Car Record Book

2007 Dodge Nitro recalls & problems

The 2007 Dodge Nitro has 7 safety recalls and 494 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (133 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls
Complaints494filed by owners
Crashes · fires16 · 11reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths22 · 0reported in complaints
2007 Dodge Nitro in an NHTSA crash test
2007 Dodge Nitro in an NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 20V396000 · Jul 7, 2020 · 925,239 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Components: Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module; Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar

Structure

NHTSA recall 13V121000 · Apr 3, 2013 · 62,578 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Components: Structure; Air bags; Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer

NHTSA recall 09V438000 · Nov 6, 2009 · 82,079 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE IMPAIRED VISIBILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: 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.

Parking brake

NHTSA recall 08V525000 · Oct 8, 2008 · 3,663 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: THIS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO MOVE INADVERTENTLY AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

NHTSA recall 07V434000 · Sep 14, 2007 · 296,550 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: 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.

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 07V291000 · Jul 3, 2007 · 80,894 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE (TIPM) WAS PROGRAMMED WITH SOFTWARE THAT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TIPM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

NHTSA recall 06V493000 · Dec 29, 2006 · 50,665 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE MAY CAUSE THE REAR BRAKES TO LOCK UP DURING CERTAIN BRAKING CONDITIONS.

Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 19, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2007 Dodge Nitro NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test

2007 Dodge Nitro 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk21.9%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Nitro 2WD

19mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Nitro 2WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Nitro 4WD

18mpg combined
City / highway15 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Nitro 4WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 22 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.7 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Nitro 2WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 21 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Nitro 4WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Electrical system
Software; Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
133251100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
Storage › Tank assembly; Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
8400040,068 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
5700080,000 mi
Power train
Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
5503771,000 mi
Structure
Body › Door; Body
5311179,428 mi
Air bags
Frontal
418216114,783 mi
Unknown or other
36000123,882 mi
Engine
3613278,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
Doors › Latch; Hatchback/liftgate › Lock
2100079,500 mi
Visibility/wiper
21000110,000 mi
Steering
Steering wheel/handle bar
1920280,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
Cooling system; Engine
1801023,700 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations