMISSION HAD TORQUED THE ENGINE SO HARD THAT IT FORCED HER INTO THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE AND THE REAR BUMPER RAMMED INTO A BRICK PILLAR SUPPORTING THE ROOF OF THE FRONT PORCH AND DAMAGED THE CAR. THE IMPACT OF HITTING THE HOUSE AND THE PILLAR EVENTUALLY STOPPED THE MOMENTUM OF THE NITRO. I CALLED THE SERVICE MGR AT CRESTWOOD TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY KNOWN RECALLS ON THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONING ON THE NITRO. HE TOLD ME NO. I ASKED HIM FOR ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO. HE REFERRED ME TO THE CHRYSLER CUSTOMER CLAIMS RESOLUTION GROUP. (CCCRG) I FILED A CLAIM WITH THIS CCCRG. THEN WE RECEIVED A FORM LETTER FROM THEM STATING THAT THEY WILL SEND AN INVESTIGATOR TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE NITRO. CCCRG INFORMED US THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS PERFORMED AT DEARBORN COLLISION AND THAT WE WILL RECEIVE AN ANSWER. THEY REFERRED ME TO THE CASE MGR. ON 4/9/08 WE RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THE INSPECTOR FOUND NO INDICATION OF A MALFUNCTIONING DEFECT. I SPOKE BRIEFLY WITH DEARBORN COLLISION AND ASKED ABOUT THIS INVESTIGATION. THEY STATED THAT THE INVESTIGATOR HARDLY LOOKED AT ANYTHING. NEVER EVEN STARTED THE CAR AND THAT HE WERE IN AND OUT WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. ON 4/10/08 I SPOKE TO THE CASE MANAGER AND DISCUSSED HOW WE CAN JUST GET A NEW LEASE. HE ADVISED ME THAT IF I WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP AND ARRANGE A MEETING WITH THE DISTRICT MGR THAT GOVERNS CRESTWOOD DODGE. *TR